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ife with the trotters

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LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS

BY

JOHN SPLAN,

WITH A CIAPTER ON

HOW GOLDSMITH MAID AND DEXTER
WERE TRAINED.

(From Information furnished by Mr. Bupp Dosis.)

PRICE, THREE DOLLARS.

CHICAGO:
H. T. WHITE, Eprror anp PUBLISIER.

1889.

Order from the Publisher, H. T. WHITE, Lock Box 270, Chicago, Il.
V.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in tne Year 1889, by
HENRY TEN EYCK WHITE anv AMANDA SPLAN,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

hes f 7 2

UTI ROR several years it has been apparent that a book
having to do with the present history of the trotting
3 turf would be welcomed and appreciated by a vast
"constituency who take an active interest in the light-
harness horse; and this volume has been prepared
with that fact in mind. Of the men who have
written what appears in its pages, little need be said.
Budd Doble’s name is known wherever the trotting
horse has been heard of; his ability has never been
questioned, and he stands to-day nearer, perhaps, to the
American public than any other man in his profession.
John Splan is an artist in the sulky, a man of positive genius
in the matter of driving a horse, while his wonderful memory,
keen appreciation of what is interesting to the public, and
entertaining way of relating it, combine to make his portion of the
book of exceptional interest and value. Mr. Dunbar, in addition to
being a trainer and driver of the first rank, possesses an analytical
mind of the highest type, and that his literary style is at once simple
and fascinating, the readers of this book will, | am sure, admit. That
his chapters on the training and management of young trotters are
the most valuable in the book, is my deliberate judgment.

| desire to in this public manner express my obligations to
Messrs. Doble and Dunbar for the more than generous manner in
which they have shown their friendship for me, by contributing to
this volume matter which money could not have secured, and without
which the work would have been of far less value.

Mr. Robert Bonner, who has done more than any other man to
elevate the trotting turf, and who has made it possible for a business
man to own a trotter, either for road or track use, without his standing
in the commercial or social world being impaired thereby, | would
thank for the encouragement and endorsement he gave me at a time
when such action was of more value than money could possibly have
been.

For unsolicited acts of friendliness that can be but partially
repaid by an acknowledgment of this character, | am indebted
to Messrs. R. A. Bower, John R. Walsh, and C. H. Durphy, of
Chicago.

H. T. WHITE,

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Boyhood days at Little Falls, N. Y.—Running away from home and reach-
ing the Buffalo track—Pelham Tartar, my first trotter—Something
about the stallion Byron—How old-time trotters were trained—Pilot
Temple, Tackey, and Dixie—The pacer Billy Boyce—A trip to Cuba—
I return to New York City and go to work for Dan Mace—‘“ Lucy
Jimmy” teaches me to rub a trotter—Tempest and her fevered feet—
Starting out on my own account as a trainer—My first race and the
glory thereof—Lady Saulpaugh and her races~—The great match at
Paterson, N, J.—Fun on Staten Island. 3 : : . 5

CHAPTER II.

Kansas Chief, first a cattle herder, then ridden by a gentleman, and next a 2:30
trotter—His feet fail and he is given away after being sold for $7,500—
Traded to Mr. Simmons, he comes into my hands—How his feet were
treated—A great campaign from the lakes to the seaboard—Don’t trot
your horse when he is out of condition—Kansas Chief’s last races—How
Dan Mace discovered Rarus—A talk in the hotel at night—The story of a
game, handsome, and honest horse. : : ‘ E ; : 28

CHAPTER III.

Rarus, the first trotter to beat 2:14—How he was bred and raised by a Long
Island farmer—The old gentleman thought by his neighbors to be too
enthusiastic about the colt—His first race on the Island—How he came
into my hands, after making a record of 2:2034—A successful trip through
the central circuit, winning all his races but one—How Jim Crawford
fooled the pool buyers—Going West and beating the famous Bodine—
Entering Rarus in a race against the crack trotters of the land... 53

il CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV.

Rarus wins his first race against the crack trotters of the country—A private
trial in fast time over the Fleetwood track—The trip to California with
Goldsmith Maid—Another fast mile in private, and a refusal of $45,000 for
the gelding—Andy Daniels and the cattle raiser at Chico—Inside facts
about the race in which Rarus beat Goldsmith Maid—Coming East again
and lowering his record to 2:16—The wonderful race against Great Eastern
at Fleetwood Park, : ‘ ‘ : A : i . . 82

CHAPTER V.

How Rarus was wintered at Cleveland—Barred from the free-to-all races in the
summer of 1878—He trots in 2:14 at Cleveland—Uncle Ben Wright’s
unlucky bets—The record lowered to 2:1314 at Buffalo—A great race at.
Hartford—Gus Glidden and Edwin Forrest—Trouble at Minneapolis, and
a great wagon performance at Chicago—Another trip to California—An
accident in the stable, and what the veterinary said—Trotting in 2:13814 to
save Mr. Conklin’s $10—The sale to Mr. Robert Bonner, etc. . 112

CHAPTER VI.

The pacer Johnston, and the manner in which he was trained to beat all the
records—A nervous, fretful horse that would not feed well—Treatment at.
Cincinnati during the winter months—Slow work in the spring—Speed
comes gradually—Dave Colross turns up in the nick of time, and takes.
care of the horse—A mile in 2:10 at Milwaukee, and then 2:06) at.
Chicago—Mattie Hunter, Sweetser, Gem, and other famous pacers. 146.

CHAPTER VII.

The story of the fast, game and reliable stallion Wedgewood—A_ horse that.
had a succession of hard races during his career—Going close to 2:20 the
first time he started--Desperate contests in the mud at St. Louis and Cin-
cinnati, and a glorious victory at Washington—Down the central circuit
the next season, winning every race in which he started—A peculiar horse
to train and drive—What came of trying to please a friend—Laying up
heats, and sparring with the judges as well as the other drivers—A well-
told tale of a great horse’s campaign from the lakes to the sea. 5 172.

CHAPTER VIII.

Trotters with romantic histories that I have driven—The gray gelding Charley
Ford, that was first a turf outlaw, then madearecord of 2:162; was valued
at $15,000, and finally sold for $300—Ford’s match with the stallion Bone-
setter, and how he was trained for it—He is the only horse that ever won

CONTENTS.

a heat from Maud §.; the story of the incident—The great race at Chicago
with Haunis, where “the talent” was on the wrong side—Adelaide, a
little mare that had one remarkable peculiarity; no matter how hot the
day, or severe the race, she would not sweat—Drawing wood into Water-
town, N. Y., by the side of her dam, she is purchased by a horseman and
makes a record of 2:198—A pony in size and weight, she beats some of the
best horses in the country, every ounce of her being race-horse material—
Planter and his good qualities—The wonderful affection of the trotter Bay
for an old white horse. z : < F : < ‘ ‘ 193

CHAPTER IX,

How Maud §. trotted in 2:08%, as seen by the man who drove a runner
alongside of the mare—What Splan knows of Guy, the sensational trotter
of 1888—Driving him to a road-cart in 2:174, the horse being barefoot—The
story of how Colonel West discovered Kentucky Prince, the sire of Guy—
Trotters are born, not made—Jay-Eye-See’s good races down the circuit.
in 1887, beating Arab, the crack trotter of the year—Clingstone’s, race
against the watch in 2:14—His great victory over Harry Wilkes at Detroit—
How he was trained for this race and driven in it. : : . 215

CHAPTER X.

Nobby, the most peculiar horse Splan ever drove; a wild, scary fellow that had
a wonderful flight of speed—The race at Cleveland in. which Nobby
peat a lot of cracks—Mr. David Bonner’s well-remembered compliment—
Stuffing a horse’s ears with cotton, and some incidents connected with the
practice—Needle Gun, and the trouble he made on a ferry boat—W. J.
Gordon’s horses, his breeding farm, and his character as a man— Chat
about what certain drivers have done with particular families of horses —
Protection’s great race against J. B. Richardson. 5 : a 245

CHAPTER XI.

Other drivers who have made a name in connection with certain families of
horses—Morrill Higbee and the Sprague strain of blood—Frank Van Ness
with Harry and Rosaline Wilkes—Jock Bowen, and how he fooled some
people who imagined that he could not drive a pacer well—Horace Brown
comes from a family of practical horsemen—Billy Weeks an excellent,
rider, as well asa good reinsman—Charles Marvin the man whe has brought
out nearly all the fast sons and daughters of Electioneer—Some facts about
Governor Stanford’s venture in the breeding of trotters—Pluck has a
good deal more to do with success than luck—Governor Stanford in some
respects like Gencral Grant—A colt of his breeding sold for $50,000. 272

iv CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XII.

How to train the trotter and keep him in good fettle—His mouth the first thing
to be looked after—An experience with Fanny Witherspoon—Don’t pulla
horse, and he will not pull you—Overfeeding and ils consequences—Give
water at all times—The groom must be neat in appearance and not a drink-
ing man—Too many blankets a bad idea—Some points about boots—The
use of pads and sponges—Mambrino Sparkle’s bad feet, and the great races
she trotted—Why clipping is beneficial—Work in the early spring —Teach-
ing trotters to score well—Sulkies, road-carts, timing-watches, etc. 298

CHAPTER XIII.

Work a horse with the watch, but don’t try to make him beat it—Doble and
Goldsmith Maid—The pacer Johnston never worked out at top speed—
One speeding each week is ordinarily suflicient—Preparations for a race—
Deportment on the track—How to talk to the judges—Laying up heats an
important matter—How to drive after the word is given—A case of bad
judgment in a postponed race—Shipping horses from point to point—The
training and management of trotting stallions. 3 ‘ : . 824

CHAPTER XIV.

Calmar, a horse that needed only proper shoeing to improve his record eight
seconds and make him win good races—His gallant fight with Woodford
Chief at Cincinnati—A kind word for George A. Baker, once a promi-
nent figure on the trotting turf—How Lady DeJarnette was given a fast
record by changing her check-rein—Hints to owners of horses—Wilson’s
race in which he went a mile in 2:16}, and the mistakes that caused him to
be defeated—Sufficient preparation is what makes good campaigners, while
lack of work results disastrously—Fred Folger’s career an illustration of
this—Why Budd Doble put tips on Jack the day before the $10,000 race at
Rochester—The peculiar manner in which Wolford’s Z. was shod and how
it improved him—The pacer Argyle, and the trotter Colonel Lewis—Trot-
ters affected in a marked degree by changes of climate—Little Gypsy’s
great race at Cleveland—Pen sketckes of noted characters on the trotting
turf. : . . - 3 : F ‘ : i 350

CHAPTER XV.

The trotting interest one that extends throughout the land and is growing every
year—Famous road riders of New York City and elsewhere—Commodore
Vanderbilt’s present to his spiritual adviser—Robert Bonner and his sons,
the Rockefellers, Mr. Frank Work, and others—Men in other cities who
love the trotter for the pleasure and health they derive from driving—Some

CONTENTS. Vv

hints about the purchase and care of a road horse—Decide just what you
want the animal for, and then use him for that purpose only—Don’t expect
your gardener to also be capable of taking good care of your road horses—A.
few practical suggestions that will commend themselves to all owners of
horses. A : ‘ : . : : : ; é ‘ ‘ 377

CHAPTER XVI.

Budd Doble writes in a chatty and interesting manner of Goldsmith Maid and
Dexter—How the famous brown gelding was placed in his stable by Hiram
Woodruff—The young man’s doubts and fears over the responsibility he
had assumed—Lowering Dexter's record in the first race he drove him, and
becoming more confident—The season ends with a mile in 2:18 under
saddle—Trotting in 2:17% at Buffalo the following year and beating the
world’s record—How the young reinsman felt on that momentous occa-
sion—Dexter is purchased by Mr. Robert Bonner and retired from the
turf—The story of Goldsmith Maid, the champion trotter of her day, and
that for many years was Queen of the Turf—She was rough-gaited when
Mr. Doble got her, and could not beat 2:30—Her first race a disappointment
to him—A new system of training adopted the following spring with good
results—The wonderful intelligence di-played by the Maid both in the
stable and on the track—She knew when a race was coming off and
became terribly excited—Figuring to get the best of her opponents—-Her
wonderful affection for Old Charlie—A happy family of three that was
finally broken up. ‘ A 2 : ‘ . . é . 402

CHAPTER XVII.

The education of trotting-bred colts—Early development, and the reasons there-
for—Fast youngsters the ones that sell well—Colt handliag now a distinct
branch of the trainer’s art—The man who handles a colt must learn to con- ;
trol his temper—Hints about the best time to have foals dropped—Treat-
ment of the mare at this season—Teach the suckling colt that man isa
friend, not an enemy—The story of a veterinarian, and what one experience
taught Dunbar—Putting on the halter—Handle the colt frequently, but do
not lead him much—How to put mares and their foals in a field—Accidents
ona stock farm generally due to carelessness—Management of the mare
and foal in the stable—Turning out the youngsters during their first sum-
mer—Preparations for weaning time that will be found very valuable—
Looking after the appetites of the colts when they have been weaned—
When the work of leading colts alongside of a horse should begin—The
proper method of doing this explained in detail—A straight, covered track
better than a circular one—Colts differ as much in disposition, etc., as
matured horses, and must be treated accordingly—No absolute rule by
whieh to train can be laid down. . : . 3 ; : 420

vi CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVIII.

‘The training of colts gone into in detail—How the breaking harness should be
put on and made use of—Proper adjustment of the lines an important feat-
ure—Teaching the pupil to obey the word of command—The first hitch
to the breaking cart—Don’t have visitors around at this time—Preparing
for the stakes in which the young trotters are entered—Accustom the colt
to other horses, and then speed him a little—Keep your own counsel as to
what is being done—Don’t be alarmed at what you read concerning other
people’s colts—June a good month in which to test your material a little—
The prompting horse should not be allowed to beat the pupil or carry him
too fast—Keep a record of what each animal does and how he does it—No
two colts can be trained exactly alike—The first trial of the most promising
youngsters—A surprise often in store for the trainer at this time—Driving .
on the road occasionally a good plan—The earnest work to be done in August
—Shipping the colts to the place where they are to trot— What to do when
you reach the track—All ready for the first race with the young ae

CHAPTER XIX.

