A CELEBRATED DOG.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 43, 24 October 1891, Page 523

A CELEBRATED DOG.

A celebrity amongst English dogs, the well known ‘ Railway Jack,’ died recently, aged thirteen, at the house of his master, Mr Moore, Mayfield, Sussex. Mr Moore was for ■ many years station-master at Lewes, and his dog was known far and wide as a constant traveller by rail. He began when quite young by taking short trips on the L. B. and S.C. line; then he went up and down to town, and eventually extended his travels south as far as Exeter, and north to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Once, I believe, he went to Paris, but he always found his way back to Lewes. A favourite stopping-place was Norwood Junction Station where he had many friends amongst the officials; and it was at Norwood, some years ago, that poor Jack met with the bad accident which entailed the loss of one of his fore legs. On that occasion—l had the account from one of the porters—Jack for the first time, tried to reach the down platform for Lewes by crossing the line. It was his habit to go down the stairs and through the subway like an ordinary traveller ; but on this occasion he was foolhardy, took the short cut, was caught by a passing train and badly hurt. The porter also told me that Jack was never known to take a wrong train. How he knew the right one was a mystery ; but when, just to test his knowledge, he was put into one not bound for Lewes, he used to jump out again, wagging his tail as though to say, ‘ You can’t take me in.’ The late Lady Brassey introduced • Jack ’ to the Prince and Princess of Wales at Eastbourne, and from Her Royal Highness he received a pretty collar with an inscription. He had no less than three collars and a silver medal. At Cowes he was introduced to Prince and Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar, and wherever he went he was a favourite ; his manners were so gentle, and he was so bright and intelligent. Since his accident he never made a journey alone.