The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-11
The Passing Of the Saddle
Horse.

Horseback riding Is becoming . rare
form OF recreation in Alabama Saddles
and spurs are no longer an indispen-
sable part OF a mans earthly posses
sions A few people keep them a. .
luxury, but not as a necessity. At
least this Is 80 In the cities and larger
towns. Buggiss are remaining tonsef
than saddles. but they. too. are play
ing out Especially Is this 80 In the
case OF new buggies. Most Of these We
hicles which seem to be with us now
are old. which would seem to indicate
that a great many buggy owners In
tend to buy automobiles as soon as
they can arrange the necessary Sc
curity.
This change has come about with
almost melancholy rapidity. 1t has
occurred within the past FIVE or ten
years. The automobile has been tho
main factor in ann:hilating saddle
horses and busgies-
played a larger role in the literature
and history of the world than any
other single mode Of travel Who via
gainsay this.
Our Constitution builders were fox
and deer hunters and horseback
| riders. Mr.. Jefferson rode a horse TO
Washington to be inaugurated Presi-
dent General Washington caused the
| death OF a spirited .coit while
an hour later added to his reputation
for veracity by confessing to MS
mother. who owned the horse. thar ne
was responsible for the death OF the
flIy. An artery burst while tho
young horse was plungins ana buck
ing.
Ante-bellum romances were lived
partly on horseback and partly oenira
there were parental objections TO the
marriage of the hero and heroine. they
quietly mounted their steeds ana
Hoped away through the moonIient ano
ArA h.,yrf Cd nrezHhAY.
Girls in those days had side saddles
and used them. The few girls OF TO-
day who occasionally like TO moont y
horse. ride astride. or stay at home.
to milT'-the grist million horseback:
! or mule back. though he seldom used
| a saddle Time was when young
man could accumulate enough tSmo
Isheriff Of his county. but now he rides
f, in an automobile and ruins his chances
Of ever being elected to anything by
becoming a speed maniac
War, cava!rymen played conspicuous
part one Of the most dash:ng leaders
Of that auxiliary Of the national NH,
tary organization being General Joe
modern Presidents became such main.
iIy because he could ride . horse AZ TUT
speed and hit a barn with his PISTOL
But even he-the same being the COL
CneI-Seems 10 nave AOtSencu. "
great extent the horse. and II seen
every day In an automobile OF
| political scandal.
Because Of the fact that fsture vars
viii be fought largely on sea; tho
that played strong IN the
war Between the states. and later N
the Spanish American War: VIII spend
most Of his time estimating BIS IN
ifinttesimal importance as a warrior.
The plains of the West have ceea
burned and fenced In. and the e'wS 10y
teynressmsn long siuce passed away.
The star route man. with his roaM
cart. or his saddle. Is not carry ms.s
any more In this part OF the ceunsIy'
The fox hunter - becoming extinct.
because his game Is d'sappeafine
In future we sha1l witness n0Tse
races. hut we won't do the riding IN
this day we hire . Jockey to DO r's'ns
rhus the ausomobsIe takes the HSsce
% the saddle horse In romance; 80:
politics and business. We snouss etSeS
"a monument in our hearts 70 the
overwhelmingly Advertssef.