Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 260, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1910 — HORSE ON PENSION [ARTICLE]

HORSE ON PENSION

Jerry, Equine Detective, Given Allowance for Services. Corporation, Recognizing Eighteen Years of Faithfulness, Will Make Life Easy Rest of Animal’s Days. Spokane, Wash. Jerry, faithful servant and one-time detective, has been pensioned by a great express company after serving that corporation for 18 years. Jerry 1b not an ordinary being. Unlike many who have fitted Into the scheme of a great business, Jerry never would work on Sunday, however pressing might have been the occasion. Jerry 1b bay gelding 15% hands Mgh and weighs 1,350 pounds. He was foaled In 1886. Jerry’s pedigree Is not worth mentioning. He was a work horse and served 18 years without a day off or a vacation. Besides faithfully pulling the wagon, Jerry has guarded the company’s treasures. Several years ago there apparently was a hold-up in the

yard in the rear of the office. Jerry’s driver proved to he the hold-up. Robbing himself, he pretended to be the victim of bandits. To carry out his deception the driver had fired one shot into the wall and was about to fire again. Just then Jerry got an idea. He suddenly backed the wagon, the wheel hit the revolver, turned It and the bullet buried itself In the driver’s leg. The seeming mystery surrounding the robbery was solved soon afterward. Eighteen years ago, when the population of Spokane was less than 15,000 Jerry and his team mate were bought by the company, the price paid being |6OO. They made the rounds together until 1899, when the mate died. Jerry was put between the shafts of a single wagon and he made the rounds alone, simply because he would not work double. He never forgot his teammate. Jerry became the pet of the office force, the favorite of merchants and of the barn men through his intelligence and gentleness. He always had a box stall. Some time ago one of the horses in the barn became ill. Jerry was put In a single stall that

the ailing animal might have the box. Now this was not to Jerry’s liking. He had been wronged jmd he knew it. He set his slant heels to work, making room rapidly. He was ready for the big posts when the barn men led him to his stall. Jerry was punctual. When the sev* en o’clock whistle blew, he left his comfortable stall and calmly walked upstairs to his wagon, backed between the thills and waited to be harnessed. He was willing to work, hut he was as willing to quit. Promptly at six o’clock In the evening Jerry started, for the barn. No hitching weight would deter hbn, unless it had been fastened to the pavement. knew his way around town, too, and never missed ajstop. He had watched the city grow to 120,000 population. He saw 15-story structures take the place of squatty brick buildings, but In the bustle of ment he kept up with the times. Having earned his rest, Jerry will be sent into a pasture In the Spokane valley, about five miles from the scene of his labor. He will run knee-deep In clover and alfalfa with the fragrant odors from surrounding orchards and the perfumes of wild flowers to whet bis appetite and woo him to sleep when the sun has slipped behind the western hills.