The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1908-10-15
"A FRIEND I'M NEED,

BY ROE 1. HENpRIoK.

When mature horse "goes ugly"
there is 80 little hope of reformation
that experienced horsemen make few
or no attempts to bring the animal
back to a normal state Of mind and
temper. Indeed, It is probable that
q creature so afflicted is insane, and
all the more dangerous for that rea-
son. II of little value, the animal
usually falls before a rife bullet; but
an expensive horse Is killed only as
a last resort, being confined in the
meantime like raging lion AS
matter of fact, of the two the lion is
far more amenable to discipline.
The difficulty is to tell when real
ly ugly horse will display all his vic
iousness. He may appear mild-or,
ut least, not savage-for weeks at
time, and then, without warning,
rush at the first living object within
reach. displaying the ferocity of a
carnivorous animal.
Prince Charley, a Clydesdale be-
longing to the Parker Stock Farm,
cost $4,000 when imported. He was
nervous and high spirited, but had
been broken to harness. and for three
years was driven about the adjacent
country, attached to sulky or dog
cart, as freely as any other horse on
the place. He was not even "skit-
tlsh;" and although he showed some
excitement when driven close to an
automobile or locomotive. he made no
attempt to run away.
Than ha haOan 20 rroxw ,.1.1.o
sometimes striking or biting at stran-
gers who ventured near him. One
day he was turned for exercise into
the paddock. when he instantly
rushed upon and killed two prize
Southdown sheep that were feeding
In one corner. The poor animals
were bitten and trampled to death in
a few seconds. the horse squealing
and leaping in a rage as ungovern-
able as 1t was unprovoked.
Four men were needed to get him
back into box stall. and they had
to beat him severely to save their
lives. From that moment no one
could approach him with the slight
est assurance of safety.
When he was in a paroxysm Of
rage. no ordinary partition could hold
MIN, so stall of exceptional strength
had to be built. About his exercise
yard ten foot fence was erected, the
exterior gate being q panel of solid
planks, held in place by steel bar,
or latch, half-inch thick.
All this, however, did not protect
the stock farm employees, who had to
De constantly on their guard when
near the horse. The usual moment
OF carelessness came, and David Ba-
Ker, one of the helpers. was terribly
pitten and bruised. He was dragged
out alive, but not till Prince Charlie
mad been temporarily disabled by a
ploW from an iron bar.
few days later the county agent
OF the Society for. the Prevention of
cruelty to Animals visited the farm,
accompanied by the district attorney.
ne told Mr.. Parker fatty that the an
lmal must not be beaten again in
such a manner; and advised that,
since he was vicious and dangerous,
tne thing to do was to kill him at
once In some humane manner.
Fl To this proposition the proprietor
uemurred. "Kill him!" he exclaimed.
Why, that horse 10 worth S50O0l
~ pay all damages, of course; and
Al see that he isn't abused. We
. never lay finger on him, except to
save life. See here, gentlemen; Just
notice the precautions taken to pre-
vent him from escaping and doing
any harm outside"
The two officials were shown all
n over the place, and were treated very
courteously by Mr.. Parker, who had
II = persuasive tongue. They left only
naii convinced, however; and before
sohg away, the district attorney said,
impressiyely:
appreciate your position. Mr..
.arker, and sympathize with you up
" certain point. That horse cost
sou $4,000; you think him worth even
-ore to-day, and you hate to lose so
lucn money. But 1t may prove far
Lure expensive to keep than to kill
r'n Besides the damages of which
sOu speak, should he kill person,
~ you are known to be fully aware
ua' he is incurably vicious, you
"ouid be liable to indictment and
"si Tor manslaughter."
MT Parker WINGED at this, but
saapiy reiterated his intention to
'uaru against all accidents.
ne certainly did his best to see that
s,a s promise was fulfilled. but mar
sn M ior human error must always be
luowed. One afternoon In the fol-
ding August some one neglected TO
p,Ssp the latch securely In its slot;
hnce Charlie. while exercising.
ssq snapeq against the yard gate; II
sosn uus open. and he galloped into the
ss% %aen terrified stable hand har,
+" tell Mr., Parker what had hap