Preparing the colt for the yearling race—Accustoming him to objects about the
track—No training necessary at this stage—Be on time when the race is
called, and don’t keep people waiting—Scoring half a dozen yearling
colts a tedious job— What to do after the word is given—No occasion to be
in a hurry to get the pole—Do your best work on the straight side—How to
drive when you look like a winner in the home stretch—The secret of your
success is in careful and intelligent methods of training—Shipping the
colt home again and preparing him for another race in October—A mile
once in awhile well within his speed—The quality of sulkiness—Some
inside history about the famous trotter Guy—How he went a mile to pole
in 2:17—An exciting experience with Guy when he ran away on a trot,
and stopped only from force of habit—A terrible accident prevented by
the horse’s intelligence—What the writer accomplished in one season by
the methods of training described. : a F ‘ . 440

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

CHAPTER LI

Boyhood Days at Little Falls, N. Y.—Running Away from Home and Reach-
ing the Buffalo Track—Pelham Tartar, my First Trotter—Something
about the Stallion Byron—How Old-Time Trotters were Trained—Pilot
Temple, Tackey, and Dixie—The Pacer, Billy Boyce—A Trip to Cuba—
IT Return to New York City and go to Work for Dan Mace—‘ Lucy
Jimmy ” Teaches me to Rub a Trotter—Tempest and Her Fevered Feet—
Starting out on my Own Account as a Trainer—My First Race and the
Glory Thereof—Lady Saulpaugh and Her Races—The Great Match at
Paterson, N, J.—Fun on Staten Island,

Iwas born at Little Falls, Herkimer County, N. Y., on
the 6th day of May, 1849, and from the time that I can
remember, horses had a fascination for me.

Like most country towns, the one where I first saw the
ligkt had a livery stable, and this one was run by a man
named Mort Bellinger, a good soul, who was not annoyed
if a boy who liked a horse hung around his place. It was
at the Bellinger stable that I got my first ideas of horse-
flesh, and by the time I was seven years old had a fair
notion of a horse. There had been a half-mile track at
Little Falls for a good many years, and Charlie Champlin
was the star of the driving fraternity in that part of the
country then. He used to have trotters at the track, and
they were the first fast horses I ever saw. About this time
my mother found that I was paying a little too much atten-
tion to horses, and insisted on sending me to school. Like
most boys, this plan did not take well with me, and after
three days at school I bolted the track and went home.
Then my mother gave me the alternative of going to school

6 . LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

or being sent toa farmer. I chose the farmer, as I thought
there was a better chance of getting away from there than
there would be from school, and so I went farming with a
man named William Broadwell. He lived near Trenton.
This was in the spring of the year. Rural life disagreed
with me right from the start, there being too much work in
it, and too little time for play. But in spite of this, I
staid with Broadwell about two years; and during that
time, when the county fair came off, I saw the first trotting
race of my life. It was at Trenton, and over a track about
a third of a mile in circumference that was laid out in an
orchard belonging to a man named John Tanner. That
was the first day Leversaw John Murphy, whom everybody
now knows as a driver of trotters. He rode a black horse
under saddle fora man named Douglas against a chestnut
horse that went in harness and was driven by Bob Champ-
lin. The glory of that race decided meas to my future
course. I went home and dreamed of the trotters, but
daren’t talk much about them, as the farmer was a good
deal inclined to religion, and very little to horses.

The following spring I took my bundle and broke away
from the farm, determined to see what there was in life. I
was then about thirteen years old, and my first move was to
drop in on aman named Bowen, who had a son about my
age. Mr. Bowen had the reputation of being the greatest
horse fancier in that part of the country. He bought a
great many horses to ship on to New York. I made myself
generally useful in rubbing and leading the horses about.
It was at this time that the oil excitement broke out in
Pennsylvania, and I went down there to explore the coun-
try and look for a fortune. With the little money I had I
went into a partnership with a man in‘a pair of horses and
a flatboat, drawing oil. There was plenty of money in the
scheme, but it came too slowly for me, so I finally sold out
my interest in the concern and went to New York City.
While there I met a gentleman from Buffalo, who was
interested in a crockery store. This man’s name was George

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. ve

E. Newman, and after a little talk he made me believe
I would make a better crockery merchant than anything
else. The result of that talk was that I accompanied him
to Buffalo to go into his store and learn the business. When
I found that the first step in the life of a crockery merchant
was to carry out portions of the stock in a hand basket, I
shied at the first turn, and that was the end of my life as a
merchant. I asked if there was a race-track in the neigh-
borhood, and was directed to what has since been the famous
mile track at Buffalo. On reaching there, I inquired for
the best trainer, and, fortunately for myself, I was directed
to Mr. John Stevenson. I said to him that I was looking
for a chance to learn to bea driver of trotters. He replied that
my size and age were a little against me, but that if I could
wait he could see no reason why in time I might not succeed.
We struck up a mutual admiration right there, and I laid
down my bundle. Mr. Stevenson took a great interest in
me, and gave me every opportunity to not only learn, but
also to practice driving. I have never forgotten his kind-
ness, and never go near his city without paying him a per-
sonal visit.

The first horse I ever drove was a stallion called Pelham
Tartar, and that belonged to Mr. C. J. Wells, at that time
mayor of Buffalo, and always a stanch friend of the trot-
ting turf. I remember distinctly that I was so small and
short that it was necessary for me to put my feet on the
cross-bar of the sulky, my legs not being long enough to
enable me to reach the stirrups. I don’t think that Mr.
Stevenson ever had a horse on his place that he took as
much pains in training as he did with me. Pelham Tartar
was a handsome brown stallion about sixteen hands high.
He was bred in Canada, and at that time was looked upon
as a very promising horse in the way of a trotter. He was
fine-gaited, perfectly level-headed, and Iremember him, not
only as the first horse of which I had charge, but also as
the first one that I ever drove a mile in three minutes. The
first day I drove Pelham Tartar Mr. Stevenson had out a

8 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

gray mare belonging to Mr. Henry C. Jewett, who has since
then become well known as one of the leading breeders of the
country, and we went a mile in about three minutes. I felt
very proud of my work, as Mr. Stevenson told me that I had
performed as well as he could have done himself. Mr.
Stevenson, probably in order to keep a watchful eye on my
young efforts, gave me the pole and laid on my wheel with
the gray mare during the trip, advising me at different
parts of the mile what to do, and telling me about how well we
were going. If he had not told me it was three minutes I
would have thought it was two, which fact will give an
idea of how little I knew at that time about different rates
of speed, and it also goes to show how exhilarated a man
can become behind a trotter.

I spent that season in Mr. Stevenson’s employ; and
another horse that I sometimes trained was Byron, a chest-
nut stallion by Royal George, that afterward madea record
of 2:25%, and has since sired a number of 2:30 horses, as
well as the dam of the famous filly Susie 8., that trotted
such a grand race at St. Louis in 1887, winning the fourth
heat in 2:20, and stamping herself as the best three-year-old
out that season. Byron was bred in Canada, and was
brought to Buffalo by a livery-stable keeper named Effner,
who in those days managed to get hold of about all the
good horses that camerto the town for sale. He saw that
Byron had some speed, and it was not long before he sold
him to Frank Perew, then as now a solid citizen of Buffalo
and prominent in marine circles, and who has always been
a great admirer of trotters. It was just after Mr. Perew had
bought Byron that the stallion was sent to Mr. Stevenson’s
stable, and in that way came under my observation.

‘The first dollar I ever earned for driving a trotter was
with this horse. One day Mr. Perew came out with a friend
to see Byron, and in the course of some talk he offered to
bet five dollars that I could drive him a mile in 2:40. The
bet was made, and I went out with the horse and drove him
a mile in 2:383. Mr. Perew made me a present of the ten

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 9

dollars, which I thought was a good deal of money. I don’t
think there was ever a time that I was more pleased or felt
richer than at that moment. This was my first experience
in driving a horse against the watch, and since then, with
Rarus, the pacer Johnston, and others, I have traveled from
the Atlantic to the Pacific and from Minnesota to Kentucky,
giving exhibitions of speed with noted animals before au-
diences that sometimes numbered fifty thousand, and fora
great deal of money, and yet the satisfaction of that morn-
ing when I sent Byron around the Buffalo track, hoping he
would do what his owner had deemed him capable of, and
knowing that the performance, if successful, would be a
credit to me, has never been excelled. I have driven Rarus
when the shouts of the people could be heard for blocks
away, and I have seen him come down the home stretch at
Kansas City when the crowd was so great that there was
barely a lane through the mass of human beings for the
horse to trot. I was excited enough then, and also the first
time he beat Goldsmith Maid’s record for me, and since then
T have experienced the feeling of gratification that comes to
a man when he performs some feat in his chosen profession
that shows his ability; but for all that, the mile in 2:38? with
Byron will always be the star drive of my early experiences
in the sulxy.

When the trotting season was over Mr. Stevenson kindly
arranged to send me toschool. Number 16, Delaware street,
was the educational institution at which I made my debut,
and I want to pay tribute right here to Mr. Fullerton, our
principal and teacher, for fii patience with me, for I am
sure that I not only made many a break myself, but also
caused other boys who were naturally steadily inclined, to
do likewise.

After three months at school the days of spring came,
and I went to work with Mr. William King, who had some
colts he wanted jogged. But this was rather slow work for
me, and I soon began to pine for the delights of the race-
track. On stating the case to Mr. King ee agreed with me,

10 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

and I made another change, this time going with Mr. Isaac
Woodruff, brother of the celebrated Hiram Woodruff, and
he also seemed inclined to give me the benefit of his long
experience, and showed me everything that he could in the
way of training and driving atrotter. I rubbed for him the
bay gelding Derby, formerly called Dutchman. This was
the first horse that I had regular charge of to groom; and at
this point it will be of interest to young drivers and boys of
the present generation who have an interest in trotters, as
well as some older heads for whom the same subject has
fascinations, to tell something of the old methods of taking
care of a trotter. In those days there was no training of
colts, and the preparation of a horse for a race was some-
thing that involved months of time, and a terrific strain, not
only on the constitution and legs of the horse, but on the
minds and bodies of everybody connected with him. It was
considered a work of art to bring a trotter to the post for
arace, and really in those days it was necessary to fit a
horse with more care than now, because a trotter was liable
to be called on at any time to go in any kind of a race—
either in harness, under saddle, or to wagon, and to do these
things at one, two, or three miles. In other words, the
trotter of my boyhood days was an animal from which not
only speed was expected, but versatility and a tremendous
amount of endurance.

The way we used to handle an old-time trotter was about
like this: I remember very distinctly that Mr. Woodruff
was an early riser. About four o’clock was his usual
time, and to me that seemed something terrible. Our rou-
tine of work was this: First, the horse was given a light
feed of oats and his morning toilet made. Then he was
taken out and led by the halter for an hour, brought in,
groomed, legs rubbed, and then we had an early breakfast.
After that whatever work he was to do in the way of train-
ing he got then. They gave a horse a great deal more jog-
ging, and much more sweating under blankets and hoods,
and a far greater amount of work in various ways than is

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. IL

now the custom. It was the old-fashioned idea that a horse.
must be reduced in flesh, and they were ‘‘ drawn” more like:
race-horses than at present. For instance, no one thought
of giving a horse water the night before his race. He would.
get a small feed of hay and oats, and then the muzzle was.
put on. On the morning of his race the feed would be re-
duced still more, with very little water, and as a rule the.
horse was given a good deal of work on that morning.
While his race was being trotted he got very little water be-
tween heats. They clothed the trotters in those days much
more than at present, and the rubbing and grooming was
something terrible, both to man and horse. There were
generally two men to every horse, or rather a man and a
boy, the latter being called a helper; and as a rule both
were kept busy from morning till night working around
the horse. I have seen horses made so sore by this.
treatment that they would hardly let you put a hand
on them, and there is no doubt in my mind that in many
instances animals were made vicious, and their otherwise
good tempers and dispositions ruined by this con-
stant friction by rubbing, and working with currycombs,
etc.

At the end of this season I made the acquaintance of Mr.
J. C. Kelly, a resident of Illinois. In the words of Horace:
Greeley, he advised me to go west, and the result was that.
I entered into a contract with him and went to Jacksonville,
Tll., where he had a race-track, a livery stable, and a farm.
My duties were to help him train and drive and make
myself generally useful. I soon found that in Kelly I had
struck areal wide-awake, all-round horse jockey. He bought
and sold a great many horses for the carriage, the road,
and for draught purposes. He could pick out a horse that
was liable to step along some as quick as any man 1 ever
saw, and after he had selected him could make the animal
show what he was capable of. In him I found a man who
seemed glad to give me all the points that would be of use ta

me. Isaw Kelly drive a good many races for a great deal
2

12 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

of money, and I doubt very much whether the boys of the
present day would have much advantage over him. He
afterward located in St. Louis, where I went with him to
the old Abbey track. It was here that I first met some of
the noted horsemen of that day, such as the Carr brothers,
who owned Tackey and Dixie at that time. They were two
gray mares, full sisters, and considered very well-bred ones
for those days, being by Pilot, Jr., and out of a mare by
Bellfounder. They were both first-class race-horses for
what they could do, Tackey being particularly hard to
beat in a long-distance race. Their owners were always
willing to back them against all comers. They were trained
at this time by a man named James Rutherford. The men
who owned the mares have since become prominent citizens
of St. Louis, and Tackey has made herself famous as a
brood mare by producing the stallion Pilot Medium, that is
the sire of the gray gelding Jack, with which my friend
Budd Doble won so much money last year, including the
big $10,000 stake at Rochester ; Naiad Queen, that my other
old friend, Jack Phillips, drove to arecord of 2:204; Tackey,
Jr., that produced Onie D., that my other friend, handsome
Jimmy Goldsmith, went a mile with better than 2:20 last
year ; and Classleader, the gray gelding that led his class
home in 2:224 over the Cleveland track in 1887 under my
pilotage. I think of these things now, when I come to put
my experiences on paper, and it causes a feeling of min-
gled regret and pride to pass through a man as he recalls
how many years have gone by since the time he saw old
Tackey trotting at St. Louis and the day that he drove her
son under the wire a winner at Cleveland. Tackey was a
crack in her day, and her record of 2:26 is fully as cred-
itable as one of 2:20 would bein these times. She has been
a wonderfully good brood mare, just as she was a good
track mare, and in her and her full sister, Dixie, the Pilot,
Jr., family has a couple of representatives that sustained its
reputation well at all stages of their lives. Dixie also pro-
duced a trotter, it being the brown mare Dixie Sprague,

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 13

that made a record of 2:254 in her first race, she being by
Governor Sprague.

