The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-12

n e the opinion Of officers OF the United
States army who have served In the fhii-
ippine islands that the washington morse,
with lust a faint of the Indian mustang
or "cayuse" blood in him. Is far better
adapted for the use OF the army IN ing
islands than the Kentucky thorougnoreu.
when the first detachment OF mounted
troons destined for the Philippines left
seattle in August, 1899. the transports ac-
commanding the cavalrymen carried their
mounts which were mostly high priced
and highly bred animals from Kentucky
and other states in the East. since then
a trial OF the Washington horse has DEM
onstrated the fact that the thorougnpred
is not nearly so hardy or we'll adapted for
the rough usage Of Philippine campaigns
as is the Washington animal
This fact doubtless is responsible for the
orders lately issued at Washington d.
recting the shipment OF 1000 additional
horses from Seattle to the Philippines
during the next thirty to sixty days.
Quartermaster Ruhlen Saturday SAID
that the transport Kintuck would arrive
here from Manila during the next Two
weeks and would take another cargo OF
horses and mules. The horses have been
purchased by. Quartermaster Jacobs, OF
Vancouver and 500 of them will prob
ably be sent here during the next few
days and installed In the government cor
rails at North Third and Harrison street
and at Fort Lawton.
The Kintuck win carry altogether 500
animals, which will be duartered here
several days before she sails. The quar-
termaster general has ordered 300 mules
shipped from St Asaph. Va, an old army
post used during the days of the Spanish
war, to Seattle and thence to Manila.
After the shipment of the 500 Washing
ton horses is made. Quartermaster ia
cobs, acting under orders from Washing
ton. will purchase an additional 500. which
will doubtless be shipped from this port.
According to army officers who have
served In the Philippines, the Washing
ton horse has proven his worth In many
ways in the islands, and Is likely to be
used for the next few years to the exclu-
sion OF the more highly bred horses OF
the East. 1t is stated that the thorough
breds which were shipped with the Third
cavalry found the hard usage and expo
sure of the campaign against the insur-
gents more than they could stand. Long
nights standing In the rain and longer
days of wading through mud almost up to
their TANKS proved the ruin of many fine
thoroughbreds which cost the government
several hundreds of dollars each on being
landed at Manila.
The war department a year ago, realiz-
ing that the Eastern horse would not an
swer. ordered the local department on
ctals to experiment with a shipment of
Washington bred horses: These, while
not so large or as finely bred as the
horses purchased in the East by the quar-
termaster's department. proved more sat
isfactory. They are tough and hardy and
are good rustlers for food. II was proven.
according TO reports made by army ON
GERS in the Philippines. that Washing
ton horse would last much longer than a
high-bred Eastern animal. Mules, too,
flourish In the Philippines and appear to
stand the service we'll
The government purchases OF horses in
this state has sent the market booming
inward Only four years ago horses were
allowed to starve to death on the plains
and ranges of Eastern Washington be-
cause they could not be sold at IS per
head. This Is changed now. The govern
ment pays from $50 to $50 per head, ac-
cording to the size and worth of the horse.
Thousands Of dollars will thus find their
way into the pockets of the Eastern
Washington farmers because of the gov
eminent purchases.