Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-06-24
The Once Over
TIE PASSING OF THE HORSE THIEF

Copyright, 1880, by The Associated Newspapers)
C"The Anti Horse Thief Association Of Oradell.
New Jersey. Is to be disbanded after fifty years.
News item)
There's another American institution on its last
legs. The passing Of an anti-horse thief association
ress. As long as there was such an organization in
the community he could join as a gesture Of loyalty
to the past.
It leaves the old-timer with that same sense Of
sadness that comes when ne hears Of the dissolution
81 the Buggy Stripers' Union. the wheelmens Social
Club. the Iron Dog & Deer Designers Sorority and
the National Association for the Advancement OF
Mustache Cups, Bustles. Hitching Posts and women's
Eight-Piece Bathing Costumes.
The horse III America is certainly disappearing, but
the horse thief is disappearing even faster. The
horse thief is in fact UP against it. The breaks are
against him. Even II he wanted to steal a horse he
would find it difficult to locate one.
And what would he do with it? Mere association
with a horse attracts attention TO a man in this
country today. 1t is regarded with suspicion. And
where could q man who stole a horse put 1t without
arousing curiosity? If he anne home with a horse
in this day and generation the entire neighborhood
would notice Il. There would be a big crowd around
the horse in no time.
The old-fashioned horse thief was picturesque and
had a lot Of courage compared to the modern-day
automobile thief. Stealing a car involves practically
no risk In any big city today. Anybody can get into
any one Of a thousand cars and drive off with it with
out anybody noticing il. Re three or four hours be-
fore the owner comes back. And If his car is gone
ne win just get in some other car Of the same make
and 60 home without even telling the police.
But horse-stealing was something else again. If a
man decided to get into the wrong buggy he had to
act fast and be ready for shooting. There would be
a posse after him before he had whipped the horse
out Of a lope.
He got no IS fine when caught. There was no cod
ding. They even hanged men for il. If he got off
with a jail term he was e. good as done for. A man
can steal a dozen automobiles and have it overlooked
by the time the cylinders begin to skip. but a horse
thief was a horse thief to the end Of his days.
ss
However. his days are over. There's nothing We
can do about it. Except admit that the automobile,
after all, has come to stay.
The Reason
Judges have barred a portrait Of Mussolini from the
British Royal Academy. It snapped at the other
paintings.
If you think YOU have a difficult Job Just think OF
the fellow who calls the roll in a Moslem army.
Mystery No. 4.678. Why Will American railroads
spend millions to advertise comfortable accomoda-
tons and then charge patrons for paper cups?
Douglas Fairbanks, the government announces.
oyerpaid his income tax for two years. His imme-
date expulsion from Hollywood for unprofessional
conduct may be expected.
a Council Bluffs girl won $1,000 by spelling "albu-
men" We knew a boy once who lost a definition
contest when he defined aIbumen as a red plush book