Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-09-01

strain. He bought the sad Silver Tail IN
Pomfret at two years old and with train
ing and advertising matured good horse.
No June training, house or barn raising,
town meeting, or gathering OF any KIND
was complete without Uncle Lem and
Silver Tail. And be certainly did make a
good show, either on horseback or driv-
ing in his gig.
The colt Uncle spooner always called
him a COLT was not fast, but carried has
head and tail well up, Characteristic of the
Morgans. And here let me say that
neither Mr.. Lindsly nor our own Hon. y.
Battell have made any mention OF Silver
Tail in their valuable books on the Nor
gan horse. 1 have always wondered at
Mr.. Batteli's oversight, for 1t was so easy
for him to trace ali noted horses back to
the blood Of Justin Morgan.
The June training OF Barnard was the
one great day OF the whole year. There
were three military companies, North and
South Militia and an Independent Artil-
lery, thst gave annual exhibitions, at
tended BY every man, woman and child In
town.
1t was at one of these great shows that
Uncle Lem and his horse was one OF the
principal attractions. While Mr.. Spooner
was pstronizing the bar at the hotel, some
mischiesous men or boys used red pepper
about the colt, which made him nearly
crazy and so FESTIVE that Ii was with great
effort his master could mount. At the
command his grooms let 20 his head ana
the flag was raised amid tbs voice OF
Uncle Lem crying, "Whoa Silver Tail
Whoa What ais you today, Silver
Tail ~ and the cheers Of the crowd, 10 the
great delight OF his competitors
In those days It took the very best
horse to bring Sl00, but Mr.. Spooner sold
this colt for another good horse and 800
in cash.
Silver Tails stock was not up 10 spoon
er's expectation, none Of his colts equal
ling the sire.
Lemuel spooner was not only a good
horseman, but quite a lawyer. Fond OF
litigation, be was either plaintiff or de-
fendant IN many justice suits. His ex-
perlence made him an advocate Of repu-
tation as he always argued his own case
At an important trial where Spooner was
plaintiff and one OF the Frasers was de-
fendant, Mr.. Spooner In the cross-ex-
animation of the defendant took on his
coat. The court said, "Yoa are getting
warm, Mr.. spooner." Uncle Lem ans
wered, "May IL please your honor, it is
not only warm, but decidedly hot work,
in getting the truth out OF Fraser"
Mr.. Spooner was q veteran OF the 1872
war and was remarkable for activity wnen
old In years. He was chief marshal at
Dafuhlu idll HutI uAuct1 Year, VI ALt,
riding large grey horse In full uniform.
Il was his boast that he would live to be
a hundred and be was the best candidate
for the century mark in town. No doubt
his wish would have been granted, but for
an unfortunate scrap with another old
man from which he received an injury
that hastened his death in 1877. aged 81
years, S months. Mr.. Spooner was proud
OF bis great age and never failed to ask
any elderly man whom he met how old he
was and then tell OF his many years.
One day at gathering OF townspeopie
be met Capt. Ben Upper, former resi-
dent OF Barnard, who had been away
nearly forty years, which had so changed
Upper that spooner didn't know him.
Captain Ben well remembered Uncle Lem,
and being always up to fun, was ready 10
be interviewed. Mr.. Spooner approached
and said, my friend, You look as thong b
you had lived some years. May / be SO
bold as to ask how mznys" Ben said,
at should live to see the 30th day OF
next February / would be a hundred"
This was a sumner for Spooner, but he
rallied and said, 'sIf not too impertinent
would enquire what business, sir. have
You followed during this long life 20
Capt. Ben. replied, ~ was In jail part of
the time" After q long silence, Uncle
Lem said, my friend, will you tell me
for what crime were you sent to jail ~
s.Oh, yes, II was for whipping my WIFE,"
other acquaintance be was interested in.
Uncle Lem is buried in the Central
cemetery and no Memorial day goes by
without new L. 5. flag waves over this
old veteran.