Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-02-19
A LIFE SAVER.
stopping Runaway Horses by the Use OF
Electricity.

Electricity.
That electricity has practical applica-
lions as a life saver has been shown in
numerous ways, but it has remained for
Mr.. a. B. Holson, of Chicago, to apply
1t In such manner as to avert serious ac-
cidents to the occupants of a carriage
drawn by a runaway horse. Many deaths
have been charged to electricity, but if
the prospects held good the company that
has been organized recently to promote
this invention will show to the world that
electricity has been successfully applied as
a means of saving life, or at least of avert
ing serious accidents.
The invention consists of a dry battery
inclosed in a small hard wood box, which
may be very conveniently placed under the
drivers seat of the carriage. From the
battery two flexible wires run, by means
of the reins, to the brides, to which are
: placed IN the borse'e nostrils. The wires
are connected to two push buttons by
means of which the circuit can be closed
one of these is placed within easy reach of
the coachman, and the other inside the
The application of the apparatus is so ex-
ton. In case span of horses became I'M
manageable, and, as is usually the case
when frightened, start to run away, the
driver can, by simply pressing the button,
give them an electric shock through the
small metal balls In their nostrlls. If, as
sometimes happens, the driver should not
be on his seat and the horses start while
the carriage is occupied by any person,
the push button placed there within the
occupants reach can be used to bring the
horses to halt. 1t can be seen from the
description given that the apparatus is
only noticeable, when in position on a
horses head, after very close inspection
1t is also claimed by the promoters that
when properly adjusted no chatting or
scratching can result from the use of the
apparatus on horse.
Numerous successful trials have proved
that the apparatus is instantaneous and
certain in its action and results. At a re-
cent public trial in Chicago a team OF
spirited horses was hitched to a closed
carriage and the electric harness fittings
were placed Ill position. One of the gen.
tlemen present stepped inside of the car,
llage and two or three sharp cuts of a
whip gave the horses an unexpected and
emphatic signal to start. They immedi,
ately started down the street at terrific
speed. On reaching a Predetermined
point the button was pressed and the
frightened animals came to standstill,
and then began to back away from what
seemed to them a mysterious attack from
in front. The occupant of the carriage
alighted, caught the horses by the bits
and soon succeeded in quoting them
down.
Mr. Holson is also the inventor of what
he terms an electric stimulator, which
is to be used on lazy or balky hoases. 1t
consists of battery, of less power than
the one used for stopping horses, the cur,
rent from which is transmitted along the
reins to the harness and applied to the
horses back or beneath the girth. This
apparatus has also been given numerous
practical tests, and in every case has
proved efficient in stimulating the mus.
cular action of an obstinate horse or mule
1t is only another proof that 'the mule
must 60" if not in one way he must in the
other, and in either cases through the
agency of electricity.
The Holson Electric Harness Company
has been organized in Chicago to manu-.
facture these appliances and promote their
uSe,-EleCtriCity