The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-07-07

Inc elder generation or our read
ers who patronized the "One Ring
Circus" in their salad days. doubtless
remember the remarkable trick horse
Excelsior and his son, Blind Excel
sior, Jr., both owned, trained and ex-
hibited by Colonel Rice. The illus
tration of Blind Excelsior is of mani
fold interest. 1t is not only perfect
likeness of the wonderful horse as
he appeared in his declining years,
but 1t is the last picture made by the
master hand Of the lamented Herbert
8. Kittredge. This priceless painting
the only one now in existence, and
for which Colonel Rice offered at one
time the sum of $500, subsequently
became the property Of Mr.. Chas. T.
Harris, then on the editorial staff OF
Wallace's Monthly. The following ex-
cerpts from the diary Of Colonel Rice
concerning the characteristics of sire
and son, are of interest:
There was a slight difference in the
susceptibility of the two horses, the
original Excelsior being purer bred
than his son. He was sired by the
racehorse Gray Eagle, that ran
against Wagner at Louisville, KY. in
the early sixties. His dam was by
Envoy, imported to this country by
Judge wilkins, of Pennsylvania, who
was Minister to Russia. Excelsior
Sr., was bred and owned by DR.
Thomas, of Hawesville, Hancock
County, KY, and in the fall of 1856
ran a two-mile race over the Lexing
ton track in 3.51. | educated hin
with less trouble than had with hi:
son, but his performances were of g
different character, being classic and
artistic in the way of graceful move
ments and grand and imposing atti
tudes. Excelsior, Jr, was keystone
to the arch of the original "One- Horse
Show" for in those days he formed
the "whole stud" of that much-talked
OF institution. He was a very quin
tessence of quadruped grandeur. Hi!
marvellous sagacity was only equallet
| by his elegance of carriage. With {
milkwhite skin, and name and tail o
remarkable length and fleecy white
ness, neck of extraordinary moult
and perfect reach of arch; in truth
SO powerfully and symmetrical,
formed was this noble brute, ther,
should be scant surprise that he wa,
universally regarded and enthusias
tically conceded to be, in intelligence
color and general conformation. with
out a rival in the equine circles of tn,
circus world. So widespread was hi
fame he attracted the notice of Ros;
Bonheur, who wrote the famous pho
tograhic-artist Sarony to forward he
photographs of the blind marvel
After spending several weeks study
ing Excelsior in every possible pose,
score of superb specimens were sen
the great French artist, aboard til,
Inflated Vile de Havre, and so neve
reached their destination. The poe
Longfellow was also one of Excel
sior's most ardent admirers. ON
night at the close of the performanc,
he accompanied Colonel Rice to tn
paddock, and whilst scaressing tn,
sightless wonder said: This hors
Is so human in his conduct, so beau
tiful in his presence, so patient an,
confiding in his affliction, that real
ly, Mr.. Rice, am almost persuade,
to believe there must be sort o
horse heaven after ALL"
The loss of sight in Excelsior, Jr
which occurred in his second year
no doubt strengthened his hearing
and made him more attentive to wha
was said to him. So keenly sensitiv
was he of sound, that, speaking one
In sibilant tone to my ringmaste
some fifty feet distant, this whispers
remark caught his ear, although no
heard by Mr.. Rosston: II must short
en- the programme-Exce will as
cend the stairs" Before | could ad
1 vance to the horse to give him hi
cue he arose on his hind legs and pro
ceeded with his forefeet to climb a
imaginary staircase. OF course thi
was after many years of arduous toi
in teaching him to understand an
distinguish sounds. / took the ide
from seeing in early times the wag
cners of Pennsylvania driving thei
spike by word of command. | worke
at the principle until reduced tn
theory to science, knowing th
horse had the most acute hearing G
any of the animal creation, and tn
greatest memory, not excepting MAI
for man frequently forgets-a hors
never does. In short, worked o
the principle that we know the NEAR
ing Of words by their sound, and
educating both horses demonstrate
that the horse is next to man in poir
of instinct and intelligence.