436 SUBJECTION. ILL USTKATIVE CASES 



of wild and vicious horses. At first his claims were looked upon 

 with suspicion and distrust by horsemen and the public generally ; 

 and only after the most exhaustive and convincing proofs of his 

 truly wonderful nerve and skill were exhibited, was he enabled to 

 establish himself in their confidence. 



" From here he removed to Plainwell, where he met with still 

 greater success, receiving a public testimonial signed by one 

 hundred and fifty of the leading citizens of that place. But it 

 was reserved for Allegan to bring a final test-case. A horse by 

 nature of the most desperate and vicious character was brought 

 in. He had previously killed one man, and crippled several for 

 life, and severely injured many others. He had been owned by 

 Dr. Way, of Otsego, an accomplished and skillful horseman. 



FIG. 293. Allegan "Man-eater." 



" When brought into the ring, the horse exhibited all the pecul- 

 iar traits of his character: his eyes became bloodshot, and gleamed 

 like balls of fire ; he sprang at his trainer like a wild beast, biting, 

 striking, and kicking in the most determined manner, breaking 

 the ropes and stakes, springing upon the seats, and throwing them 

 down, tearing pieces from the center-pole with his teeth, lunging 

 at any person who met his eye, actually screaming with rage 

 when foiled in his attempts to seize his intended victims. Nearly 

 every person was driven from the tent, some in their haste tearing 

 holes in the canvas, and escaping through the roof. It was a truly 

 exciting and desperate struggle of science against strength, which 

 lasted for full three hours, when the fury of the beast gave way 

 before the superior intellect and science of man, and the horse be- 

 came perfectly docile, allowing himself to be handled with ease 

 and safety, triumphantly vindicating the truth and practicability 

 of Prof. Magner's theory. The next day the horse was handled 



