Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1895 — KAISER WILL DRIVE ZEBRAS. [ARTICLE]

KAISER WILL DRIVE ZEBRAS.

Trained in South Africa and Now Being Tested by an Expert. The Kaiser William has received from a Boer firm In the Transvaal a consignment of three zebras that have been broken in for carriage use and are said to be reliable if driven abreast. His majesty intends to use the team before the Russian troika, a carriage built for three horses harnessed together. The troika was given him by the late emperor of Russia, and in trying to drive the fiery horses of the steppes with bis own royal hands, or rather his hand (for his left hand is no use to him in handling the ribbons), the kaiser came near getting killed once or twice. Several of his catchmen were injured and one killed in runaway accidents with the troika horses. The zebra team will be thoroughly tested before his majesty attempts to handle it. The animals are now installed in the royal mews at the Neuss palais, and are exercised daily by an expert driver in the ground. They seem to go quiet, but the fact that two grooms on fleet horses follow in their tracks proves that accidents are anticipated, and that the driver is not willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of his master’s whim. The zebras are graceful, slight of build, and nearly of the size of Trakeliuen horses from the celebrated royal stud which the emperor usually drives. Tbeir bodies are white, striped with numerous brownish black bands. Three sets of russet and red morocco harness for each are being manufactured. If expectations are realized the emperor intends to use the team upon his frequent travels between Potsdam and Berlin instead of the four Hungarian “Juckers” now employed by him.