Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1919-04-10
Arrested For Stealing.
County Officers Are Kept Busy
Rounding Up Smith Brothers.

Since our last issue, local and county
officers have been kept busy rounding up
two men, Luther B. (Fleet) Smith and
his brother Ross Smith, who are charged
with stealing meat from the smokehouse
of Mr.. l.. R. Waesche, this place, on
Saturday night March 3Oth.
Search warrants were sworn out by
Mr.. Waesche and the premises OF Fleet
Smith in Thurmont was searched moth
ing being found however.
Several days later Fleet Smith took
barrel to the depot at Deerfield for ship
ment, the same beng labeled potatoes,
and consigned to his father at Union
bridge. The odor of bacon was detec-
ed coming from this barrel and Deputy
Lide and Mr.. Waesche we're notified.
Another search warrant was issued
and the barrel opened Potatoes were
found at both ends of the barrel, and
three pieces of bacon occupied the space
between. Mr.. Waesche identified two
pieces of meat as his.
A warrant,w sworn out for Fleet
Smith and Wednesday night number OF
deputy sheritf's went to the home or
Arnold Wilhide near Deerfield where
Smith was found and placed under arrest.
Smith and his family moved to Deertield
on April L. Smith was taken to Freder-
lex Jail and held until Friday afternoon
when he was given hearing before
Justice Cadow in Thurmont.
At the hearing Smith made the state
ment that his brother Ross brought the
meat to Deerfeld snd was shipping same
to the father at Union Bridge. He was
released under $500 bond, his father-in-
law John Ambrose of Deertield ard Sam'l
Lewis, Attorney of Frederick beng
named as bondsmen.
At the time meat was stolen, the two
brothers were suspected, and after Fleets
statement was made. his brother Ross
was sought. Officer G. W. Idle received
"A tip last Friday afternoon that Ross was
in the vicinity of Gainesville, this coun-
ty. Sheriff klipp was Immediately notl-
fled and soon four officers from Frederick
were on the scene. The posse of officers
consisting of Deputy Sheriff John l..
Dutrow, John Derr, Wesley Staley, and
Chester Hauver, surrounded the home
of John Engle, Smiths faith er-in-aw,
where Smith was stopping. The fugitive
saw the officers as they passed the home
in an automobile While the officers were
forming a Gordon around the building,
Smith quietly slipped through one of the
gaps. He was Sinking toward clump
of bushes when sped by Deputy Sheriff
Dutrow.
Haiti, roared Dutrow, whose voice
is as gigantic as his physique.
1.-The summons stimulated the efforts
of Smith and with squirt of speed he
reached clump of bushes.
with Dutrow leading the posse began
what had the earmarks of being an exclt-
ing man hunt. Dutrow fired his revolver
after the fleeing man, again calling on
him to halt. A second shot brought
Smith to a standstil. With arms high
above his head he awaited the arrival of
the officers. The capture was made after
sprint of 500 yards.
so you are the man who said all the
officers in Frederick County couldn't
catch you, eh?' queried officer Dutrow.
Smith didn't reply to this. Instead
he wanted to know why he was being ar
rested.
".You know, said the officer.
ION searching Smith the bill of ladlng
said to have been for the barrel of cam
ouhaged potatoes was taken from Smith s
pockets.
Deputy Sheriff Dutrow stated that
| lust now Ross Smiths home is at Union
Bridge. He, however, conveyed the I'M
preston the mans home was never
very fixed institution, it being gathered
| also from the officer that the Smiths are
"a bad lot These were his words.
"Oficer Dutrow intimated that the
constabuary force of the county fell
that if these men were convicted anC
were forced to divuge the identity OF
their alleged associates, that the clique
of thieves, which has been operating II
the northern end of the county, would b'
broken up. -
MANY robberies have been committed
about Thurmont and Emmitsburg, meat
eggs, chickens, automobiles, tires, blank
cts and numerous other articles being
taken during recent months.
On Monday afternoon, April 7th, Kos
Smith was given Il hearing in this plac
the Community Club Room being used
court room as was the case when Flee
was given hearing. About thirty wit
nesses were summoned on the case bu
many of them were not called on to testify
States Attorney, Aaron K. Anders eA
amined a number of witnesses anon
them being Mr.. l.. R. Waesche and MI
and Mrs. Thad. Creager. Three piece
of meat were positively identified, tw
by Mr.. Waesche as his, and one by MI
and Mrs. Creager as belonging to then
Mrs Fleet Smith stated that Ross Smit
brought the meat to her house while ll'
ing on Carroll street and that the mes
was taken along With other goods Whe
they moved to Deerfield. The bill
lading taken from Smith when arrestt