The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1907-01-02
SHETLAND PONY HISTORY.
PRINCE, THE HANDSOMEST AND
MOST INTELLIGENT.

School Abandoned Many Years Ago
Started Later on Howard Avenue in
This City.
The following story is from the
Christmas number of the Trotter and
PAGER:
Some time ago the writer had a
chat with an editor who listened tc
my brief history of several Shetland
ponies. The EDITORS comment was
that the story would be interesting if
published, consequently 1 have deci-
ded to write it for the Christmas
Trotter and PAGER:
My youthful days (and some nights
Were passed near New Haven on a
valuable farm that was formerly de-
voted extensively to breeding We
had horses, cattle, sheep, swine and
I poultry.
was fond OF all the live stock ex-
cept the hogs Many of the horses
! that we bred were sired by Morgan
rHstaliion that was purchased in Yer
mont, and, was kept for service by
lMr. Clinton, proprietor Of the hotel
near our place. The stallion was
probably as handsome as any that
ever left that state. He was a bright
glossy mahogany bay, with fine arched
neck, intelligent head and perfect ears
although as stylish as can be mag
aned and very properly called "pret-
$ty : In those days the term pretty
horse was as common as any house
hold words for the reason that good
looks or style in horse had as high a
market value as speed.
The stallion was called "Jericho
Morgan" I remember his pedigree
contained the name Clifford Morgan.
This foals that we bred were broken tc
halter before they were weaned, but
were not broken to harness until they
were old enough to work
During my very young days I took
more interest in the horses than in all
the other live stock. Part of my work
consisted in breaking the colts and fill
lies. When I became old enough to go
away to some select school or high
class institutions there was some dis
Cussion regarding where / should go.
In nearby town was an academy
school that was kept by an aged man
who had the reputation Of being a
freak" His name was Amos Smith.
He also had the reputation Of giving
boys an education that was Of the
greatest value to them during later
years.
AS drawing card for his boarding
school he had a number of Shetland
ponies. When I heard that Mr.. Smith
Kept a stable full of ponies | decided
Immediately that his school was the
best in the entire land, and I must go
there by all means. / concluded that
would submit to having an educa-
fion provided l could go to school
that had Shetland ponies connected
{ with .L-druh't care a rap for any
ss~=-esfning lAll 1 wanted was the horse
part of the aged instructors institu-
tion. In due time l was packed away
and landed at the Smith acaaamy.
Among the scholars 1 found four boys
/ from New York city. In an old auto
] graph book I find the names of three Of
them recorded as Thomas Sturgis, Au-
gustus Sturgis and Walter Collins. I
was told at the time that the fathers of
all these boys attended Amos Smith s
school when they were young, which
was during Mr.. Smiths early years of
teaching. 1t was said that the fathers
4 tof the boys) in business realized the
VALUE and lasting benefit Of Mr.. Smiths
INSTRUCTION, consequently the fathers
l1aA taken considerable pains to send
gYeir sons to the same teacher who had
started his boarding school in new
location. They had ascertained that he
was at Orange, Conn, and had placed
j the boys In the Smith boarding school.
The New York city fellows We're gen
tlemanly, companionable and very de-
sirable acquaintances.
looking back at those days, I have
q formed the opinion that Mr.. Smith had
k7feard Of my skill in handling horses
and colts
FIRST DAY IN SMITHS SCHOOL
AT the close of school on my first day
lEhere Mr.. Smith came out of the school
room at the same time | did and began
conversation with me in a very social,
entertaining manner. He was decided
Nv agreeable After some preliminary
talk he stated that he wanted to nave
f1ne go to his stable with him. Said he,
want to show you my ponies"
WAS delighted, but didn't say so, while
he began to give me q description Of
one particular pony. Said he, IT have
one pony that is the boss or master of
every boy I've got in my school, He is
called the ugly pony. The boys ride
him in company of the other ponies; at
such times he'll go with the others, but
f any one rides him alone the little
rascal will go where he wants to and
hOme home when he wants to; at times
he'll go only a short distance and come
siome with his rider in a few minutes"
BY the time Mr. Smith finished his
description Of his little freak Ito which
#had listened very attentively) we had
arrived at the stable door, which he
opened and we entered. I can never
forget the sight. There stood in little
tails four coal-back ponies. | fell In
love with one of them in a minute.
looked them over at a glance and
Had my favorite instantly. / doubt if
my young fellow ever fell in love with
\ b pretty girl quicker than I fell in love
With one particular pony. He was
humber three as we entered, and was
biocky built with the best head, neck
Ind ears in the lot. He was standing
With his head up, and was according to
ny fancy the handsomest pony in the
table The Others were ordinary.
r