Chapter III

VISIT TO MONTROSE—LARGE CLASS AT SCRANTON—DIPLOMA—WILKESBARRE—ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION—COMPLIMENTARY NOTICE—TESTIMONIAL.

As the winter had now set in I found it necessary, on reaching the beautiful town of Montrose, to lay aside my tent. At this place I received so enthusiastic a reception that I was induced to erect a large academy, of capacity sufficient to contain at least one thousand persons. I remained at Montrose about three weeks, my efforts meeting with such appreciation that my class numbered five hundred and two persons, amongst whom were many who became my warm friends, and whose cordial greetings and good wishes attended me on my departure from the town.

My course next led me to the flourishing city of Scranton, at which place I received a cordial reception, and formed the acquaintance of many noble-hearted men. I at once entered on the duties of my profession, and early found that my system was appreciated, the class which I here gathered numbering four hundred and four members. On the last day of my stay in Scranton my class presented me with what I may justly call a diploma, in the following complimentary language:

The undersigned, citizens of Scranton, Luzerne County, Pa.,
take this method of assuring all whom it may concern of the
practicability, as well as the certainty, with which the most
vicious and dangerous habits so common to the horse can be
overcome by Prof. O. S. Pratt’s system of training, in evidence
of which we cite but one or two of the numerous cases which
have come under our observation as members of his class: A
kicking horse, owned by Jos. Utley, of Greenfield, and brought
twenty-two miles, was handled about twenty-five minutes, after
which he was driven from the arena with the vehicle rattling
behind his heels. This horse would bite, strike and kick. A
vicious mule, that could not be shod, and had to be brought
to him by force, being chained between two other mules, after
being handled by the Professor about forty minutes, was
perfectly subdued, and his feet could be handled with safety.
On the last day of his exhibition here, a horse ran away near
the amphitheatre, who proved to be a most ferocious kicker. The
owner was induced by a number of his class to let the Professor
handle him, and after twenty minutes’ training he was driven
out of the tent, the whole length of the street, with the cart
rattling against his heels, without manifesting the slightest
disposition to repeat his unruly conduct.

These, and numerous other evidences, we think, are sufficient
to entitle Prof. Pratt to the encouragement and patronage of
all interested in the management of the horse.

This testimonial was followed by the names of seventy-six prominent members of the class, headed by the mayor of the city, Hon. E. S. M. Hill, and embracing many of the leading citizens of Scranton.

After leaving that thriving city, I passed over a beautiful country for a distance of twenty-five miles, until I reached the town of Wilkesbarre, situated in the Susquehanna Valley. Through this city flows one of the most beautiful of all the charming rivers which adorn our land. The pencil of the artist and the pen of the tourist have often been employed in sketching its picturesque charms and extolling its matchless beauty. At this important town my success surpassed any previously attained. The exhibitions of my power over the horse, and of my simple yet certain method of instructing and controlling him created wide-spread interest and excitement. Ministers, doctors and lawyers, together with others of the most respectable classes of society, thronged my academy. The press resounded with the praises of my system, and with many who learned my plan of educating the horse the interest rose to enthusiasm. A leading paper of the place, referring to my consenting to prolong my visit, used the following language:

Prof. Pratt announces that he will remain in this place two
weeks longer, agreeably to the wishes of the very large
class which he has formed here. The Professor’s success in
this county has been of a most gratifying character, and yet
not more than has been fully deserved. In Waverly his class
numbered one hundred and twenty-nine in five days; Scranton
furnished a class of four hundred and one in thirteen days,
and Wilkesbarre, thus far, has given him three hundred and
twenty-three seekers after information in relation to the horse
and his management. The Professor is a perfect adept in the art
which he assumes to teach.

As that article announced, in view of the popular interest, I prolonged my stay in Wilkesbarre, and I have the pleasant recollection that over FIVE HUNDRED persons there secured the knowledge of properly educating the horse, and before taking my leave I was presented with a diploma that would have cheered the heart of a statesman. The following, from A. Ricketts, Esq., will show how even incredulity was convinced, and strongly-rooted prejudices were overcome:

WILKESBARRE, PA., _April 23, 1869_.

DEAR SIR: Permit me to introduce Prof. O. S. Pratt, teacher of
doubtless the best system of horse-training yet discovered,
and to add my unqualified recommendation of the same to any of
you that may care to know how to be master of the horse. When
Prof. Pratt first came here, I, in common with others, passed
and repassed his amphitheatre daily, thinking no more of it
than that it was something pertaining to horse-jockeyship,
and therefore did not think it worth while to turn aside to
see the “free exhibition” he advertised; but one day the
representations of a friend induced me to purchase a ticket for
his instructions. I was at once so impressed with the utility
of the system that I advised all my friends to become members
of his class. The satisfaction expressed by all gave me full
reason to be glad that I had adopted this course, which, by
the way, was adopted on the principle of doing to others as
I would they should do to me. I thought I had found a good
thing, and wished others to share it. It is upon the same
principle that I write this letter, for I know of nothing so
well calculated to prevent cruelty to this excellent animal,
the horse, as the general diffusion of the knowledge of his
proper management. The simplicity and practicability of Prof.
Pratt’s system are among its chief recommendations, being such
that any ordinary man of common-sense can practice it as well
as the Professor, and without costly appliances. Our best and
leading men here became members of his class, and I have heard
but one opinion, and that of approbation.

You will find Prof. Pratt courteous and gentlemanly, and,
should you become a member of his class, I doubt not you will
agree with me that the trifling cost of his tickets is a very
small consideration for the benefits received.

_Very respectfully_,

A. RICKETTS