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In1853, the Anti-Horse Thief Society was established. Its mission was to retrieve stolen horses and bring the thieves to justice. In 1961, this monument was placed in Bentonville, home of Anti-Horse Thief Society.

Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society Marker

Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society Marker

Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Monument

Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Monument

Horse Thief Hanging

Horse Thief Hanging

In the 19th century, before the invention of the automobile, horses were important for personal transportation as well as for farming and businesses. Therefore, horse theft was a crime at that time. To deal with this serious offense, in March 1853, the Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society was formed.

The society has been operational for over 150 years. According to Ohio History Central, if the thieves were captured by Anti-Horse Thief Society’s members, the thieves were hung without any trials. Furthermore, this society provided a ten-dollar reward for whoever caught the thieves.

This society still operates as a social club, though horse thievery is no longer a problem. In 1961, the Anti-Horse Thief Monument was placed in Bentonville as a tourist attraction and a reminder of the town's history.

"Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society" Ohio History Central, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2015