Horse Thief Detectives to meet

The Waseca County Horse Thief Detective Society will begin its annual meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4 and continue well into the afternoon at Waseca’s Northeast Park. 

 

All interested families and individuals are encouraged to attend.

 

On the agenda is a report of the organization’s current efforts to follow through on its founding purpose, the prevention of horse thefts–failing prevention, investigating any missing horses and capturing the low-down thievin’ varmints who took ‘em.

 

Organization leader Scott Roemhildt explains the organization began in 1862 after some horses–the “tractors” of their time–were taken from a rural homestead. Club history records that, although the thieves were captured and arrested, they subsequently broke out of jail and escaped. “The theft, escape and expenses involved in their arrest and trial outraged local citizens,” a brochure reports. From that day forward, local “detectives” vowed “not to let history repeat itself.”

 

Original expectations of members were occasional patrols when suspicious characters were seen in the area and attending organization meetings, which took place monthly. Membership dues provided the funds for investigations and other activities. As the number of thievin’ varmints decreased, meetings were scheduled quarterly; since 1880 they have been only once a year.

 

Roemhildt reports there have been more than 4,000 members in the organization across its 161 years of existence, but it is essentially impossible to provide current numbers. He explains once the $3 dues are paid, members have joined for life. A few families, he goes on to say, have been represented since the organization began.

 

The July 4 meeting is more a celebration of rural history and culture than an opportunity for an annual report, since the organization has never left any stolen Waseca County horse go unreturned.  

 

Members are meant to bring their families and a contribution to a potluck dinner or, if they wish, to bring their own picnic lunch. They will also need their own plates and utensils.

 

There will be live music as participants gather, a 1:00 meeting, and an afternoon of games and fun. Like the organization, games and competitions will be family focused, with activities for participants of all ages. Examples include traditional competitions like pie-eating contests, sack-cloth races, or bubble-gum blowing.

 

Roemhildt declares every interested family should feel free to attend: folks are invited to become members the day of the event. Families do not have to be horse owners or even live in the country. The only disqualification, he warns, is being a low-down varmint horse thief.

 

Anyone wanting more information can visit horsedetectives.org or call or text Roemildt at 507-995-9832.