The prospect at iirst was discouraging. Contributions came in 

 slowl}', and 3000 printed circulars which had been sent through the 

 mail appeared to have gone into the waste basket iniread. The Directors, 

 however, were optimistic, and when Mr. Lawrence, the President of the 

 Association, deposited a thousand dollar bond with the Treasurer, as a 

 guaranty fund, they felt sure of ultimate success. Gradually, too, the 

 owners of work-horses awoke to the situation, and when the entries 

 closed the}' were found to number four hundred and fifty-four. The 

 parade was a triumphant success. Over $500 were distributed in prizes, 

 in addition to the rosettes, and some special prizes were also awarded, 

 one in particular to old King Coal, a famous black horse of great size 

 and beauty, belonging to the Metropolitan Coal Company. This horse 

 headed the procession, which extended over nearly four miles, and was 

 witnessed with enthusiasm by a large crowd of spectators. 



The interest shown by the drivers in the parade can fairly be 

 described as intense. They appeared to care little or nothing for the 

 money which the winners received — what they were thinking of was 

 the possible honor to be bestowed upon their horses; and most of them, 

 when they approached the reviewing stand where the prizes were 

 awarded, were observed to be pale with apprehension. Roughly speak- 

 ing, ever}' other man received a prize, and yet, as the Association found 

 to its sorrow, many of the drivers were grievously disappointed at the 

 failure of their horses to obtain a ribbon. 



Soon after the first parade the Association was incorporated under 

 the laws of Massachusetts; this being done under the direction and at 

 the expense of C. S. Rackemann, Esq., to whose legal and practical judg- 

 ment the Association i^ greatly indebted. 



The second parade, held May 30, 1904, was substantially a duplicate 

 of the first except that it was larger, and except also that additional prizes 

 were offered for Veteran Drivers, and for Old Horses. 



The Veteran Driver prize, a silver medal contributed by the 

 American Humane Education Society, through G. T. Angell, Esq., was 

 intended for that driver in the parade who could show the longest term 

 of service with one concern. The medal was won by Mr. P. Carney, a 

 driver for the Metropolitan Coal Company, and its predecessor in the 

 business, with a record of thirty-nine years. The large chestnut horse 

 driven by Mr. Carney also took a blue ribbon, and both man and horse 

 may still be seen, almost every working day, delivering coal on Beacon 

 Hill. 



