Flashback - 1904

At the St. Louis World's Fair, people eagerly awaited the performances of Beautiful Jim Key, an astute scrub colt dubbed "The Most Wonderful Horse in the World." His trainer, "Doctor" William Key, a former slave and self-taught veterinarian, asked for the names of audience members. At each name, Jim Key would trot over to a rack of cards, pick up the letters and take them to another rack to be displayed in order. He was billed as the fair's top moneymaker and, despite skeptics, drew thousands to his shows. Key said he used only kindness, patience and rewards to teach Jim to read, spell, recognize money and do basic arithmetic. The horse's popularity helped solidify the worldwide animal rights movement and is now the subject of a new book, Beautiful Jim Key: The Lost History of a Horse and a Man Who Changed the World, by Mim Eichler Rivas.