The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1923-09-21
CATTLE RUSTLER SWIFT
RUNS TRUE TO NAME

RUNS TRUE TO NAME
The past week has brought to the
minds of some of the old settlers oc-
currences that were common in the
early history of the Rosebud, when
officers were on the trail of the cattle
lustler, but in this case both officers
and the pursued were in automobiles.
In the olden days the rustler had the
best horse, so in this case the ac-
cused had an Oakland coupe, 1928
model, and high powered Nash
roadster.
On or about October l., 1922, the
American Cattle Company missed a
bunch of cattle and they were never
located until recently when SO head
OF corp-fed cattle were shipped to
market and identified by brands.
The company was notified and traced
the cattle to Platte, S. d., where
they were fed by Mert Davis and
other feeders in that section. The
feeders had no difficulty in proving
that they bought and paid for the
cattle, and the person who sold the
cattit 5.was tS.sne I'd Swift, who is
supposed to hail from somewhere in
Canada.
A warrant was sworn out for
Swift and officers traced him to
point near Iona, then to Winner, and
out to Todd county. The sheriffs Of
Charles Mix, Tripp and Lyman
counties started to Todd county aft
er their man last Saturday and came
upon him unexpectedly few miless
west of Okreek. He stopped his
car and was placed under arrest,
covered with a gun He slowed down
7'iis motor and backed his car to the
side of the road. AS soon as the
cffiecrs stopped the motor of their car
and began to get out. he stepped
on the gas and started down the road.
Several bullets were fired, most OF
the bullets hitting the car, but as far
AS can be ascertained Swift escaped
injury. He was in high powered
Oakland coupe which easily outdist-
anced the officers, but they noticed
that he had car trouble due to the
fact that two bullets perforated the
radiator, letting out the water.
He succeeded in eluding the ofii-
GERS that evening and the search was
continued the next day when the car
was found not far from the starting
point secreted in the brush, where It
is thought he was transferred to the
Nash roadster.
That he made hasty exit is evi.
denced b. the fact that he left his
possessions in the Oakland, consist
ING Of couple of suits of clothes,
silk shirts, handkerchiefs, camera.
pair of ladies shoes and silk stockings,
and large number Of letters from
ladv admirers. However, there was
nothing to indicate who he was as his
name does not appear among or on
anv of the articles.
Ed Swift has been known as Gen.
adian booze runner in this section
for couple Of years with a reputa-
ton for daring. His GOODNESS under
revolver and rifle fire last Saturday
brands him as an expert in his busi-
ness.
He will not be handicapped for
money in making his escape, as 1t
is known that he had about $4,000
in currency on his person.
The Oakland coupe was brought TO
Winner, Monday, where it shows the
marks Of the skirmish. OMcers
traced the license plates to Des
Moines, Iowa. where it was purchased.
1t is not known yet whether or not it
is stolen car.
Federal and state authorities are
making determined effort to locate
Swift and the wires have been kept
busy during the week to head him or
in his escane from this sectinn.-~Win-
ner Journal.