Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-10-24
A EouR-LEaGEp VET.
The Old Wsrhorse "Ned" and His Expo
rienca In tina Army

The Ola War1Orbe "Neu" anu ub hAPo-
rience In the Army.
A great feature Of the parade OF the
Grand Army Of the Republic at Louis
vile during the encampment was the
old warhorse Ned. He Is not mem
Der Of the Grand Army OF the Repub'
lie, but of recent years he has been
pretty regular in his attendance at en-
campments. He was at Pittsburgh
last year with Post No. 81 from Erie,
Pa. The long march through the
streets was too much for him, and he
almost gave up the ghost after 1t was
over. Out OF respect to his declining
years Ned was carried on a float at
tho Louisville encampment Ned Is
forty years old, according to tradition.
His present owner, B. \. Crawford, OF
North East, Pa, got possession Of him
thirty-two years ago, and says Ned was
then eight years old, according to his
mouth" and that Is the only way Of
determining horses age. Ned did
his share of the work on MIR. Craw'
ford's small Pennsylvania farm. Since
then his old age and his historic record
have gained for him life OF luxury
and ease. His life Is now devoted to
eating and sleeping, both Of which are
popular pursuits with old horses as
well as with old men.
Ned was captured from Gen. Jubal
Early's corps near Washington by q
union scouting party thirty-two years
ago, and was given to his present own
er to replace an animal he had loaned
and which had been shot In q skir'
mish. At the close Of the war Mr..
Crawford left Washington on Ned's
back. He went to Harrisburg and
there Mr.. Crawford grew tired Of rid
ing and bought q roadcsrt, which
Ned pulled from Harrisburg to North
East
Since his arrival there Ned has lived
quiet, unobtrusive country life. He
has upheld the dignity that was given
him during the war, and has allowed
no other horses to.usurp his rights His
owner said recently: Med has always
been the boss In pasture. No matter
how many companions he had, he was
always the Corbett Of the situation. !"
Thus 1t will be seen that Ned had not
ceased to demand the respect THAT Us
due him. lie Is still In good health,
and has preserved his teeth. LII this
respect he has the advantage OF other
old people. lie Is fed on bran and ap-
pies most Of the time, with such other
Injuries as the market affordA Since
Ned has retired from active life, five
years ago, he has been conspicuous
figure at parades and celebrations OF
all kinds, his greatest hobby being
Decoration day parades' lie has never
missed but one Decoration day parade
at his home, and that was the last one.
He made up for that, however, by 60
ing with his master to witness the I'M
yelling Of the monument comment
Grating the great railroad wreck
at Ashtabula. In these parades at his
home Ned has been great favorate,
and the children Of that place have fro
qucntly found more pleasure In put
ting flowers on Ned than in putting
them on the graves OF the soldiers.
In parades of all sorts Ned insists on
marching next to the music lie will
take no back seat. Marching has be-
colue such habit that he has no
troubls now in keeping time with the
music. No one can tell how he will
act on tho Goat at Louisville. He will
probably have to beat time with his
toe. Ned is supposed to be the only
living horse that served In the war,
the last one OF his comrades having
been Bill Mosby, who died last Msreh
at ripe old age.
B. f. Crawford. OF North East, Pa,
the owner Of this remarkable old vet
eran war horse, Ia q native Of North
East, having been born there In 1854
In 1859 no went to Ssndusky. and 70.