The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-04
INTELLIGENT ANIMALS.
An Editors Horse-General KilpatrieIs Fa-
vOrite Steed.

Ellenville Journal
The white horse, Frank, driven by the editor
Of this paper for the past two years, has FIRE
quently exhibited more than ordinary intel
gence The year before last we lived in Green
field, driving to the village, a distance of four
miles, daily on week days. On SUNDAYS we
were accustomed to go in the opposite direction
for public worship. The horse being brought to
the door would, on weekday mornings whera
hidden to go, turn at once toward Ellenville
and proceed unquestoningly to his journeys
end. On Sunday mornings he would as unhesi
tatingly proceed up the road, and make his way
to the little country church. Franks services
were also on Sunday frequently in requ
sition to give members of the family a.
ride toward the village, the usual turn
ing point for returning being on the top
of the hill at Craft Woods place. This the horse
soon came to understand, and at whatever houI
on Sunday he was driven down the road he would
at this point slack up, bear out of the track and
prepare to turn SbOut; in fact, he was several
times allowed to have his way and more than
once, wholly undirected by rein voice, he thus
swerved aside, then ''cut" and backed, making
the turn safely and trotting off homeward in the
most matter-offact fashion. To make Frank
keep the track and pass this place at any hour
on Sunday always required force upon the reinss
and urging And it is fact that though driven
over the road every week day-and frequently
twice-he never on any other occasion than a
Sunday exhibited the slightest disposition to halt
or turn about at that point.
Mr.. Gilbert Du Bots. when county superin.
tendent of schools, owned an intelligent mares
that carried him all over the county on his tours
of visitation to the district schools. Mr.. DU
Bots has informed us that years later, after his
removal to this side of the mountain, when on7
business trips through Sullivan or Orange eoun-
ties, he frequently had to use some force to pre-
vent the animal from turning in and stopping at
country schOolhouses along the road
Speaking of horses, are reminded of an in 4
cident related to us by General Fitzpatrick, show Z
ing on the part of horse retentive memory,
prompt recognition of his masters voice. and
joy little less than human athearing the familiar
tones after a long separation Old Spot, thes
Generals favOrite war horse bore his mastere
calamity on long and perilous rides and in thee
thick of many desperate fight himself moret
than once feeling the prick of rebel steel and the
sting of rebel lead. Subsequent to the war
General Kilpatrick was sent to South America
He left the old horse at the farm, with orders
that he should be kindly cared for. Returning
after an absence of several years, the General
reached his home near night, and was for some
time occupied in exchanging greetings with his
family and friends He did not, however long
neglect to inquire after the old horse. Learn
ing that Spot was at pasture in distant
field, the General sent for him, and little later
was told that his favorte stood securely tied to
post at the entrance of the grounds some dis I
tance away. The General FASTENED out onto the
piazza, from whence, peering through the even
ing shadows, he deserted the form of the old vet
eran, who stood demurely gnawing at the post !
Just the one word, 'Spotm rang out over thes
lawn. Like an echo came back the answering
neigh. With a snort and bound the old charger
snapped the halter as if it had been a thread, j
cleared the fence at leap and, with archeds
neck and ears proudly erect, spurned the inter-
vening turf like a race horse until he stood by
the piazzt where with joyful whinny he laid his
head upon his masters breast Added the Gem
eral 1--WE Rugged and caressed each other like
lovers and am not ashamed to say that no wei
come received that day warmed my heart more
than that of old Spot"
Linen table mats are lined with Canton fam
nell