During the Great Depression crime was on the rise, some induced by families who needed to eat, while others robbed out of greed.

The mayor of Albany, MO, suggested that neighboring towns organize volunteer riot squads for the purpose of protecting the towns against bandits. He believed if the towns in this section organized squads, they’d be able to help each other out in case of emergencies. His plan was to organize a group of approximately 10 men and have them equipped with riot guns. These men would be available for immediate call if robbers did visit the town and would be properly armed to cope with the intruders.

A series of signals would be placed at different points in the business section so the squad would be notified immediately if anything was happening.

Gallatin Democrat Dec. 13, 1933;
— researched and presented by Wilbur Bush, Gallatin, MO