Chromolithograph by John Mulvany entitled: "The trial of a horse thief" shows a large group of men gathered in a room in a tavern or general store, conducting the trial of a man, standing at center, suspected of stealing a horse, 1877. The term horse thie
Chromolithograph by John Mulvany entitled: "The trial of a horse thief" shows a large group of men gathered in a room in a tavern or general store, conducting the trial of a man, standing at center, suspected of stealing a horse, 1877. The term horse thief came into great popularity in the United States during the 19th century. During that time the Great Plains states, Texas, and other western states were sparsely populated and negligibly policed. As farmers tilled the land and migrants headed west through the Great Plains, their horses became subject to theft. Since these farmers and migrants depended on their horses, horse thieves garnered a particularly pernicious reputation because they left their victims helpless or greatly handicapped by the loss of their horses. Punishments were often severe for horse theft, with several cultures pronouncing the sentence of death upon actual or presumed thieves. Several societies were formed in the US to prevent horse theft and apprehend horse thieves.
Size: 4200px × 3068px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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