Mexico weekly ledger., 1905-10-19
FOUNDED IN AUDRAIB IN 1865
By Capt. ". 7. Lott and Others and
is Now a National 0rder-About
so Delegates present-visitors
Ride About City-0ficers
and List Of Delegates

morning with a prayer by Rev. A. W.
kokendofler, OF this city, after which
Mayor Jones made the address Of well
come to the visitors.
W. B. Parker, OF Sturgeon, Mo-, Ma
tional vice President Of the A. Fl. T.
AS responded to the welcome, after
which the President appointed his
committees and the convention went
into executive session,
The citizens have planned a drive
about the city as one Of the features Of
entertainment for the visitors.
In his address OF welcome Mayor
Jones extended a special invitation to
the delegates and guests to visit the
schools, academies and churches OF
our city. He also eulogized the A II 7
A very highly, having been a member
himself.
After going in executive session, the
President appointed the following
COMMITTEES.
On Credentials-W L Stricken, J
w Thurman, II ] Israel.
On Flnance-Byron Lamme, J A
Hayler, e A Patterson.
On Constitution-W B Parker, l F
Powellson, A Q Davis.
On Grievances-T w Tickle, Il R
Dummit, Fl L Morrow.
On Resolutions-V Clark, G Sigers,
J A Flaherty.
Some time was spent in discussing
topics pertaining to the good OF the
order, after which the convention adj
iourned until 100 O'Clock.
FOUNDED IN AUDRAIN COUNTY.
The Anti Horse Thief Association,
now a national order of 40 years stand
ing, was founded 10 Audrain county
in 1868 by Captain W. L. Lott and
Others, neal Littleby, north Of this
city. At that date crimes Of various
natures we're not uncommon, chief
among them however was theft, parti-
%cularly of live stock.
1t was to protect themselves and
their families from outrages Of this
kind, and to keep tab on, or rid the
neighborhood questionable and I'M
desirable characters that this band
of farmers organized and pledged
themselves to aid each other In the
cause.
Their success 10 stamping out crime
was instantaneous and unparalleled;
4 depredations became less frequent and
barn door locks rusted for want OF
use. Nulsances of all classes grew to
regard the Anti-Horse Thief Associa.
ton as an arm Of the law and enter
talned a healthy and respectful fear OF
the order.
Numerous also we're their acts OF
charity to the widow and orphan
struggling for existence on a mort.
gagged farm, and to the tired and dis
couraged pilgrim, in the days when
railroad transportation was a luxury,
as he plodded across country to the
promising west; no appeals for pro-
lection Or relief were unheard and
above all, no law was broken in the
execution of their purpose
From the results accomplished by
this handful of Audrain farmers,
the order grew be a State, and from
thata National organization, praised
by all respectable citizens and feared
by the law-breaking element
To-day there are lodges In every
state the Union the total mem
bership of which is 40, 700 persons.
OFFICERS AND LIST OF DELEGATES
The officers of the Missouri Division
are:
william Weaver, Of Carl Junction
Mo. Grand Worthy President,
Ben Steeples, Of Granger, Mo. Crane
Worthy Vice. President.
ia. Farley, of Springdale, Ark.
Grand Worthy Secretary and Treas
urer.
w. B. Flowers, of Nebo, Mo-, Gram
Worthy Marshall.
W. B. Parker, Of Spurgeon, Mo.
Grand Worthy National Vice Presl
dent.
The officers of the Audrain count
: Lodge are d. l.. Rodgers, president
Valentine Erdel, Jr., Secy.
The following committees from th
Audrain County Lodge were appoint
ed to make arrangements for the cor
vention;
h Committee on arrangements:
VIM. @. Atkins, Chairman.
d. L. Rodgers.
Earl Cunningham
Henry Kunkel
T. P. Dyer
Reception committee:
Frank James, chairman
Val Erdel, Jr.
Elmer Cunningham
l.. @. Walker
Jas. B. Weaver
Finance committee:
Earl Cunningham, chairman
Frank Eardel
B. F. Crump
@. II. Schoop
]. Hord Davis
DELEGATES.
The following delegates answered
roll call this morning. The list Civ
the names, addresses and lodge th'
represent:
WIN II Smith, Lucerne, Mo
Jas McNally, Kahoka, Nc
il Murray, Galena, Kas
B Morris, Joplin, Mo
o r. Davis,
o Mckee,
II T Peck,
Frank Brown,
Vernon Clark, Slatonville, Ark
ia Farley, Springdale, Ark
W L S~trickler, Meadville, Mo
r F~Demmit, Monette, Mo
II Israel, Eldon, Iowa
Lon Miller, Prairie Flower, Mo
A Davis, Brooktield, Mo