Compiled by Betty Jane Wilson, society president,
According to the 1863 Kansas Jeffersonian news publication, Grasshopper Falls was plagued with horse thievery woes (no pun intended). Following is one of the tales (woops!)
Oct. 28, 1863:
"A couple of bold jaywalkers—Mr. Herman, keeper of the Travelers' home one mile east of town, had two valuable mares stolen just in the edge of the evening on Monday last.
"The thieves were in garb of soldiers and represented themselves to one of our settlers as jennison's men. They were in town just before dark enquiring the route to Nebraska City, which course they did in fact take.
"A part of our citizens were soon in close pursuit who pressed the scoundrels so hard that they quit the stolen animals and probably took to the brush on foot. The horses were found yesterday morning on their way home."
November 4, 1863:
"Mr. Eli Evans of Oskaloosa was lately robbed of $1500 on Kaw bottom. Mr. Evans was in the employ of S.L. North of Leavenworth who furnished the above sum of money for said Evans to buy horses with.
"Mr. E. was on his way to Topeka and had nearly reached the ferry when stopped by the highwaymen. There were four of the robbers. After securing the money, together with a pistol and $60 belonging to young Evans, they attempted to make way with him, but fortunately he escaped.
"The two thieves who stole Newman's horses were caught at Hiawatha. One of them was retained by the citizens there to pay them for assisting to catch the scoundrels. The other who goes by the name of Scott, was brought back to our place on Saturday.
"We saw the gentleman—a hard looking customer in soldier clothes—had a faint resemblance to the 'Grim Chieftan.' He proved to be a deserter from a Nebraska regiment and an old hand at horse stealing.
"It is said that he made some startling developments implicating certain persons at the lower end of the county. He had an unrighteous looking knife on his person when captured. It was upwards of a foot long.
"After he had said all that he was disposed to on the subject of his chosen profession, he was allowed to accompany a small party on a light scouting expedition, himself tied upon a horse.
"When the party returned along toward daylight Sunday morning, Mr. Thief was missing and the party did not seem disposed to render a satisfactory explanation of his mysterious disappearance. He probably 'went up a tree' temporarily."
November 18, 1863:
"Andrew Ogden, one of the theives who stole Newman's horses, is now in the Atchison County jail. So says the Champion (Atchison news) having been handed over by the citizens of Hiawatha for safe keeping."
December 23, 1863:
The Atchison Champion says, "An unknown gentleman was found hanging by the neck last week in the timber on Stranger Creek a few miles southwest of town. It is conjecture that he fell a victim to the established prejudice in the community against horse stealing."
—Yesteryears, April 1993
The local museum will be open Saturday starting at 10 a.m.
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