The Churchill county standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1908-1920, 1917-04-04
YOUNG MEN ARE ARRESTED
ON CATTLE STEALING CHARGE
Will Swift Makes Sensational Dash
For Liberty, But Returns Volun-
tarily to Face Charges

and William Swift we're placed un-
der arrest last week charged with
cattle stealing and are now in the
county jail awaiting a preliminary
examination, which it is expected
will take place some day the pres
ent week.
The arrest of the young men, all
of whom are quite well known,
is limited that the end is not yet, as
the Investigations under way by
| Sheriff Wildes and District Attorney
Kenny point to the existence of q
group of operatives in this particu-
lar line that has its ramifications ex-
tending even into the business life
of the community.
The first intimation that anything
was wrong, came on Sunday of last
week, when Alex Weiland, who is
! feeding cattle in this section for H.
Levy, reported that six head of cat
/ tie, four steers and two cows, which
were to be shipped last Tuesday,
were missing from the corral of the
Williams Estate Co. Sheriff Wildes
! Immediately started an investiga-
/ ton which disclosed that six car
+ casses had been turned into the Fal-
i Ion Slaughtering & Supply Co.'S shop
/ tagged as cows, and that four of
them were prime steers. The ami
mails had been purchased by William
/ Swift, who is employed at the
slaughter house and who is en-
powered to purchase beeves and is
sue vouchers for them, which would
be paid in the form of a check by
the cashier of the Fallon S. & s. Co.
In this case the check was made
out to L. Holt, but had been cashed
at the bank by Lee Sepulveda.
Sepulveda claimed that the cattle
came from the Mitchell ranch on Old
river and that he had helped Guy
Mitchell drive them in. Mitchell
meanwhile had departed and was
intercepted at Reno where he was
placed under arrest by Chief Hill
house on a telegraphic description
from Sheriff Wildes. Mitchell Wig
orously protested his innocence and
declared that terrible mistake had
been made. However, Sheriff
Wildes went to Reno and returned
with him Thursday. That after
noon William Swift was taken into
cutsody as the third member of the
trio.
Mitchell secured bail for the of
Tense charged, but was immediatel,
re-arrested on a similar charge
Frank Land & Cattle Co.. who have
likewise been sufferers from similar
depredations during the past month.
Swift, like his companions earn
estiy protested his innocence and
made plea that he was i'll and that
confinement in the Jail would SER
iously endanger his health. How
ever an interview with his physician
/ failed to bear out the statement and
Swift was advised to seek bail He
! had retained Attorney A. L. Haight
to defend him and while he was
talking with his attorney and the
Sheriff over the matter Friday even
! Aa Hoc
liberty out the front door. Sheriff
Wildes. although taken by surprise,
promptly set about intercepting him
and wired and telephoned in all di-
rections. Meanwhile Swift proceed
ed to the slaughter house, saddled
his horse and took to the country
roads. Early in the morning he ap-
peared at the Sears ranch east of
town and was induced by Mr.. Sears
who had been retained to defend
| Mitchell, that it would be best FIR
him to return and give himself up.
Accordingly he accompanied Sears
back to the Sheriffs office Saturday
morning.
The sensational features attend
ing the affair has resulted in no end
of rumors involving many well
known people in the community. 1t
has been stated that one of the
young men has turned States evil
dence and made clean breast of
the whole affair. On this feature
the officials are silent, but state that
they are investigating every clue
that promises to cast any new light
on the subject.
Conflicting stories are told as to
the disposition OF the hides of the
stolen animals. BY some II is said
that they were burned In the offal
inoinerating plant at the slaughter
house, while others contend that
they were shipped to California
tannery
There is an evident disposition ON
the part of some to manufacture
sympathy for the arrested men by
circulating reports that they are be-
ing deprived of all opportunities to
secure counsel or to interview their
| friends. The officers state that this
is entirely untrue, but to the con-
trary they have been afforded every
A..