Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1893-08-02
BATRACHIAN MUSICIANS.
An Invalid's Wonderful Work with
Pet Frogs.
A New York Correspondent Tells About
the Astonishing Tricks Performed
by the Queer Little Crea-
lures.

Since the publication of Mr.. JEWELS
experience with frogs a good many
stories of their wonderful adaptability
4 to human training have been told.
4 Horace Horton, of Buffalo, has reached
the height of success in the way OF
81 bringing frogs under his persuasive
Fl control
II lie is a wealthy invalid and derives
great pleasure from teaching his pets.
It will be remembered that Mr.. Jew
ellis frogs would come at the sound of
bell TO get their dinner from their
masters hand. All this is wonderful,
but Mr.. Horizons triumph has been
greater. a Philadelphia Times CORE
Spondent visited him the other day and
witnessed his unique frog circus. Gaz-
ing down into the little artificial lake
ne saw ocean shells scattered over the
bottom and wondered what they were
for
Mr. Horton gave a shrill whistle, and
simultaneously from every shell
hopped out big frog, who kicked it,
self to the surface OF the water. All
jumped to the smooth bank and sat
staring at their master.
attention. shouted Mr.. Horton,
ana every leg was drawn close to the
body and the action was taken.
Form in line" came next, and the
weIl-trained amphibians formed in
iour lines with an old giant at their
mead, who, Mr.. Horton said, weighed
SN pounds and seven ounces. He was
enormous, and looked as though he
uau dlned on his weaker brethren for
generations of tadpoles.
AT the word of command they per-
formed all kinds of evolutions, every
'eg Kicking in perfect unison. Their
movements were astonishing in num-
yer and variety, and one might well
'e'ieVe Mr. Horizons statement that it
SooN MN over ten years to get this Sc
IScI company into such perfect disci-
pune, Races were held after the drill,
1uo 'hen followed a jumping contest.
ava given signal each frog in turn
'eaped into the water and disappeared.
hat you have seen my frogs do so
.ar is very wonderful" said Mr.. Hor-
on' but their chief accomplishment
sOu save not seen, or heard, should
say 1t is the wonder OF everyone.
~" people have come miles to witness
~ ~ wait till dusk and then will have
them perform" '
"A. Nt last dusk came and Mr.. Horton
,GoN the reporter out to the waters
se ana gave him a seat. He then
.ough, out a miniature musicians
~ ta"u and placed it near the edge of
f.e e lI''Ie lake. At a signal note the
AZ came to the surface of the water
fan u jumped into the stand. They
c o,uIeo a circle, and at the word Of
t,a .,,'i,ohd began to sing a tune. Each |
8nes mad been selected because of it's
sco, croak, and there was a perfect
frNa, among the voices. The largest
fali5oS sang the deepest bass, and little
sonra, almost tadpole, sang a shrill
ton ' QUO 1t was wonderful. Mr.. Hor-
tbeir mat during the warm months
than " , once. were clearer and sweeter
fro rr at this time of year. When the
/ then, gesah to show signs of WEAKNESS
4 ston master gave them the signal IN
4 bottom 'u y. an sought their homes at the
many s, vi the lake. Mr.. Horton tells
n pets '0''eS OF the intelligence of his