Yardleyville Horse Company Gallops Into 157th Year

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — The Yardleyville Protective Company for the Pursuit and Detection of Horse Thieves and Other Villains, affectionately known as “Horse Thieves,” galloped into its 157th year in January with an evening of tradition and some good natured horseplay.

President Hank Crawford gaveled the meeting to order at Michael’s Restaurant in Falls Township continuing a tradition dating back to the days before law enforcement where "horse companies" like Yardleyville and its neighbor to the west, the Newtown Reliance Company, formed posses, circulated wanted posters and tracked down villains and other scoundrels.

Treasurer Sue Bissert reads the treasurer's report.

Years ago, before the advent of organized law enforcement, the company served as a vigilante organization, coming together to help with the recovery of real stolen horses and personal property. And In the case of Yardleyville, which doubled as an insurance company, paid out claims for stolen livestock, horses and possessions.

Today, the members and leaders of the organization keep the organization alive by meeting annually for dinner, although today it’s less serious and more about horseplay and just plain having a night of fun.

Company president Hank Crawford presides during the annual meeting.

As members and guests prepared for a banquet of salmon, beef and chicken, Secretary Laura Foulds read the 2023 meeting minutes. She then reached back in history sharing excerpts from the year 1923 contained in the organization's original leather bound minute book, which has been passed down from the very first meeting.

It seemed appropriate that chicken was on the evening’s menu considering what took place a century ago.

Reading from the minute books, Foulds reported that 100 years ago 35 chickens were stolen in June, 55 were taken in July and 32 were stolen in August. The company agreed to pay out two-thirds of the cost of each chicken.

Continuing its tradition of hearing claims - but very seldom paying them out - Director Ralph Nuzzolo read a modern day submission from director Bill Moculak who sought $540 in reimbursement for a destroyed top hat.

Yardleyville member Bill Moculak.

In the claim, Moculak reported that his hat fell off while he was opening a bag of candy at the Yardley Christmas Parade and it was trampled on and destroyed.

“We referred the claim to our legal firm of 'Dewey Cheat Them And How' and we also brought in our insurance adjuster and a hat consultant,” reported director Nuzzolo. “The good news for Mr. Moculak is the company is obligated to award something for the hat due to a clause about replacement. But due to depreciation we are only obligated to pay out $1.38. And we will be dropping him from coverage of future claims.”

Director Ralph Nuzzolo holds up a bag containing the remnants of the destroyed top hat.

Company president Hank Crawford presents the Horse's Ass Award to Jay Baldwin.

The horsing around continued as President Crawford stepped to the floor to present the company's annual Horse's Ass Award. This year's lucky recipient was Jay Baldwin “for skipping the horse thieves annual banquet."

In other business at the meeting, Crawford presented a cutting board to Marie and Michael, the owners of Michael’s Restaurant, which has accommodated the banquet since 2018. Plans are moving forward to demolish the restaurant and to replace it with a self storage facility.

After the routine business of the evening concluded, the real horseplay began as Don Bader, dressed up as a “sheriff,” accompanied by a “horse,” burst into the room on a mission to track down this year's "villain."

It has been a long time tradition at horse company meetings to honor a long standing member by taking them into “custody” before the company and pronouncing sentence.

Roaming among the tables, the sheriff and his steed searched high and low throughout the banquet room for this year's villain. Bader finally stopped at a table where longtime company director Lori Rousseau was seated.

Bader took Rousseau into into custody and escorted her to the center of the banquet hall where Judge Mick Petrucci read the charges being levied against her as shouts of “Hang Her” permeated the banquet room.

Lori Rousseau was quickly found guilty of giving her time to the Yardleyville Protective Co.

The Yardley-Makefield native, Pennsbury graduate and former banker and realtor, has served on the horse company’s board for many years. In the community, she's been actively involved with the Yardley-Makefield VFW Auxiliary and at the Anchor Yacht Club in Bristol.

She was quickly found guilty of giving her time to the Yardleyville Protective Company.

"This was long overdue," said Crawford. "She's been a member for a long time and she has always been there to help us out. She's very deserving."

The evening concluded with illusions and magic by Clive Allen and Heather Lynn.

Mark your calendar. Next year's 158th Annual Meeting will come to order on Saturday, January 11, 2025.