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Show Former "Goose King," 81, Says He Shod His Flock Mansfield, 111. William H. Firke. eighty-one years old. one-tlnie "goose king," whose name has graced menu cards of some of the nation's best hotels. Is living quietly on his farm a half mile northwest of here. In 1017 Firke gained his title when he fattened 50,0m peese and sold them to fancy poultry markets of the East. On one Sunday S.OrM visitors called at his farm to see his army of geese. He Is famous for bis many stories of exploits, the best being that about the time he provided a llock with shoes In order to mnrch thorn overland from bis farm In Tennessee to a railroad 07 miles nway. To protect their feet, he conceived the Idea of "shooing" them. Accordingly, he poured a quantity of pitch tar, heated Into a seiul-llquld ptnte, onto the floor of his poultry houses. Then he drove his geese Into the houses, where they waddled about In the mixture for a few minutes, nnd then emerged properly "shod" for their lone Journey. |