The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-15
HORSES TRAINED BY POLICE.
THEY ARE A PRIDE TO THE MEN
WHO RIDE THEM.

THE Police Commission Prefers to
Let Shortage in Appropriation Fall
nm other branches of the Service.
some of the City's stock Always
wanted in Parades.
The horse is probably admired nowhere
more or taken care of better in Savannah
+ban AZ the police barracks, where the thlr-
~ odd equines in the stables form no un-
imnortant part of the service of the de-
nartment. Thomas Bowden, for years in
the livery business in the city, is 10 charge
of the stables.
spirit of kindness is shown by the
Police Commission, in the fact that a short
age in the appropriation would be consid-
erred in any other branch of the depart
rnent rather than the barn. Some time ago,
when the question Of increasing the appro-
rriation of the department from $4,000 to
sS0000 was being considered by the COM
rnss.oners and Council, some of the al
dermen insisted that the allowance for the
stables was altogether too much. 1t was
contended, however, that the stock were
severely worked and that the best of feed
and attention should be given them. Dis
uenslng with stable men and having the
drivers Of the patrol wagons look out for
the horses was deemed impracticable by
the commissioners, who evidently PREFER
ed curtailing some other branch. As now
arranged, the stock are always clean,
sprightly and give evidence of getting de-
served care This as due in great measure
to Commissioner Gleason, who knows from
his long experience as a llveryman, the
way to care for stock, as well as the turns
TO take in buying feed at a saving to the
city.
In the personnel of the barn, none OF the
horses are more attractive than Prince"
claimed jointly by Chief McDermott and
Sergt. Mock. 1t is semi-occasionally that
the chief rides, as on public days, or when
he is on a night run around town inspect
ing the police and seeing that every man is
where he belongs. Sergt. Mock uses Prince
every day however, visiting the police
divisions. The horse is a large gray, near
ly white, carries his head high, steps
brlskly, and when in front of a brass band
heading some parade, is rather spirited,
and keeps step to the loud knocks of the
bass drum. His style in parades has at
tracted more than one, and even when
Gov. Atkinson visited Savannah three
years ago during the Merchants May
week, he wired one of his friends to see
that sergeant and get the big gray for
him to ride in the parade. There is the
same desire here, and scarcely is there
parade shat some one does not send in
their application early to the barracks for
Prince.
Chief McDermott told of an interesting
experience recently, which he had with
the horse while in YamaCraw one Right,
gong the rounds of the police divisions.
At the time, he was passing Though a
lane, when Prince stopped in the dark and
would go no farther. slash with the
whip failed to start him, and the chief
concluded he would find If there was an
obstruction. Alghting, he struck match
and found deep ditch extending across
the entire lane, which could not have been
ga fely avoided even by jump. The horse
observes almost human precaution in
crossing a bridge by checking speed and
going over slowly.
Lieut. Reilly comes next with about the
oldest and yet one of the best-looking
nags in the barn. The lieutenant has rid
den Countess" for many years, having
become so closely attached to the horse
that he personally sees to it that the
proper attention is given her. The little
animal is a living evidence of what kind
treatment will do in preserving the horse.
1t is said that good grooming is almost
as essential as feed, and when the lieu
tenant mounts Countess on a start for
the different precincts, 1t is Invariably the
case thar she is as smooth as a peeled
onion
Horses, as well as children, are fond of
candy. This Is illustrated in the case of
Sergt. KiIlouhry's Maggie" about the
largest and at one time the most uncon
trollable animals belonging to the city.
When she was first transferred to the
police to the fire department, where they
could not overcome her mischievous ways
and obstinacy when the fire bell rang,
Sergt. Kiliouhry asked that he al
lowed to ride her in visiting
the divisions. The horse was turned
over to him, and more than once he has
come near losing his life when the animal
became frightened at some object. Then
she would bite at the men, so that it was
almost impossible for the men to adjust
the saddle. This done the sergeant found
1t task to mount, because of the horses
mlschievousness. The situation was fin
ally met, however, when the sergeant be-
gan feeding the animal candy This
seemed to have a pacifylng effect, until
now Maggie feels sighted unless given
one or two loaves of sugar before start
ing on the regular rounds.
An excellent lot of horses Is also to be
found in the fire department, where the
care Is fully equal to that shown by the
police. About the best is the pair of grays
attached to the hose wagon at the central
station, which are known to always show
up at fires among the first. 1t is said
by some of the firemen that the gamblers
around town have caught on to this, and
When near fire where the apparatus Is
70 come, stake money that the invincible
grays will be first on the scene.