Clover, The Oldest Horse In The World

 
Clover, The Oldest Horse In The World
Lived in Catawissa Pa

"At the age of sixteen he was just a horse with his  greatest days apparently behind him and with little about his pain-racked frame to indicate that he had won almost a score of races cm the dirt tracks of neighboring New York-state In much palmier days - But the greatest and by far the happiest days for the animal were ahead of him lie lived for almost two score years after that to attain an ago of almost fifty-three to be heralded as the oldest horse in the world to ride I short-in state-up New York's Broadway to attract thousands to Madison Square Garden : and to become' an attraction! for which Ringling Brothers offered $10000 for one season of travel." - Bloom Press, 1940

The Rev. Dr Urian Myers served as pastor in New York State, and at Turbotville PA, before taking the pastorate at St Matthew Church in Catawissa in 1883. Four years after taking the job, he found he needed a horse to travel around and visit his congregation.

Meyer's cousin, E.J. Walker of Philadelphia, owned Clover at the time. 

"I bought Clover in 1884," said Edwin J. Walker of Philadelphia. Four years later I sold him — practically gave him — to Doctor Myers, my cousin, who promised him a home for life and used him in his pastoral work. 

Clover is a dark bay, 16 hands, of Hambletonlan stock. He's a double-gaited horse — trots and swings into a pace. 

I often drove him over the Wisahicken drive to wagon or sleigh and used to win the basket of wine offered in the old days to the first to reach Fairmount Inn. "

The Reverand nursed the horse back to health, and the faithful steed carried Dr Meyers and his wife hundreds of miles over the countryside, including many visits to the Bloomsburg fair.

In 1919, the Rev. Dr Meyers retired from the ministry, with a pension of $33 a month.  In an interview, the couple admitted the pension was meagre, but that they had decided to "share their last crust with Clover" rather than do away with the animal who had served them so faithfully for more than a third of a century."

Friends of Rev. Meyers then endeavored to get Clovers story into the press, hoping to solicit support for the Reverends Clovers story was published in newspapers, veterinary journals, and horseman magazines all around the country.

The appeals worked. 

 First Lady Florence Harding sent a $100 donation (about $1700 in todays money) to the retired minister, noting :“sense of justice and gratitude and faithfulness which impels you to sacrifice your comfort rather than kill a splendid horse.” 

The press ridiculed and criticized  the First Lady.  A socialist paper, the New York Call wrote: “…a horse has no soul, he has no appreciation of art or music or literature … If the $100 had not come, the worst that could have happened to him would have been a quick death by shooting. But those workers who have done their work and are cast aside, they are condemned to live, and their sentence is for life.”

Others who sent contributions included the King of The British Empire, and the Queen of the Belgians.

And that was not the only criticism.  Many insisted that Clover could not be the noted racehorse, and that it was unheard of for a horse to live to the age of 50. 

 Expert horsemen and noted veterinarians were brought in to examine the horse.  It was their opinion that he was indeed a horse of extremely advanced age.

On May 6th  1922, Clover  went to New York.  There he appeared at the  First Annual Fashion Exposition For The Benefit Of Masonic Hospital Activities : Madison Square Garden New York City May 8 To 13 1922.

On June 28th 1922, Clover was displayed for one day only at the McWilliam Department store "Clover Day Sale" in Wilkes Barre.

He traveled by Pennsylvania Railroad on a special express car No 3612.

"Dr. Myers is reticent about exhibiting "Clover." and although he hs turned down many flattering offers from all part of the country, he has consented that "Clover" should come to this city, where he will be shown in the McWilllam store without cost to those who desire to see this remarkable animal. Dr. Myers and two attendants will accompany "Clover." .

 Two thousand farmers of Luzerne County and all lovers of  horses have been personally Invited by Mr. McWilliam to inspect "Clover" on Wednesday. The horse will be exhibited for one day only."

In the Summer of 1922, the Good Shephard Home Orphanage Band posed with Clover, while in Catawissa.  They posed for a second time with the horse and its owner, on a second tour in 1923.

The Orphanage, which catered almost exclusively to handicapped children, specifically those with leg braces or crutches, sent their band out on tour each summer to play at fairs and other civic events. This was a common practice of all orphanages of the time, with them selling commemorative postcards while on tour, to help raise money.    

In April of 1923, Dr Meyers turned down a $10,000 offer from Barnum & Bailey, saying it would be too much stress for Clover to travel with them.

February 1924

Clover died on April 27th 1924

He was just a few weeks shy of 53 years old.

His body was taken to the American Museum of Natural History to be studied, and his skull would be exhibited there.

Rev. Uriah Meyers died on April 1 1932, at the age of 85.

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Horse Aged 51 Astonishes the World

Shoals IN News, 

Ma 26 1922

All the world of horse-lovers is talking about Clover, a Hanibletonian trotting horse. Why? Because Clover is alive and hearty at fifty-one years of age — which is believed to be a world record. Clover's owner is the Rev. Dr. Uriah Meyers, seventy-five, former pastor of St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran church of Catawissa. Pa. The reverend gentleman, retired on a pension, had become so poor that it looked as if he and Clover would have to part. The New York World got hold of the story of man and horse. Financial and other aid for both man and horse was the immediate result of publicity. And how the horsemen are talking about Clover! 

"I bought Clover in 1884," said Edwin J. Walker of Philadelphia. Four years later I sold him — practically gave him — to Doctor Myers, my cousin, who promised him a home for life and used him in his pastoral work. Clover is a dark bay, 16 hands, of Hambletonlan stock. He's a double-gaited horse — trots and swings into a pace. I often drove him over the Wisahicken drive to wagon or sleigh and used to win the basket of wine offered in the old days to the first to reach Fairmount Inn. He could trot in 2:17, and when he was forty two I drove him a quarter in 36 seconds. He was always "babied"; that accounts for his age, I suppose. He still has his teeth and his eyes are good; he knows me every time I visit Mr. Myers. I had Clover's pedigree, but lost it. He raced under another name."

Horse experts the world over agree that fifty-one years is an unheard-of age for a horse — any kind of a horse on four legs. Kingston, the famous American thoroughbred, achieved additional fame by living to twenty-eight. A Canadian horse is known to have lived to the age of at least thirty-eight. An English pony is stated to have lived to be thirty-nine.

Mr. Myers is said to be a "natural born horseman" and has given Clover the best of care. Possibly Clover's fame may be great. Horsemen think he should be exhibited.