Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-07-28
The MORGAN Horse Revived.

The report is that Secretary Wilson has
had several conferences with Senator
Proctor of Vermont on the subject of I'M
dertaking, by series Of breeding expert
ments similar to those begun at Fort Col
Inns, Col, to establish a coach breed
Senator Proctor, who has been a lifelong
admirer of the Morgans, first brought up
the matter and appealed to the secretary
to consider whether he could not rescue
the noted family of horses from utter
extinction, or, If 1t has really been ex-
tingushed, restore It by scientific and
Judicious breeding from sires and dams.
The plan is said to be to buy one repre-
sentative Morgan stallion and ten mares
for the initial experiment, and later to add
another stallion and more mares as they
can be found. The aim will be to adhere
to the type of short backed. strong boned
bay and black horses Weighing from 1000
to 1850 pounds, such as the Morgans were.
Let horsemen get hold of d. c. Linsley's
premium essay on Morgan Horses" pub
iished in 1881 by c. M. Saxton & Co.,
and read about the origin, history and
characteristics Of this truly remarkable
American breed OF horses. have heard
my grandfather praise the Morgan. Here
follows short history of the Royal Nor
gan, once the property of Crane.
Foaled in 1921; the property Of Mr.. AL
drich Of ST. Johnsbury, VT. Sired by
Sherman; grandsire, Justin Morgan; dam,
known as Aldrich mare and sired by JUS
tin Morgan. She was a dark bay of re-
markable compact form, with great
powers OF endurance. She produced and
nursed colt, the summer after she was
29 years old. Linsley says: He is 1871
hands high, and when in his prime and
in high condition weighed 1000 pounds.
1t is said that in July, 1874, he weighed
1920 pounds. He is a dark bay, with black
legs, name and tail, and a small star in
the forehead. 1t has been said that he
was not sired by Sherman, but by the
Batchelder horse" The Batchelder or
Bachelor horse was sired by Sherman;
grandsire, Justin Morgan; dam, fast
trotting gray mare. half French. This
horse was OF dapple gray color and 14h
hands high. Left some excellent stock.
The facts seem to be that the dam of
Royal Morgan was coupled with the
Batchelder horse, early in the spring of
1920; but the following July, the mare not
proving in foal, Mr.. Aldrich sent her to
Sherman, and the following year paid for
the services Of the latter horse. Mr.. AL
drich sold him when a colt, and he was
taken to Maine. where he was known as
Morgan Rather In 1920 he was taken to
Derby, VT A few years after this he be-
came the property of Mr.. Crane, who
owned him several years and became much
attached to the horse. Says Linsley: "a
short time previous to his death, Mr..
Crane directed that the horse should be
carved on his tombstone"
Mr.. Linsley saw Royal Morgan in Feb
ruary, 1856, and says of him: He was
turned loose into a yard with several young
colts, and although 35 years old he seemed
| to trot as readily and easily as any of
them, exhibiting much Of that elasticity
| and nervousness OF step which character
lied him when in his prime. His head
was not very fine; ears only medium; eyes
4. n0f xnffth Chn aRa
| and chest excellent; back, loins and hips
good, and limbs unsurpassed; name and
tail thick and long, and little long hair
| about the limbs.
Talk about your old American stock,
| Ell?
| Then, neigh aloud with martial pride, my
courser wild and feet;
| And trample nations in the dust, and
kings beneath thy feet.
-[Walter B. Crane, in New York Sun.