Goshen Township

Back on the Case!

After several decades of silence, the Goshen Horse Thief Detectives are back on the case! The group was initially organized in January of 1892. Eight years later they adopted a charter and constitution and by-laws.

The primary purpose of the group back then was to hunt and apprehend those who would steal horses, mules, cattle, hogs, sheep, buggies, and harnesses from members of the township. The group was open to anyone annoyed by the thievery. Prospective members just had to pay a $1 initiation fee and annual dues of 25 cents each. The detectives probably disbanded sometime in the 1930's, likely because of the war.

In 2008, a copy of the original Constitution and By-Laws of the Horse Thief Detectives was found by Dan Fagin, and donated to the Goshen Township Police Department. This motivated Jeff Corcoran to breathe new life into the group. He began developing a new seal and uniform for the organization, and even adopted a new updated constitution on October 30^th of 2008. The group now consists of several "detective" members, as well as an Executive Board consisting of a captain, secretary, treasurer, and 6 lieutenants. This includes Mounted Division Lieutenant, Linda Smith. Smith acts as the leader for all members of the Detectives who serve on horseback.Lt. Marcia Huff of the Northwest division said, "The group is about bringing horse lovers together and promoting Goshen and horse country!"

Dressed in black cowboy boots, blue jeans, a white shirt, a black full-length duster, and black cowboy hats, the group plans to make their first public appearance since being brought back to life in this year's annual "Light up Goshen" parade. The detectives will be walking, and riding, and plan to unveil the "Tumbleweed Wagon," at the parade. The wagon is a historic Studebaker wagon made in the 1890's that has been restored by the detectives and is now a rolling jail. You can look for inmates in the parade as well. When asked if all the work done to restore the wagon in time for the parade was worth it, Lt. Dale Roe of the Outlaws division said, "This isn't work, its entertainment."

Right now the group has just over 40 members, and is still accepting applications for new members. Goshen residency is not required. Jeff Corcoran says although the group is based in good humor and fun, they're also a serious organization with plans to inventory local horses and tack, and if something turns up missing the Horse Thief Detectives are ready to be put to work!

The "Light up Goshen" parade is set for November 22^nd, starting at 4 pm. The Horse Thief Detectives invite you to come out and welcome them back to the community, but you'd better not plan on stealing any horses or mules, or you'll have to answer to them!