Get your hands off of my horse or I’ll shoot!
By Sandy Vasko
As a fan of John Wayne, Roy Rogers and Mr. Dillon (not necessarily in that order), the above words were familiar to me. They were also familiar to 19th century folks who lived in these parts. Let’s look at the worst criminals there ever was – the horse thief!
I am not kidding about the serious nature of the crime of stealing a horse. When a man’s horse was stolen, he not only lost his ride, but in most cases the source of his livelihood. Particularly vulnerable were the livery stables. Most town dwellers did not own a horse themselves, but rented one from the livery stable whenever the need arose. But unlike today’s car rental service, there was no credit cards to guarantee the return of the vehicle.
After the Civil War, the economy took a down turn. There weren’t enough jobs for the returning veterans; war production was over. This, in turn, led to a rise in the number of homeless men wandering the countryside, which, in turn, led to a rise in horse thieves.
The first incident I have found comes from the Aug. 5, 1871, People’s Advocate: “Alleged horse stealing – At 9 o’clock on last evening, a desperate looking character calling himself Wm. Stone, was arraigned before Esquire Young, charged with being a horse thief. From evidence adduced, it appears that at half past 1 o’clock yesterday, Stone boldly unhitched a fine young team belonging to James O’Riley (who was temporarily absent for a few minutes) and deliberately drove off in the direction of the Joliet Road.
“Having arrived at the farm house of Mr. Thornburg, the alleged thief stopped, fed the horses, and proceeded in the direction of Channahon. Officer Whitson, however, was on his track and overtook him with the team and wagon near the bridge, in the vicinity of that place. From thence he was brought with the spoils to this city, and was examined as above stated, and held over for trial in the sum of $50.”
Soon reports of horse thievery were a weekly occurrence. South of Wesley, farmers were especially hard hit. In response, the locals turned to vigilance committees, and became vigilantes. We read in November of 1874 in the People’s Advocate: “A vigilance committee has been organized along the river towns above this city. Suspicious characters will find it exceedingly warm – say in the neighborhood of Ira Smith’s – and above. On arrival of any suspicious looking character, the farmers are at once warned and put on the alert. Horse thieves and burglars had better make their peace – spiritually and temporally – before operating in the neighborhood indicated. It would be well for farmers elsewhere to form societies of a like character, and when they catch an offender, drown him.”
To those who think that the last sentence was written in jest, I assure you it wasn’t. Editor Conley was DEAD serious. His feelings were echoed all over Will County. Up in Frankfort, that same month the citizens were of the same mind.
We read in the Joliet Signal on July 24, 1874: “The town hall in the village of Frankfort, Will Co., was filled to overflowing by the bone and sinew of the surrounding inhabitants, for the purpose of forming a Horse Thief Detective Association and Vigilance Committee. The meeting being called to order, the following were nominated and elected as officers for the ensuing year.: N. Volek – President, John Baumgartner – Vice-President; H. R. Wood, Secretary; Jacob Baumgartner – Captain and Treasurer; J. R. Letts – Lieutenant.
“Enrolling of members being next in order, the goodly number of 102 were soon booked, and each paid their $1.00 ($27)” as initiation fee.
“It was then moved that each member be appointed as a committee of one to receive and enlist members residing in the townships of Frankfort, New Lenox and Green Garden, and report to the Captain and Treasurer.
“In addition to the constitution and by-laws, it was further moved “That any three members of this society while in pursuit of a horse thief and in capturing the same, may have the right, if so disposed, to hang the culprit on the most convenient limb; and we pledge our honors and fortunes to stand by and maintain every member in the execution of such a deed.
“This amendment to the constitution was received with a unanimous consent and greeted by a vociferous outburst of enthusiasm.”
There must have been some sort of problem, because in 1877, we read in the Joliet Weekly Sun: “The Frankfort Anti-Horse Thief Association met last Saturday to reorganize and elect new officers, but with what success we have not heard.”
And again in 1879: “Since the daring attempt was made to steal Mr. C. Bechstein’s horse a short time ago, the horse thief detectives are talking earnestly of organizing a vigilance committee to act in connection with the detectives. This will quiet them.”
And a week later, “There is to be a meeting of the Frankfort Horse thief Detective Society at the Town Hall north of this place, on Saturday afternoon next. April 26 at four o’clock. All who feel any interest in the organization are requested to be present, an important business is to be transacted. A horse has recently been stolen from a member of the company.”
And on May 1879, “This town(ship) has always been somewhat notorious for fine horses. At the Letts House stables can now be seen one of the most beautiful thoroughbred stallions we have seen in many a day. At Doty’s barn may be seen a genuine Clydesdale, black as a raven, weighing some 1600 pounds, imported this Spring.
“All persons belonging to the Frankfort Horse thief Detective Association are hereby requested by the captain, Mat VanHorn and Lieut. J. R. Letts, to take a close written description of all their horses, number and age, and in case one should be stolen, give immediate notice to the officers who will do all in their power to make it hot for the thief. The books are always open and the secretary, Mr. Clans, will always be pleased to receive new names.”
Sandy Vasko is Director of the Will County Historical Museum & Research Center and President of the Will County Historical Society.