New-York tribune., 1886-05-05
HISTORY OF A TENERABLE MULE.
sryrrNcED TO DEATH BEFORE THF WAR. BU'
STILL A CHARITY PATIENT.

SENTENCED TO DEATH BEFORE THF WAR; But
STILL CHARITY PATIENT.
Dismay and incredulity were pictured on the
faces Of the keepers Backwelfs Island yesterday
when they heard that the Commissioners OF CHARITIES
aud Correction had been asked for the death warrant o
the aged mule Jennie whose going on the Island only
the memory OF the oldest nhabtant can go oacR anc
whose birth is lost in obscur,y. Il seems that an EN-
ploye OF the department stables wanted permission 10
kill crippled horse and whether inadvertently or noS
had gotten the venerable mule. too, on his list
Jennie has an interesting history. About forty
years ago her owner had mild attack
of lunacy and was consigned to the
Irsarc Asylum He had travelled across the Continent
from san Francisco with Jennie it is sa and had be
come SO at ached beast that he could not he per
euaded part with her, and the two were carried u
Wards Island together The mule and the lunaiic were
about the age then. and were devoted friends
all kinds OF weather they roamed about the asylum
grounds together one day Jennie WAS taken across
Harlem to be shod. The boat was moored and th'
animal tied 10 tree ny the bank while tue keeper wen
off find the blacksmith. When he came Dack IoE 'nt
mule she was no longer in sight The broken halter was
lying on the ground. and Jennie was FOUND mat a'er
noon, still from her SWIM with her old
friend Oh the Island. AT length the lunatic
died. ana Jennie fell into the nands
of the Board OF Governors and was set
0 work Raudall's Island sue dragged brick cart.
her heavier work. and was used for distributing
bread morning among ia: various Dulilh-s She
ed sometimes and ridden by the children
Their
In 500 The keeper or the stables asked permission 10
XII her eucumbrance Isaac Bel was then one OF
the Charities commissioners through his Influence
and the order issued declaring
that Jennie should retired active service and
live comptratve luxury Of the Island stables ana
grass long she pleased. The mule vas moved
time TO BiacKwrlfs Island, and TOOK her
quarters IN the stable at the south END ottDe ms
house grounds Keepers and inmates have been
changing since. but in all the twenty-five
years tho venerable mae has seemed to grow
scarcely Older. stil draws hight loads when
the pers her for and the freshman
a striped Jacket. who Is her involuntary groom stands
in OF hcr hind legs ever Win the rest,
however gOOd-hu nOred and dOcie, ami has long
been carcssei and humOred a pet Keeper Miner wio
remembers Jennie she was brcadcrrierln l-1f al
Randall Island, said yesterday 10 TRIBUNE reporter
mule.
OF Mr. Berghs men was Out this AFTERNOON ana
Slot "A lame horse he added. There's no reason f0r
killing Jennie vet she as rs ana must ne
4, but size l last good many Years longer
There Is down by the east shore OF the Island,
ana yOl n hasn't lot OF NE
III her yet" The oG mule graz ng eisnrely near
bank. stopping TO mediate cvert minute OF TWO
al -ipirn OF the DO Iksy IN the sentimental
Journey" Her head grZzled from the ear, TO the
mouth. Ter rubbed INTO motley OF bare ana
spots and her tail worn to wisp by TOO ire
oucnt sWI,cins she Oh orsky, however. Tor
scxago and whihD ell Loudly. The Commission
dccided -terday 10 Keep her TIL she dies. follown n
the humane precedent OF the Board Of l-OO sac Will
he stuffed probably aui exhibited as having Deen
Ilc Oldest record.