Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 264, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1914 — Goat Ate Tail of Fine Horse; George Gifford Story. [ARTICLE]

Goat Ate Tail of Fine Horse; George Gifford Story.

Our friend George Gifford, trustee of the estate of the late B. J. Gifford, is somewhat of a story teller but he did not tell this one on himself. Another citizen of Tipton told it in the following fashion. “Know George Gifford? Well, I should say I do. He is one of our best citizens arid a real live wire, too. He has always been a great fancier of fine horses and has raised the best animals ever owned in our city. One time a minister from the west was visiting in Tipton. He also was a grept admirer of horses and he took a great fancy to a riding horse Mr. Gifford owned. He wanted to b\jy the horse but Mr. Gifford did not want to sell very badly. They bartered for some days and finally the minister and lawyer came to terms. The tail of the horse was an important, feature of its beauty and the minister had commented frequently about its beautiful tail. Mr. Gifford also owned a goat and in agreeing upon the terms for the horse it was agreed that the goat was to be thrown in. ‘The horse and goat were shipped to the minister, both in the same jcar. The goat enroute ate the horse’s tail, chewing it off as short as it could reach, and when the horse arrived at the minister’s home its crowning glory was gone and the minister was disappointed. He had no further use for the goat and at once shipped it back to Mr. Gifford, labeling the box: To George Gifford, Tipton, Ifid., the meanest goat that ever wore hair.’”