Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1913-10-24
WONDERFUL MOOSE MARE.
strangest Equine Produced in New
England Had Trtters All Stopped
Sired by Bull Nose.

Sired by Bull Nose.
Tha famous moose marc of
Maine, so called because her owner be
'lcved her to have cen sired by bull
moose, was pcrhar ithc most remark
able equine freak that New England
has ever known. Ter prowess on the
track in the fortic and ffties was
widely known, am horsemen of the
period who timed her for exhibition
half-milc heats reused to believe
their senses when she covered the dis
lance in 10 to LIZ.
The animal, II nondescript creature
with large, uncouth head, tapping ears
and scant name. whose tail was
stub hardly larger than a goat s tail,
worked during the fortics on a stage
and freight team that ran between Jay
and Readfcld, Me.
She was called the "moose mare
because of her resemblance to the mon
arch of the woods. She was foaled the
property of Benjamin Goodnow of Jay
from a fine Morgan mare, which he
had at pasture the year before the
birth of the freak, away from all 9th
err horses. The pasture was distant
from any Travelled road and had to be
approached through a fenced field.
The mare was not tai ken from the
pasture from May until late in Octo-
Der. Frequently large bull moose
was seen running in the great woods
near the pasture during the mating
season, and his believing was often
heard.
In the spring the mare gave birth
to the most remarkable colt which
farmers of the vicinity had ever seem
but she showed great affection for her
strange offspring and guarded it with
jealous care.
Mr.. Goodnow was advised by his
neighbors to destroy the foal, but re-
fused to do so.
cit is a Messenger, - he said, "and
they are the homclcst things in crea-
ton until they are about II years old. -
lie was sure that the colt was sired
by the bull moose, and was curious to
see how it would turn out.
When the creature was about four
years old he put it to work on u stage
route which he operated, aud it dill
constant service there for more than
20 wears. She proved Il cheerful
roadster She never refused to pull in
all her life. Hardly horse could he
found that could equal Dor, and for
years she worked against two horses,
day and day about.
Her prowcss was a matter of record
in that part of Kennchec county,
where she was well known. She could
out-walk. out-run and out-haul any
horse ever matched against her, and
Mr.. Goodnow rlaccd many wagcrs on
her at cattle shows and musters, back
ing her against any other animal in a
feat of speed or strength.
In those days there were no rail
roads in that part of Maine and ali
the winter traffic was done by horses.
Augusta was central point for stage
routes, and many trotting races were
held there. Ice races on the Kenncbcc
were also common at IIallowcl, and
horsemen from all over the state would
bring their speediest stecds. for buy
crs from BostoAnd New York vere
always in attic hcc
Mr.. GoodnovS went to Halloween
with his moose mare one afternoon to
see the racing. and suggested that his
animal be entered. None of the horse
men VINO nau cnOlcc tfOttcfS WOulu
enter them against his queer looking
beast however, and he finally became
indignant.
He offered to wager any sum. from
81 to $1,000, that his mare could ont
trot any horse in Maine for any dis
tance, from half a mile to 100 miles.
a stranger accepted his challenge, for
he had just purchased trottcr that
could step a half mile in very fast
time
The race was a half mile, with $500
side put up on the result. 1t was
scheduled for the next afternoon. best
two in three heats. Each man had
judge at start and finish, and these
chose third judge.
The moose mare won the first and
second heats in walk, though the
prize trotter stepped the best he knew
how. After the purse had been
awarded Mr.. Goodnow, the moose mare
did an exhibition half mile timed by
many in from 10 to LIZ, clip so
fast that the timers could hardly cred
it it,.
Mr.. Goodnow kept the mare until
she died at the age of about 30 years.