Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-03-19

All who are keenly averse to cruelty I'M
every form, will regret the loss of the
widely known citizen of New orlS, whose
long and faithful services have been 50 in
nuential in creating "A healthy sentiment
in this country against the ill-trentmcnt
of animals, and who has accomplished 80
much To organize practical effort Tor
their protection. For years he has been
one Of the commanding and familiar figure
in the active life of that great city, and he
has made a name which will long be
revered. He died at his residence on
Fifth Avenue, Monday of last week, his
health having been feeble for good
while. Henry Bergh was born in New
York in 1873. Ills father, Christian Brrgh
was prominent and wealthy 3hiphullder
Daring the war of 1872 he built the nited
States frigatc President which at that
time was the fastest vessel in the Ameri-
can Navy. lie died ia 1913 aud left large
fortune 10 hi4 three children. Henry
entered Columbia College, bat left before
his course WAS completed and went on
trip to Europe. He Travelled abroad five
years, aud in 1852 WAS appointed sec
rotary of the american Legation and
Vice Consul at St. Petersburg. He re-
signed two years later on account of the
severity of the climate, which affected his
health, aud made tour of the Orient,
On his return to America he set about
founding the Society for the Prevention Of
Cruelty to Animals. He at first worked
against great odds, for people ridiculed
him and declared his ideas wild and inn
practicable. He WAS not to be defeated,
however, by adverse opinion, and prr~e-
yercd until he succeeded in having the
society incorporated by the legislature
April 10, 1866. He then went to work in
earnest to have his ideal realized.
On the organization of the society in
1866 he hcqueathed to it property then
producing an annual income of $1,000
Since then he has given almost his entire
time to the work of the society, with an
earnestness and "a personal courage seldom
excellcd.
When he began his mission, in none of
the states was there single statutory pro
vision to prevent cruelty to animals, since
which time thirty-sevcn states and terri
tories have passed laws protecting dumb
animals, and branch societies have been
organized in all the states. Mr., Bergh has
besides, by addresses and CORES poudencc.
created public sentiment in his favor.
1t has been at no little personal risk that
this has been accomplished. Numerous
instances of his encounters with brutal
men have been recorded.
That such scenes are now less frequent
is largely owing to the fact that since its
organization the society has prosecuted
II, 900 eases of cruelty. and ordered out of
harness-on account of disability 5000 in
the cities of New York and Brooklyn
alone.
This widely organized movement for the
prevention of cruelty To animals was
great need of our civilization, aud Henry
Bergh seems to have been Providential
agent who appeared at the time when there
was good opportunity to make his
labors effective. 1t is largely owing
to his lahors that today in sol
many of the chief towns of the
United States there is working Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty TO Animals. !
To his noble and generous work he de
voted himself for many years with heroic |
enthusiasm, and gave it the use of his
private fortune. Peace 10 his ashes. All |
who love Il good horse, or any other do
nestle animal, who appreciate the mean
ness ard cruelty of beating. starving, or
in any way ill-using them, will honor his
memory and be pleased to drop a tear and
a flower over his grave.