Self-Protection at Forney

The Dallas Daily Herald
Thursday, 18 March 1880

To the Editor of the Herald

At a mass-meeting of the citizens of Forney Precinct, March 13, 1880, the following preamble and resolutions were offered:

Whereas, Our portion of the county of Kaufman has been infested with a band of thieves who have made a practice of stealing our horses and cattle for many years without restraint, and

Whereas, The strong arm of the law has literally failed to give us any relief; therefore be it

Resolved, That we the citizens of Forney Precinct, organize ourselves into a Self-Protective Home society; and that we have a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer; that we meet the second and fourth Saturday each month; that our initiation fees be not less than two dollars per member.

Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the President to appoint six minute-men, whose duty it shall be, at any and all times, to drop all business and pursue thieves that have stolen any horses or cattle from members of the society; and that said minute-men’s expenses be paid out of the treasury of said society,

Resolved, That we ask the co-operation of all good citizens to aid us in this our undertaking.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the Dallas Herald, Kaufman Star and Terrell Times for publication, and that the Gainesville, (Cook county,) papers be and are hereby requested to copy.

J.W. Record, Chairman.

J.M. Reagan, Secretary,
Forney, March 16, 1880