My old-time friend Matt Colvin was then in the heyday
in his glory, and associated with his name will always be
that of the stallion Pilot Temple, a son of Pilot, Jr., that had
the distinction of being out of the dam of Flora Temple, the
first trotter to beat 2:20. In all my experience I have never
seen a harder pair to beat than Matt and Pilot Temple. As
hustlers they were first class. Pilot Temple was what is
known as a ‘‘handy’’ horse. Whenever he was tired Colvin
would grab him up in his arms for a few jumps and let him
run, and then set him down trotting again. That was more
feasible in those days than now, when the judges are strong
for honest trotting during the entire mile. Pilot Temple
trotted for many a year overall kinds of tracks. In all kinds
of weather, rain or shine, hot or cold, the little bay was
always ready for his race, and he received plenty of
training besides, for in those days a man who didn’t drive
his horse an hour or so every day was thought to be neg-
lecting his business. After living to be over thirty years of
age Pilot Temple died in St. Louis a few years ago. Matt
Colvin, who drove him for so many years, is still alive and a
resident of Kansas City, able tohold his own with any of
the new drivers. Though over seventy years of age, Matt
has gone west to grow up with the country.

Another famous performer, and a great pacer in his day,
that was at the St. Louis track, was Billy Boice. He was |
a member of the Corbeau family, and a bright bay horse
about fifteen and a half hands high. He resembled the
latter-day pacer Johnston very much in his gait and forma-
tion, and was fast and game, being able to go one or two
mile heats; and after pacing a good many races in harness
he was ridden a milein 2:144 by John Murphy, the occasion
being a race at Buffalo between Billy Boice and Rolla Gold-
dust, that was a celebrated saddler of those days. This
was the first time that 2:15 was ever beaten by a pacer,
either in harness or under saddle, and as it was considered

14 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

something wonderful in that day, and I saw the race, I
will give some idea of how Jim Rockey. and Murphy rode
their respective horses.

Rolla Golddust won the first heat, Boice making two
breaks, but in the second mile Boice went away steadily,
and took the pole on the turn, never being headed, finishing
the mile in 2:144; and it should be noted that this time by
a pacer under saddle was never beaten until Johnston did it
in 1888 at Cleveland, where George Starr rode him a mile
in 2:14. On this latter occasion I drove the runner that
accompanied Johnston, and I think that he could have
gone better than he did, but Mr. Starr’s idea was to simply
win and be satisfied with that. This mile, in 2:144 by Billy
Boice, shows what a wonderful horse he was in his day, for
at that time a 2:20 horse was an absolute novelty, and as
for any harness animal, trotter or pacer, going a mile in
2:15, it had not been thought of. Of course, since then
there have been a good many 2:15 pacers, but it has taken
fifteen years of training, breeding, and driving, and all
the improved construction of vehicles to bring them down
to the present standard, so that Boice must have been a
phenomenon. I have no doubt that, with his natural speed
and the improved facilities in the way of tracks, better
vehicles, etc., he would have been a star performer in the
present day and able to hold his own with the best.

From St. Louis I took a trip with a Spaniard to Havana,
Cuba. This Spaniard was buying a shipload of horses to
takethere. I thought it would be a novelty to see a foreign
country, and so arranged with this gentleman to go with
the first consignment of horses. Havana was a dull place
to me. No race-tracks, no trotters, and nobody that I
could see who could talk English, and as that was the only
language I knew Iwas what might be called a homesick
boy. I stated the case to my new-found friend, and he
sympathized with me and released me from my contract.
Then I concluded to ship for New York. Taking the first
boat for the United States, I reached New York City in

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 15

April, and made the acquaintance of a man who was my
friend until death claimed him--Mr. Dan Mace. I could
spin a long yarn here concerning my experience with the
man who, in his time, was not only a master of his profes-
sion, but the oldest one in it; but there are so many inci-
dents connected with my stay with Mace, and so much
to be said of his methods in the training and driving of
trotters, that I shall reserve that for a subsequent chapter
which will deal exclusively with that subject.

I had met Mace once, years before, at Buffalo, and he
had said to me that if I ever visited New York he would
be glad to have me come and see him. It was on this invi-
tation of the past that I walked into his office. He hada
stable on Forty-ninth street near Broadway, and kept his
training-stable atthe Fashion track, Long Island. This was
in 1864, and at that time Mace was the recognized master
of his profession.

In looks, Dan Mace was not a handsome man. He weighed
about 140 pounds, with short legs and wonderfully strong
body and arms. His eyes and hair were very black at this
time. In disposition he was as brave as any man I ever
saw. I don’t think there was anything in the world he was
afraid of. His temper was perfection. In all my years of
experience with him (and I knew him as well as any man could
know another), I never saw Mace out of temper. No matter
what provocation he might have had he always seemed to
control himself to perfection. His age was an uncertain
quantity. I never saw anyone who knew just what it was,
and he never would tell. At that time Mace numbered
among his patrons such well known turfites as John Mor-
rissey, Henry Genet, William Turnbull, who was the life-
long friend of Commodore Vanderbilt; Edward Jones, the
celebrated politician; Governor Sprague, of Rhode Island;
Uncle Ben Wright, of Boston, who always had more match
races on hand than any man I ever saw; W. P. Balch, now
of Boston; Ed Maynard, of the same city; ‘‘Loosh”’
Appleby, who has since become celebrated as one of the

16 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

leading bookmakers on the running turf ; William Saunders,
better known as “ Uncle Bill,” who owned at that time and
since some of the most celebrated horses in the country ;
4. EK. Simmons (of whom I shall have something to say
later), and many others whose names do not occur to me just
now, but who were among the best citizens of New York,
and its wealthiest and most respected men.

Mace, in spite of the fact that he was not a man of book-
learning, was always popular with, and respected by, his.
patrons. Men who did not know Dan Mace got a false
iinpression as to his talent in matters outside of the sulky.
I have never heard anyone question his ability when he sat
behind a trotter at any stage of the game, but I have heard
men say that his business capacity outside of that was not.
good. My impression of Mace is that he was a much
smarter business man than anyone gave him credit for
being. Mace made money by the basketful and gave it
away the same, never making any effort until the last few
years of his life to save anything. To prove that his busi-
ness ability was good, I may say that in the last five years
of his life, when his health was bad, he earned and saved
something like $50,000, and it seems to me this would be a
difficult task for a man to accomplish unless he had some
real business capacity. I think Mace’s great success was
due, not only to his being a natural genius in the matter of
horses, but also because he was a deep student, and the
most industrious:‘man I ever saw in the business. In addi-
tion to these qualities, Mace had the very rare one of
absolute fidelity to his patrons. If one of the men who
were giving him horses to be trained was to (perhaps under
the influence of a few glasses of champagne and a good
dinner) match his road horse against another animal of the
same class, and send him to Mace to be trained, Dan would
goat that animal with as much patience and determination,
and spend as much time and personal attention on him as
though the animal was a veritable flyer—a Maud S. or a
Dexter of its day. This was a religion with Mace. It

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 17

made no difference to him whether the horse was a good one
or a poor one; if he undertook to train him and took a man’s
money for doing that work, the animal was fitted and driven
to the very best of his ability, which meant that he was
prepared as well as any man in America could do the job.
It was only by the exercise of unceasing industry that he
was enabled to supervise the care of his many horses as he
did for the best years of his life. He was the first man up
in the morning and the last to bed at night, and during
every moment of the time, except when he was eating, he
was doing something. I have never seen any man who
could accomplish as much in the way of training a stable of
horses as Dan Mace. He could give more orders, ride more
miles, look after more details, and give everything in general
better attention than two ordinary men. Mace’s treatment
of everybody he came in contact with was of the very best.
If a boy blacked his boots he was well treated and liberally
paid. If aboy rubbed a horse for him Mace treated him
like a gentleman and paid him like a prince. Money was
never an object to him.

When I introduced myself to Mr Mace I told him I was
anxious to be a trainer and driver. He asked me if I thought
I fully understood the care of a trotter while in training. I
replied that I did not. He then advised me to first master
that part of horse-training, saying that he considered it
of as much importance to have a horse properly groomed
and cared for while in training as any other part of the
preparation. This was a golden rule with Mace, and my
experience of thirty years with the trotters has proven to
me that it is just as good to-day as it was when Mace told
it to me, and that the personal care thatis given to a trotter
may make or mar the horse either for track or road use. I
then went to work for Mace with that understanding, and
he placed me under a man by the name of ‘‘ Lucy Jimmy,”’
who has since become as celebrated in his line of business,
the care of trotting horses, as Mace was in his. This man’s
right name is Jimmy Kenney, but like many another rub-

18 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

ber he got his nom de plume from a horse he looked after,
in Jimmy’s case it being the famous mare Lucy, that
Orrin Hickok drove in her best races, and that became so
<elebrated as the stable companion of Goldsmith Maid. In
‘‘Lucy Jimmy’ I found a good friend, and as distinct a
character as I have ever met. He was, without exception,
ihe most faithful fellow I ever saw, and in all his half cen-
tury of connection with the trotting turf he has never, tomy
knowledge, made a false move or break. His absolute fidel-
ity to the interests of the man for whom he is working is
something not often met with. Twenty years after I was
his pupil, and at a time when I had driven horses to the
best records of the day, both at trotting and pacing, this
trait of Jimmy’s character was illustrated to me in a very
ludicrous and convincing manner. It came about in this
way:

Along in 1883 or 1884 my old-time friend, companion, and
adviser, Counsellor Crawford, had in his stable a couple of
stallions that were among the cracks in their class. One
was the bay horse Voltaire, and the other a chestnut stallion,
Robert McGregor, that is about as handsome a horse as one
will find in a day’s journey. At the time of which I speak,
Jimmy rubbed Voltaire, and Mr. Crawford had the horse
entered in a race at Grand Rapids, Mich., and as there was
no one there to drive him Jimmy concluded to have me, his
old-time pupil, handle him in the race. He came to see me
about it, and the incident brought up a train of thought
regarding the day when I went over to the Fashion track,
a boy, to learn to be a trotting-horse driver. Jimmy stated
the case to me and asked if I would drive Voltaire. Of

‘course Iconsented. Jimmy said that the horse had a chance
to win, perhaps, second money, and thought I had better
lay him up a heat or two, let the others fight, and then get
my position in the last end of the race. I thought ita good
idea, and told him so, but when we got the word for the first
heat several of the other horses made a break, and I con-
cluded that would be a good chance for me to win the heat

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 19

and secure my portion of the money. So I cut loose right
then and there, and after a hard struggle succeeded in get-
ting the stallion to the wire ahead of the others. AsI came
back to the stand Jimmy was standing there, bucket in
hand, and regarding me with a look of half disapproval. I
saw in an instant what the trouble was, and on dismounting
from the sulky said to the old man: ‘‘ Well, Jimmy, I didn’t
drive exactly as you directed.”’ This confession on my part
evidently mollified the old man, for he replied in a friendly
tone: ‘*’Tis allright ; yer orders were not positive.”
When Jimmy took me in charge at the Fashion track he
had a mare he was rubbing that belonged to Mr. William
Humphrey, who afterward became famous as the owner of
Judge Fullerton. This mare’s name was Tempest, and she
was matched against a horse that belonged to Mr. John Har-
beck. I recollect distinctly that she had a great deal of
trouble with her feet, and a part of my duties was to get up
early in the morning and lead her out in the long grass
while the dew was on it, in order that what the poet calls
“the tears of night’’ might allay the fever in her feet, and
perhaps, asin case of the race-horse War Jig, that Jim Mur-
phy, the well-known running-horse man, owned and trained,
it might prove efficacious where all human remedies had
failed,and induce a cure that could not otherwise be brought
about. Murphy tells to this day that when he bought War
Jig the horse was broken down, but that in leading him
through the dew-laden grass the son of War Dance stepped
upon a leaf of shamrock and the juice from this had such
a magical effect upon the injured leg that ever thereafter it
was the best of the four. Whether the dew did it or not,
Tempest came to her race in good shape. Mr. Humphrey
and all his friends had her well backed; Jimmy himself had
a few pool tickets on her, and by way of showing me that
my services had been appreciated he bought one small pool
for me. J don’t think that either Mr. Mace, who drove
Tempest, or Jimmy, who had rubbed the mare, watched her
any closer or took any more interest in the race than I did—

20 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

not so much for my pool ticket, but because I had become
thoroughly interested in my business and was anxious to
learn all I could. Tempest won easily, and we were all
correspondingly joyful.

I count among the happiest days of my life those that
I spent as Jimmy’s pupil. While he was willing to work
all the time himself he gave me a fair share of time to sleep
and eat, go fishing, and run foot races with the other boys.
In those days I was considerable of asprinter,and could step
off any distance, from a hundred yards up, and always get
my share of the money, thereby replenishing my little store
of cash, which in the case of rubbers is never too large.
Jimmy was always willing to back me for his pile against
anybody of my size or age, even going so far on one occa-
sion as to match me to lift a weight; which match, by the
way, I won.

