This court document relates to the charge of theft against Alkire (first name unknown) in Douglas County, Kansas Territory on September 7th, 1856. On September 27th, 1856, George Ward testified before Justice Sterling G. Cato that his house had been robbed September 7th and furniture stolen. He believed some of his stolen goods to be in possession of Alkire, residing near Bloomington, a town near what is now Clinton Lake. Justice Cato issued a search warrant for Alkire's property. On September 26th, George Ward's wife Sidney testified that her husband's house was burned down, naming a different party responsible for arson (see item 444714).