A Precocious Horse Thief

About ten o'clock Tuesday, an unknown colored lad unhitched the large bay horse attached to a carriage from the place where it was tied, near Bethlehem church, sprung into the carriage and disappeared in the direction of Ypsilanti. The act was observed by Mr. Schneider's daughter, who supposed the boy to be acting under direction of her father. As soon as the facts were learned Sheriff Brenner was notified and pursuit undertaken. Information brought by Mr. Harpst was to the effect that he had observed the horse being driven rapidly and covered with foam. Deputy-Sheriff Peterson and Marshal Banfield were soon on the trail and heard of the thief at Ypsilanti, two men having ridden part way toward the city but evidently for the ride and are not supposed to have been concerned in the theft in any way. The officers telephoned to Belleville, Wayne and Dearborn, putting officers on the watch at those points. In about 15 minutes after the message was received at Dearborn, the young thief showed up and was nabbed by the marshal. He arrived in Dearborn at 2:30, having covered the distance from Ann Arbor to that place - over 30 miles - in about 4 hours. The persuing officers were joined by Mr. Schneider, but, though he was ableto identifyhis property, and all circumstances showed the good faith of the party, the marshal ref used for some time to surrender the prisoner and rig, as the officers had no warrant. He did so, however, after telephoning to Detroit, and the boy was brought to jail, the horse reaching the city yesterday, apparently little worse for the jaunt. The young African whose abnormal development in crime will render him the envy of more mature rascáis, recently with his parents removed from Grand Rapids to Ypsilanti, where his father died about two weeks ago, according to the statement of his sou, the afflicted horse thief. He gives his name as George Moken. He seems to have had a special motive for his e. nloit, but it is withheld for the present. His age is 14 years.