After spending some time under Jimmy’s tuition, I was
thought capable of taking charge of a horse myself, and was
given a chestnut gelding called William H. Taylor, owned
at that time by the Hon. Erastus Corning, of Albany, a gen-
tleman who has always been prominent in national politics,
who was a great friend of President Lincoln, and who in
his latter days has been a breeder of trotters, having had,
among others, the celebrated gelding George Palmer, the
stallion Harry Clay; and even now he has in the stud in
Kentucky a son of Harry Clay, called Shawmut, that has a
record of 2:26. I kept this position for a year, and at the
end of that time Mr. Mace told me he thought I had better
try to start out training horses myself. He said not to work
for anyone on a salary, but to branch out, and it would be
better to drive a 2:40 horse under my own management than
to drive the best trotter in the land and work on a salary
forany man. He argued that the first thing a man should
do was to make a name for himself. My subsequent expe-
rience convinced me that in this, as in many other things,
Mace was right.

About this time I made the acquaintance of a character

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 21

by the name of John Suydam. He was what you would
call a country horseman ; at one time had an interest in a
stage line and lived in Kingston, N. Y. Through the win-
ter I had been telling Mr. Suydam of my hopes and pros-
pects, and he said he had two friends who lived in Columbia
County on the Hudson River, and that they had a farm and
track, and he thought they would like to make arrange-
ments with me to go there and train some colts they had.
He also said he had a friend of the name of Lasher, a hotel
keeper, who hada horse called Black Doctor that could trot
a mile in 2:50. Through his influence I was given the posi-
tion, and Black Doctor was the first horse I ever had to
train under my own management ; also the first horse I ever
drove ina race. He was a handsome black gelding, about
fifteen and a half hands high. He was a good actor and
breaker. I started in to take care of him myself, as well as
to train him, rightly arguing that I could not afford to hire
too much help, and thinking that with the experience I had
I ought to be able torub him as well as any man I could hire.
I soon found that the Doctor could trot a mile in about 2:40,
and you may be sure that I kept that to myself, and my
first move was to enter him in a race where he would not
have to go better than about three minutes. Then I sent
word to the owner, and he came over the day of the race,
bet what money he could that the horse would win, and
when the bell tapped I went out with my war paint on to
make the best fight I could for the money, and at the same
time to make my bow to the public as a professional trainer
and driver.

The track was laid out on a man’s farm, without any
fence or grand stand, and there was only a little platform
built for the judges to stand on. There was no poolselling,
everybody betting his money out of hand, and probably
five hundred people were on hand to witness the contest.
There were no four-in-hand drags there, no band of music
playing French operas or German symphonies, no beautiful
club house with its balconies filled with pretty women,

22 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

whose bright toilets, set off against the green of the sward
and the blue of the sky, make the picture more attractive ;
no poolseller, shrieking at the top of his voice to get the
money in at the best odds; no brightly painted sulkies, with
spidery wheels that flashed in the sunlight; no officious
policeman to grab the small boys who were trying to get
under the fence and let the man with the badge walk over
the horses ; no drivers with silk jackets, waxed moustaches,
and a general air of contentment and prosperity ; and in
those days neither my old antagonist, T. J. Vail, ex-secre-
tary of the National Trotting Association, or the organiza-
tion of which he was formany years the head and front, had
been thought of in connection with trotting. The drivers
appeared, each in a costume of his own, mostly consisting
of an absence of coat, with a hat or cap drawn tightly over
the head so that the wind made by the speed of the horse
would not disarrange it, and the sulkies were about as much
like the present ones as an improved two-wheel hay-rake
would be. They were big, heavy, and clumsy, and instead
of being built on the most scientific principles, they were
high-seated, with shafts so big that nowadays they would
be more fit for an express wagon than arace vehicle. I
mention these things to show horsemen of the present day
to what handicaps the old-time trotters were subjected. I
felt when I started in this race a good deal as I did when I
spoke my first piece at school—a little timid—but made up
my mind to give them the best I had in the shop, win or lose.
l had heard some stories about the speed of one or two of
the animals I had to contend with, but we had not gone far
in the first mile before it was evident they were all at my
mercy. Black Doctor won in straight heats, and the best
time was about three minutes. I was looked upon by the
crowd as a wonder. A youngster that could come in with
a green horse and beat all the old timers was not often
heard of in those days, and I wasa phenomenon. From
that day business came in, and I was able toemploy a couple
of rubbers, spread out with a few new tools; I founda man

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 23

who was willing to buy a horse or two, and started with my
stable for the pumpkin fairs.

At this time I got hold of a brown mare that I named
Lady Salpaugh, in compliment to a friend of mine, and she
was afterward called Constance. When I got her this
mare was good for a mile in about three minutes, but after
about two months of careful handling she showed me 2:38,
which in those days was a clip that would get the money
almost anywhere. In fact we thought we had what the boys
call ‘‘a cinch” on all the three-minute purses. We trotted
through Columbia and Dutchess Counties with fair success,
and then the whole outfit crossed over to Orange County,
the centre of horse-breeding in New York, and where all
the crack performers of the day were certain to be found.
There we fell in with such veterans of the sulky as Bill
Bodine, the first man that ever drove Goldsmith Maid; Ike
Hoyt, Jess Woods, Jersey Bill, who sold Goldsmith Maid
to Alden Goldsmith for $600; Jim Post, who was afterward
a poolseller, and W. C. Trimble, who has since had some of
the most noted horses in the land, and whose fitting of
Garnet two years ago and giving him a record of 2:19 is still
fresh in the public mind, and a good many of the pool-
buyers remember it sadly, as it showed that the old man’s
hand had not lost its cunning. We started Lady Salpaugh
in the three-minute class, and after a consultation with her
owner concluded it would be best to lay her up the first
heat, which was done. In the second heat I went ont to
win, but in spite of all I could do the mare was beaten.
Jersey Bill, who had a few tickets on the mare, came to the
stall and gave me a little advice in the matter of driving,
which tips I followed in the third heat, and landed the
mare a winner. From that time she won easily. I trotted
the Lady anumber of races that season, winning a fair share
of them and getting money out of the balance.

The best horse I had driven up to this time was Major
Edsall, a son of Alexander’s Abdallah, that afterward
made a name for himself as the sire of Robert McGregor,

24 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

2:174, and he in turn sired Bonnie McGregor, record 2:16.
As Alexander’s Abdallah died while yet a young horse in
Kentucky, where but few people had an opportunity of see-
ing him, and as several of his sons, notably Almont and
Belmont, have sired some of our fastest trotters and also got
a number of very fast pacers, I think it will be of interest,
especially to breeders and horsemen, to give some account
of the appearance and characteristics of Major Edsall. He
was a very handsome, strongly built, light bay horse, about
fifteen and a half hands high, a good scorer, handy breaker,
and an honest all-round racehorse. He was trained by a
man of the name of Jim Bertholf in Goshen, N. Y., but as
Bertholf was a good deal over weight he concluded to have
me drive him. This was at Binghamton, N.Y. I remem-
ber two of my opponents in this race. One was the veteran
William H. Doble, father of Budd, and the other Tom
Carpenter. As I remember it Major Edsall got second
money in this race, and Iam particularly certain that the
old heads did not give me much the best of it. But I
hustled around, helped myself to all I could get, and said
nothing. That night I met Mr. Doble. He asked me what
my name was, and my age, and after learning these points
he remarked dryly: ‘‘ Well, you are pretty industrious
with a horse and sulky,’’ which I considered a great com-
pliment. The following spring my friend Suydam bought
Lady Salpaugh, and we named her Constance. She had at
that time a record of 2:40, and Suydam gave for her $1,800,
which would look like a long price now for a 2:40 horse.
I trotted her with some success that season, and she wound
up with a record of 2:34. J trained Constance and my
other horses that year at Paterson, N. J. I had several
other fair performers, but she was considered the star of
the stable.

At Paterson that year there was a race between two road-
horses which created a good deal of talk, and an account of
it will show the difference between the time made then and
now. Mr. Post, one of my patrons, had a chestnut mare,

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 25

and we matched her against a horse called One-Eyed Riley
that belonged to a Mr. Hopper, the race to be trotted on the
Fourth of July over the Paterson track for $250 a side, the
winner to take the gate money. Drivers in those days tried
to keep everybody from finding out how good a horse they
had, and if it was desired to give them a trial the work was
done early in the morning by moonlight. There was a great
deal of talk and feeling about the race with One-Eyed Riley.
Thad a man to watch the other party and see what they
were doing with their horse. One night about eleven
o'clock he came on a run and called me out of bed, saying
the other fellows were getting ready to give their horse a
trial. I donned my clothes and flew to the track, and sure
enough One-Eyed Riley and his driver and friends were
there and had the outside gate locked. I remember that
the driver of Riley was a German. I hid in the grand
stand and started and stopped my watch when the trial was
given. It was dark, and at that time I could not tell how
well he had gone. After Riley finished the mile his driver
said to the owner, speaking German all the time, that the
horse went crooked with him. The owner said that was all
right, he would go straight on the day of the race. I could
not understand what they were saying, but my agent could
talk German, and he kept me posted. On looking at my
watch when my room was reached, I found that Riley’s
mile was in 3:07, and then I knew we had them beaten. I
got word to them the following night that my mare would
be given a trial, and Mr. Post came down. We were certain
that the other side was watching us, so I drove the mare in
3:16. I think the medicine took, for the next morning
some of Mr. Hopper’s friends came to Mr. Post’s office and
bet him $250 more that Riley would beat his mare. On the
day of the race the elite of Paterson came down to witness
the contest. My mare beat Riley, the fastest heat being
3:07. I think that there was close to $5,000 bet on that
yace. With that kind of a horse now a man would have
considerable trouble to win that amount of money.

26 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS,

The day after this race is always fresh in my mind from
the fact that it was the first occasion on which I met Com-
modore Vanderbilt, the father of William H. Vanderbilt,
who afterward became famous as the owner of Maud &.,
but who at the time of which I write lived on his father’s
farm on Staten Island. The Commodore told me that on
this farm he had a first-class track, and he thought it would
be a good place for me to train horses, as a great many
gentlemen from New York lived down there, and they
wanted some one that could train,drive, and look after their
road and track horses. The following year I moved my
stable there, and it was on Staten Island that IJ met a great
many men who have since become famous in their different
walks in life. Captain Jake Vanderbilt, the Commodore’s
brother, and who is now more than eighty years old, was
my every-day companion. We had all sorts of races, and
Captain Jake was one of the moving spirits in everything in
the way of sport. He was always ready to match his own
horses and drive them himself, or have anyone else drive
them, and, by the way, I have seen but few amateurs who
could get more out of a trotter than the Captain. When
he was eighty years of age he could and did send the trotter
Boston down the road with the best drivers in New York
City, and never took a back seat for any of them. I think
he was better pleased to brush with Mace and the other
professionals when he met them on the road than against
anybody else.

Constance showed us a trial that year in 2:26, and I
thought that she was a veritable wonder, but like many
another man I lived long enough to find I was mistaken.
With that speed in my stable I concluded that Staten
Island was too small for mé. The Fleetwood track and
Prospect Park were then in full bloom. I got her owner’s
check, made an entry in a few races, put my traps in order,
and started with Constance for the field of battle. It did
not take me long to learn, however, that I was in too deep
water. When I struck out with a few drivers like my

LIFE WITH TUE TROTTERS, 27

friend Mace, Mike Roden, Hiram Howe, John L. Doty, to
say nothing of the two Carpenter boys, Jock Bowen, Sam
McLaughlin, Billy Borst, with Col. Dickey thrown in as a
helper, I found that the opening for a boy with a country
trotter was very small, so I came in from third base with
Constance, went to Prospect Park, and opened a training
stable. About this time I made the acquaintance of a man
to whom, more than any other one person, I owe whatever
success I may have had in my line. This was Z. HE. Sim-
mons, who had been a strong supporter of the trotting turf
from its infancy, having at that time owned a horse that
has since become the most celebrated one in the world. I
speak of that famous trotter, sire of trotters, and founder
of a trotting family—George Wilkes. Besides Wilkes, Mr.
Simmons had owned Ethan Allen, that was the greatest
horse of that day with a running mate. He had also owned
and sold to Mr. Robert Bonner the bay mare Pocahontas
for the then unheard-of price of $40,000. In making the
acquaintance of Mr. Simmons I fell in with one who has
been a life-long friend. He had at that time a number of
horses, and among the lot was what proved to be my first
great horse, Kansas Chief. .

CHAPTER II.

Kansas Chief, first a cattle herder, then ridden by a gentleman, and next a 2:30
trotter—His feet fail and he is given away after being sold for $7,500—
Traded to Mr. Simmons, he comes into my hands—How his feet were
treated—A great campaign from the lakes to the seaboard—Don’t trot
your horse when he is out of condition—Kansas Chief’s last races—How
Dan Mace discovered Rarus—A talk in the hotel at night—The story of a
game, handsome, and honest horse.

Kansas Chief was a handsome bay gelding with a white
face and four white legs. He was sixteen hands high, and
his breeding has never been authentically established, but
in disposition and appearance he was as bloodlike as any
race-horse I ever saw.

