The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-06-18
A HORSE-CATCHER.
A Record to be Proud of, and Which Should
be Rewarded.

A Record to be Proud of, and Which Should
be Rewarded.
Syracuse IN. " Courier.l
For the past eight or 10 years the public
has from time to time read of the daring ex-
plolrs of Mr.. James Findley, of this city,
whose prowess has won for him the sobriquet
of The Horse Catcher" During his resi-
dence in Syracuse he has caught over 200
runaway horses, saving many lives by his
daring efforts, and much property from de.
struction. Mr.. Findley is m dest aud un-
assuming young man, born in the city OF
Albany, who came to Syracuse some Is years
ago. Although only % yeas old, he has
wife and family, and has served five years at
his trade as carriage painter. About
II years ago young Findley COM
away horses. He was somewhat timid at
first, as may be imagined, but he gained con-
fidence in himself as he succ' eded and ex-
perimented, and now does not hesitate to
throw himself in the pathway of the most
infuriated steed in its headlong runaway
career. Findley's first experience as q horse
catcher was in the city of Auburn. He was
waiting for a train in the vicinity of the
depot one afternoon II years ago, when all
at once his attention was attracted by
runaway horse, which was dashing toward
him at q break-neck pace. In the wagon
were seated a lady and her little child. The
mother was paralyzed with fear and could
not speak. The little child screamed in
| terror and the cheeks of the bystsnders were
| blanched as they saw the frightened. mad
dened horse dasning furiously toward rain
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
ment he planted himself directly in
front of the maddened beast and
| sprang like a cat at its head. He threw the
horse down, and, although the wagon was
overturned. the occupants were uniDjured,
/ save by mere scratches. Since then he has
| hundreds of horses under circumstances
equally as dangerous. His method is as
follows: When he sees a runaway horse
| approaching he plants himself directly in its
| route, and runs with 1t in the same direc-
ton it is proceeding. Findley can run like
deer, ard by the time the runaway horse
is abreast of him, nine times out of 10 he
is running as fast as the horse is. To seize
him by the check rein or one line and bring
him to q halt is but the work of an instant.
or course his act is fraught with great dam
ger, and he may be said to take his lite in
his hands every time he attempts to stop a
horse. 1t Is known that runaway horse Is
blinded-by rage, it is supposed, or by fear
| and FIndley's life would not be worth much
if the maddened animal were to hit him
|
official reward for his valiant services,
and in many instances the greed of
those whose lives he has saved has
SO overmastered them that they have
forgotten all about the bravery OF the
man who risked his life to save theirs.
Three -fourths of the runaways are caused by
the horses of countrymen. They are easily
frightened, and as a general thing their har-
ness is old and unsafe. Ladies who are
Il =. - A.
from being run into by frightened horses
from the country. The horse-catcher travels
around the business streets and carefully
looks over all the country horses that
are hitched, examining their fastenings
to see if they are secured. In many
with weak or broken straps,
and keeping his eye upon them, has seer
them watch their opportunity and start to
run. But he was there in time to head them
off. He studies the disposition of the horse
and can tell by his eye or his uneasy or rest
less manner that he is watching the frs
opportunity to run away.
Perhaps the bravest act of his life was per
formed on the 7th of May last. A team o.
young horses was running at break nech
speed down West Genesee street and acros
the market in front of the Empire House di-
rectly toward the Syracuse Savings bank.
In an instant more they would have
plunged into that building. Endley saw
. them coming and sprang in their path. he
siezed one by the check rein and vaultet
: upon its back, lightly as q cat. By a super
human effort he succeeded in turning tn,
horses in their course, and brought then
down to the ground. The brave act wa
! witnessed by Patrick Lynch Esq., who de
termined that It should not go unrewarded
He therefore caused a handsome bronzt
2 medal to be struck off upon which the deet
! was commemorated in fitting terms, an,
presented it to Mr.. Findley. 1t seems to u
that the city authorities should make som,
substantial recognition of Mr.. Findley's ser
, vices.