Attempt to Steal a Horse in Broad Daylight 1869

BARTON

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 2/19/2016 at 10:09:05

The Herald, Dubuque, Wednesday, May 29, 1869

VILLAINY
~
Attempt to Steal a Horse in
Broad Daylight
~
The gang of robbers which infest this vicinity are becoming daily more bold in their operations. One of the most audacious attempt at robbery recorded in the annuals of crime took place near Burton’s Furnace, some seven miles northwest of town, on Monday afternoon. A man with a rope in his hand, entered the field of Mr. G. Barton, caught a mare belonging to him, fastened a rope around her neck, and was leading her away, when Mr. Barton’s hired man, at work a little distance, not liking the looks of things, called to him to stop. The hired man happened to have a gun with him in the field, and seizing this, he hastened to the rescue of the mare. As he came near the thief drew a revolver, whereat the hired man clubbed his gun and knocked the fellow down. At this juncture, two confederates, before unperceived, who had been lying in ambush, rushed to the rescue of their companion. On their approach, the hired man mounted the mare and putting her to her speed, rode homewards.

The kind of villaios that are prowling through this section now, would take a man’s life, and risk their own, for ten dollars. It behooves all concerned o keep a good lookout on everything that can be carried off.