He was originally a saddle-horse, and owned by Mr. B.
F. Akers of Kansas, who also at one time owned Ethan
Allen and Governor Sprague. Mr. Akers told me that he
bought Kansas Chief. asa saddle-horse for a friend of his,
getting the gelding from a man who drove cattle up the
trail between Mexico and Colorado. He was then but four
years old, and was as fine a saddler as Mr. Akers had ever
seen, but did not suit the man for whom he was bought,
being too high-lifed. Mr. Akers took him back, broke
him to harness, and began to drive him on the road,
the horse being by this time five years old. He showed a
good way of going, with some slight speed, and the follow-
ing season he was put in training, with the result that it was
soon possible to drive him a mile in 2:30. Akers then
brought the horse to the Buffalo meeting and started him
in a three-minute race. Kansas Chief was beaten the two
first heats by a horse called Bob. The Chief was driven by
a resident of Pittsburgh, but Doble then got up behind

him and he won in straight heats. He was then
(28)

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 29

sold by Mr. Akers to Mr. Arthur Gillender of New York,
who has always been prominent on the turf and well-known
as the owner of Sensation and Hopeful, two horses that in
their day were stars of the first magnitude. Mr. Gillender
placed Kansas Chief in the hands of George Ferguson, one
of the old-time school of horse drivers, and as faithful,
painstaking, and careful a man aslever knew. Mr. Fer-
guson was the first man to build in New York City a model
stable for the boarding of gentlemen’s road horses, a busi-
ness that is still carried on by his son Frank, a worthy
young man in every respect.

The following season Mr. Ferguson began to train Kan-
sas Chief, but he seemed to have lost his speed. I think
now, from what JI learned of the horse afterward, that the
climate and the change in treatment affected him. He was
a horse that had always been used to the open air and the
grass of the Western plains, not getting much grain. The
training, the difference in climate, the clothing, etc., seemed
to have a bad effect on his whole system, and about this
time he developed a disease of the feet, and while some-
times he would show speed he was nut successful in any of
his races. I think he was trained a short time by Mace and
showed a mile at Prospect Park in about 2:25, but his feet
hurt him so that Mace had to stop training him. Mr.
Gillender, becoming discouraged, sold the Chief to Dunn
Walton, a man whose heart is as big as his body is long ;
and that is saying a good deal. Walton was an old friend
and companion of Mace, and he was also very friendly
with Mr. Simmons, so much so that they used to trade
horses on an average of about seven times a week, and in
one of these daily horse-swaps Kansas Chief was trans-
ferred to Mr. Simmons’ stables. He was brought to Prospect
Park, and I want to say here that what I have thus far
written concerning Kansas Chief is from hearsay, although
I believe it to be strictly correct in all essential points, but
from this time on whatever is written about the horse comes
from my personal knowledge and experience.

30 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

I made a contract with Simmons to work for him on @
salary, to train and drive his horses, he reserving the right:
to advise and counsel with me, a fact which proved of more:
value to me than my salary, as I had the advantage of his.
experience. Mr. Simmons was in his day one of the
greatest match-makers we ever had. It was not an uncom-
mon thing for him to make races for his horses when the:
stakes were as as high as $5,000 a side, and it was he
who matched Ethan Allen and running mate against.
Dexter in harness. Mr. Simmons never told me how much
money he won on that race, but it must have been a.
large amount, as Dexter was a great favorite, and Mace:
had given Ethan a trial and convinced Mr. Simmons.
he would surely win. In that case it was only a.
question of how much the other party was willing to bet.
Mr. Simmons had a great deal of faith in Kansas Chief,
and told me he was certain the horse would beat 2:20, and.
in those days that amount of speed meant to beat every
horse in the world, with the exception of perhaps two or
three. The day I took Kansas Chief he was shod with tips.
in front and what might be called a half shoe, weighing
about six or seven ounces, behind. The reason of this was.
that his feet had become very much contracted and sore.
Mr. Simmons thought that by shoeing him in this way the
pressure would be brought on the frog and force the foot:
out into its normal position. We commenced at him very
guardedly, giving him slow work and doing everything we:
could think of to relieve his feet. Along in September he:
showed a mile in about 2:30, and we felt very much encour-.
aged. The same treatment of the feet was continued, and
just before the track closed in the fall Mr. Simmons came over:
and asked me to drive the Chief a mile. I did so in 2:294, he
being still shod in the same manner, and after I got out of
the sulky Mr. Simmons asked me if I thought I could.
drive him better than that. I said I thought I could, and.
he appointed a day to come over and see me drive him.
again. When the time came I asked Mr. Simmons if I

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 31

should drive the Chief as fast as I could. He said no, to
let him go easy the first half, and then send him the
Jast part of the mile. I started from the half-mile pole,
and Mr. Simmons stood by the stables. I was not
much of a judge of pace at that time, and when the
‘Chief and myself came along where Mr. Simmons ‘was I
asked him if I was going fast enough. He told me to drive
along, and I set sail with the horse. When TI finished the
‘mile and came back to the stable Mr. Simmons asked me
aif I had driven the horse as fast as I could. I said no, that
Icould drive him at least two seconds better. ‘If you are
right about that he is a pretty fair horse,’’ replied Mr. Sim-
‘mons, ‘‘because you went that mile in 2:234.”’ After talking
with Mr. Simmons we concluded not to do anything more
that season in the way of training, but to bend all our
energies to the work of getting the Chief’s feet in proper
condition, his mile in 2:234 having convinced us that he
‘was a sure enough trotter if his feet could be got right.
We then took him to Mr. Simmons’ private stable in
New York City, and began a course of treatment that im-
‘proved him to such an extent that he afterward trotted
and won some hard races, and for the benefit of those who
may have similar cases to deal with I want to tell what
-we did with this horse. Mr. Simmons sent for Dr. Bryden,
aman who made a specialty of horses’ feet. He consulted
with Mr. Simmons regarding the sore feet, and also what
‘would be good treatment to relieve them. Dr. Bryden said
to take the shoes from the Chief, have his feet thoroughly
opened with a knife, and then poultice them every night
‘with boiled turnips and bran, put on warm. I think that
this will grow a horse's foot out better than any treatment
I have ever seen. A great many people say that it is un-
natural to poultice a horse’s feet., If the foot of a horse is
sound and all right I don’t know that there is any occasion
to poultice it, but if a trotter is crippled in his feet you are
obliged to do things to relieve him that might be considered
iby some people unnatural. At all events we poulticed

32 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Kansas Chief's feet behind and in front every night that
winter, gave him moderate exercise through the day, fed
him light, kept him in only fair condition as to flesh, gave
him medicine for his blood and stomach, and about twice a
week we brushed him at three-quarter speed, which in .
those days was considered a great innovation, as it was con-
trary to all the rules for the treatment of a trotting horse.
Iremember that a great many people said Mr. Simmons
was all wrong in his treatment of the horse, but as I had
faith in what my employer said, and he was paying all the
bills, I was perfectly satisfied to do just as he directed.
When spring came we took Kansas Chief to Prospect.
Park, and one day we went out on the boulevard to drive,
Mr. Simmons being behind the Chief, while I had a good
bay horse that could trot some and run right well. We
stepped them down the road aways, and soon found that
Kansas could trot faster than mine could run, so that I
made up my mind that Mr. Simmons’ treatment of him had
been right. We kept on with him in this way until about
the first of June, I driving him under Mr. Simmons’ direc-
tions. Up to this time his fastest mile on the track had
been about 2:25. When the season was so far advanced
that all the stables were being organized Mr.. Simmons
thought it would be best to have the Chief trotted a few races.
in the country, thus giving mea chance to drive him, and
also ascertain whether or not he was good enough to be
entered through the grand circuit. There was a circuit of
meetings through the West, commencing at Jackson, Mich.,
which was considered the Buffalo of the Western country.
There were well-known men managing the Jackson track
in those days, among them Don Robinson, D. B. Hibbard,
8. 8. Vaughn, and others who have since become prominent.
in the same line. Associated with trotting in Michigan
were some of the best-known men and horses in the land,
and the first of them that comes to my mind is William
McLaughlin. He was the Dan Mace of the Western country.
In personal appearance and manner McLaughlin was a

LIFE WITH TIIE TROTTERS. 33

rough-and-ready sort of man, and those attributes of his
character, no doubt, prevented him from extending his
sphere of operations; but when he was in his prime no man
could outdrive him. He was a good deal such a character
as were Jim Rockey, ‘‘ Nosey’’ Brown, Mike Roden, etc.—
a class of men who could get up behind a horse they had
never before seen and in almost every instance drive him as
well or better than the man who had put in months of time
training the animal. In other words, they could get out of
a horse all there was in him, being natural reinsmen.
McLaughlin was ready to take any chance to win.

This was the summer of 1874, and the only horse I had
.in charge was Kansas Chief. <A crippled horse, by the way,
is a handful for any man to train, and I have told other
drivers, friends of mine, that with one horse that needed
constant attention there was plenty of opportunity for all
the talent the trainer has at his command—in other words,
so many different conditions exist with an ailing horse that
there is hardly a phase of the business that will not come
up in his particular case.

I had as groom for Kansas Chief a man of the name of
Mike Ward, who had served his time under such well-
known trainers as Horace Jones, Sam McLaughlin, and
Mace; and what Mike did not know about taking care of an
ailing horse, or one of any kind, was not in the books. Mr.
Simmons advised with me as to the plan of campaign.
**Don't work your horse too hard,” he said. ‘‘Go easy,
trot a few races, and let the Chief get himself into condi-
tion. Try and have your horse in good shape by the time
the big circuit opens, and if he is then worth trotting we
will get some money with him.’’ I followed this advice,
trotting Kansas a couple of easy races at Jackson and Sagi-
naw, Mich., and Columbus, Ohio, and then we went to
Indianapolis, where the Chief won the first race of his
career with me. It was a well-contested one from start to
finish, there being plenty of betting and the purse the first
big one we had come to. Everyone was anxious to get first

34 LIFE WilH THE TROTTERS.

money, the purse being $1,500. The celebrated Col. Baker,
from Seneca Falls, N. Y., was up behind Tom Keeler, and.
always out for the money. W. H. Crawford was there
with Annie Collins, flanked by the New York delegation,
who wanted to back her, and Logan was backed by a con-
tingent from the rural districts, so that on the whole there
was pretty lively speculation. Major Barker, a well-known
New Yorker in those days, but long since dead, was the
pool-seller. He told me that if I thought my horse had a
chance to win he would put some money on and divide the
profits. JI said the Chief had a chance in that com-
pany, but advised that not over a hundred dollars be
invested, as I had in my mind one thing. I was trot-
ting over a rough track against a lot of good horses
and men and did not want to take any chances of hurting
my horse. Barker finally said he would play a hundred
dollars, which would win about a thousand if our plans did
not miscarry. Tom Keeler went out and won the first two
heats, but all this time Kansas was hardly in sight, being
laid up at the tail of the hunt. In the third heat I trailed
until we turned into the home stretch, at which point I
swung the Chief well to the outside, and when I gave him
his head the white-faced fellow made short work of the
others. When we went under the wire in the lead the
fielders who had been backing the outfit for ten dollars in a
hundred sent up a howl of the character that is never heard
outside the State of Indiana. I think, from the expression
on Mr. Baker’s countenance, that he was a little surprised,
and when we scored for the next heat there was an evident
disposition on the part of my opponents to see that I got
none the best of it. When the word was given I again
trailed until the half-mile pole was reached, at that point
moving into second place. As we turned into the stretch
Keeler was in the lead. Again I gave the old horse his
head, with the same result, an easy win at the finish. With
Kansas and Keeler having two heats apiece the boys began
to hedge in the pool- box, I told Major Barker to stand

LIFE WITH TilE TROTTERS. 35

pat with our money, as, barring accidents, I would win
sure.

There was a collision in the next heat, however, which
‘came near upsetting my scheme, as in going past the half-
‘mile pole Keeler ran into me and took several spokes out of
my sulky. Kansas Chief, naturally a high-lifed horse,
started on a run, and acted as though he had made up his
mind to get away with me. I took him to the extreme out-
side of the track, and when he struck a trot Keeler was cer-
‘tainly seventy-five yards in the lead, and going for all there
-wasin him. I cut Kansas loose right there, and if ever I
was in a hurry that was the time. With Keeler having
two heats won, and seventy-five yards in the lead at the
half-mile pole in the deciding heat, and three or four gen-
tlemen between him and me that I knew would not pull out
‘to let me through, the situation was rather gloomy. After
Kansas got well into his stride, I leaned over and touched
him gently on the shoulders with the whip. He showed me
arate of speed then that I had often dreamed about, but
never expected to have at the end of a pair of lines. At the
head of the stretch I had them all beaten but Keeler, and
he was tiring. Seeing this, I stopped driving my horse, let
him get his breath, and about an eighth of a mile from the
wire cut him loose again. He soon moved up to Keeler’s
head, and the race was over. Mr. Baker complained that
my horse did a good deal of running, but when the judges
replied that they were thinking about distancing him for
foul driving he abandoned the argument.

The Dexter Park meeting at Chicago was the commence-
ment of the grand circuit, and all the stables of the country
were there to do battle for the money. Every man who
chad a horse entered intended to turn him loose; and to show
what a good lot there were in the race that Kansas won, I
may say that the other starters were Mollie, John H., Harry
Mitchell, Phil Sheridan, Fox, Dan, Gen. Howard, Colum-
bia Chief, George Judd, and Hattie. In the pool-selling the
night before the race George Judd had the call. He

6 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Os

was a big roan gelding owned by a party of people at the
stock-yards, and all Chicago turned out to back him.
Phin Smith drove Judd, and as he was very sweet on the.
horse’s chances there was a large amount bet on him. The
famous ‘‘forty-niner,’’ Uncle Jack Batchelor, was there.
with John H., and as the sequel proved, he had him keyed
up for this occasion with the intention of putting all the
boys under water. When the pool-selling began Batchelor
came down with the bank roll and took a stand in front of
the auctioneer, telling him he had come to bet all his money,
as he might as well get broke there as to go further and
meet the same fate. Hattie, another local horse, had some
following, and Mollie was there trotting in the interest of
the Detroit people, and with Bill McLaughlin in the sulky,
and Capt. John DeMass to navigate the currency into the
pool-box, she was notoverlooked bymany. Phil Sheridan.
had some backing from Wisconsin, where he was owned, so:
that on the whole, the race was the big betting event of
the year thus far, and we knew that if the Chief could win
there would be a chance to take down such a pile that we
would not have to walk to Cleveland.

