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The Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society was founded in Bentonville, Ohio in March 1853. The society was created to stop horse thievery, since horses were essential to
transportation
Transport (in British English), or transportation (in American English), is the intentional movement of humans, animals, and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, land (rail and road), water, cable, pipeline, ...
and
farming
Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to ...
in the 19th century.
The society has been operational for over 150 years, allowing anyone to join. Previously, the cost of membership and dues went to the recovery of horses and hanging of the thief. The thieves were hung without trials.
While horse thievery is no longer a problem, the society still operates. It holds meetings with the function shifted from a citizens enforcement group to a
social club
A social club may be a group of people or the place where they meet, generally formed around a common interest, occupation, or activity. Examples include: book discussion clubs, chess clubs, anime clubs, country clubs, charity work, criminal ...
.
There are thousands of members across America, as well as many international members. Lifetime membership is granted for a donation of $1.
The society holds an annual
banquet
A banquet (; ) is a formal large meal where a number of people consume food together. Banquets are traditionally held to enhance the prestige of a host, or reinforce social bonds among joint contributors. Modern examples of these purposes i ...
on the last Saturday of April.
See also
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The Society in Dedham for Apprehending Horse Thieves
The Society in Dedham for Apprehending Horse Thieves is one of the "oldest continually existing horse thief apprehending organization in the United States, and one of Dedham's most venerable social organizations." Since its founding there have be ...
*
Red Hook Society for the Apprehension and Detention of Horse Thieves
The Red Hook Society for the Apprehension and Detention of Horse Thieves is the oldest horse thief apprehension society in the United States.
The society was formed at the Upper Red Hook Inn of Stephen Holmes on October 10, 1796. On October 28, 17 ...