Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-08-22
From the Mobile (Ala.) Advertiser.
A WONDERFUL HORSE.

AaylOrI IN relation 10 his horse, EJOhn,
will be equally interesting to our read.
ers abroad aRd at home, when we make
the assurance that every fact stated can
be corrobOrated by the testimony of hun
dreds OF our most veracfous citizens
The writer has scarcely told half of the
evidences this animal gives of possessing
powers of reasoning far above most 9th
ers ofthe brute creation. If all these
marks ofintelligence are not referable to
process of thought, or raliocination, then
we know not upon what principle they
are to be accounted for; they are GER
taInly, in our estimation, lofty remove
above instinct.
CAN A HORSE REASON?
My purpose is not TO discuss the cues
tion at the head of this article, but to sub
NIT some facts for the speculation OF
those who may be curious Of such mat,
ters. As you are aware, own horse
called John, that for several years has
not only amused, but astonished the pub.
lie, by his various feats of intelligence
and sagacity.
Every body knows JO hn; and ifhe
is seen, as he is often seen, in a buggy, ,and
no one in it, walking, trotting or gaIlop,
ing through the most crowded streets,
threading his way among carriages and
drays, no citizen offers to stop him: but
stranger attempts it, he oDlv excites
laugh, and is asked how long he has
been, in the city.
Il is proper that | should state that for
The last seven years, with the exception
OF the past and Presen, winters, I have
resided about two and half miles from
the city. generally come 10 town ev-
cry day about ii or IL o'clock. FREE
quently drive to town and hack, without
touching the rein. II come down ST.,
Francis street, he is certain to stop al.
the Waverly, without any thing being
said 10 him; and as | get out he will stop
at the Corinthiau. If come down Dau.
phin street, he will 60 directly to the post
Office, where he will stop until | get out,
when he will wheel across the street and
remain there in he's opinion, reasona.
BILE 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 a great favorite. The
freedom OF the city was long since pre-
sented TO him in buggy. He is there.
fore not confined to any particular street,
but goes whore he likes, in pursuit Of me
and his own amusement. He will some
timea 60 TO Water street, and then to
Commerce, where, with excellent taste
and judgment, he will sample bales oI
hay on the side walk; but unlike the cot
ton samplers, he is never known to fiji a
bag and carry il off or his back. He moi
only knows me from others, but can dis
tinguish nv voice from others, as may be
easily proved. Hundreds of persons may
pass him daily, withou: sttracting any
particular notice. If | come toward him
when his head is turned from nae, and
happen to be talking at the time, aItho'
from his tight check rein The motion NAV
be difficult, and perhaps painful, he will
turn his head round, resting against his
side, with his eye, which then exhibits q
peculiar tremulous motion, fixed on nae
till | pass, II he then desires to 20
home, he will raise bis head point his ear
and start after me, stepping loftily, and
keeping me in view. Although spirit.
ed animal, nothing 'frightens him from
his Propriety;' in fact he 'dares do all
that may become a'-horse! It is fact
quite notorious, that he will 90 about in
pursuit of me; its equally so that expert
ments have been made to induce him ia
Ieave me, by turning him up the street
leading to the country; but after turning
q block or two he would invariably come
5 back.
There are many intances of gentlemen
having driven him to their residence il
different parts Of the city, and turned hin
loose to come back, and / am informed
that some bets have been pockeied or
such performances. Ihad standing be
3 for some years, that would send him 4
the market or the post Office, or 10 any
house or point that might be designated
and that he would return safely with th'
buggy. No one doubted he would do it.
But few months since, sent him from
my house across the country to th'
Spring Hill road a distance OF mile, Il
3 the house Of friend, although he ha'
not been there for more than ysar.
have often sent him on errands Of a sim
liar character. have only to 60 wit
him 10 show him place, and he neve
torgets il. He is perfectly under the
command Ofmy voice. Ispeak to hir
e siwOnld to servant; and that he IN
deEatands maAythings / say to him,
proved by the fact that he obeys me. II
harness or out Of it, he follows me abov
IKE dog. He stands ia no fear Of mi
and has no cause; for although ma
sometimes seold him. / have nev.
struck him. AZ hal;ava a shn ~ vn.,