As Mr. Z. E. Simmons could not come himself, his
brother William dropped in the night before the race think-
ing he might have a chance to buy a few cheap tickets on
the Chief. All the talent thought that the race Kansas Chief
won at Indianapolis was a scratch, and as at that time I.
was but a boy, they did not take much stock in his chances.
at Chicago. I told Mr. Simmons that Kansas would win, and
win sure, and on the strength of my opinion and what he
knew personally of the Chief, he began in a quiet way to:
lay his money on him. When it came to the race we con-
cluded that the best plan would be to do some waiting, as:
the field was very large, and I have found that in such
cases the unexpected almost always happens—thatis to say,
some horse that no one is looking for will jump out and go.
a heat fast enough to cork himself and all the rest that try
‘ to keep up with him. In this instance Batchelor made a

LIFE WITIL TIE TROTTERS. 387

fight. for the first heat and won it with John H. in 2:254,
which was a great clip for that class of horses, considering:
that the track was not fast. It is possible that Batchelor
might have won the second heat, but he met with an acci-
dent as he turned into the stretch, being run into by How-
ard, which enabled Mollie to win the heat in 2:27, Batchelor:
being thrown from the sulky. In the meantime the pace.
that John H. set in the first heat had taken the trot out of
him, and he could not go much, but in doing what he had
he made the Chicago contingent very blue, as George Judd.
was distanced in the first heat, Hattie and Columbia Chief
being also behind the flag, so that the field was now smaller,
and I thought my chances improved by this fact. We.
scored up for the third heat, and my idea was to get a posi-
tion where there would be no chance of accident, and be.
within striking distance at the half-mile pole, making my
drive from there to the wire. Harry Mitchell, a horse that.
could trot some and run agood deal, led to the half, in com-
pany with John H. and Mollie. In passing that point I
spoke to Kansas, and he moved up to them in stich an easy”
manner that it satisfied me he would win the heat sure.
IT laid within two lengths of the others, stopped driving, and
trailed around the upper turn, so that when they swung
into the stretch I was enabled to go well to the outside,
knowing there was better footing there, and I wanted to be-
away from the others. When I gave Kansas his head he:
went to them without an effort, and won the heat bya neck
with something to spare. The time was 2:28, and this was.
the first time he had beaten 2:30in arace. After dismount-
ing from the sulky I said to Mr Simmons that, barring acci-
dents, the race was over. The result proved my opinion to-
be correct, as in the next two heats we were never in
‘trouble, and I may add that in these heats General Howard
and Fox were distanced, so that at the finish there were:
only five of the original dozen on the track.

From Chicago we went to Cleveland, where the Chief
won a good race from a field which included a couple of

38 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

‘trotters that he had not previously met, they being James
Howell, Jr., and Fleety Golddust. In the second heat of
this race Kansas reduced his record to 2:244, and this, of
course, made me a very happy young man.

Between his races the Chief had but little work, putting
in all the time nursing him, relying on his extreme speed
-and gameness to carry him through on the day of the race.
During the winter we had poulticed his feet, as narrated
in a former chapter, and after the campaign began the
practice was continued, poultices being applied about twice
a week, fearing that if it were done more frequently his feet
‘might become too soft. We walked him in the dew as much
as possible, gave his feet a bath in warm water occasionally,
-and used a lotion of Pond’s Extract and arnica. Wekepta
swab on his feet, wet with linimentall the time, and it is one
of the best remedies for acute soreness in a horse’s feet I
ever tried. In the Cleveland race Kansas Chief wore shoes
‘that weighed about eight ounces in front and five ounces
‘behind. ,

We left Cleveland thinking there was a fair chance to
“win first money at Buffalo, but when we arrived there the
‘track was very hard, and the Chief was far from being over
‘the effects of the Cleveland race. In working him out one
morning he hit one of his forward legs a terrible blow, the
‘result being a big swelling and plenty of fever. All these
‘things aided in causing him to lose the race, which fell to
Fleety Golddust. We looked the horse over that night,
and it seemed to our minds that his turf career was over,
for awhile at least, as he was very lame and sore in his
forward feet, and a forward leg was greatly swollen from the
effects of the blow noted above. His shoes were taken off,
and Mike Ward started in to nurse him. That night, Mr.
Simmons left for New York, telling me to use my own judg.
‘ment about starting the horse at Utica. We went to Utica,
and the day after our arrival had the Chief’s shoes nailed on
and gave him a slow jog of five miles. He was so lame and
sore that I decided not to start him, and so wrote Mr. Sim-

LIFE WITH THE TROITERS. “39

mons. This was on Monday, and the next day a telegram.
came from Mr. Simmons, saying: ‘‘Dont draw the’ horse.
I will be there the day of the race and decide whether to-
trot him or not.’? The Chief was so sore and lame that I
was sure Mr. Simmons would draw him, so I had his shoes.
taken off, and did not work him at all—simply had him
walked, his feet poulticed, and everything done to relieve:
the pain. The morning of the race brought Mr. Simmons,
who concluded to start the horse. The shoes were put on,
and, as usual, there were plenty of touts around who saw
that Kansas was very lame, and had not been worked all the:
week. When the betting on the race began, it was dollars.
to apples against the Chief. Most of the money went on
Stewart Maloney, owned by Mr. Peters, a theatrical man, of
Philadelphia; and Mike Goodin, one cf the old school of
drivers, who has now retired from the turf and become the
proprietor of the Bingham House in Philadelphia, had the.
mount behind him. In those days, a Philadelphia horse, if
he had any chance to win, was certain to be well backed. I
told Mr. Simmons that, tomy notion, it was impossible for
any horse as lame as the Chief was to win the race, but he
said: ‘‘Go on, and give them the best fight you can. Iam.
going to bet some money on Kansas, and if I lose wont say
a word.”

I think we must have scored twenty times for the first:
heat. Kansas came up on every gait except a trot, and.
when I would go to stop him at the end of a score it seemed.
as though he would falldown. At last the judges told me:
that if I did not get the word the next time they would send
the others off without me. Mr. Simmons suggested that I
take the Chief well down the stretch, and let him come to
the stand on a run, and if the judges gave the word try and.
catch him afterward. As I had tried every other plan I
could think of, this was agreed to. When we reached the
wire, Maloney was infront ona trot, Kansas next to him
and running. The judges said, ‘‘go,”’ and I let my horse
gallop for about fifty yards, he striking a big trot when I

AO LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

caught him. Maloney was a very speedy horse, and led to
the half, but from there to the wire Kansas gave him a horse
race all the way, finally beating him out by a head, in
'2:254, both horses finishing under the whip. Some of the
outsiders were disposed. to complain about the judges giv--
ing me the heat, on account of the run Kansas had made
in the first part of the mile, but we got the heat, and I think
-were entitled to it. In taking the Chief to the stable after
this heat, it seemed to me that he would never come back
to the track. Sam McLaughlin came along and said that if
that horse won the race he would come down and take off
his hat to him. JI put the Chief’s forward feet in a tub of
hot water, and let him stand there the entire twenty minutes
between the heats, keeping the water at the same tempera-
‘ture all the time. We gave his body and legs a thorough
rubbing, but when they called us for the second heat he went
on the track as lamea horse as [eversaw inarace. It was
thesame old story, more tedious scoring. Kansas got the
word on a break; Maloney led to the half, and finished
under the whip, Kansas gradually drawing up to him, and
finally winning by a neck in 2:244. By this time the boys
made up their minds that they were to be beaten by a lame
horse. Again we soaked the Chief's feet in hot water, and
when a start was made in the third mile, Maloney was again
away in front, and led to the head of the home stretch, where
Kansas overhauled him and won by a head, in2:26. Ihave
«driven a good many horses, and some that I considered very
game, but I think that Kansas Chief's, under the circum-
stances detailed, was as great an exhibition of courage as any
horse or human being ever made. As Mr. Simmons and
myself stood in front of the stable watching the boys cool
him out, McLaughlin came along with his hat in his hand,
and said to Mr. Simmons: ‘‘If that horse was a man he’d
be a hero,’ and I think all who have read the story of the
race will agree with Sam.

We were to go to Springfield the following week, but
the horse was in such horrible shape that we decided to

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. Al

ship him home, not thinking it possible that he could start.
Mr. Simmons left for New York that night, and I was to
ship the horse the following day; but on going to the
stable in the morning I was greatly surprised when Mike
Ward told me that he thought Kansas was not as lame as
he had been before his race. On jogging him I was pleased.
to find that Mike was right, and that my plans could be
changed. So I shipped the horse to Springfield, and on
getting there found the track soft and pliable, so that I gave
the Chief two slow miles two days before his race. I moved
him the last quarter of the second mile in 34} seconds.
Mr. Simmons said that was good enough, and if they could
beat him the day of the race they could have the money.
‘Of course we had seen the entries, and among them was
the stallion Smuggler, that at Buffalo, in a $10,000 purse
won by Thomas Jefferson, had taken the first and second
heats in 2:224, 2:20% Another to start against us was
Fleety Golddust, that had beaten the Chief a race at Buf-
falo; so that we knew that at least two of our opponents
were good, under favorable circumstances, for a mile close
to 2:20. But we figured on the advantage of the track,
and we knew our horse was game and a first-class actor.
Mr. Simmons said: ‘‘The short turns will puzzle Smuggler.
He will hardly get around them without making a break,
and that will cost him his chances of the race. The deep
track will make Fleety give it up before she has won three
heats.”’

We decided to lay up a heat at Springfield, as usual.
‘There was a great deal of scoring, Smuggler being unsteady;
but when we finally got away Fleety Golddust showed in
front and was never headed, winning in 2:25. There wasa
lot of scoring for the second heat, but at last they were sent
away with Kansas in fourth place. Fleety Golddust led as
usual,.and after turning into the back stretch I sent the
Chief along, because the back stretch of the Springfield
track was then very long and the home stretch short, so
that I wanted to make the fight early in the mile. The

42 LIFE WITH TUE TROTTERS.

Chief went through that stretch like the wind—so fast,
indeed, that when he came alongside of Fleety Golddust she:
made a break, and Kansas won easily in 2:29. In this heat,
Smuggler, who had made a break, was distanced, thus put-.
ting one of the fastest horses in the race out of our way.
The betting on this race was something enormous, all of
Mr. Green’s friends and the New York contingent backing:
Fleety Golddust. Smuggler was owned by Col. H. 8. Rus-.
sell, of Boston, and had shown some great trials, a mile in.
2:20 being one of them. The Yankees, with their accus-
tomed shrewdness, thought this was as good a chance as.
they would get to add a few dollars to their bank accounts,
and backed Smuggler freely. Tom Carpenter came along
just before the race started, and Mr. Simmons arranged for
him to quietly place a certain amount on the Chief. Tom
in his dry way said: ‘‘Eph, take my advice; keep your
money in your pocket, and buy oats with it for Kansas to.
eat.”” ‘*You put the money on as I direct,’’ responded.
Mr. Simmons, ‘‘and if I lose I will hustle around and see-
that Kansas doesn’t go hungry.”

With Smuggler distanced it looked as though the race-
was over. The Chief won the third heat easily in 2:25. In
the fourth heat, going around the first turn, which, by the:
way, was very short and dangerous, McLaughlin accidentally
ran into me and knocked several spokes out of my wheel.
This caused a break, and when we turned into the back.
stretch Kansas was the last horse. My first idea was to lay
up the heat, but when the leading horses reached the half-
mile pole I could see that they had done all they wanted.
to in the trotting line, and so started Kansas for the heat.
Fleety was three lengths ahead of me at the head of the:
home stretch ; but half way to the wire Kansas was at her
head, and from there it was easy for him, the mile being in
2:27, this making the second deciding heat for big money
that I had won that season, after meeting with an accident.
and losing a dozen lengths thereby.

At this meeting I drove a race for Mr. Simmons that I

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 43

think pleased him more and gave me greater confidence in
my ability as a driver than anything I had thus far done.
In all the races I had driven Kansas Chief it did not seem
to me as though I deserved any credit, as I felt that almost.
any man could have won with him. I had the best horse.
The race at Springfield that I speak of was one in which
I drove Bella against May Queen, H. C. Hill, Mac, Royal
George, Magnolia, James Howell, Jr., Young Rattler,
Harry Spanker, Kitty Cook, Hampton, Reserve, and Effie
Dean. Bella was a handsome bay mare by Rysdyk’s Ham-
bletonian, dam by Jupiter, and she was bred by James
McMann and George Wilkes, who was the editor of the
Spirit of the Times. McMann, who, by the way, is still in
the flesh and hale and hearty at nearly 75 years of age, was.
for many years the driver of Flora Temple and other cele-
brated horses of that day. After Hiram Woodruff had
given up Flora, McMann drove her to a record of 2:193,
that being the first time 2:20 was beaten by a trotter.
McMann owned .a mare by Jupiter they called Lady
McMann, and he and George Wilkes made an arrange-
ment to breed a colt from the mare, Wilkes paying for the
services of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, and McMann furnish-
ing the mare. In the course of time, when Bella was five
or six years old, Wilkes and McMann closed their deal and.
the mare came into the sole possession of Mr. Wilkes. He
sent her to the stable of Mr. Simmons, telling that gentle-
man he wished he would have her worked and sell her.
Mr. Simmons drove her one day, and came back and told
me she would make a trotter sure. He said her owner
asked for her $1,500, which he considered a very cheap
price for that kind of a mare: I went out and drove her
the next day, but I did not like her, and so told Mr. Sim-
mons. He still insisted that I should buy her, and offered
to pay for her and wait for his money until such time as
she had won it forme. I declined his very kind offer, and
lived long enough to be very sorry I did not accept it. He
sold her to a friend of his the following spring, and

44 LIFE WITI THE TROTTERS.

Mr. Simmons trained her. While I was away with Kan-
sas Chief through the Western country, he found that Bella
had a good deal of speed, and advised his friend to enter
her through the circuit, which he did, commencing at
Buffalo. Mr. Phillips drove her her Buffalo race, and
as it was her first start, and the first trip away from
home, she was very nervous, irritable, and acted badly,
being easily beaten, although showing considerable
speed.

