The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1871-04-01
biography of "a Mule.

biography of Mule.
correspondent, writing from Bull Run,
under date of Mach 18th, 1871, furnishes the
following:
Diod At Bull Rnu. New. March Sd, 1871 Mason
= mule, aged about 81 years.
Ii seldom falls within the province of the
narrator of passing events to chronicle the
demise Of an animal that has sustained more
important part in the public affairs of our
country, or one whose history is more replcte
with romantic eyonts, than the subject Of this
notice. In the hands Of skillful rOmancer
THE HISTORY or MACON
Could be wove into tale far more interesting
than that which characterizes Captain Marry
ats charming story Of "SnarleyoW," or any
Of Cooper's Indian tales. But in this brief
notice the snthOr can only give facts and dates,
leaving the romance to be supplied 10y the i'm
aglnatiOn of the reader. Whether the name
Macon was derived from the circumstance Of
her having in early yonth drawn the plough
through the cotton fields near Macon Ga, or
whether II was taken from the word occurring
in the well known cOUplct Of one of DIR. Watts
Eyc"tost hymns, There lies on yOnder plain
Micon'a mule, but three days slain" tradi-
tiun saith not. But certain IL is that during
all her
wASDEIISGS ACROSS THE COSTlSFST,
Over the mountain sleeps, and through bar
rem deserts she ever retained the poetic name
of Macon. In May, A. ID. lh7,
GESERLL FREMONT WAS IL 81. LOUIS
Making active preparations for his first trip
across the continent; the one thing that taxed
his fertile brain more than anything else con.
nected with the expedition was the procuring
Of suitable riding animals. Upon this matter
tho General and Jessie Fremont held long and
grave consultations. The General was de.
cidcdly in favor of the horse; but Jessie being
probably somewhat acquainted with the habits
Of the mule from certain pcculiarities of eye
ancient Thomas WAS equally strong in heI
recommendations of that animal. and Jessie =
counsel finally prevailed. The matter thus
settled, the General closely scrutiniled every
mule that came under his observation, and il
was not long before the many fine points dis.
played by Macon, Hs she nimbly stcppcd over
the cobbled pavement under her huttCTnut.
clad rider and owner. attracted hls critical eye
4 bargain was soon struck and Macon immc
dately installed in tho prncely stable attached
TO the Fremont mansion.
JESSIE WAS HTOuLY PLEASED WIN THE ANIMAL
Cnresscd her, and called her all kinds of pei
names; but thu General in his matter. of fact
way insisted on the name of Macon, given b,
the former owner. Thenceforward Macon be
came part aud parcel Of the General. Horace
Greeley and his white hat are not more inscp
Rrhbly connected than was the General ant
Macon. During the long aud tedious marcl
through the almost boundless wilderness o
tho West, Macon was ever the Generals most
trusted saddle animal. II u rugged mountain
was to be crossed requringa sure footing anC
stoady tread; turbulent stream to bo fordcd
requiring coolness and shgacity, or a pro
longcd chase Of the redskins. requiring muscl,
and endurance, the General trusted himself
to no other animal but Macon. In his privat,
correspondence Ia Jessie, the General offer
mentioned tho great services Of Macon, ani
expressed many obligations to her for her rec
ommendatiOn of 8n animal so usofnl. WheI
tho expedition
FINALLY REACHED TuE UPPER SACRAMENTO
Macon Was in good condition and one of tn,
fow animals surviving. The General, will
that kindness OF heart which ever character
ICES the gront. determined to provide Mncoi
with comfortable pasturage for the remainde
OF her days, and TO that end placed her on th,
ranch Of tho
GOOD OLD PIONEER, rErER LAs1ES,
With tho admon,ion 10 him to keep hcr 70
all time on his ranch, and TO use her only il
carrying official messages; at tho samo tim
calling his attention to private mark (n lnrg
mole on the left jaw by which he might eve
recognize her should she stray away or b.
stolen. For six years Macon remained tn
distinguished guest Of the hosptable Peter
and during that time her services were scldOn
brought into requisition. Onco whom Peto
found IL necessary to make n trip 10 Monterey
then tho oapit0 Of tho State. TO carry an i'm
portant official message, ho selected Macon n
tho animal most likely to carry him safe
through tho journey, and occasionally the va
gneros OF tho ranch took her up 10 enter he
ior tho quarter races on which occasions sh
always cano out victorious. the winner of In
golden prize. After tho lapse Of those si