From the “Florence Journal” Florence, Alabama, Wednesday, 8 August 1866, page 3

Horse Thieves. On Saturday night last near Esq. Davis’ in Wayne county, Tenn, near the State line, two men were caught stealing horses, their names are Thornton and Ford. These men had resorted to a place where night preaching was being held, and agreed to give a negro man ten dollars to show them the two best horses on the ground. The negro showed them some horses, but took good care to tell the paties [parties] what was going on and whileThornton and Ford were untying some horses they were surrounded and captured. Thornton is the man that killed Mr. Broyles of Savannah, a short time since; and for whom a thousand dollars reward was offered by Broyle’s relations.
Capt. McFarland and Mr. Brooks have recovered the horses stolen from them some two or three weeks ago, but the thieves, we are sorry to say, are still at large.
A certain Col. McGill, that was here last fall, pretending to wish to buy cotton, but who suddenly left this region of the country with a fine horse belonging to Mr. Wm. Pettus, is now in jail in Memphis, and will soon, if Gov. Brownlow heeds Gov. Patton’s requisition, take rooms at Mr. Fry’s boarding house in this place.

Submitted by Pat Mahan