At Utica she acted better, but was beaten again. After
the Utica race, Mr.Phillips told me he would be unable to
be at Springfield, and asked me to drive the mare for him.
Mr. Simmons was satisfied with the arrangement, and when
we arrived at Springfield, Bella was placed in my charge.
I found in working her out for the race that she was what I
considered a game mare with plenty of speed. Nashville
Girl, better known as May Queen, was in Mr. Green’s stable,
and had won all her races through the circuit. She was
looked upon by the pool-buyers and talent as a sure winner.
In the betting, Nashville Girl was favorite, $100 to $20 over
the field. Mr. Simmons said to me, ‘‘Splan, I don’t know
that you have any chance to win the race, but l-want you
to drive it just as you would a race that you thought you
were able to win. With all these starters, there is bound
to be a great deal of scoring. The track is soft.and deep,
and the day very warm. They are sure to get tired, and
the thing for you to do is to protect your own mare all you
can both in scoring and after you get the word, and don’t
make a move to win a heat until you see indications that
the others are ready to sit down.” The first heat Nash-
ville Girl won easily in 2:26, and there and then every-
body gave up the race to her. In the second heat Hickok
went out with James Howell, Jr., and gavehera fight. They
trotted a dead heat in 2:24, This did not change the looks
of the race very much, as everyone knew that Howell would
not come back another heat. Effie Dean had been distanced
in the first heat, but the others were stillin the fight. In the

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 45

third heat Nashville Girl won withouteffort in 2:28. She
out-trotted all the others from start to finish.

I drove my mare all this time with a view of simply
saving her distance, and I noticed that most of the other
drivers were hustling their horses during all of this time as
though they were in a hurry. With Nashville Girl hav-
ing two heats and being a 2:20 trotter, we made up our
minds if we were to get anything we would have to go out
this time or the race would be over. Mr. Simmons was
very anxious that I should go away steady and keep Bella
on a trot and take the chances of beating Nashville Girl, if
I had any, in the stretch. Hickok and his party had all
piled their money on the field against Nashville Girl, and
when the judges said ‘‘go’’ in this heat he went out to give
her a fight right from the start with Howell. She out-trot-
ted him all the way, and I trailed in behind next to the
pole, thinking I would get an opening there and get through.
After going about three-quarters of a mile in that position,
I saw Green draw his whip and hit Nashville Girl. She
failed to respond. I could see that Hickok noticed Green’s
action, as he sat down and commenced to drive Howell like
one that was mad. After about a hundred yards of that
kind of treatment Howell cried enough. I told Hickok that
if he wanted to see Nashville Girl beaten, to pull out and
let me through and that I would do the trick for him. He
looked somewhat surprised, but pulled out, and before
Green could realize the fact, Bella had Nashville Girl beaten.
To say that the public, the talent, and myself were sur-
prised doesn’t describeit. The time was 2:30, but the crowd
saw that I hada better horse than the favorite, just then.

After the heat was over and the horses led back to the
cooling ground, I looked them all over, and the only one that
I saw that seemed able to get its breath at all was Bella. We
concluded if they trotted the race out that night the
money was ours, and it looked as though they would have
plenty of time to doit in. In the fifth heat, when they gave the
word, I took Bella back, and Nashville Girl went away with

46 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

the lead again. She was in front all the way for the first
seven-eighths of a mile; from there home they had a horse
race, and Bella beat her in 2:31 by a head. It looked to
outsiders and myself as though we would have plenty of
time to trot out the race, but there was some delay caused
by scoring in another race, and Green being slow about
bringing Nashville Girl out on time when the horses
were called, caused our race to be postponed until the fol-
lowing day; Nashville Girl having won two heats and
made a dead heat with James Howell, Jr., and Bella two
heats. Effie Dean had been distanced in the first heat, Kit-
tie Cook drawn in the third, Reserve distanced in the second,
Harry Spanker and Hampton distanced in the third, and
Young Rattier drawn at the end of the fifth, so that for the
finish of the contest next day there were left to start of the
once big field only Nashville Girl, H. C. Hill, Mack, Royal
George, Magnolia, and Howell. In the evening about the
hotel and pool-room there was a great deal of talk and excite-
ment over the race. Everybody was trying to hedge their
money in some way. Of course, it looked as though Bella’s
chance was lost by the postponement. Mr. Simmons said
tome: ‘‘ Take good care of our mare and try and bring her
out in good shape to-morrow. We have got a fighting
chance, and we will take it.’’ In scoring for the sixth heat,
Bella was inclined to be unsteady, and Nashville Girl
appeared to be able to out-trot her easily. When the word
was given, Nashville Girl went out with the lead. In going
to the first turn Bella made a wild break and lost her
chance for the heat, and to me it looked as though the
race was decided, but about this time H. C. Hill, a horse
that had not before looked dangerous in the race, cut loose
after Nashville Girl, caught her about fifty yards from the
wire, and beat her out a head in 2:28%. We got the word
in the next heat with Nashville Girl again in the lead, Hill
second, and Bella third. They went to the turn in this
position. Nashville Girl broke, but I went on with Bella,
winning the heat. Afterthe heat, Mr. Green claimed to the

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. AT

judges that I had fouled him in going around the turn.
They allowed his claim and gave the heat to H. C. Hill, who
finished second to me, and placed me outside, the time
being 2:293. I hardly think the judges intended to do me
an injury, but am still of the opinion that they decided
wrongfully, as I was sure then, andam yet, that I did not
interfere with Mr. Green in any way. There was a great
deal of money on the race, and a great deal of outside
influence brought to bear, which J think may have affected
the judges’ decision toa certain extent. Mr. Simmons said:
“Sit still; we will beat her yet.”’

The race had now got toa place where three horses had
two heats apiece, and in the two heats trotted on the second
day, Magnolia and another had been distanced, reducing
the field to five. When scored for the deciding heat I was
well up on the outside, and Mr. Simmons and myself had
decided that we had better trail away and make the fight
after we had got into the stretch. When the judges said
“9o0,”? Hill and Nashville Girl went out in front. Bella
went away at a good stiff pace, and I kept her well in hand.
As we moved down the back stretch the others had a lead
of about four lengths. She closed up half that distance on
them as they passed the three-quarter-mile post. When we
turned into the stretch, Nashville Girl had the pole, Hill
on her wheel, and Bella next. There was a hard, -smooth
path on the extreme outside of the track. I took Bella over
there and set sail for the heat. She gained on them, but
very slowly. At the distance stand, it seemed to me that
she was head and head with them. Green rallied his mare
and she out-trotted Bella again for about fifty yards. Once
more Bella got on even terms with her, and struggling on,
beat her to the wire by a head in 2:304. Thus ended the
first real battle in which a horse and sulky were my weapons
and my opponents some of the foremost drivers in the land.
I, boylike, of course felt correspondingly delighted, and
received a great many compliments, but the two that pleased
me most was one from my employer, Mr. Simmons, in which

48 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

he told me that I had driven well, and the other from the
partner of all my joysand sorrows, Mrs. Splan.

I turned off from the story of Kansas Chief’s races after
the one at Springfield, which we won when there seemed
to be nochance of victory. Our next engagement was at Hart-
ford, where we trotted the Chief, as it were out of his class.
We started him there in the 2:24 race, where he met what
afterward became two of the most celebrated horses of
their day. I speak now of Hopeful, the grey gelding that.
made a record of 2:14? to harness, and still holds the
world’s record to wagon—2:164, and Lucille Golddust,
whom Charley Green afterward drove to a record of 2:164,
and whose first foal, Lucille’s Baby, made a record last
year of 2:204, and bids fair to eclipse the performance of
her famous dam. We had heard great reports of Hopeful’s
speed, and from that concluded that we would not be able
to beat him, and, as westill had some very valuable engage-
ments with Kansas Chief, Mr. Simmons suggested that if I
found we could not win, to make the race as easy as pos-
sible for Kansas; which I did. Hopeful won the race in
three straight heats, the time being 2:25, 2:234, 2.233,
Susie got second money, Kansas Chief third, and Lucille
Golddust fourth; the other horses in the race being Joker,
that Mr. Jay Gould drove on the road after he had retired
from the turf, and Ela Wright, that Budd Doble drove.
Joker was driven by Jimmy Dougrey, and together they
made a pair that were hard to beat. Dougrey has made
himself famous in more lines than one. He has trained
and driven some of the best horses in this country, and.
done it as well as any man. When it comes to training a
game chicken, Dougrey can beat anyone, and his war
roosters have gained him fame and money when the race-
tracks were under the snow. As a politician he has also
shone, having been canal superintendent on the Erie under
the Tweed administration, and it was through no dishon-
esty or mismanagement of the canal by Dougrey that
Tweed fell. After the banishment of his political

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 49

leader, Mr. Dougrey returned to the sulky again, and as
late as 1888 brought out a first-class campaigner in the big
chestnut gelding T. T. 8., that trotted two races a week all
the way down the line against some of the best ones in the
country, and seldom failed to get a part of the money.

In looking back over the campaign, I thought I saw
where I had made some serious mistakes with Kansas
Chief. Perhaps I had done as well as anyone, taking into
consideration that it was the first time I had gone through
the big circuit with a horse. One thing I am sure of, we
were all wrong in starting him after he had begun to lose
his form. He had been kept at an edge, trotted a great
many good races, and beaten some of the best horses of his
year. Perhaps if he had been sound he might have gone
right on, but in the condition of his feet it was almost
impossible to expect him to continue to take his work and
go arace, and if we had stopped him after his Boston race
it would have been much better. I simply state this as my
opinion after looking the battles all over; and I believe
that in order to make oneself perfect in any business in life
aman must be sure to take account of all the mistakes he
makes; and as I am writing this book hoping there may be
in its pages some information of value to other people, I
shall from time to time make a note of mistakes I think
I have made in training, driving, etc.

That winter we took Kansas Chief to the farm of Sam
McLaughlin in Newburgh, Orange County, N. Y., to be
cared for. Mike Ward, his rubber, went with the horse,
and we commenced to treat his feet where we left off in the
spring. We gave him medicine to cool his blood and tone
up his stomach, had a nice warm stall with plenty of bed-
ding prepared for him, and during the warm part of the
day he was allowed to run out in the paddock. When the
spring came he looked and acted like a colt. His feet were
grown out and very much improved. His legs appeared
very clean and sound. When the training season opened
we took him to Fleetwood Park, and I think that was a

50 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

‘mistake, as he never liked the track, it seeming hard work
for him to go down and up the hill, the first half of Fleet-
wood being very much down grade, and the last half an
up-grade. The first half seemed to be the hardest for him.
I never saw any horse that could trot up the hill faster
than he could. The way I account for this was, that com-
ing up the hill took the weight off from his forward feet,
and then he was naturally a game and good finisher.

We trotted a race at Fleetwood against Hopeful and
Sensation, the Chief winning it in slow time, as all three
horses were out of condition, and the race set them all
back. Iwas unable to trot Kansas Chief again until Octo-
ber 9, and then he went to Prospect Park, and started
against what afterward became one of the most famous
horses in this country. I mean Rarus; a horse that I have
more to thank for than any other one ever drove. The only
-other starter, besides Kansas Chief and Rarus, was Joker.
Rarus won the race in three straight heats, I contenting
myself with second money. I made no effort with Kansas
Chief, as I knew he could not beat Rarus, and I was not
going to repeat the mistake I had made in the spring, by
giving him a hard race when he was out of condition. The
following week we went to Point Breeze Park, Philadelphia.
There we struck in with Rarus and Mace with Sensation.
There was a good deal of betting, with Rarus a strong favor-
ite, as he had been winning all his races. Sensation won the
race. I believe that Jimmie Page, a very clever gentleman,
who drove Rarus, complained that Mace and myself had not
given him any the best of it in some of the heats. At any
rate we got the money ; and right here I want to show what
a bright, smart fellow Dan Mace was in his business. In
talking over the race that night, at the hotel, in our rooms,
alone, Mace said to me: ‘‘Splan, that horse Rarus’ can
trot faster than any horse I ever saw, and some day will
make a mark.’’ I said ‘‘ Dan, how did you find that out?’
He told me that, going around the upper turn in the last
heat, it was quite plain that Rarus was out-trotting Sensa-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 51

tion, and when he cut him loose on a run for fifty or
seventy-five yards, Rarus trotted faster than Sensation
could run. MRarus finally broke, and that ended the battle.
This race proved to me that Kansas Chief was coming back
to his old form, as he went the first two heats in 2:23 and
2:24, and, as Point Breeze was never a fast track, I was
satisfied with him then. I trotted him two other races that
season, beating Adelaide and Rarus, but neither of them
need. special mention.

