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Prince Imperial     Prince Imperial, the Percheron horse shown here, was born in the stables of Napoleon III of France in 1865.  Jacob Howser, a Marion County farmer, imported the horse in 1868.  The horse was especially handsome, and its mane and tail grew to an unusual length.  Howser showed Prince Imperial at fairs throughout the midwest. 
    Prince Imperial died about 1890.  Howser had the horse's body stuffed and continued to show it around the region. 
    This photograph was taken about 1920.  Jacob Howser's sons, William and Benjamin, are posed with Prince Imperial.  Prince Imperial is now on exhibit at The Marion County Historical Society Museum.