The Mena weekly star., 1921-10-20
OFFICERS GATHER
 ALLEGED THIEVES
Que of Greatest Raids Ever Attempt rd on Arkansas Oklahoma Ldne ke- suits in 19 Prisoners in 1aii'
 One 8 Woman.

In one of the greatest raids against eriminality on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border ever attempted by Polk county officials, nineteen prisoners, including one woman, were taken into custody, charged with being members of an or vanized hand that has long preyed on property not their own. Activities of the hand that are said to have cov- ered many miles of territory in the neetion on the border west of Hatfeld' and the losses of property will, 1t IS believed. total thousands of dollars.
 The roundup of the band started on Wednesday night when Deputy Sher- ifs Amos Musgrave of Hatfield and Doug Walker of Cove, joined forces with Chief of Police Hungate and Constable D. A. Hazel of Mena and set out for the arrest of the men want ed. The men were joined by Deputy Sheriff Hunt of Le Fsvre county and the little posse working day and night succeeded in rounding up nineteen of those for whom warrants had been is- sued.
 While most of the arrests were made in the rural regions, two pris- oners were taken in Mena by Sheriff Thornton. These were c. l.. Smith and Lewis Warren, who were captured ir Smiths quarters on Pickering av- snue. opposite the Kansas City South ern passenger depot.
 An the prisoners were taken with eut resistance and not a shot was fired by the officers in the performance of their duties, covering a period of two nights and day.
 According to evidence in the hands of the officials the prisoners were members of an organization whose principles included the taking of any nrorerty desired without the formal itv of consulting the rightfui owner, From complaints made it is believed she gang dealt principally in fat cat tie and it is expected that the inves- tigation of the bands activities will show what became of nearly 100 head of beeves that have naysteriously dis appeared in the last few months.
 It is also expected that additional EfAV&tttt VIII UC lVI tiiNVAlitttE IHkAAO- n1g the threats of death made by the leaders and members of the band against those suspected of divulging secrets of the organization. Other alleged criminal features of the or. ganization will be probed to the bot tom.
 The foundation for the present roundup of prisoners was laid some months ago and the officials have been quietly working since. Sheriff Thorn Son started the investigation and when Ae found that the activities of the border band were of such q character as to require additional help, he called to his assistance Deputy Sheriff Amos Musgrave of Hatfield
 h the days and night that have followed Deputy Musgrave is credited with doing yoeman serrice and when the full story of the Hatfield mans work is told. 1t will reveal many inter- esting things. 1t was Musgrave who located a "burying ground" where the border band disposed of the tell-talt hides of stolen cattle. The Hatfield deputy turned grave digger, so 1t is said, and exhumed more than one bit of eTidence that will be used against &he accused
 Crock Warren, one of the first men arrested, is credited with being the hgal advisor of the organization. He E the father of Lewis Warren, another prisoner
 One woman, Mrs. Mark Williams was taken in the raid. She and the following men were prisoners in the Polk county jail: Bill Evans, Austin Nichols, Crock Warren, Lewis War. sen, C. L. Smith, Joe Reynolds, Les Reynolds, Bud Nichols, Guss Roy John Jacks, Jr., Charles Nichols, Aller Nichols.
 Prisoners locked up at the poteau Ok, jail included Jake Nichols, Elmer Self, Oscar Nelson, Bill Davis. Jin Murray and Homer Warren.
 There will be no preliminary hear. ing of the eighteen men and one wom an Who were taken prisoners by Sher, 1T Thornton's deputies in the round up of an alleged band on the Okla houla Arkansas border last week. The accused have decided to waive a hear. mg m the justice court and let the grand jury investigate the alleged grimes charged to the individual mem. oers Nearly all have been released on bond
 According to evidence the officials have secured it is said that the bor- der band held social gatherings al different times and places and usee ktolsn cattle for the barbecue anc xrasks. Moonshine liquor added to tho Rayety of these gatherings, it is said
 Some of the prisoners taken deny eAat they have done any criminal act and assert they are victims of suspi. kion and false words When the time eornes they assert thsy will be cleared sf gulf.
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