Horse Thief Detective Group Gathers To Remember History

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WASECA, Minn. (AP) -- Though their days of chasing bandits are long over, members of a Minnesota horse thief detective group continue to meet once a year.

The Mankato Free Press reports that members of the Waseca County Horse Thief Detectives have an annual Fourth of July picnic where they gather for a potluck, old fashioned games and a brief meeting.

This year the group discussed fundraising efforts to support law enforcement, including the option of establishing a college scholarship to help future police officers.

The group organized in 1864 to protect themselves from bands of horse thieves after thieves who had stolen a valuable pair of horses broke out of jail and disappeared. The group searched for horses or other stolen property valued at more than $50.