The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-03-29
TALKING HORSES
Prof. Bristol Tells About
Horse Training.
Time Taken to Teach Horses
Their Acts-Scarcity of
Fatalities.

Honoluluites are having an unusual
treat these days. It is the entertain
ments by Professor d. NJ. Bristols
troupe Of educated horses. No such
show has ever been visited this city,
and it is uniquely interesting TO the
large crowds that attend.
The ringing up of the curtain dis
closes the stage filled with horses,
Prof. Bristol makes a few Introductory
remarks, and then giving the horses a
signal they all advance to the foot
lights and bow to the audience. There
are three parts to the program, and
the entire show is inimitable and long
20 be remembered.
Denver. the intelligent mule, per-
haps receives more notice by the au-
dience than any of the rest of the
troupe He is without doubt the best
educated mule in the world. Professor
Bristol purchased him eleven years
ago for $40. and he has since been Of
fered $4,000 for him, but money can't
buy him. Of this wonderful mule, the
New York World says:
From the wings passed slowly the
hero of the evening. the star of all
Denver With a kick high in mid-air
and his own inimitable bows, the calm
was now a storm of laughter and wild
applause. The manner in which he
sought to assist in training the school
was irresistably humorous. He is ire
pressible throughout the whole show,
but always with the staid solemnity of
an aged owl"
Sultan. the mathematician, is won
der He works problems in addition,
subtraction and division to the delight
of the audience. He also tells how
many months in the year and the day
of the MONTH. and the time by the
watch. Sultan also opens desk and
takes to is master a handkerchief
writing material. etc.
LOttie. the gray pony. goes to the
desk, pulls out a drawer and brings
coin. and the next time dollar bill
to Professor Bristol. She also, at word
of command. trots in a circle and then
changes TO a pace.
Comanche is a prominent actor He
brings chair from the left wing. while
Denver carries a tayle. Comanche also
teeters two other horses. Harry and
Naomi. the two Arabian twins.
One of the strangest acts is that per-
formed by Tony. the pony which jumps
from the swinging trapeze TO a table.
and back again. while the trapeze is in
motion. 1t took six months of hard
work TO train Tony to do this.
Claud, a black horse. grasses a sum
in addition on blackboard because
il was incorrect.
Dynamite makes much fun. He is
the smallest pony mule in the world.
Professor Bristol bought him in New
York. In the comical mule trade be-
tween the darkey preacher and the
white man. Dynamite plays his part
eXecellently. and very mulish through
ont. His tight rope trick is decidedly
sensational. He jumps upon barrel.
climbs some steps and then walks a
long spring board only four and one
half inches wide. carrying balancing
pole like pole walker.
The climax of the show is the mill
tary drill How the audience cheers!
And the horses deserve every cheer.
Professor Bristol has eighteen horses
that can execute this drill. Nip and
Tuck are the two leaders. and we'll do
they know their steps as also do all
the others. In large theaters colCred
lights are thrown on the stage during
the drill and effect is heightened. The
horses sometimes are put through the
drill entirely by bugle music. The
drill is a remarkable display of animal
intelligence.
In an interview with Professor Bris-
toll he stated to an Advertiser reporter
that he had not lost but one animal for
FIVE years. They are always kindly
treated. and they thrive in any climate.
At Leadville. Colo. 10000 ft). high up
in the mountains in winter. they seem
ed TO be as healthy as anywhere else.
Professor Bristol is a native of Penn
sylvania but lived at Battle Greek.
Michigan. many years. His present
headquarters is Boston, Mass. He has
been in his present business for four
teen years. and takes an annual vaca-
ton in July and August. He can train
a new horse TO execute the military
drill in about a month. if he is handled
every day. Some of the tricks require
a training of three months or more.
In his street parades Professor Bris-
toll drives Eagle without line or bride.
She and Roman are full brother and
sister and are pure milk white. pink
skinned Arabians
Before departure in the Mariposa
April Sth for Australia and tour of
the world Professor Bristol will prob
ably give benefit performance for the
Leper Colony on the Island of Molokai