Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-06-16

EN CIV ~ HORSE Bks4801S
The Hon. Judge Taylor. Of Mobile,
Ala, has recently addressed commune
cation 10 the editor Of the !. Daily Adver.
siser," Of that city, Of m0st interesting
and extraordinary character.-Mr. Lang
don. in inifodWcing the communication 10
his readers. makes the assurance /. that en-
cry fact stated can be corroboralcd by han-
dreds OIL his most veracious fellow oilizens :
Those who hold in veneration the noble
qualities Of the horse. that sagacions az
well as serviceable animal, will be certain
70 give the article a careful perusal. The
writer Of this individual animate history
has scarcely tod he hzlfC the Evidence
hg91sSs0
ing far above most other animals Of th1
brute creation. If all these marks Of IL
telligence are not referable to process Of
thought. raiiocinaii0n. then we know not
upon what principle they are to be &c
counted for; they are certainly. in our es-
,imatlon, lofty remove above instinct.
&C. Langdon, Esq.-My purpose is
not To discuss the question Al the head Of
lliis article, but 10 submit some facts for
the speculation of those who hay be GU
rlous in such matters. As you are aware,
| own a~horse called John. that for sever.
81 years has not only amused, but aston
ished the public. By his various fea,s Of
intelligence and sagacity.
Every body knows John. and if he is
seen, as he often IS, in buggy, and no
one in it, walking trot,ing or ga1loping
through the most crowded streets, thread
ing his way among carriages and drays.
no citizen offers to stop him !; but if a
stranger attempt il. he only exci.es laugh
and is asked how long he has been in the
city. ! have witnessed some amusing
scenes Of this kind at the expense of some
ones good intentions.
tits proper that should state. that for
the last seven years, with the exception
of the past and present winters. ! Ilavere-
sided abous two and half miles from the
city. generally come to town every day
about twelve o'clock. l frequently drive
to town and back without touching The
rein. If come down ST. Francis street,
he is certain to stop at the " averly. with
out anything being said to him; and as
soon as get ont, he will start in tfot or
gallop, and stop at the Corin.hian. III
come down Dauptlin street. he will 70 di
rec,ly TO The Post Office, where he will
stop until get out, when he will wheel
across the street. and remain there, in his
opinion, reasonable time; if he wants
water. he will go to pump, and from one
TO another, until he finds friend to pump
it for him. when he will return.
John is also general favorlte. The
freedom Of the city was long since pre-
sented to him in buggy! lie is there
fore not confined to any particular street.
out goes where he likes. in pursuit Of me
or his own amusement. He will some
times 60 10 Wafer street, and then TO
Commerce, when with excellent taste and
judgment lie will sample bales Of hay on
The side walk but unlike the cotton sam
piers. he was never known to fill n bay
svv<r--~---Al-i-x 1--..-A.1 an
" knows me from others. but can t'istin-
guish my voice from all others, as may be
easily proven. Hundreds of persons may
pass him daily without attracting from.
him any particular notice. If come to-
ward him when his head is turned from
me. and happen 10 be talking at the time.
although from his tight check rein the mo
zion may be difficult. and perhaps painful.
he will TURN his head round. resting it a.
gainst his side, with his eye, which then
exhibits peculiar ,renulous motion. fix
ed on me until pass. II he then desires
to 90 hume, he will raise his head, point
his ears. and star. after me. stepping lofti-
~ and keeping me in view.-AIthough a
spirited animal. nothing frightens him
from his propriety : in fact he dafes do
all tina. may become a'--horse. II is
fact quite notorious, that he will 60 about
the city in pnrsui. Of me il is equally so.
that experiments have been made 10 IN
duce him TO leave me, bye,urning him up
the street leading TO the country, but after
turning block or two he would invaria-
bly, tuIn back. There are msny instances
Of gentlemen having driven him to their
residences in different parts of the city and
turned him lose to come back, and am
informed that some bets have been pock>
e,ed on such performances. had stan
ding bet for some years. that would send
him 10 the market or to the Post Office.
or any house or point that might be desig
mated. and that lie would return safely with
the buggy. No one doubted he would 90
it.-But few months since sent him
from my house across the country to lhe
String hill road. and up that road the dis
lance Of mile, 10 the house Of friend,
although he had not been there for more
Than y wear. have often sent him on ef-