Saturday, August 28, 2010

Larceny, A Race For The Thief

About A week ago the store of Kimball & Co., was entered by a burglar, and a lot of valuable goods and clothing stolen, including a number of fine silk vests. Other places have been entered also, and jewelry, ladies’ wearing apparel, etc., stolen. A well known notorious character named Pete Mower, was suspected and the officers were on the alert to catch him.

Yesterday, officers Buel & Wilkin, went to Mower’s house on the South Hill, in his absence, searched it and found a large quantity of the stolen articles, amounting in value, to fifty dollars. They then went in search of the thief and succeeded in arresting him. While on the way to the Justice’s office in custody of officer Buel, Wilkin having gone elsewhere, Mower requested to see his wife, then at the house of Mr. Jacoby, Buel consented and went with him up the stairs, but Mower instead of speaking to his wife, immediately leaped from the second story window, which was open, and ere Buel could descend by the stairway, Mower had gained a good start.

Officer Buell pressed a horse into service and went after him on the “double-quick,” but the rascal reached his own house, with the probably intention of secreting the stolen goods, being unaware that they had been removed. He discovered the fact, however, and went out of the back door, while the officer was dismounting in front, and before the latter discovered his flight Mower had gained a long distance. The officer however, was plucky and renewed the pursuit, but the fugitive having reached the locality known as Bogus Hollow was enabled finally to elude the officer and make his escape, the officer’s horse refusing to go over the deep declivities, with which that locality abounds, and the officer himself being to short legged to overhaul the fugitive on foot. We hope the thief will remain at a distance, and thus rid the city of a dangerous character. The sufferers from his depredations relinquish further proceedings unless the thief returns, as they have recovered their goods and think it unnecessary to go to further expense to catch the rogue.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2

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