Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-10-24
Story of a Horse.

The superior intelligence of the noblest of
quadrupeds is well illustrated by the follow
ing statement Of facts, which appears in the
Lynn Reporter:
Almost everybody knows Alderman Otis
Newhall-genial, good-hearted Otis New
hall, whose hand everybody likes to shake,
and whose smiling face is pleasant to look
upon-and very many of our readers will
remember "Old Whitley" a horse which
Mr.. Newhall owned for several years, to as
sist him in his labors about Pine Grove
cemetery, Of which he is the able and ex-
cellent superintendent. "Old Whitley" was
a very intelligent animal, and knew almost
as much as some men. Many anecdotes are
related of this horse, which we have no room
for here. He was often sent alone about the
grounds Of the cemetery with loaded cart,
and would turn the corners of the avenues
quite as carefully without driver as with
one. He was also often sent to the stable
where he was kept, which was half a mile
distant, much of the way through a piece
of woods. A note attached to his bride
would inform the workmen at the barn what
was wanted, and the errand being accom-
plished, the horse would be turned back,
always returning faithfully and in good time
to the place from whence he came. He
was never known to fail on these errands,
nor to meet with any accident.
About four years ago, ''Old Whitley"
being eighteen years of age, Mr.. Newhall
sold him and purchased a young horse. A
man in Gloucester bought him, and that was
the last Mr. Newhall saw of him, until one
day last week, when stray horse strolled
into the cemetery grounds, and walked up
to where the laborers were at work. They
tried to drive him away, but several times he
returned, and finally, finding he was not
wanted, turned his steps toward the stable
before mentioned. Mr. Newhall was absent
at the time, but upon his return at once
recognized his former faithful assistant, who
testified his pleasure at seeing his old master
in the most demonstrative horse language.
He was lean and sore, and but wreck Of
his former self, but his memory had not fail
ed him. Mr.. n had his old favorite well
washed fed and cared for, and then turned
him into rich pasture, where he found
plenty of sweet grass which he devoured
with evident relish. For week this old
horse enjoyed the rest he had so well earned,
but every day when he had finished his re-
past, he would find his way to where the
laborers were at work in the cemetery, and
stand among them, as much as TO say that
he was ready to go TO work again. Two or
three days since man from Topsfield called
on Mr.. Newhal and claimed 'Old Whitley
as his property. He said that he had bought
him of the Gloucester man some time since,
to work on a farm that he had put him in
his barn the night before he came to the
cemetery, and in the morning he was mis-
sing. The old horse had made his way out,
and finding himself at liberty, faithful to the
instinct, or reason, or whatever it may be
called, that was implanted TO him, had
travelled during that night, or early morning,
straight back, distance of twelve or fifteen
miles, to his old home, as though desirous to
return to his former duties 1t is crafty
ing to Mr.. Newhall to believe that "Old
Whitley has kind master, who will see
that lie is properly fed and cared for, as,
after twenty years of faithful service, he
certainly deserves 10 be.