An amazing true story of a man,and a horse that changed the way the world felt about the cruelty to animals,and help launch the First ANIMAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
Beautiful Jim Key
For close to a century, a majestic chapter of American history has been buried in an obscure grave in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Now at last comes the unearthing of the remarkable true saga - Beautiful Jim Key, the one-time ugly duckling of a scrub-colt who became one of the most heralded celebrities of his day – a beloved hero who, together with his teacher, the iconoclastic Dr. William Key, helped launch the modern animal rights movement at the dawn of the 20 th Century.
Famous neither for his beauty nor his speed, the bay stallion captured the hearts of the American public with his exceptional intelligence. Said to have an i.q. equivalent to a human sixth grader, Jim exploded onto the national scene in 1897 by demonstrating inexplicable abilities to read, write, spell, do mathematics, tell time, sort mail, use a cash register and a telephone, cite Bible passages, and debate politics. For the next nine years, he performed in nation-wide expositions and world's fairs to wildly receptive crowds, smashing box office records, overcoming hurdles of prejudice and skepticism, all the while winning rapturous praise from the press and such leaders as President McKinley and Booker T. Washington.
In this spell-binding account, Jim Key's astonishing journey is coupled with that of his trainer and best friend, Dr. William Key – a self-taught veterinarian, former slave, Civil War veteran, prominent Black entrepreneur, and one of the most renowned horse whisperers of his time – a man who shunned all force in training horses, instead relying on kindness. At long last, masterful storyteller and best-selling author Mim Eichler Rivas returns two cultural icons their due, unraveling not only the mystery of their disappearance but examining how, thanks to this rare and intimate relationship between horse and man, championed by promoter and humane activist Albert R. Rogers, a dramatic shift took place in the public mind that made kindness to animals a cornerstone of modern civilization. Unveiled against the backdrop of American history, this is their incredible tale.
Born a slave, Dr. William Key was raised in the household of a kind and giving man. In return for this treatment before the Civil War, Bill protected his master's children throughout the Civil War. Later, he bought back his former master's home and returned it to the family so they could live out their lives in comfort.
Bill Key raised Jim Key with nothing but kindness. Jim's non-aggressive upbringing was a subject of amusement at first and folks belittled Bill Key. But his critics were forced to eat crow when Jim revealed remarkable abilities and Bill made millions.
Soon after his birth, his mother died. Jim refused to be left alone in the stables. Bill took him into his home where he lived as part of the family for the early years of his life. This is similar to the amazing story of Andre The Seal (Rockport, Maine).
Jim Key became a symbol of kindness toward animals and the first champion of the animal rights movement in America.
Dr. Key encouraged audience members to question Jim to show he wasn't tricking them. One afternoon as Jim demonstrated his skill with the cash register, a member of the audience called out, "Can you change two bits?" Jim hesitated. What did he mean "He means a quarter, Jim", said Bill. Jim tossed his mane grandly and pulled out the correct change . The crowd leapt to its feet and applauded.
If your into reading maybe you would enjoy the book. Its for sale now at; Amazon.com for 17.95. Beautiful Jim Key: By Mim Eichler Rivas
Dixie
