The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-10

falling into the hands Of persons al
ready inclined 10 immigrate:
For rhe Farmer and Mechanic.
Death Of a Famous Little Horse in
thu City of Newbern.
Isaac Bryan, 50 well known TO the
citizens of the city of Newbern rs a
racer, during the years of the Union
fair there, before the war, died, we
learn, on the lot Of his owner, Colonel
John D. Whitford, a few days ago,
aged "a years. We have seen this ami
NAL, and we doubt whether any
smarter horse, for his size, ever looked
through a bride. When less than three
years old he ran a mile in two minutes
and 8 seconds, carrying nearly 80
pounds weight, and weighing himself
less than $40 pounds on the day of the
race. 1t was done under the direction
Of that old hero of the turf, Col. John
VI. Bryan, who said, with whip and
spur the time would have been reduced
? minutes. The rider was told to let
the horse run with his companion at
his ease. But it was a wonderful per-
Torrance as it was. and the horse was
as fresh and frolicsome in 80 minutes
after the race as if he had not run a
foot. This horse was selected on the
and Col. John NJ. Bryan for his fine
points as a racer, to see what, with re-
gular training, the Bankers" could
do. He was a bay, having no white
except a star on the face /; his shout
ders very deep, mounting up to the
top Of the withers and obliquely in
clined to the hips. He had a very
round barrel, much larger than sup
posed without measurement, back
short and strong, thighs and arms long
and muscular, and his bone was like
steel; his head and neck was well
formed, and in his racing days he
looked and ran, for all the world, like
a stag. He never missed a feed, SO far
as is known, in 90 years, and died of
old age, eating up to within an hour of
his death.
Isaac leaves behind him several cups,
won during his days IN the turf, and
one won under a half minute in a half
mile race. He was sagacious with all,
and seemed to be without fear-no
guns, drums, flags, trains or steam
boats could brighten him. He would
march boldly up to any object, how
ever hideous, without trepidation. He
was known to dodge or "shy !"
was fond of music, and to the last it
would stimulate him for a race if only
around the lot in which he was con
fined. Col. d. NJ. Carter, of this city,
if not others, have seen Isaac Bryan,
at least nee without invitation, ascend
a flight of steps from the ground, and
walk unceremoniously into his owners
dining room, and claim there his share
of the nuts when being handed around
the table, behaving himself, too, like
a gintleman" ali the while.
We have said so much of this little
animal as he proved there are no bet
ter or 1eeter horses for their size than
our Bankers" in the country, and
the breed should be better cared for
and improved. 1t is known what fine
horses the cross of the old ace Tar
River, on the mustang in Texas have
made, and why could not our ponies
be improved in the same way?
Speaking Of sagacious horses calls to
mind a horse now in the city of New
bern, noted in this way. 1t is Frank"
or Frank Hubbard" as he is now,
and has been for about ten years,
owned by A. G.. Hubbard, Esq. No
latch on a gate or bars can confine
him !; ever further, we a say no lpck
can. He actually unlocked a door,
though, of course, the key was left in
the lock, and went in to the corn. A
short time since, we learn, he took
down the bars and went on the street
for a frolic. Soon he attracted the at
tention of the boys, and they, v it'll
bricks and sticks" pursued him, and
while running at full speed he met
Mr.. Hubbard, his owner, on the side
walk, when he Immediately drew up
in his rear and followed him home, as
would have done a dog. Frank" was
in trouble and knew his proprietor.
Treat horses kindly and they will not
forget it.