The grandest runaway of horses, with the least damage done, considering the number engaged, that ever was known in this vicinity, took place last Friday, on Lucy Hallett's farm. A few years ago her son, Howard Hallett, built a small frame house about a quarter of a mile from the old home, and since the death of his father, decided to move it down there. He placed timbers under it, intending to draw it as on a sled, by horses. He employed fourteen span of horses with their drivers, hitched seven span to each corner of the house, and started.
All went well until they got into the orchard, a little more than half the distance, when it began to rain, and made the ground so slippery, that on a down grade the house got under more headway than they expected. The men who were assisting in keeping the house in position, could do nothing with it, and the drivers seeing their danger, could do nothing but whip up their teams to try to keep out of the way. It finally brought up against a tree and would have caught one of Christopher Pfaff's horses had he not yelled with all his might, "Get out of there Dave, what are you doing!" and Dave gave one leap, missed the tree and stripped himself of the harness. Eleven span broke loose from the house, and all but two got away from their drivers. It was a terrible scene for a few minutes, horses frightened and tangled, and the men in confusion, being thrown down and trampled under their feet; no one expected to see them all come out alive, but they did, and with no very serious injuries either. Three men, Philander Alden, John Hildon and Ben Hoaller were bruised considerably, but no bones broken. fortunately none of the horses were badly hurt either. A veteran soldier, who was present, said it reminded him of stampedes he had seen among artillery horses on the battle field.
No comments:
Post a Comment