Sprigg Township near West Union in Adams County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society

Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Swank, September 15, 2012

1. Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society Marker

Inscription. Originally a vigilante group, the Anti-Horse Thief Society was formed here in March 1853 by area landowners to recover stolen horses and prosecute the thieves. Horse theft was a serious offense in the antebellum era. Trustees nominated a captain and riders who received a $10 reward upon the capture of a thief or a stolen horse. As horses lost their importance in society in the early 1900's, the organization evolved into a social club. Its annual banquet, held each April, celebrates the continuity of this Adams County tradition.

Erected 2001 by The Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, The Bentonville Anti-horse Thief Society, and the Ohio Historical Association. (Marker Number 10-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1853.

Location. 38° 45.084′ N, 83° 36.681′ W. Marker is near West Union, Ohio, in Adams County. It is in Sprigg Township. It is at the intersection of

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Ohio Route 41 and Texas Street, on the right when traveling north on Ohio Route 41. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7824 State Rte 41, West Union OH 45693, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Ohio Hill Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: West Union (approx. 2.9 miles away); Manchester (approx. 3.8 miles away); Joseph Moore (approx. 4 miles away); Jeremiah Ellis (approx. 4 miles away); Washington Ellis (approx. 4 miles away); Elijah Kimble, Sr. (approx. 4 miles away); Bradford (approx. 4 miles away); Grimes (approx. 4 miles away).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related

The Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Grant & Mary Ann Fish, February 27, 2021

2. The Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society Marker

to this marker. Council Grove Minute Men - First Horse Theft Detective Association

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 2, 2022

3. Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society Marker

On OH-41 about 2 blocks west of the marker.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 2, 2022

4. Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society Marker

On the road near the marker.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 2, 2022

5. Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society Marker

On the ground beside the post of the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 17, 2012, by John Swank of Piqua, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4,084 times since then and 104 times this year. Last updated on January 22, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on September 17, 2012, by John Swank of Piqua, Ohio. 2. submitted on March 2, 2021, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 22, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.