The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-15
MoNTANA's HoNoRED MULE.
The Moral l. That 1t Sometimes
Pays 10 Kick.

From the Chicago Tribune.
Citizens of Montana are having the op-
pcrtunity to contribute TO a fund that
strikes a popular chord and is meeting
with a hearty response from those solici-
ted to subscribe. The name would be more
self-explanatory and at the same time
allterarively rhythmical If it was called
the Montana Mule Money" for that Is
exactly what il is money for a mule. The
circumstances that give rise to the for
nation of this collection are founded on
the following story. which, unfortunate
~ for the good name of a late resident OF
the state, is strictly true This citizen
had become widely and unfavorahly
known through the publicity given TO tue
many acts of cruelty to dumb brutes ana
harsh treatment of members of his fam
lily of which he had been guilty, and pun
lie eXecration had in several especially
aggravated instances almost assumed the
form of a call from a vigilance commit
tee. As GROWING Illustration Of the
innate meanness of his nature he had
condemned refractory mule to he worked
with bride bit made of harbed wire.
species OF torture Ii is needless to state
that none but the most cruel would nave
CONCEIVED, much less nave carried into
execution. After a brief enforced SUD-
mission TO this method Of punishment the
mule improved particularly favorable
opportunity TO mete out well-meritel
punishment to his human tormentor. ana
by Well-direCted and vigorous kick on
the mead stretched him lfeleSs on the
ground beside the plough with which he
had been working.
During the course of the day neighhors
found the body and carried IL to the
house. Here they were further Mortified
to find the wife and mother fortunately
now widow, securely chained 10 a ring
DOlted TO the SEudding Of an attic room. the
key of the paddock being found in the
pocket Of the corpse. After releasing the
woman from her imprisonment and can
Nasslng the various acts of infamy that
had so strongly marked the life of the dead
man. the assembled neighbors came to the
unanimous conclusion that the mule had
rendered humanity a service Of such pro-
portions as to he worthy of recognition at
the hands of a grateful community. This
conviction deeQened as additional cirCum-
stances came to light, all of which served
70 highten the extent of the dead mans
depravity and to swell the list of his evil
deeds until the mule doomed up as a posi-
tive hero, and public appreciation began
on the spot to take a substantial form.
A subscription paper was started then
and there. headed: For the purpose Of
raising a fund for the use and benefit of
the aforesaid mule so long as he shall
live" The fund at once assumed large
proportions, and now that it has been adj
ded to from all parts of the state has
reached the sum of $1,000 Montana citi-
zens are falling over each other In their
oagerness to contribute, and at the same
time testify to their appreciation of the
of the humble mule. and one and an aver
that il shall feed on the fat of the land
and be sheltered from the storms of winter
and the heat of summer during he remain
der of its natural life. even should ii live
to round out full century.