41st  Annual Wagon Train for Youth

Le Sueur County Sheriff, Pat Smith Sr., and Waseca County Sheriff Don Eustice started a boys group home in Waseca in 1975, to serve both counties for wayward boys. The grant that helped get the Waseca-Le Sueur county Boys Home established, was applied for by Don. This later expanded into several counties in MN known as Youth Ranches of MN. On September 4th, 1976, Don went, with deputy, Mert Schwartz, to serve a commitment paper to a mentally-ill man in Waseca County. The man had known Don for a long time-in fact, he had brought garden produce to the jail the previous week. When Don and deputy Mert arrived at the farmhouse, they called the man to come outside - he opened the door, raised up his shot gun, and shot Don in the chest.

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The Wagon Train has continued, started by Mert, in Don's honor, for 40 years to raise money to help our youth. $1,000 goes to the MN State Mounted Posse Association’s Donald Eustice Memorial Scholarship Fund to award members and/or family members who further their education in Law Enforcement. Most recently, the Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota have received the remaining money donated to help families that need medical help and need to stay at the Ronald McDonald House.

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Today, Posse Members, Equine Enthusiasts, and their communities all join together in the MN State Mounted Posse Associations largest Fundraiser of the year, to continue to raise money for our Youth and their families! We are excited to be giving our donation to the Children's Hospitals and Clinics of MN, again this year!!  We hope you will join us this year at this Amazing event!