Kappes, Fred - 1908

Detective Charles Wilson, with Constable Morrison, of Straban Township and Large Band of Deputies Catch Fugitive Chicken Thief.

After being chased through Straban township thickets for several hours Tuesday morning by Detective Charles Wilson and a large posse of deputies, Ambrose Dittenhafer was forced to surrender at eleven o’clock at the point of a revolver in the hands of Mr. Wilson.  The much hunted, much wanted man was immediately brought to the Adams County jail.

Detective Wilson Monday night organized his band consisting of Constable Morrison, of Straban township, Deputy Fred Kappes and a large posse of Straban township citizens and with this part went to the vicinity of Mr. Dittenhafer’s home and surrounded the house.  They remained there until near morning when they thought they saw “Ditty” enter the house.

Detective Wilson at once rushed in and was confronted by the man’s wife who had a shot gun leveled at him.  Not dismayed he hurried through the various rooms after the man, being met in one of them by one of Dittenhafer’s sons armed with a gun.  No harm was done.

Mr. Wilson failed to find his man Dittenhafer having passed the door instead of entering but the fog was so dense that the mistake was easily made.  The posse at once organized to give chase and followed the fleeing man for three miles through the mist seldom being able to catch sight of him.  Several shots were fired when the pursuers would see him but none took effect.

Dittenhafer, who is said to possess unusual powers of speed, managed to get away from those following and doubled up on them, circling back to his home.  Learning where he was the posse returned to their original place of operations and surrounded that part of the place known as “Dr. Goldsboro’s Thicket.”  The time elapsed from the beginning to the end of this chase was between five and six hours and both pursuers and pursued were pretty tired out.

Here the man realizing that his chances for escape were rather slim made a desperate fight and armed with a razor and his “big stick” was ready for a hand to hand combat.  Shot after shot was fired into his hiding place and he finally emerged to be met by Detective Wilson whose pistol was pointing straight at his head.  Realizing that all was up he surrendered.

Dittenhafer begged Mr. Wilson to let him go saying that he would leave the county.  The energetic detective could not see things that way and handcuffs were quickly placed around the man’s wrists and he was hurried to the county jail where he is now incarcerated.

Ambrose Dittenhafer and his “big stick”, which he always took with him appeared at Lower Brothers’ store in Table Rock last Friday afternoon and the man being recognized as the one whom Adams County’s authorities are so desirous of catching, a game was at one put up to arrest the escaped alleged chicken thief.

Justice of the Peace H. B. Mears issued a “warrant” for the man’s arrest and placed it in the hands of Constable John F. Wolf, of Butler township.  Constable Wolf appeared on the scene and laid his hand on Ditty who denied that he was Ambrose Dittenhafer.  With a vigorous denial he made a dash for the door, Constable Wolf hanging on to his coat and urging the men about to help him hold the man who was fast making his exit.

Dittenhafer was thoroughly frightened and while making for the door implored Constable Wolf not to use violence.  Receiving no assistance the Butler township constable was unable to hold on to the fleeing man and the Straban township man got away.

As he passed the door he grasped the “big stick” which he had left outside when he entered and made across the field as fast as he could travel making decidedly uncomplimentary remarks about Constable Wolf on the way.

Ambrose Dittenhafer was given a hearing before ‘Squire Hill Friday and was held for Court.  Bail was placed at $1000.

~ Adams County News, Gettysburg, PA, Saturday, November 28, 1908, Page 1, Columns 5 & 6