Cattle rustlers weren’t the only thieves who plagued North Dakota farmers and ranchers. On this date in 1914, the Devils Lake Weekly World announced that two members of a grain rustling gang had been arrested. The gang operated near Minot. The men were indicted for grand theft larceny and were being held for trial. Sheriff Kelly expected that the men would name the other members of the gang. One of the men had served time for stealing flax and had been released on parole only a few days prior to his arrest.
In February, a large sled had been stolen from Scofield’s livery. It was found broken down in the countryside outside of Minot. It was loaded with stolen grain. The sheriff spent several cold nights waiting for the thieves to turn up. He finally arrested two men and expected it would lead to further arrests. It was a great relief to local farmers who had suffered serious losses.
The problem was widespread. The following April Fred Olson was arrested and charged with stealing grain. The same month a man looking for stray horses spotted someone taking grain from a neighbor’s granary. He alerted the neighbor and they caught the thief making his getaway.
Throughout the year numerous grain thefts were reported. In December an accused grain thief escaped as he was being transported to jail. There was evidence that he had stolen a load of barley and sold it for $91.70.
The problem was by no means confined to North Dakota. A grain thief was brought to trial in Montana. A man was convicted for stealing grain in South Carolina. There were similar cases in Iowa, South Dakota, and Oregon.
1914 was a busy year for grain thieves, but it is not a crime of the past. A 2011 article in the Manitoba Co-Operator warned farmers to protect their grain from thieves. The article reported that one farmer had been robbed of $200,000 worth of canola.
Besides installing locks, spotlights, and video cameras, grain that could be identified would not be attractive to thieves. That gave rise to the idea of crop confetti. It’s made of tiny squares of newsprint with identification numbers and it’s mixed into grain. If the grain shows up at an elevator, it can easily be identified. Technology is useful to deter and catch thieves, but sometimes a simple and inexpensive solution can be very effective.
Dakota Datebook written by Carole Butcher
Sources:
Bowbells Tribune. “Two Alleged Grain Thieves Arrested.” 27 February 1914. Bowbells ND. Page 1.
Devils Lake Weekly. “Alleged Grain Thief Nabbed.” 13 March 1914. Devils Lake ND. Page 1.
Ward County Independent. “Fred Olson Arrested.” 16 April 1914. Minot ND. Page 13.
Bismarck Tribune. “Half Breed Caught Stealing Grain.” 1 April 1914. Bismarck ND. Page 2.
Bowbells Tribune. “Grain Thief Makes His Escape From Marshal.” 25 December 1914. Bowbells ND. Page 1.
The Ward County Independent. “Under Arrest for Purloining Wheat.” 26 February 1914. Minot ND Page 1.
The Enterprise. “Frank Nudo Being Tried.” 29 January 1915. Harlem MT. Page 8.
The Watchman and Southron. “Town Not Liable for Death.” 14 March 1914. Sumter SC. Page 1.
Ottumwa Tri-Weekly Courier. “Highlander’s Case Comes Up Tuesday.” 1 December 1914. Ottumwa IA. Page 8.
Dakota Farmer’s Leader. “Circuit Court Has Adjourned.” 29 May 1914. Canton SD. Page 2.
Daily Capital Journal. “Two Men.” 25 February 1914. Salem OR. Page 7.
Manitoba Co-Operator. “Take Steps to Protect Your Grain from Thieves.” https://www.manitobacooperator.ca/2011/06/02/take-steps-to-protect-your-grain-from-thieves/ Accessed 31 January 2019.
