The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-28
Grants Love for Horses.

When he first entered the White
House as President of the United
States he owned over hundred head
of horses. which he kept at his farm
near st. Louis The foreman of the
stables in which the horses were kept
was Albert Hawkins, who is now
eoachman for President Cleveland.
Albert says General Grant was an ex-
cellent Judge of horseflesh. 1t was
difficult matter to deceive him In
horse trade, because he was familiar
with all the points that are considered
in examining them. He could look in
to horses mouth and tell his exact
ace within few months. He always
insisted that his horses should never be
ill-used. either in or out of the stable.
They were given the best kind OF food,
furnished with large comfortable stalls,
and regularly exercised. Any man
who was known to ill-treat or misuse
one OF his horses was Immediately dis
missed. The General took fancy to
Albert because he was always kind and
gentle in dealing with the stock under
his charge. After the General became
President he sold many of his horses
in St. Louis, and directed Albert to
come on to Washington and assume
control of the presidential stables.
The Generals favorite horses were
Cincinnati, Egypt, and JEFF Davis. The
former was as gentle as lamb, ana ne
knew and obeyed the General at all
times and under all circumstances.
Cincinnati was good saddle horse, In
addition to being first-class horse IN
harness The General could ride HIM
to any point in the city, jump OIL ms
back, and leave him standing unhitch-
ed for any length of time. No matter
how long the General remained away,
when he returned Cincinnati was there
waiting for him. He did not pay any
attention to circus parades, and was
not to be frightened by noise and con-
fusion on the street. When the Uener'
al directed him to stand and wait fol
him, Cincinnati would not bulge I'LL
the General had mounted him. Dur
ing the Generals second term IN the
White House arrangements were MADE
for an equestrian statue Representing
General Grant mounted on his favorlte
war horse, Cincinnati Every day fol
nearly month the General would g
down to the stable, have the bridal ant
saddle put on Cincinnati, and OH n
would 20 to meet the sculptor. VI
several occasions Albert accompanie'
him to a beautiful spot in the vlcinit.
of the Soldiers home, where the cas-
was made, and General Grant frequent
ly visited the presidential stables, wen
into the stalls, and talked to his horse
just as though they were huma,
beings and were capable of understand
ing every word he said to them. IN
Jeif Davis horse was terrible klcke
and bitter, and the stable hands wer
afraid to go near his stall. his lee
had to be passed in to him through Q
adjoining stall. The General, however
had complete control over him, and p
could enter his stall. handle him as 2
desired, and, in fact, do anything u
wanted with him. Cd jeff knew a
voice, for as soon as the General ente
ed the stable he would throw back n
ears aud move around restiessly IN q
stall until the General showed M
some attention. On several occasion
the stable hands tried to deceive Je
by initiating the Generals voice, but
soon as he discovered the deception
made his heels play lively tune
the side Of the stall. Boston Herald