Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1910 — THIEVES CLEAN OUT CAMP [ARTICLE]

THIEVES CLEAN OUT CAMP

Several Hundred Dollars Worth of Equippage Stolen From Camp On the Kankakee. Thieves stole an entire camp on the Kankakee river last Saturday and as a result Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Kuss of Gary and Mr. and Mrs. Hobe Godfrey of Hammond were compelled to return to Hammond Monday and bring to an untimely end a camping trip that was expected to last several weeks. The loss is estimated at several hundred dollars. Never in the history of the river has there been such a complete cleanout as was made by” the thieves who raided the Godfrey camp. Three tents were taken down and carried away, a push boat was stolen, the loot including three shotguns, two rifles, a revolver, the entire camping equipment, rubber boots, camping furniture, men’s clothing and everything that could be carried away. Mr. and MJrs. Godfrey and Mr. and Mrs. Kuss had located their camp on the Nels Morris’ ditch, just west of the Gifford bridge. Thel had one of the most complete camping outfits that have ever been seen on the river. Saturday afternoon- entire party went to Shelby in the mo-

tor boat for the purpose of buying the supplies which were to last them over Sunday* W hen they returned they were amazed to find that their camp had disappeared as completely as if it had never been constructed. There was, in fact, nothing lert but the site upon which it had been formerly located. The women’s clothes, and they had taken enough to last them for several weeks, were evidently of no use to the thieves and sc a bonfire had been started and the clothes were destroyed. The idea seemed to be that nothing should be left in camp that could be carried away. It was seen that the only thing left to do was to return to Hammond and Gary and abandon the camping trip.

It is believed that the theft was accomplished by some of the river rats who have been loitering about the place. As soon as the party left the camp it is believed that the work of carrying it away was begun. Sheriff Thomas Grant is to be notified at once, but the thieves had such a good start that it is doubtful if ’ they will ever be caught. L. P. Kuss of Gary is one of the leading business men of that city, and he is a loser to the extent of several hundred dollars.—Hamond Times.