The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-10-06
MORGAN HORSE CENTENNIAL

The Morgan horse made Vermont as
well known all over thiA country as did
the acts Of the man that raised and
rode them ,"The Green Mountain
Boys" Justin Morgan, progenitor Of
the famous breed, was the property Of
a Vermont breeder Of that name and
was foaled in 1889 and died in 1921,
one hundred years ago. Endurance,
beauty and style, and no breed Of
horses ever surpassed them in any one
of these, gave them their great and
well deserved reputation. Any man in
New England fifty TO seventy-fve
years ago that owned Morgan" was
known and talked about. Then the
west began TO prosper and men from
OHIO and as far west as Iowa came to
Vermont and went home with the best
that Vermont had. Ten years ago
there were more Morgans in the west
than in New England. Joseph Battell
owned and kept the records Of the
breed for many years and it 10 most
fortunate that they were never de-
stroyed by fire. The Morgan Horse
Club Of Vermont was formed and now
owns the records, and not only owners
Of Morgans but lovers Of horses join
ed this club. There are very few
Morgans left in this state and few in
the United States that can show the
pure Morgan blood. Elmer A. Darling
Of East Burke, is the president Of the
club and owns some Of the best speci-
mers of the breed. The Morgan Horse
Club owes its life to C. c. Stillman Of
N. Y, who has large stud
Of Morgans and who has spent much
time and money in creating an inter
est in this noble breed Of horses.
While the statue Of Justin Morgan was
presented by the Morgan Horse Club
10 the United States Government at
their breeding farm given to the Gov
ernment by Joseph Battell, the statue
was the idea Of Mr.. Stillman and 1t
was his generosity that enabled the
club TO present it. The weather was
fne and q large crowd witnessed the
ceremony. The statue unveiled by Miss
Stillman was only the plaster cast, the
bronze statue having been destroyed
by fire in the foundry that cast II.
This will soon be replaced by the
bronze statue and every man and
woman in Vermont that loves horse
should make pilgrimage to Middle
bury to see it. The sculptor, Fred
rick II. Roth, has produced q per-
'ect type Of Morgan which means a
beautiful horse. The statue was &C.
,epted by DR.. John Mohler, chief Of :
he bureau Of animal industry Of the
Department of Agriculture, who (
brought a message 10 the farmers Of /
Vermont from Secretary Wallace who
vas unable TO attend. o. L. Martin, \
Master Of the Vermont State Grange, 7
poke as did John E. Weeks Of Mid I
Ilebury The best speech of the day i
vas BY George NJ. Rommell, chief Of \
he division Of animal husbandry Of ,
he animal department. II was !
lain heart 70 heart talk with the :
armers. He reminded them that "the b
ractor never presented them with any b
title tractors" and II they want 70 q
.eeD their boys and girls on the farm !
i've them a colt, calf OF pig 70 bring /
p. Il vas a fine sensible talk We q
-ish We could give i in full y
There was an exhibit of horses II I
he morning and the exercises took
lace in the afternoon. Il was a great p
rihute to a noble breed of horses, and il
hould inspire VermonterE 70 join the q
iorgan Horse Club and assist Mr.. y
tHlman and those associated with b