The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1910-08-24
.COULDNT BRING
HORSETH|EF BACK
Because Governor Would
Mt Issue Requisition.
ALLOWED TO ESCAPE JUSTICE
Because Gov. Wilson Thought
Capture Wasn't Worth
the Cost.
SPECIMEN OF WILSON LOGIC
The Harrodsburg Herald says:

The Harrodsburg Herald says:
Frank Gross, who took a horse
and runabout from H. r. Howard,
of Lincoln county and sold them in
Harrodsburg on April court day, will
escape the penalty of his crime be-
cause Governor Wilson will not is
sue a requisition for his return to
the scene of his misdoings. Gross
hired the turnout from How
ard, drove to Harrodsburg
and sold the horse on
the street to the highest bidder, Ed
Rutherford, of Jessamine county, be-
coming the purchaser, and the vehi-
Gle and harness going to some one
else. Shortly after buying the ami
NAL Rutherford offered the horse for
sale, Mr.. T. ]. Royalty, of Mercer, be-
coming the purchaser at $7l.5O,
Rutherford making thirteen dollars
in the transaction.
Several days ago Mr.. Howard put
in an appearance at Harrodsburg
looking for his horse. He learned OF
Rutherford's part in the transaction
and went to Jessamine to interview
him, but Rutherford informed him
he did not know who the second pur-
chaser was. In the meantime
Howard had made a diligent seach
for his property and being unable to
find his horse, gave it up as gone
from him and his heirs, and return
ed home.
Is Three weeks after this Mr.. Royalty
| Tead the story of the stolen horse.
He drove IA miles and came here to
say that he had bought horse on
the day named that fitted the des-
cription of the one missing. He
then saw Chief of Police Smith and
informed him of the matter The
officer telephoned Howard to come
and get his property. Rutherford re-
fused to make good to Royalty and
therefore he is out the $3.50, but
he has instituted suit against Ruth
erford for that amount.
In the meantime Chief Smith and
his subordinates, assisted by County
Attorney Rodman Keenon, got busy.
After many weeks and much trouble,
they located Gross in an extreme
Western county of Nebraska, border
ing on the Idaho line, the western
sheriff going to considerable trouble
TO locate him. When everything had
been planned out and policeman Bev
Bonita had arranged to make the long
tourney after the horse thief and
bring him back to Harrodsburg, Gov.
Wilson was asked for a requisition.
To the great surprise of the ofhcers
His Excellency wrote County At
torney Keenon last Saturday, refus-
ing the necessary papers, saying that
the horse was worth only $40 and he
did not think the State could anord
TO nav out 5000 to send an officer to
Nebraska for a man who had stolen
only $40 worth Of horsehesh.
The amount involved should cut
no figure in the case. The horse
sold for s71.5O and had 1t been
worth IS, the principle involved Is
sufficient to have had the thief re-
turned. The procedure of the Gov
ernor will not tend to suppress night
riding and other crimes. The law
breaker should know that he will be
brought to justice regardless of cost
We believe that on a former occa-
sion Governor Wilson refused extra
dition papers for a criminal who had
fled to Indiana, saying that 1t was
good radiance for Kentucky. He
should remember that $4,000 reward
was offered for Vending and that
the city of Louisville expended $lO'-
600 in the 11,O0O-mile chase to
bring him to the scene of his alleged
crime. If he is guilty,t the cost OF ap-
pretending him is Insignificant.