BRIDGEPORT—FALL OF ACADEMY—PROVIDENCE—BOSTON—CLASS OF 3,000—LYNN—PURCHASE
OF A RESIDENCE—PORTLAND—BANGOR.
[Illustration: BRIDGEPORT ACADEMY.]
On entering New England, my first stop was at the beautiful town
of Bridgeport, somewhat celebrated as the home of the renowned
sensationalist, P. T. Barnum, who has, during quite an eventful career,
acquired and lost many fortunes. As the winter had not yet passed, I here
erected an academy, which became the scene of an incident which will
forever remain fixed on my memory. The people of Bridgeport turned out
nobly, filling my academy to its utmost capacity, when, hearing a noise,
I looked in the direction whence it proceeded, and, to my horror, saw the
seats falling, with their occupants, precipitating them to the ground! Of
course all for a time was confusion and affright, but, strange to say,
not one of the immense crowd was injured by the accident.
After the excitement had somewhat subsided, I proceeded to form a class,
which numbered about three hundred, who seemed delighted with the
knowledge they acquired under my instructions.
When my labors had ended I took an opportunity to view the town, and
was greatly interested in visiting some of its principal manufactories.
Amongst these one of special note is the immense establishment for the
manufacture of the Howe Sewing Machines, said to be one of the largest in
the world.
I subsequently visited Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, where I
found it necessary to build another academy, which I erected very near
the public thoroughfare of the city. At this place my most sanguine
expectations were realized, as I met with signal success; nearly one
thousand persons became members of my class, and the financial results
were greatly beneficial to me, as at this time my expenses were great.
My troupe consisted of some eight men and twelve horses, the expenses
of which were large, besides the cost of extensively advertising, that
I might give wider publicity to a system which had gained general favor
wherever it was known.
The far-famed city of Boston was my next resting-place. Here, as at other
places, I found it necessary to exhibit in an academy, and, having fitted
it up, I entered on my work with renewed hope and energy, believing, from
the usefulness and practicability of my system of educating the horse,
that a failure was impossible. Nor was I disappointed; the shrewd minds
of the Bay State saw the value of the knowledge I imparted, and, cheered
on by growing favor, I put forth every effort, and was rewarded by the
most gratifying success, as my class reached the large number of three
thousand persons.
With the close of my labors in Boston the winter had passed away, and
I decided on a trip reaching northward as far as Portland, in Maine,
making short stops at the several towns between Boston and that place,
first stopping at a beautiful town called Lynn, where I purchased a nice
family residence, a good representation of which is given in the cut.
In this charming town and its vicinity there is much to attract
and please the visitor. Among the favorite resorts is a delightful
watering-place known as Nahant Beach, to which, during the summer,
thousands come to enjoy the invigorating breezes of the ocean. Here the
invalid seeks the coveted boon of health, while the healthy come to
reinvigorate their systems. Mrs. Pratt and myself christened the place
the “green spot of earth,” as often, attended by our servants, we drove
in our carriage around the beach, for the time forgetting the toils of
the past, and almost fancying ourselves in the land of Paradise.
[Illustration: NAHANT BEACH RESIDENCE.]
I may be allowed, at this point, to give a letter addressed to me by a
well-known gentleman, a citizen of that pleasant town.
LYNN, _July 12, 1872_.
PROF. O. S. PRATT.
_Dear Sir_: I regret your departure from our city. I have
received a great benefit by joining your school. Your system
of educating horses is far ahead of any now in use. I belong
to Rockwell’s class. In nothing has there been greater
improvement. Its advantage is its simplicity. In no exhibition
during your short stay have I failed to find some new point.
There is no deception, no trickery, no unfairness. What you say
I’ve found you willing to back up with your money; your goods
are no humbug. Why will people be so skeptical. People ask me
every day, “Can you do it?” My answer is, “Yes.” Why sir, I
would not take five hundred dollars for what I’ve learned of
your system.
If people would be more willing to join your class and get
the system, we should have less accidents by that noblest of
animals, the horse. When you were educating Lannan’s horse
the other evening, a skeptic stood by my side. I said, “Pratt
will drive that horse to-morrow.” Says he, “I’ll bet a hundred
dollars he won’t.” He put his hand in his pocket, attempting to
draw his wallet. I caught his hand, saying to him, “If you’ve
friends enough here to raise $5,000, it shall be covered, that
he will drive him to-night.” I am not a betting man, though.
The gentleman went into his boots. You have not a pupil, I know
of, but is willing to back you, as far as able, in anything you
say you will do with any horse.
God speed you in the right.
Yours truly,
CHARLES D. TILTON.
After the pleasure season had passed, I again betook myself to my
profession, and, once more upon the road, I stopped at several towns,
giving public exhibitions and forming classes, until I reached Portland,
which place I entered about the first of August, 1872. Here we set our
stakes and spread our canvas, giving, as usual, public exhibitions, and
organizing a class of about two hundred persons. Many vicious horses were
here brought to me, that on them the merits of my system might be tested,
all of which I handled to the satisfaction, and, I may safely say, the
admiration of the class who witnessed their education.
Next, placing my troupe and animals on a steamer, I passed by sea to the
city of Bangor, the most populous in the State of Maine. Here I made
arrangements with the officers of the Agricultural Society, by which
I secured the Fair Grounds, where I erected a spacious pavilion, and
at once commenced operations. It was soon evident that I had secured
the favor of the people, as I was largely patronized. While there I
made arrangements with Dr. Tewksbury to handle his imported stallion,
“Anfield,” who was notorious for his vicious propensities, extending
even to the shedding of human blood, he having fought many battles, and
always had come off victorious. Although my fame had spread far and wide,
and I had educated many vicious horses, yet, had I not possessed implicit
confidence in the virtues of my system, I would have declined; but,
prompted and encouraged by my previous successes, I decided to handle
him on my arrival at Lewiston, Maine, which would be about the first of
September.
While at Bangor I received a letter from the President of the Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as follows:
BANGOR, Me., _September 28, 1872_.
PROF. O. S. PRATT.
_My Dear Sir_: I am happy to acknowledge your superior system
of Horse Education, which deserves the commendation of all who
desire the improvement of that beautiful and useful animal.
Your system does not inflict torture or cruelty, but subdues
and teaches him, and in my opinion it is only to be seen and
learned to be universally adopted.
I take much pleasure in recommending it to the notice of all
who have the care and management of horses.
Very respectfully,
J. D. WARREN,
Pres. Soc. for P. of C. to Animals.