The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1916-01-06
OLD JUSTIN MORGAN
Could 0utsa,k. oGtrun and 0utdrnv
Any Horse OF His Weight


J hat their famous progenitor belonge,
to the common stock Of New Englan,
horses, with large infusion o
French Canadian blood. Their pedi
gree can be traced no farther bacl
than Old Justin Morgan, horse own
ed by man Of that name, who re,
moved from Springfield, Mass, tc
Randolph in Vermont, in 1895, taking
this year-old colt with him
Strange as il may seem, nothing is
certainly known Of his pedigree--no.
even the name Of his sire. II was said
by some that he was sired by True
Briton," kept somewhere in Massachu-
sets about that time, and that "True
Britons" ancestry could be traced
back to Byerly Turk, an Arabian
horse, but there is no proof Of it, and
the probabilities are against it.
Mr.. Morgan knew the sire Of his
colt, but as the horse had no fame or
pedigree to boast of, he was willing
his horse should stand on his own mer-
its. He never claimed that the horse
had any thoroughbred blood in him,
but was willing that people should
think so if they saw fit That he had
strong infusion Of Canadian blood
was proved by his heavy name and
tail. He had fine head, Of medium
size, with straight face, broad fore
head, small ears set wide apart, and
eyes full Of intelligence and gentle
ness. His back was short, but rather
a long body, and wide, muscular loins.
His body was round, closely ribbed,
and compactly built, with deep, wide
chest, short close jointed legs with and
thin, but remarkably muscular and
with long hair near the fetlocks. He
was small horse, only about Ia hands
high, and his weigh. about $50 pounds.
In color he was a beautiful dark bay,
with black legs, and coarse black tail
and name.
He was said to have been a very fast
walker, but not remarkably fast
trotter, as no attempts were made to
develop his speed in that direction. 1t
was said that he could outwalk, out
run, and outdraw any horse of his
weight ever pitted against him.
"His style Of movement" says
writer Of his day, "was lofty, bold,
majestic, full of life and spirit bu. he
was managed with the greatest ease,
and lady could drive him with per-
feet safety"
He was much admired as a parade
horse, at military trainings, where he
would dance at the music of the fife
and drum, and stand on his hind legs
half the lime. Like most Of the stock
horses of his time, kept in the country
districts, he had to work hard in clear
ing and cultivating new land-a work
most trying to spirited horses. He ex-
hibited wonderful strength and will
ingness 20 draw heavy loads, and pa
tience in enduring uncomfortable la
Dor.
Old Justin Morgan lived to be 29
years old, and died in 1921, from the
effects Of kick by another horse. He
had three sons who inherited his good
qualities in an eminent degree, and
well sustained his fame.
Sherman Morgan, the oldest, was
foaled in 1903. Nothing is known Of
the lineage Of his dam. He was
bright chestnut in color less than ID
hands high, and weighed only 925
pounds, being smaller than his sire. In
shape and build, he greatly resembled
his sire, except being more swag- belli-
ed. From the age Of four years he
was kept at hard work for nine or ten
months of the year, his owner being
engaged in teaming He was free,
quick traveller, with great power Of
endurance. He was willing, steady,
and powerful to draw at dead lif.,"
which some horses dislike. He was
less stylish, less nervous, and not SO
high-tempered as his younger brother,
Woodbury. Morgan. He died at the
age Of 27 years.
Woodbury. Morgan, another son Of
Old Justin Morgan, was foaled in 1876. |
Not much is known of his dam, ex-
cept that she was Of good size. Wood |
bury Morgan was over Is hands high, |
and weighed over 1000 pounds. Wood
bury Morgan was a beautiful dark
chestnut, with white stripe in the |
face, snugly and compactly built, with
a short, broad back and loins. He was
bold, resolute, spirited, like his father,
making fine parade horse. His pow
er Of endurance was unsurpassed by
any horse Of his time He left a num-
erous progeny Of good trotters.
Bullrush Morgan, the other son Of
Old Justin Morgan, was foaled in 1873,
being five years younger than Sher- /