Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-06-22
AN ACT to authorize the formation
Of companies for the detection and
and apprehension ofHorse Thieves
and other felons, and defining their
uoWera
| Approped March 8. 1859. ]

powers.
approved March 8, 1859.
SKcrIoN /. Be IL enacted By tie Cen
erai assembly ofMe State Of Indiana,
That any number Of citizens Of the
State Of Indiana, not less than ten nor
more than one hundred, may, and are
hereby authorized to form themselves
into company for the purpose of de-
tecting and apprehending horse thieves
and other felons, as hereinafter provi-
ded.
Sec. 2. Said persons desirous of
forming such company, shall each
subscribe articles Of association. in
which shall be set out the name said
company may choose, the residence Of
each member, the number Of members,
and the number Of years said company
shall exist, which shall not exceed ten
years. But such articles Of associa.
ion. with the names of said members
and their residence, shall first be laid
before the board Of county commits
sioners of the county in which it is
proposed to organize such company; if
said board shall approve the objects
of such association, as well as the by
laws governing the same, the said as
sociation shall be deemed organized
and incorporated under the provisions
Of this act, and not otherwise: Provid.
ed, nevertheless, That said board of
commissioners shall, at any meeting
thereof. have the right, aud they are
hereby empowered to strike the name
OF any member from such association,
if they deem the public good to require
it, and that such examination may,
from time to time, be had. 1t shall
be the duty Of the secretary or clerk Of
such association to report, under oath,
the name Of each and every member
OF such association, with their respec-
tive places of residence, whenever the
board of commissioners of the county
shall require it, under the penalty Of
forfeiting their corporate privileges and
powers. Said articles Of association
shall be fled and recorded in the Office
OF the county recorder of the county in
which majority of the members Of
said company may reside, and GER
tified copy of said record shall be re-
ceived asevidence in any Court ofthis
State, of the existence of such compa-
ny and membership of any person be-
longing thereto.
Sec. 3. Whenever said articles Of
association shall be filed, as above pro-
vided, the said company under the
name and style::which they may desig-
nate, shall be body polite and cor
porate, and by such name may sue and
be sued, plead and be impleaded, an
swer and be answered unto, in any
court of competent jurisdiction in this
State. and shall have succession dur
ing any time not exceeding ten years.
as provided in the second section of
this act; may have and use a common
seal. and alter the same at pleasure.
Sec. 4. Said.corporation may elect
or appoint all such officers as they deem
necessary for their organization, who
slnll scverally hold their Offices and
perform the duties that may be requir-
ed of them by such company; said OFF,
GERS shall serve either for or without
compensation, as said company may
direct.
Lee. 5. A majority of said company
shall have power to adopt a constitu-
ton and by laws for their government,
and enforce obedience to the same,
which constitution and bylaws shall
be consistent with the constitution and
laws Of this State and of the United
States.
Sec. 6. Such number of members
shall form u quorom to transact busi-
ness and sit upon their own adjourn
ments, or call meetings, under such
regulations as said company may
adopt.
Sec. Z. Said corporation may, at
any time, add to their numbers under
the limitations prescribed in this act,
and may expel members in such man
ner and fol such cause as may bepre-
scribed in the constitution and bylaws
of snch company.
Sec. 8. Whenever new member
has been admitted or member expell-
ed, such fact shall be certified by the
proper officer of such company, and
recorded in the Office Of the county re-
corder where the original articles Of
association have been recorded.
Sec. 8. Such company may receive
donation in money, or other property,
) to be applied to the purposes OF their
, organization, and assess taxes or ini'
pose fines upon their members, as may