Connecticut western news., 1897-06-10
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
That Horse-Docking Case

Editor of NenS:
 In that case or The Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs Levi W. Leffingwell. complaint was made by some (supposed to be unknown) party or parties to officers of the Humane Society of said commonwealth against said Leffingwell and others for the act of docking the tail of a horse, which Is strictly against the law. Circumstances. were as fol lows: Leffingwell who has handled colts and horses since his early child hood, having broken goodly number, some of which were vicious and in the hands of the average man would have been worthless, he succeeded in break ing. In short he has made the horse his study, and he has been consulted by many persons for miles around about for remedies and surgical operations as wounds and diseases have needed in both cattle and horses. He raised 8 colt to the breaking age and after thor oughly biting it, as his practice always is, he commenced to drive it. After awhile the colt began to show signs of i'll behavior and taxed all tie ingenuity and experience that Leffingwell possess ed, and to no purpose. Leffingwell called on MT Wm. Amstesd, neighbor of unlimited experience with colts and horses, as many can recall to miud, to assist in driving the colt. But they both "gaye up the ship, which, by way, is saying considerable, for if l mistake rot this is the first case where either have succumbed. The only remedy which suggested itself was 10 dock the colt, which Lsf1iugwell did with the assistance of several n neighbors Before docking, the colt was entirely worthless, even nickle was too much for her. Now she works we'll. although she may never bring the price she has cost to rear, break, and pay fine and costs of court. IL is talked amongst most of the neighbors as being just the thing they should have been likely to do. And although each and every one are in line with the Humane Society, knowing the circumstances in this case they consider the complaint. or call for the complaint, nothing less than spite and one of the meanest acts that has been recorded amongst neighbors since the memory of the living.
 The act has been laid at the door of John M. Roys who wishes to say that | he was born in earlier days and at a time when such dastardly deeds of meanness would not have been tolerated and that he is very thankful for his bet ter breeding however low and degraded 1t may have been. He would also add the story told long time ago concerning a fellow who chauced to be stopping at a hotel, and to outsiders, had no par ticular business that warranted such an expense. A number took 1t upon them selves to interview the fellow and if pos. sible learn his reasons for such rash act. To their inquiry he said: "Gen. tlemen. I am getting $40 per month. , Then more inquiry was made. The fel low replied: "I get S20 per month fol minding my own business, and $20 pel month extra for letting other folks busi ness alone. The firm I work for is i1 want of many good responsible men and women, and the firm gives exclusive territorial rights to each and all who bid fair to make success at the com. paratively new business. How many oi you would like to try it? would be glad to pass in your names at once. They all passed out and not one of them ever mentioned the scene nor have they been brought to notice since, unles: this complainant was one of them.
 JOHN M. RoYs.
 Mill River, Mass, June 4, 1897.