Dallas historical items missing

DALLAS, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- A collection of artifacts taken last week from the Dallas Historical Society are being sought by authorities.

The missing items include a silver Mexican Medal of Honor from 1836, a five-star collar insignia worn by Adm. Chester W. Nimitz at the Japanese surrender ceremony, a Bible belonging to one of Dallas' first families and a brass spur worn by Mexican Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

"I can't imagine any of that stuff would be easy to sell," said David Rago, a nationally known antiques dealer. "An old brass dress spur by itself isn't worth a lot of money, unless you know it came from Santa Anna."

Although police are not sure if the items were stolen or just misplaced, they are working on the assumption the historical items were swiped from a box at the group's offices, The Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday.

"At the moment, we're treating this as a theft," said city police Detective W.B. Prettyman. "They looked for the box quite diligently and haven't found it."