Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1914 — ONE HORSE THIEF IN LIMBO. [ARTICLE]

ONE HORSE THIEF IN LIMBO.

I»oy Dilts, Mho Stole Horse at Kouts Saturday Night, Caught Near Wheatfield Monday. Roy Dilts, formerly of Rensselaer but at present said to claim Chicago Heights as his home, was overhauled by Sheriff Hoover about four miles southwest of Wheatfield Monday forenoon and brought to Rensselaer and placed in jail. Dilts had stolen a light grey running mare from a hitch rack in Kouts Saturday night. The horse was hitched to a top buggy and belonged to Henry O. Pagels. It was missed soon after being stolen and the thief was chased for several miles in an automobile, but finally lost trace of. Sheriff Hoover received notice of the theft Sunday morning with a statement that the thief was believed to be in this vicinity. He got trace of the fellow over in Milroy tp., and went over there Sunday to the ( hapman brothers, where it was found Dilts had been and left the top of the buggy there. Mr. Hoover drove all over that section of the country Sunday but finally gave up the chase and came home from Monon by train Sunday evening. He later learned that Dilts had gone to the north part of the county with the horse, and Monday morning with Squire Gaffield of Milroy tp., and William Ervin of Rensselaer, started lor Wheatfield in search of him; When near William Wenricks place, south of Wheatfield, their automobile got stuck in the sand. While attempting to get it out they saw the stolen horse coming towards them with young Dilts on its back. Vnder pretext of needing his assistance in pushing the automobile out of the sand, they got him to stop and the sheriff grabbed the horse by the bridle and the rider by the arm and told him he was the man they were looking for. The young thief—who is but 21 years old—-was almost too overcome to speak for a few moments. He was brought to Rensselaer where the sheriff of Porter county had come, or came soon after their arrival, and was turned over to tne latter and taken back to that, county. The horse was brought here and after it rests up a little it will be taken Io the owner in Porter county by William Ervin.

Young Dilts had left the buggy and harness at Wenricks place, and the appearance of the horse had been changed by clipping its mane, tail and foretop, and Diltz had started to ride it to Blue Island, 111., where it is said strange horses are sometimes bought and no questions asked. In fact, Diltz is said to have confessed that such was the case, and that they could also be sold at Chicago Heights and a place down in Warren county. A book, said to contain information about other horses stolen, was found on Dilts’ person. It is believed that Dilts has been connected with other thefts of horses in this section of the state and that he will give up more information, it was thought that he knew something about the Roy Donnelly horse, io miles north of Rensselaer, but he denied all knowledge of this. There was another party with him when they stole the horse at Kouts Saturday night, and this man’s name is known to the sheriff here, Dilts having finally “squealed’’ on the other party before being taken away. This party took the milk train here Sunday morning, it is said, and was to meet Dilts in Blue Island, 111., where they were to divide the proceeds of the stolen animal. He will probably be arrested before many hours elapse.