The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-11
TRUE EQUINE MONARCH.
CAPTAIN SCHELL'S STORY OF
THE KING HORSE

Whose Proud Spirit was Never Tanned
wild Stallion Famous During the
FOrty-ntBer Epoch of California
Was Lord Of the Herd-Death Rather
Than Restraint of Freedom.
One of the most unique and interest
ing figures on the war department
pay-rolls is Captain F. NJ. SchelI, For
ty-niner in California, Mexican war
veteran and Indian fighter. Although
seventy-two summers have passed over
his head, he is still erect of carriage,
and his tall figure, over six feet in
height, long white beard and venerable
appearance, identify him with the pc
riod in which he played so active
part. He was married at the age of
nineteen, and his WIFE who reflects in
sunny disposition, has shared many of
his kardships and adventures on the
plains in the pioneer days of the west.
He has often said that he would rather
have her with him in time of danger
than any man he ever knew.
Speaking of horses said Captain
| Schell, always brings to mind the his
tory of the most magnificent specimen
of horseflesh that ever trOd the plains.
! He was only one wild animal among
many in those days, and remained un-
tanned up to the time of his tragic
| death, which he chose rather than be
mastered by man. The history of this
| horse is familiar to every Forty-niner,
and is one Of the traditions of early
California. He was captured in 152 in
| San Joaquin county, near Stockton,
where he had been running free for
many years. He was the most strik-
ing animal I had ever seen or ever
expect to see again. He was eighteen
hands in height and weighed fully two
| thousand pounds.
What made him chiefly conspicuous
was his marking. In color he was pure
white, with the exception of his long
flowing name and tail. which were jet
black, as were also his forelock and his
feet around the fetlOcks. Besides this
and his matchless size and form he was
possessed of wonderful speed and en-
| durance. These were two qualities that
made a horse valuable then, as life Of
ten depended upon them. There were
two other remarkable features about
him that 1 should mention perhaps.
One was his wide, sensitive nostrils and
delcately shaped ears, that seemed al
most transparent, which was due, no
doubt largely to his color. The other
was the 'glassed eyes so termed be-
cause of their CLASSY appearance, which
We're very light in color and full of fit
full fire.
His grazing grounds ranged be-
tween the counties of Los Angeles and
| Eldorado, a distance of nearly four
| hundred miles. 1t was his habit to
make two excursions back and forth
every year in the early spring and late
fall, and he was never known to fail in
this up to the time of his Waterloo. In
these trips he was never accompanied
by mares, as was the case with other
horses, but they would gather from all
parts of the country along his route at
various points as if by understanding.
Often several hundred and seldom less
than fifty would always be present to
pay him court.
"He soon acquired a wide reputation
in this region, and became known then
as to-day as the King Horse. 1t was a
fitting appelIation, for he was king in
every sense The other horses meekly
submitted to the desertion of the gen.
tier sex at the stated intervals, and
would Craze at a safe distance, and
leave him in full and indisputed sway,
| His progeny was necessarily large,
and his value for breeding purposes re-
cognized by the ranchmen along his
line of march, which meant many years
of life and freedom to him. OF course,
there were numerous individual efforts
to effect his capture, many a well-laid
trap, and exciting chase, but all were
equally unsuccessful. The fame of the
King Horse finally became so great
that the ranchmen themselves became
eager to possess him. 1t was the story
of the goose that laid tho golden egg
over again.
| "A general movement among the
ranchmen was at last gotten on foot
for this purpose. The horses route and
| time of coming were no secrets. Forty
riders ready to mount their almost tire
/
less COW ponies at a moments notice
We're placed along his accustomed line
of travel at intervals of ten, fifteen and
twenty miles. The king horse put in
appearance as usual and the running
of the gauntlet commenced Off he
started on his swinging trot, never
onces breaking it, keeping the horses of
those in pursuit on the dead run. Ri
ded after rider ran his allotted course,
and was left far behind in the fierce
chase. His endurance seemed unlini
ted Hour after hour passed, and mile
after mile was covered with no oppor-
| tunity for rest, food or drink being
given. He kept this fearful pace for
thirty-six hours, having Travelled dis