Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1899 — AN INVINCIBLE HORSE-TAMER. [ARTICLE]

AN INVINCIBLE HORSE-TAMER.

Early Achievement* of an Oh’oan Who Became World-Famon*. Lida Rose McCabe sketches in the St. Nicholas the life-story of an obscure country boy, whose love of horses “turned a leaf in civilization,” and brought him, beyond any man of his time, into close social intimacy with the crowned sovereigns of the world. His name was J Min S. Rarey. Ear< in the century, his father—a Pennsylvania Dutch farmer- cleared a tract of forest land on the outskirts of Ohio’s capital. On this virgin spot was built a log cabin, in which the future horsetamer was born. The cabin In time became the beginning of the village of Groveport, known half a century ago to lovers of horses throughout the civilized world. While a babe in his mother’? arms, it was young Rarey’s delight to watch the animal life on the farm. To pet the horses and cows was ever to the boy a keen pleasure. When he could make his way alone to the farm-yard, It was observed that the friskiest colts were docile under the caressing strokes of th,» child’s hand. John was the youngest of seven children. At this period he was the only child at home. The Rarey farm was isolated. Many miles lay l>etween neighbors. Having no youthful playmates, his warm little heart made friends of the chickens, the cows, and the colts. At the age of three years it was his delight to ride astride the plough-horses. One significant incident in the childhood of the “invincible horse-tamer” Xvas frequently related by his mother. It occurred in his fourth year. The family being at the dinner-table, one day, it was discovered that the chair of the youngest was vacant. A servant was sent in quest of the truant. The fields, the barns, the hay-mounds were searched in vain. A terrific scramble was heard, at length, in a gravel roadway near by. To the horror of the distracted houshold, Johnny Rarey was discovered upon the back of the wildest colt on the farm.

Expecting to see tlie child fall to the ground every moment, the father started to his rescue; but to the relief of the household, colt and rider soon reined up in safety at the barn door. When reproved for his conduct, the Infant replied that he and the colt were the best of friends. To convince his father of ids mastery of the colt, he mounted and dismounted, bridled and unbridled the animal, who, io the astonishment of the spectators, submitted to his young mast er’s directions. His control of tlie colt was much talked of in the neighborhood. From that time the young horseman was in great demand to carry messages between the scattered farm-houses. Before his ninth year his reputation for horsemanship in that part of the country was unrivalled.