CHEROKEE PHOENIX
Wednesday September 24, 1828
Volume 1 No. 30
Page 2 Col. 5b-
Page 3 Col. 1a

  From the Southern Advocate.

 Pony Club in Carroll County, Georgia.- We are informed by a gentleman who has recently passed through that place, of indubitable credibility, that there is a CLUB, who make a profession of stealing horses as well from their own citizens as from strangers.  Their plans, from their contiguity and intercourse with the Cherokees, have been so judiciously executed as to elude detection.  They do not we understand, profess to take the life of a traveller, but only his horse, in order, it may be presumed, that in cases of conviction, their punctilious clemency may establish a contested principle in penal law, that there is a distinct and tangible difference in value between property and life.  This policy reminds us of the reply of Judge Burner, to the horse-stealer, who upon being asked what he had to say, why judgment of death should not be passed upon him, and answering, "that it was hard to hang a man for only stealing a horse," was told by the Judge, `Man, thou art not only  to be hanged for stealing a horse, but that horses may not be stolen.'  That punishments should be proportioned to offences (sic) is just and politic we admit, but that there is a lamentable deficiency in the justice and morality of this new country overlooking the alieni appetens which is so manifestly a nuisance to their neighbors and strangers, is equally notorious.
 We have frequently heard of this pony club.- It is said by a Traveller who passed this place some time since directly from Carroll, that this stealing association has become so dexterious (sic) in its profession, that if the d___l had been in the shape of a pony, he would ere this have fallen a prey to its agility.  "Pony club" is but a limited name and will by no means give a correct idea of this neighboring combination- "cow club," "hog club," &c. may properly be added.

This transcription from the Cherokee Phoenix is presented as part of the historical record, and includes historical materials that may contain negative stereotypes or language reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place including terminology that may not be deemed appropriate today. While an effort has been made to verify the transcription against the original text, complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Researchers are urged to match the transcription against the original article to authenticate exact quotes. Issues of the Cherokee Phoenix are available on microfilm. Please check your local library for availability or to inquire about interlibrary loan of a microfilm copy.

Send comments or questions to: George Frizzell
Special Collections . Hunter Library . Western Carolina University . Cullowhee, NC 28723 . 828-227-7474