American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1909-07-03
BOLD RUSTLERS
! ELUDE OFFICERS
Pass Through Town With
Band Of Stolen Stock.
Dfficers Press Thieves so Hard Stolen
Stock is Abandoned Identity of
Thieves Probably Known by
q Officers.


Horsethieves got busy on the Mackay
branch north of here Sunday and got
sway with twenty-five head of horses.
Monday about midnight they crossed
the river here, and headed south. In
% great a hurry were they, and so
anxious to escape observation that they
drove the horse across the steep grade
of the railroad south of the depot. Six
of the animals crossed the cattle gaurd
into the enclosed right of way and were
left there, the risk of capture evidently
being considered too great to warrant
tarrying longer than necessary.
And we'll they did so, because Con-
stable George Strong and others had
been apprised that they might come
this way, and were notified soon after
they passed through. by Joe Gish whose
attention was drawn to the horses as
they were crossing the track. Two
men were in charge of the animals at
that time. Word received since is to
tie effect that three men were in
charge of them as they passed through
Aberdeen. 1t is presumed that one OF
the men was acting as scout when the
horses were taken through, proceeding
them into town and getting word back
that the coast was clear. This theory
Is strengthened by the fact that when
the thieves discovered they were. being
followed they abandoned all but three
Of the animals, indicating that there
were as many of the thieves.
George Strong, Arthur West and
Rufus Lounsbury took up the trail ct
the thieves as soon as they could after
being notified of them having passed
through, and pressed the men so closely
that they abandoned thirteen of the re-
manning sixteen head of horses at the
Narrows, about twelve miles below
town. These were rounded up and re-
turned to the owner, o. L. Partmesil,
by Mr.. Strong Tuesday.
Officers from Bingham county had
arrived by that time and took up the
,frail on fresh mounts. The Jaded
animals of the thieves could not KEEP
ahead of the officers, and were aban'
aoned on Raft river, and reterned tc
American Falls Thursday. The thieves
we're not captured, but a strict water
= being kept for them, and they VII
- fortunate if they succeed in getting
sway.
One of the men in charge of the
hoeses is said to have passed the winter
Ro, leaving suddenly about two
nnths ago. Soon after his disappear
nzAre horses began to disappear, an'
TIT he had some connection with thei
drnpperance is considered very prob
81. The officers believe they know
~hnm all the party were, and are con
&1lt of rounding them up in the nea
fnGmxe
YAe boldness of the thieves is some
tkiAe remarkable. The horses, a
allltldlS, WCIS idnSA ihS'' N>@ -
eee with their halters on, passin
thruNgh Aberdeen early in the evening
md hrough American Falls on br1gh
HAk so light that anyone acquainte
them would easily have recognize
The officers have been given
Nat the route through town wa
1ughly inspected, and the fact as
ined beyond question that tn
re was not guarded before tn
- were brought down from tn
nstable Strong did good work
ering the animals. He has ma
aerable experience as an officer,
er of years ago capturing som
thieves who had succeeded
6g the officers of Bannock count
pnths. He was located at Henr
time, and made the capture wit
le near there.