The Horse Thief

September 25, 1787

"Toward noon 13 or 14 men set out from here (Bethania) following a horse thief who last night stole two horses belonging to George Hauser Sr., from the meadow not far from the mill. They divided into four parties and published the news as they went. Most of them returned at night, but one party went on, having found a trace of him."

September 28 1787

"At twilight George Hauser and Buttner brought back the two horses stolen from George Houser, Sr. They had followed the thief beyond New River, and yesterday, an hour before day break, they surrounded the house where he spent the night, captured him, and put him in irons.

As they had not slept for several nights the thief was able to get the key from the sack, losse his fetters and escape from them." --from the Bethania Diary, 1787.