Chapter VIII

BRIDGEPORT—FALL OF ACADEMY—PROVIDENCE—BOSTON—CLASS OF 3,000—LYNN—PURCHASE OF A RESIDENCE—PORTLAND—BANGOR.

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.

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.