Newtown "Horse Thieves" Gavel To Order 204th Annual Meeting

NEWTOWN, PA — There hasn’t been a horse stolen around these parts in years, but don’t tell that to the members of the Newtown Reliance Company.

Long after organized law enforcement essentially put the company out of business, these “vigilantes” have continued to meet once a year, carrying on a tradition now more than 200 years old.

John Duggan, the president of the illustrious group, gaveled to order the 204th meeting of the company at The Northampton Valley Country Club where more than 300 members gathered for a night of horseplay, good-natured fun and keeping the past alive.

The company, whose members are affectionately known today as "Horse Thieves," traces its roots to 1819 when it was formed at the Bird In Hand to keep the peace in the days before organized law enforcement. When a horse, chicken or other possession was stolen, the company would post wanted posters and form posses to track down the villains and bring them to justice.

Judge Mick Petrucci swears in a new class of Colts, the organization's newest members.

Unfortunately not much is known about its earlier days. Minute books from 1819 to 1899 were destroyed in a fire at the Newtown Hardware House. What is known is that the company remained active through the late 1940s chasing down a thief who had struck a local business.

Today, members no longer mount horses and track down the town’s scoundrels. They leave that to the police. The annual meeting is now a social event for the men of the town who meet once a year for dinner, a special speaker, the annual meeting and to catch up on the latest news around
town.

Duggan welcomed members to this year’s event, noting that the horse company has stood the test of time, now boasting around 300 members and a waiting list. It also survived the pandemic, last meeting in 2020.

Following an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Rev. Larry Smoose, Director Paul Lewis remembered a long list of departed members from 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The meeting also included the reading of the minutes from the 2020 meeting; the presentation of the membership roster; the treasurer’s report; and the election of officers for the coming year.

Leading the company into its 204th year are Duggan as president; William Fabian II, vice president; Paul M. Gouza treasurer; Daniel J. Schaffer; secretary; and directors Frank B. Fabian Jr. (President Emeritus), Raymond W. "Skip" Goodnoe (President Emeritus), C. David Callahan (Secretary Emeritus), H. Paul Lewis, George Stockburger IV, Glenn Forsyth, Brian Rounsavill, Joseph Swerk and Thomas J. Walsh.

The meeting continued with Frank Fabian and Raymond Goodnoe recognizing 50 year members Arthur Ivins Jr (2022) and J. Hibbs Buckman III (2023).

J. Hibbs Buckman III was recognized as a 50 year member.

50 year member Arthur Irvins Jr.

In addition, 25 year pins were presented to Tony Blancato (2022), David Guenther (2022), Brian Rounsavill (2022), John Broadnix (2023), William Farrell (2023), William Lucas (2023), Chester Pogonowski (2023) and Director Joseph Swerk, Sr. (2023).

Duggan also recognized member John Shaltens, presenting him with the Howard G. Balderston Horse’s Ass Award for giving back to the community.

Shaltens is the guy who moves Santa’s House into place every year for the Borough, free of charge. He also sets up the Christmas tree stand for the borough, again free of charge.

In addition, he helped install the new Reliance Company Historical Marker in 2022, free of charge. And he cored a six foot hole in the Historic Court Inn to allow for HVAC upgrades, also free of charge.

Shaltens has been a Reliance Company member since 2012.

John Duggan congratulates John Shaltens for winning the Horse's Ass award.

The meeting continued with the swearing in of the company's detectives: Collin Goodnoe, David Milstein, William Farrell, Matthew Gillis, Chuck Charlton, Rick Speranza, Kevin Bethman, John Horn, Kyle Dudley and Ryan Parry.

And a new chorale of Colts joined the illustrious group, sworn in by Judge Mick Petrucci. They are Joe Blackburn, Patrick Collins III, Steve Lehihan and Bill Newill for the year 2022 and Bruce Beecher, Alex Stewart, Gil McDermott, Bill Davis, Jack Shaltens, Bill Mahler, Michael Creighton and Alan Thress for 2023.

Among the highlights of the evening was the mock imprisonment of a “villain,” a throwback to the organization’s vigilante days.

Judge Mick Petrucci announces the charges against Roy VanDerwyck (in the lockup).

A Sheriff, portrayed by James M. Mershon III, accompanied by a chase horse and detectives, roamed through the banquet hall before stopping at the table of member Roy VanDerwyck.

VanDerwyck’s crime? Building the company’s new “Lock up,” which will be used to recognize and to thank outstanding members of the company found guilty of doing good works in the community.

The guest speaker for the evening was Dickie Noles, a former Major League Baseball pitcher with the Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles between 1979 and 1990.

At the age of 23, he was a righty reliever on the 1980s Phillies World Series team, playing alongside Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Gary Maddox, Tug McGraw, Pete Rose and Larry Bowa.

In Memoriam

• Wnston Ditmars, a member since 1976, died on January 29, 2020. He was Instrumental with inception of Upper Makefield Fire Co.

• Earnest Pellegrino, a member since 1983, died March 24, 2020. Earnie w as a barber.

• Thomas Real, a member since 2014, died March 28, 2020. He was a fixture at Fabian's.

• Lee Canon, a member since 1998, died April 16, 2020. He was a long time Newtownian, Corvette owner and Warrior’s Watch rider.

• Gene Cadwallader, a member since 1993, died April 17, 2020. He was a long time director and former treasurer of Horse Thieves and "Mister" Yardley Makefield Fire Company

• Gerald DeYoung, a member since 1997, died April 21, 2020. He was a long time Newtownian and worked as an Operating Engineer.

• John L. “Jack" Tomlinson, a member since 1971, died August 21, 2020. He was a long time director and secretary of the Horse Thieves, an electrical contractor, active in many local organizations and head electrician for the Grange Fair, and was often referred to as "Sparky".

• Clifton E. "Tip" Wiggins, a member since 1975, died January 31, 2021. He spent years in the car business and was the owner, operator of Wiggins Auto Body on South Sycamore Street.

• Roger Cook, a member since 1986, died February 6, 2021. He spent his career in graphic arts and was widely known and respected in the field. He received the Presidential Award for design excellence in 1985.

• Ronald Glorioso, a member since 1985, died October 22, 2021. He was active as a horse trainer at Liberty Bell winning more than 1000 races. He began his career as a mounted Pennsylvania State Trooper and was inducted into the Parx Racing Hall of Fame.

• Linford H. Bethman, a member since 1979, died December 28, 2021. He was a long time Newtonian and spent his career as an auto mechanic, opening his garage on Washington Avenue in 1972. He restored a number of vintage vehicles and could often be seen driving his red and white 1955 Ford Victoria around Newtown.