The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-21
ARMY MULES ON A FROLIC.
Broke Ont of Jefferson Barracks and
Played Hob with Lawns.


From the St Louis Globe-Democrat.
The public generally is aware that for
some time past Uncle Sam has been scout
ing far and wide for a large number Of
those unique but most valuable quadru-
peds termed in common parlance the mule.
These animals have been collected from
far and wide, and since the other soldiers
have been detailed South the donl1eys have
been quartered at jefferson barracks.
And thereby hangs tale"
The mule is a very sociable animal
among members of his own family So
shortly after being ensconced in their new
location the 1900 or 1900 donkeys now on
duty formed an ironclad resolution to be-
friend each other and 10 allow no opportu-
nifty to pass that promised fun or devil
try.
Thursday night small demonstration
was made, but the expedition was not
thoroughly organized, and the squat was
soon calmned. Friday night last. how
ever, the members of this slippery band
were not TO be baked. a monster project
was planned and headed by big Bill. -
Some hundred of these willy
animals, reared on the wild and rolling
praries, made a break for freedom and
fun. over the high board fence went Bin
/ His comrades followed thick and fast.
In the twinkling of an eye the barracks
boundaries were cleared and the fun was
on.
The mule, like all other employees of
| Uncle Sam, must pass a rigid examine
ton Therefore every jackass among
them was perforce hale and hearty, sound
/ of tooth, clear of eye, keen of hearing
and especially timber of limb and foot.
/ Bul, mule like. even the army donkey has
| an occasional alteration of the mental
faculties that produce capers and contor-
lions that other animals fear to tackle.
The prime cause of Friday nights furore
! is hard to determine 1t could not be due
to lntoxca ton, it probably was not over
wrought patriotism, but ascribe it to genu-
inc mulish eccentricity aud you have a
| possible solution.
The route was well planned and the or.
sauization was complete. Straight ur
| Broadway went the stalwart band, neither
halted nor stopped they until they reach
ed the beautiful lawns and lanes of Caron-
delet Here all their pent-up mulishness
was turned loose, and with a war cry that
sent terror to the peaceful inh7otants
the bombardmeut commenced A night
of terror ensued The usual pursuits OF
lie liberty and happiness were suspended
Places Of safety We're al a premium.
Court martial was proclaimed forthwith
with a donkey at every corner as sentinel
The belated pedestrian retreated in af,
fright Mules to the right of him, mules
to the left of him. mules before him fro
licked and capered. No lawn was toe
private 20 prevent their investigation. NJ
flower bed was too sacred for their ruth.
less footsteps. Carondelet was the center
OF attack and here the battle ragged fol
hours. The donkeys are well-fed by Tn
Gle sam, but they are truly epicurean il
their tastes and found a handsome repas
upon the neatly moved lawns and beaut
ful flower plots that abounded in theil
newly acquired possessions.
The police were nonplussed. The sudder
invasion of this unruly specimen of brute
dom was such a diversion from their usua
routine task Of capturing bipeds that they
{ We're unable Immediately to converge thei
distorted faculties upon the capture of IN,
invaders. While flower gardens, cherish
ed shrubs and grass yards were being rap
{ idly devastated the worthy servants of th,
law were anXiously formulating a mode o.
attack. Mr.. Mountjoy was born and rear
cd a muleteer, and his experience laugh
him that lasso would be the most effec
tive weapon against this herd. whose close
ly cropped names smoothly slipped tail,
and innate sickness made them almos
invinCible.
{ A iasso was hastily ilnprovised, and Mr.
Mountjoy volunteered TO stop the icen
uous career of the first long-eared quad
3 ruped that hove in sight.
Boon lusty jackass appeared, ana bat