only about a year ago) and left no children. they were the first generation removed from the homesteaders, and always had an interest in community life.
Another family not referred to is the Aldag family. Heinrich Aldag who homesteaded in Section thirty had two daughters and two sons. Anna married John Mozer and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Irvin Renner; Mary married George Hofmann. They were the parents of Mrs. Otto Schott and Mrs. Emil Unkel. John, married Ida Setzhorn. They were the parents of Ervin, deceased; Edna (Mrs. Wm. Prauner), and Elmer, who lives on the old homestead. Henry, Jr. never married.
HORSE THIEVES
$100.00 REWARD
Stolen January 7, 1901, one black mare 10 years old, wt. 1200 lbs., left hind foot is white, crease in left side of neck, small white face. One brown bay horse, wt. 1200, splint on left fore leg, white star in face, heavy thick neck, both are blocky built. A set of Concord harness with canvas back pats. A new top buggy. $100 reward will be given; $50 for the arrest and conviction of guilty party, and $50 for return of the property.
Aaron Higbee, Meadow Grove, Nebr.
The above notice of reward, copied from an issue of the Meadow Grove News, is a reminder of troublesome experiences had in early days with horse thieves on the prowl. The News says that on the same day that Mr. Higbee was instituting a search for his team, word came over "the wires" that a horse had been stolen in Platte County asking Meadow Grove people to be on the lookout for it. Leland Higbee says that the thieves, nor the horses, were ever found.
Though there is no reported incident of its kind in Madison County, in the days before law and order was established, when a posse caught a horse thief or cattle rustler only a perfunctory trial was given and when found guilty the victim would soon be dangling at the end of a rope hung from the nearest tree.
Law and order came but horse stealing continued, especially so when the demand for good horses caused prices to rise.
Ed Scott and this writer remember that about the time of the above incident or perhaps a year or so later, farmers and horse owners around Battle Creek organized the Madison County Protective Association, or as it was known, Anti-Horse Thief Association. There was a membership fee charged but without more diligent research into the matter, we don't know the amount of this charge. We do remember that Frank Massman was elected president; Conrad Volk, vice president; George Scheerger, secretary, and George Losey, former County Sheriff, but then living two miles east of Battle Creek had some title which made him the leader or foreman of a posse.
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