When did they stop hanging men for horse theft? Also, what was the penalty after hanging was outlawed?
Michael Austir
Via the Internet
There was an Old West saying that if you stole a man’s horse, you had condemned him to death, which is why it became a capital offense and horse thieves were hanged.
I parleyed with friends Leon Metz, Joe Rosa, Jim Dunham and Bill O’Neal to get their opinions. We all agree that despite the legendary myth about horse theft being a hanging offense i

July 2004
In This Issue:
Features
Western Books & Movies
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- Silver J Western Wear
- “I Will Laugh No More While Living”
- Santos Furniture
- Puttin’ the Hirt on Your Head
- Country Crossover Colorado Style
- State of the Union
- Wind River Historical Center
- Seventh Cavalry Sells High
- Kill Bill
- Digging Up Billy the Kid’s Mother
- A Pictorial Historian
- On the Trail of Wild Bill Hickok
- What did women use as hairspray years ago? Miss Kitty’s hair was always in place.
- When did they stop hanging men for horse theft? Also, what was the penalty after hanging was outlawed?
- Have you heard of West Texas badman Charlie Small?
- While watching Joe Kid and The Journeyman, I’ve noticed the use of Mausers. Was this gun typical of the period?
- Did cowboys really make tenderfeet “dance” by firing their pistols at their feet as is often shown in old Westerns?
- Can you describe a drover’s typical day on the Long Trail?
- The Three Charleys
- Nerves of Steel