The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-04-08
The Redwood County Horse Thief
Detectives.


The citizens Of this county who have
organized for the purpose Of protecting
themselves from horse thieves. have had
several meetings and have agreed upon a
Constitution, brief synopsis Of which
We give below;
ARTICLE /. Any resident of this county
being recommended by one or more mem
bers Of this society, may be admitted to
membership, upon two thirds vote for
for his election, a. any regular meeting.
by signing the constitution and paying
into the treasury 81.
Art. . provides that the officers shall
consist of President, Vice Pres't, Score:
tary, Cor. Sec'y. and Treasurer, and that
they shall be elected annually on March
2nd.
Arts 8. 4, 8. 8 and 2 define the duties
of the officers of the association.
Art. 8 there shall be twenty riders cleo
ted from among the members for the
tesm of one year, who shall hold them
selves in readiness at all time to start in
pursuit of stolen property Of any kind.
exceeding $50 in value, belonging to any
member of the society. The riders led OF
ordered into service by their captain on
the call of the president, shall receive fo1
each day they are actually employed in
pursuit Of horses or other property OF
thieves. the sum of $3.50. together with
reasonable allowances for expenses.
Art. 8. There shall be q captain and lieu
tenant of riders elected.
Art. 10. The president. secretary and
captain of riders shall decide upon special
meetings.
Art. II. There shall be regular meetings
on the second Saturday of March and the
second Saturday of November.
Art. IL relates to the secret meetings Of
the riders and permits them to adopt theil
own regulations when in pursuit Of
thieves.
Art. IS. Any or all members may be
called out by the captain Of the riders,
when necessary.
Art. IA provides for the levying Of an
assessment Of one dollar when the funds
are exhausted.
Art. Is directs any member who has had
his property stolen to Immediately notify
the president, who shall forthwith call thu
captain..of the riders. They shall hear thu
complaint and act upon the facts as pro
vided in arts. 8, g. IL and 10.
Art. 16. A committee of five member.
may be chosen by the Society, who shall
respond to the call of the President, ani
who shall be chairman Of said committee
to take such action in any matter tina,
may come before them as the case re
lquires. They may either commence lega
proceedings before civil magistrate a
the expense of the society. or they may il
their discretion, take the offender into
their own custody. and when said com
mittee are fully satisfied that the ends o.
justice may be attained will less expense
and trouble to the society than by lega
process. may satisfy the same as in theil
judgment may seem just to all parties.
Art. II. Persons may be enrolled be
tween meetings on application to the
Secretary, subject to the decision of thu
next meeting.
Art. 10. No persons shall be admitted
who does not possess good character.
Art. 10. The committee provided for il
article 16, shall determine the guilt or in
nocence of any member against whom
charges may be preferred, and il guilty
he shall be expelled from the society.
Art. 20. After three months notice, ,
majority Of the members can. at regula
meeting, alter or amend this constitu
ton.