The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-18
SHOD BY MACHINE.
Fractions Mules Vanquished by n New
Indiana Invention.
lew York Herald.

New York Herald.
Shoeing fractions mules py aid Of machinery
has just been tried here with success. 1t was
mule versus machine in st. Louis shop a few
DAYS ago. and the machine won, TO the utter
humiliation OF two mules. They were genuine
obstinate, cross grained Missouri mules that for
general ''cussedness' have earned more than
local reputation.
Men have put it down that. while it is a diff
HJTi' INNS axf 70 innossie 10 convince mule
These particular mules We're, apparently, OF the
Missouri muIedom 10 be shod Heretofore il had
required a force OF at least a dozen men 10 shoe
them. OF the dozen it was a strange thing if
more than three came out OF the battle un-
scathed, and horsesboers considered themselves
lucky to get off with less than broken arm.
With the machines aid the mules shod
yesterday without casualties. and they came
forth from the experience meek and chastened
animals Old Crow and Dynamite are the names
have demolished several heavy sprinkling wag-
ons to say nothing OF pinking at different
times, with hind leg uppercuts, the drivers upon
the high seats OF the carts.
The machine used came from Rensselaer,. Ind.
where lives the inventor. The apparatus is
canvas belt and a sliding lever, with a device
at the bottom for grasping the animals hoOfs
The beams are attached to the wall about two
WICKED IN between: the tackle serves TO hold the
head and hind legs; the belt is fastened under
hOof is held by the lever. and the horseshoer
does his shOeing in safety
When Old Crow was led out he looked at the
invention askance- He held one long very
he poked both ears forward and then wagged
both wisely as IL 10 say, mo you don't"
There a crowd Of standing about
-horseshoers from surrounding towns and others
who wanted TO see the fun Old Crow was in
duced 20 take his stand al what seemed an in
nocent distance from the beams.
Then, in instant the beams were swung to-
ward him. and he found himself buckled between
them. Ropes were attached 10 his halter so he
could not move his head in any direction. and
an effort was made 10 fasten the canvas belt
under him.
Then old Crow understood that the matter
was serious He commenced kicking with all
four legs at once. He made the floor shake
and the beams creak. and the bystanders sought
out the high places. but IL was unnecessary. In
another moment strap was passed around his
hind legs above the knee, and his chief kicking
gear was unden control. The belt nut in
place and the hoofs were seized. in twenty min
utes he had a new set CT shoes. Yet he was not
in the least proud OF them. He realized that he
had been beaten. that the traditions OF muledom
had been tragressed. and such woehegone ami
nal as Old Crow when he was released from
his shackles could not be imagined.
Dynamite. with slight variations, was put
through the programme.
He found kicking 10 purpose. though he
temporarily delayed the adjustment OF the belt
Then he simply sat down his launches and
resisted for a time every inducemenf TO return
10 all fOurs. He looked like an imense dog In
this position. and II seemed II he was TO baf-
ie his tormentors-
But one OF the men seized his tail and gave II
mighty tug. Dynamite rose with fump
and his hind feet shot back and around like a
spring gun But the was out OF range
and soon Dynamite was as contrife In spirit as
was his team mate.