Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-07-04

For the last eight or ten years the public
has from time to time read of the daring eX-
ploits of Mr.. James Findlay, of this city,
whose prowess has won for him the sobri-
quet of The Horse Catcher" During his
residence in Syracuse he has caught more
than two hundred runaway horses, saving
many lives by his daring efforts, and much
property from wholesale destruction. Mr..
Findlay is an unassuming young man, but
his bravery is appreciated by the public. He
was born in Albany, and came to Syracuse
some eighteen years ago. Although only %
years old, he has a wife and family, and has
served five years at his trade a carriage
painter. About twelve years ago Findley be-
gan catching runaway horses. He was some
what timid at first, as may be imagined, but
he gained confidence in himself Us he sue
ceeded and experimental, and now does not
hesitate TO throw himself in the pathway of
the most infuriated steed. Findley's first ex-
perience AS IA hOrse-catcher was in Auburn
IIe was waiting for a train near the depot
one afternoon twelve years ago, when his at
tention was attracted by a runaway horse,
which was dashing toward him at a break
neck pace. In the wagon were seated n la
dy and her little child. The mother was par
alyZed with fear and could not speak. The
little child screamed in terror, and the cheeks
OF the bystanders were blanched as they saw
the frightened, maddened horse dashing fu-
riously toward a train of cars that stood across
the street The spectators all rushed out of
the way and hackmen and draymen ran to a
place OF safety. Findley saw in an instant
that the occupants of the wagon would be
killed if they were thrown against the train
of cars. Without hesitating a moment he
planted himself directly in front of the mad
dened beast aud sprang at his head. He
threw the horse down, and although the wag-
on was overturned, the occupants were unin-
jured, save by mere scratches.
His method of stopping horse is as fol-
lows When he sees a runaway horse ap-
preaching, he plants himself directly in its
route, and runs with it in the same direction
it is preceding. Findley can run like deer,
and by the time the runaway horse is abreast
of him, nine times out of ten he is running
as fast as the horse. To seize him by the
check rein or one line and bring him to a halt
is but the work of an instant OF course his
act is one fraught with great danger, and he
may be said to take his life in his hands ev-
cry time he attempts TO stop horse. Per-
haps the bravest act of his life was perform
ed on the 7th of May last, A team of young
horses was running at break-neck speed down
West Genessee street and across the market
in front of the Empire House directly tow
ards the Syracuse savings bank. In an in
slant more they would have plunged into that
building. Findley saw them coming and
sprang in their path. He seized one by the
check-rein and vaulted on its back, lightly as
cat By superhuman effort he succeeded
in turning the horses in their course, and
brought them down to the ground. This
brave act was witnessed by Patrick Lynch,
who had handsome bronze medal struck of,
upon which the deed was commemorated in
fitting terms, and presented to Mr.. Findley.
-SyrdclLse Courier