The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-02-15
The Pratt Hm Detecting society.

The PRATT Hin Detecting society.
Late in the winter of 1929 or eaily in
1880 a small party Of men, but six in
number. met together in the town Of
Johnston for the purpose Of forming a
compact body 10 enable them TO guard
more thoroughly against the depTedatious
Of horse thieves, which were Al that time.
causing the inhabitants Of North Provi-
dence and adjoining towns TO little
trouble. After this first meeting, but
little WAS done urtil the month of April
in 1880, when u second meeting was held.
and after due deiberation it was decided
TO petition the General AsstniAAy 10
grant them charter as an incorporate
body. This was enacted at the June ses.
sion. in the same year. giving TO the Fruit
Hill Detecting Society Of North Prcvi-
dence, jurisdiction over the terri
tory "siX miles from the centre
which is the Tavern House, commonly
called Fruit Hill Hotel, now owned and
occupied 10y Johnathan Corners" This
boundary held within it's confines what is
now known as North Providence, City Of
Providence. upper part Of East Provi-
dence, large portion of Pawtucket,
small part Of Cumberland. the greater
part of Lincoln, most Of Smithfeld. the
town Of Johnston. one half Of Cranston
and small part of Massachusetts AT
Valley Falls. In July the first meeting
under the new charter was held and the
following officers elected: Lemuel An.
gell, president; James Angel. vice pres
ident; George Capron, secretary; Cor
nelius Manchester, treasurer; also FIVE
directors and nine riders. The admis-
sion 10 membership was placed at fifty
cents. For tho first eight or ten years
but little progress was made. The go
ciety holding it's own, however, with "A
small sum in the treasury. In the year
eighteen thirty-six or seven the admis-
sion fee WAS raised 10 one dollar and u
big increase experienced. Ground was
then constantly gained. when in eighteen
forty y-one twenty-eight new members were
admitted. in comparison 10 the average
Of seven previous to the years Of thirty
six and seven. Eighteen fifty brought
about another revival and at the opening
OF the war the society numbered over
two hundred members. after which but
little was done until it's close. Since that
time the society has been steadily on
the increase. The admission fee was
raised to three dollars where IT now re-
mains; large sum ALWAYS 10 be founi
in the treasury and list Of the members
numbering over eight hundred, among
whom are some Of the most prominent
men Of the state,
In April, 1875, il was enacted by the
General Assembly that "The Fruit Hill
Detecting Society il hereby authorized
and empowered TO appoint an many mem
bers Of said Society as they may think
proper, not exceeding ten. TO pursue and
arrest any person orpersons found in this
state, who are suspected of. or charged
with the crime Of stealing any horse or
carriage or both, from any member of
said Society, whether SAID property shall
be found in possession Of said suspected
person or not and to bring such suspected
person or persons before the Trial Justice
Of the Town in which offence * alleged 10
have been committed, for examination
Seid appointment shall be under the seal
of the said Society Thus giving to the
Society more power than is excrcised by
any other body in the Union. OF the true
worth Of the organization there can be
no doubt Suffice 10 say that its by laws
and methods are copied by similar bodies
and It's members are looked up 90 as law
abiding people and terror TO the horse
stealing fraternity. The present officers
elected AT the last meeting Of the Society,
consist Of Walter W. whippe. President ;
George +. Beane, Vice President; w. A.
Phillips, Secretary; Robert W. Deve-
reaux, Treasurer; George W. white. Col
lector. Auditors, John Bugbee, Charles
II. CoIzens, Henry o. Martin. Directors,
+. +. Kenyon. II. o. Pike, w. A. Phillips,
VIM $. whipple. George q. Cozzens.
John L. Whipple. George +. Reynolds,
Henry o. Martin. T.. +. Luther, Chas. A.
Carpenter, o. &. Goodell. Special con
stables under the amended charter. Geo.
+. Beane, Henry o. Martin, Albert o.
Coates, John +. Kenyon, James Barnes,
George q. Cozzenc, Albert g. johnson
Edwin /. Luther, G. H. Cozzens, Leroy
Fales. But one Of the officers fret elected
by the Society is now liying-Elisha o.
Angell who has held the Office Of presi-
dent several times, and il now hale and
hearty old man. Since its organization
but one horse has been irretrievably Lost
GREENVILLE.