Newtown 'Horse Thieves' Send First National Bank President To 'Jail'

NEWTOWN, PA — There hasn’t been a horse or chicken 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 205th meeting of the company at Celebrations in Bensalem 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.

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 continued to be active through the late 1940s when minute books show that members chased down a thief who had broke into a local business.

Horse company members are ready to ride.

Today, members no longer mount horses and track down the town’s scoundrels. They leave that to Chief James Sabath and Chief John Hearn and their capable departments. 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.

Following an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Rev. Larry Smoose, Director Paul Lewis remembered a member who had passed away in 2023.

The meeting also included the reading of the minutes from the 2023 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 205th 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 Duggan, Frank Fabian and Raymond Goodnoe recognizing 50-year members Charles Swartz II, Dirk Dunlap, Richard Denese, Benjamin Grissom IV, John Kerrigan Jr. and Donald Marshall.

From left: Frank Fabian, Skip Goodnoe, 50-year members Charles Swartz II and Dirk Dunlap and John Duggan.

The company presented 25-year pins to Mark Fortna, Sean Frawley, Skip Trowbridge, Jeff Bethman and Doug Terry.

In addition, 25-year pins were presented to Mark Fortna, Sean Frawley, Skip Trowbridge, Jeff Bethman and Doug Terry.

Secretary Paul Gouza also singled out member Brian Rounsavill, presenting him with the Howard G. Balderston Horse’s Ass Award for giving back to the community through his writings and his service to the company.

Brian Rounsavill, left, was recognized with this year's Horse's Ass Award by Paul Gouza, center, and John Duggan, president.

He is an active member of the Newtown Historic Association and the author of “The History of Tyler State Park” and the co-author of “Images of America: Newtown.”

The meeting continued with the swearing-in of the company's detectives: Matthew Winslade (new 2024), James Baniewcz (new 2014), 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 Turchi, John Venture, Rob Brown, Joseph Camp, Carl Forsyth, Andy Smith, Collin Duggan, Bernie Sauer, Robert Kay Jr., James Tomlinson and Rick Fitzgerald.

The company's detectives.

The company's new class of colts with Judge Mick Petrucci and vice president William Fabian.

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

A sheriff, portrayed by Michael Creighton, accompanied by a chase horse and detectives, roamed through the banquet room looking for this year’s “scoundrel.” They soon stopped at the front table where member and company secretary Dan Schaffer was seated.

Schaffer, the president and CEO of The First National Bank of Newtown, grew up in Newtown
and is a 1991 graduate of Council Rock High School. He is a 1994 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University. He joined The First National Bank as a branch manager in 1999 and rose to the presidency in 2011 and was named CEO in 2013.

Dan Schaffer behind bars at the horse company banquet. (photos by Jeff Werner)

Schaffer’s crime? Proposing to replace the bank’s wooden windows with aluminum ones.

The guest speaker for the evening was Ruben Amaro Jr., a former professional baseball player, coach, and executive. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies and was the ball club’s general manager from 2008 to 2015.

Amaro is currently a color commentator on Philadelphia Phillies television broadcasts and a contributor on the 94.1 WIP Morning Show in Philadelphia.

Ruben Amaro Jr. with John Duggan, the president of the Newtown Reliance Company.