The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1919-10-10
AUTO THIEF CAPTURED
AFTER LONG CHASE

AUTO THIEF CAPTURED
AFTER LONG CHASE
A story of unusual interest and one
with happy ending is that of the
chase of an auto bandit across three
states and his final capture by Knute
Walstad and Deputy Sheriff Arthur
Jackson. 1T is of further interest from
the fact that 1t shows what determin-
alton and grit may accomplish, even
Though Handicapped by lack of ex-
perience ina given line of work.
About the latter part of August q
car belonging to knute Walstad, one
of our prominent farmers living near
Claire City, disappeared from the
streets of Sisseton where Mr.. Wal
stad had left it only few minutes
previous. Everything pointed to a
theft, but there was no clue as to the
possible thief. However, it is one OF
Knute Walstad's prominent traits of
character to not easily give up, and
the next day man was found in Sis
seton who had met couple of young
men in Ford out Peever way, who
seemed unfamiliar with the vagaries
of the particular Ford they were driv-
ing, and he happened to know tina.
one of them went by the name of Rol-
lag Stogie. Stogie had worked fol
John H. Moen and other farmers DUR
ing the past season and at one place
they found his grip which he had left
there. In the grip were letters and
his registration card which showed
that he had registered at Hudson, Wis
Mr.. Walstad enlisted the willing SER
vices of Deputy Sheriff jackson and
States Attorney McKenna who gave
him every help in their power. A
description of the car which carried q
U. S. flag on the windshield, and had
only one license number tag, as well
as full description Of the suspects
. were telegraphed to every marshall
and sheriffrin South Dakota and Min
nes0ta, while Mr.. Walstad and Jack
, son left at once by car in the direction
of Minneapolis. Mr.. Walstad's rather
long mustasche was clipped close and
he wore hunters clothes. From Stog-
les registration card as we'll as let.
ters from his mother 1t was found that
his real name was Rollag Hagen.
J. After sR0Rdtng some time Min.
, neapolis without results, they wen,
to Hudson, where investigation show
J ed that he had not been in that vicini
!; ty lately. From there they went to his
home town and found that his mother
: now had different name having re.
married. At the home they found only
the step father, the mother being ur
town. They trailed her up town, and
finally located her at the depot. She
was told that her son was wanted fo,
having failed to register. and that n
could be easily fixed up if he could he
located. She said that she knew her
son had registered at Hudson, and
that the day before he had written
her from Springfield, S. ID.
The two sleuths left at once by
train for Sisseton, where the wise
ones told them that it was useless to
continue such a wild goose chase, for
thelr man would certainly be gone
when they reached Springfield. Knute
was determined however to bring the
FELLOW to justice and Art was game
SO the search was continued. Upon
arrival at Springfield, they sighted
two fellows that answered the gen
efal description of the suspects, and
while knute shadowed them. Art
canvassed the garages for the car.
mute followed them to deserted
barn in the outskirts of town. and
when he was Joined by the deputy
which was after dark, they went into
the barn and in regular fashion ord
cred them into the lightAs soon as
Mr.. Walstad had seen their faces he
knew that they had the wrong men.
Questioning them however showed
that one of them knew Stogie and I;
promise of $500 got the information
that he had left town that very day
to join silo filling crew fourteen
miles in teh country. With their $25
prisoner for guide, the fourteen
miles was quickly covered in hired
car, and they we're informed that al!
the men employed on the job were
sleeping in the barn. The lights OF
the car were turned on the door of