Connecticut western news., 1912-07-18
Bob" VanDeusen's Capture.
W. P. WILL.
Canaan, July 15.

To the Editor of The News:-
 Will you allow me to tell your readers a true story about real hero. A good many years ago, in the good old state of Connecticut, there was a desperate bur glar and all around criminal that had been in prison several times for bank, pOstoffice and store robberles and other misdemeanors. This desperado had been so successful in previous activity in the line of crime and robbery that he thought no man could ever capture him. There were rewards out for him, of course. He had committed so many acts of vio- lence and robbery the whole state was alarmed, and every one was on the look out for the notorious Dick Hadley-that was the name of this dangerous outlaw who, with the help of his confederates, had terrorized the whole state.
 About this time Dick Hadley and his gang paid Canaan visit, but they were hard pressed by officers in pursuit of them. Some of their burglary tools were found beside the road. They were hungry and so made a call on one of your residents. William German, for something to eat. "Bill" supplied their place, MT. German, suspecting who they were, hied himself to the village and in- formed the Canaan people about his wis itors, and decided effort was made to capture HadleY and his gang. It was learned that they were i'll the Canaan swamp. Here is where my hero comes in.
 MT. Robert VanDeusen, the bravest little man that ever wore a deputy sheriff's badge, determined to capture this desperado, dead or alive, and event. ually he dld accomplish thls feat. They made up party of men under MT Van Deusen, and a sheriff and posse of men came from Great Harrington to share ln the glory of this capture. After they had arranged 8 plan of attack they sur rounded the gang of robbers in the Ca- naan swamp, between Canaan and the Camp Meeting station, about mile or so from my home. I lived in Canaan at the time. After they had closed up on the robbers and the fight was on in ear nest-and it was gun fight, for Hadley and his gang were determined to resist capture-the fight waged so fierce that the big Burlington deputy sheriff and h1s men deserted and ran away, as did all the rest, leaving our brave little sheriff to make the capture alone. And he.was equal to this emergency. During the fight, brave Robert singled out this Dick HadIey and determined to capture. This he did after being wounded twice. He knocked Hadley down and overpow- cred and shackled him and dragged him out of that swamp, loaded him into his wagon and brought him to Canaan, kept him under strong guard that night, then he took hls prisoner to Hartford the next day and he was convicted of his many crimes.
 Hadley's men escaped during the fight in the swamp. Hadley paid quite a compliment to Sheriff VanDeusen. He pointed him out in the court room at Hartford and said There is the bravest little rooster 1 eyer went up against. ]" It was said that Hadley escaped from the officers when they was taking him to prison but he was captured later, or killed. 1 think MT. German felt safer when Dick Hadley was no more for it was said he pointed his finger at MT. Cor man in the court room at Hartford say ing, ''I will see you later"
 There was considerable said about our brave little sheriff Ill the papers. He had write up in the Police Gazette, of New York, and his photo, with words of nigh praise. They ran him for high sheriff on the republican ticket, and he was defeated. l have always thought this shame, that he was not elected, for he deserved it and if had been boss of things would have made Bill Cor man constable at least. I suppose Ga naan did show some appreciation of the part he took in the matter.
 1 often think of the Canaan folks of forty years ago. OHAs A. HARRIS.
 Two Harbors, Minn.