These were the last races I ever drove Kansas Chief.
Anything that can be said in favor of a true and brave
horse, can be said, with truth, about him. I want to say
that I never think of the horses that I have driven without
bringing Kansas Chief to my mind. I have told of his
looks, his training, etc., and will finish this chapter by de-
scribing the way in which I bitted and harnessed him, and
his peculiarities in and out of the stable. I drove him with
a plain snaffle bit and an over-check and check bit, with his
head checked well up; in fact, I think he went with his head
higher than any other horse I ever had. We put on him in
front a light pair of quarter boots, and behind there were
scalpers, shin and passing boots. In the stable he was a
very mild and docile horse, but did not take very kindly to
strangers. He acted a good deal like a man who might
have had dyspepsia all his life. In jogging or working
alone he was disposed to be rather sulky. On race days,
when he heard the brass band, and we commenced to take
down his harness and put on his boots, he would begin to
get very uneasy and walk around the stall, He was always
a good feeder, and, when free from soreness, a very easy
horse to drive. He had one peculiar habit with his tongue
that I never saw in any other horse. In his races he would
put his tongue out about two inches between his front teeth,
and go the whole mile in that manner. He would pinch
his tongue so hard with his teeth that, at the finish of a
mile, the end of it would look as black as a hat. When
Kansas Chief left my hands, he was placed in charge of

52 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

David Muckle, a gentleman who has made a reputation for
himself in the trotting world. Everybody knows him by
the name of ‘‘Davy.”’ He started in, a boy, in the early
years of trotting, and served his time under such well-
known people as Horace Jones, Hiram Woodruff, and that
school of trainers. In Muckle’s hands Kansas Chief, in
1876, beat some of the greatest horses on the turf, includ-
ing Rarus, Bodine, Maud, Nettie, and a host of others.
This year ended his active turf career. Mr. Simmons let a
friend of his in Alabama have him, where he now is, and
T hear he has still gotall his old-time fire and determination.

CHAPTER III.

Rarus, the first trotter to beat 2:14—How he was bred and raised by a Long
Island farmer—The old gentleman thought by his neighbors to be too
enthusiastic about the colt—His first race on the Island—How he came
into my hands, after making a record of 2:2084—A successful trip through
the central circuit, winning all his races but one—How Jim Crawford
fooled the pool buyers—Going West and beating the famous Bodine—
Entering Rarus in a race against the crack trotters of the land.

Away back in the war times, or rather, just after the
Rebellion, there lived in one of the prettiest parts of Long
Island, and with a farm overlooking the Sound, an old
gentleman named R. B. Conklin. In his younger days Mr.
Conklin had been a stage-carpenter, and, in the pursuit of
his trade, drifted to New York, of which city he was a resi-
dent for many years. His business brought him in contact
with the world a great deal, and a natural love of trotting
was fostered and encouraged by the fact that in the vicinity
of New York there were two of the leading tracks of the
day. and two more, the Fashion and Union, on Long
Island.

Being an economical man, as well as an industrious
one, Mr. Conklin had saved some portion of his earnings,
and by the time he had reached the meridian of life was.
the possessor of a fine little farm at Greenport, Long Island,
where he began in a modest way the raising of a few colts.
During his trip to New York City Mr. Conklin had noticed
in one of the markets there a big bay stallion, not a finely-
finished horse in any sense, but one of wonderful power
and resolution, that fulfilled the menial duty of hauling a
fish wagon. At this time the fame of Rysdyk’s Hamble-

tonian was just being made, and there were several of his
(53)

54 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

sons that were siring numbers of fast trotters. Mr. Conk-
lin believed, from the formation of the bay stallion that
drew the fish wagon, that he was a descendant of Abdallah,
the sire of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, and, with this fancy in
his mind, he bought the horse, then well advanced in years
and possessed of no pleasant temper, and took him to the
Long Island farm. It was characteristic of Mr. Conklin,
than whom a more kindly old gentleman never lived, to
have implicit faith in everything with which he became
connected, and the stallion was no exception to the rule.
In those days horses, no matter how well bred, were made
useful, and so Mr. Conklin’s purchase was put to work on
the farm, drawing a cart and assisting generally in the culti-
vation of the place. Mr. Conklin had, previously to this
time, secured a mare called Nancy Awful. This mare was
by a thoroughbred horse, called Teiegraph, that belonged
to the Burr family, the father and uncle of Carl Burr own-
ing him jointly ; and right here I may say that no man has
a more extended reputation as a handler of young trotting
stock, and the develover of trotters, than this same Carl
Burr, now grown to such an age that he has grandchildren
at his knee. To Carl Burr is due much of the credit of
developing the numerous fast youngsters that have come
from the Stony Ford farm of Mr. Chas. Backman. All the
sons and daughters of the famous Clay mare, Green Mount-
ain Maid, were given their first lessons in the sulky by
Mr. Burr, and when it is remembered that this mare pro-
duced six that have beaten 2:30, and that she is also the
dam of the great stallion Electioner, it will be seen that
My. Burr’s influence on the history of the trotter is no
slight one.

But to return to Mr. Conklin and the colt. In due time
the daughter of Telegraph was bred to the stallion called
Conklin’s Abdallah, and the old gentleman predicted then
and there that the produce would be the greatest trotter that
the world had ever seen. It was really asort of religion with
the old gentleman— this absolute belief in the greatness of the

LIFE WITIL TIE TROTTERS. 55

stallion and the mare owned by him, and that their union
would result in a phenomenon among horses. The dam of
Rarus was a gray mare, fifteen hands and three inches high,
and, with ordinary road work, could trot close to three min-
utes, and had plenty of spirit and determination—in fact, a
little too much to be pleasant. To show that her physical
qualities were of the best, it may be said that she lived to be
over thirty;years old. When the mare’s foal was finally
dropped it proved to be a bay colt, long and rangy in contour,
with plenty of life and spirit. Thus far the old man’s pre-
dictions had been fulfilled, for the animal was certainly one
of which any breeder might be proud. From the day of its
birth it was treated differently from any other animal on
the place. As soon as it had been weaned a suitable stall
was built, in a big barn, for its accommodation, and, from
that day forth, nothing was left undone to secure its com-
fort. Of course, what Mr. Conklin thought of the colt was
known to his neighbors, for, in matters of this kind, gossip
soon spreads throughout a village, and it was not long
before Conklin and his colt were the talk of that end of
Long Island. The neighbors had always given Mr. Conk-
lin credit for being a steady-going, hard-headed, conserva-
tive old man, with plenty of sense and no small amount
of caution, and when they listened to his rhapsodies about
the bay colt, and saw the preparations he made for its com-
fort and convenience, there were not a few of them who
really thought that the old gentleman had become a little
daft on the subject. /

Of course, their views did not fail to reach him—talk
of this kind always comes to the one of whom it is said—
but it never altered the old man one iota in his course with
regard to the bay colt. He firmly believed that he had the
coming trotter, and he was bound that through no omission
of his should any mishap befall the animal. When the colt
was three years old it was broken to harness, and, during
the following summer, took part in a little race on the Island,
winning the contest in about three minutes. Then the

56 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

old man was more certain than ever that he had the
wonder of the world, and redoubled his efforts in the way
of care, etc.; hada special stable built for the colt, with
an office adjoining, where, in winter, all seated around a
big fire, he would entertain his neighbors telling them what
a great horse that colt was going to be. About this time
Mr. Conklin gave him the name of Rarus, which is a
Latin adjective meaning rare, it being his idea that the point
of perfection in horseflesh had been reached in the colt.
For the next two years Mr. Conklin gave almost his entire
time to the care and education of this colt. He bought him-
self a light wagon, got a set of double harness, secured an
old runner, and, as he was a very heavy man and did not
want to compel the colt to draw his weight, he hooked him
by the side of the runner, and in this manner, over the sandy
roads of Long Island, the future conqueror of Goldsmith
Maid, and champion trotter of the world, received his first
lessons in trotting at the hands of his owner, the stage
carpenter. ;

About the time Rarus was six years old Mr. Conklin had
for a friend a man by the name of James Meade, an express-
man from Brooklyn. Mr. Meade advised that Rarus be put
in the hands of his son, who was something of a horseman,
and young Meade drove him insome local races, in which he
took part with success. The first regularly recorded event
in which the name of Rarus appears is a race trotted on
the 21st of August, 1874, at Hornellsville, N. Y., the purse
being $600. In this race the horse was entered by James
G. Meade, his opponents being Knox, Kilpatrick, Willie
Golddust, Kittie Kuler, Ethan, and Bay Jimmie, not one of
whom was ever prominent in trotting circles. Knox won
the first heat of this race in 2:47, and then Rarus took the
next three heats in 2:46, 2:454, 2:464. About this time James
Page, a prominent horseman and stable-keeper of Brook-
lyn, who was always more or less interested in trotters,
arranged with Mr. Conklin to train and drive Rarus.
Whether Page drove the horse in his race at Hornellsville

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 57

IT cannot positively say, but on October 12, of the same
year, Rarus appeared in the race at Prospect Park, where
he struck a much better class of horses, his opponents being
the little bay mare Adelaide (of whom I shall have more
to say hereafter), Falmouth Boy, Roadmaster, Volunteer
Maid, T. J. Stevens, Compeer, Effie Dean, Lady Trimble,
and Carrie White. The race was a very hotly contested
one, six heats being required to settle the question. Rarus
won the first heat in 2:324; then Falmouth Boy took the
second and third heats, each mile being trotted in 2:34.
Adelaide then went to the front, trotting the fourth in
_ 2:304, and the fifth in 2:32, after which the race was post-
poned until the following day, when Rarus came out with
renewed speed, and captured the sixth and seventh heats in
2:30 and 2:304.

The horse was kept at Prospect Park, and two weeks
later started in another race over same track against a field
of five, the only one of the lot that ever became promi-
nent being the black mare May Bird, the daughter of
George Wilkes, that afterward proved herself one of the
best all-around performers of her speed I have ever seen,
inasmuch as she obtained a saddle record of 2:193, a harness
record of 2:21, and drew a wagon a mile in 2:244. These
records were all made in hotly-contested races. May Bird
was afterward sold to Mr. Robert Bonner, a man who has
paid out nearly half a million dollars in cash for trottgrs,
owning at one time Rarus, Dexter, and Maud 8. In this
race at Prospect Park, May Bird set the pace rather faster
than Rarus had been going, winning the first heat in 2:27. He
took the second heat in 2:30, and in the third he trotted a
mile in 2:284, this being the first time that he had beaten 2:30.
May Bird beat him out in the fourth heat, but, with his
usual resolution, the big bay horse came back faster in the
fifth mile, and won by a neck in 2:304. These were two
good races for a horse that had not been asked to beat three
minutes until a few weeks previous, but on the 30th of
October he was pulled out again, and trotted another race

58 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

over the same track against the horses that he had beaten
in the two previous events, no less than ten of them
starting against him. When the battle began May Bird
seemed to havea little the most speed. It was late in the
year, and the weather was cold. The daughter of George
Wilkes took the first and second heats in 2:304, 2:30; after
which Rarus wore her down and won the third, fourth, and
fifth heats in 2:323, 2:324, and 2:35. This was his last race
in 1874, and he went into winter quarters with a record
of 2:283.

In the spring of 1875 he was again placed in the hands
of Mr. James Page. He was given a few preparatory races,
trotting through Michigan and Indiana, and on the 22d of
July came to Sandusky, Ohio, where he started against
Lady Mack, Carrie L., and Belle. He won the first heat of
this race in 2:31, Carrie L. took the second in 2:323, Rarus
the third in 2:334, Lady Mack the fourth in 2:324, and
Rarus the fifth in 2:32. He was then taken to Cleveland,
where the grand circuit began, and entered in a $3,500
purse, where he was called upon to beat some of the best
horses of the day in their class, the other starters being
Molly Morris, Carrie, Eva, Belle Brasfield, Mazo-Manie,
Snowball, and Bertie. This was the first genuine battle
that I had ever seen Rarus win. In all his other races he
had shown moderate speed, with a good deal of determina-
tion, to hang on. People who saw this race will never
forget the excitement there was about it atthe time. In
the over-night betting, every horse was backed as though
each owner thought he had the purse won. Mazo-Manie
represented Wisconsin, having been sold to Mr. E. H.
Brodhead, of Milwankee, a man whose horses always
went for the money. His friends and the public, knowing
this, plunged with all their might. Molly Morris, the fastest
trotter of her inches in the world, belonged at that time to
William Armstrong, now a famous pool-seller. William
McLaughlin, or ‘‘ Red Bill,”’ as the boys loved to call, him,
held the reins over Molly. She had shown him trials close

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 59

to 2:20, and Armstrong and his friends, thinking they had
a good thing, kept their own counsel and put down their
money. Carrie, a mare that had proved herself a first-class
race nag, and was owned by Mr. Myron P. Bush of Buffalo,
had Mace for a pilot, .and all New York ready to bet on her.
From Philadelphia came William H. Doble, noted for his
own ability asa driver, and also as being father of Budd
Doble, who had Snowball in the race. Morrell Higbie repre-
sented Illinois with the gray mare Bertie, that had speed
enough to out-trot the wind. These, with Belle Brasfield
and Rarus, made the field.

Molly Morris won the first heat, from start to finish, in
2:228, as she also did the second, in 2:25}; and the people
from Michigan, as they saw their favorite pony coming to
the front twice, and ‘‘ Red Bill’’ at the head of the proces-
sion, commenced to get ready to telegraph home the news
of a victory. In the third heat, Molly led until well into
the stretch, when Carrie came alongside and gave her a
race from there to the stand, both horses and drivers doing
their utmost to win the heat. After the finish there was a
great deal of excitement, it being difficult to know just
who had won, but the judges awarded the heat to Carrie,
in 2:244. Now came a change in the race. Mr. Page, lack-
ing confidence in his own ability, asked Mr. John L. Doty
to drive Rarus. Mr. Doty isa man not so well-known to
turfgoers now as he was at that time. Doty came origi-
nally from New Jersey, and was always considered ‘one of.
the very best trainers and drivers of the old school. | Al-
though he was well along in years at this time, he was willing
to get up and makea fight with the boys, which he did, and,
as the result showed, successfully. I have always thought
that the owner and backers of Rarus owed to Mr. Doty a
vote of thanks for the masterly manner in which he handled
him the balance of the race. When the word was given in
the fourth heat, Molly Morris rushed away with the lead,
Doty contenting himself with fourth place. At the half-
mile post ze cut loose, and that was the first time I ever

60 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

saw Rarus go ai a rate of speed to make me think he might
be able to trot in 2:20. Ashe rounced into the stretch, he
was in third position, and, from there to the stand, the race
was as exciting as one could wish for. Rarus closed inch
by inch; he seemed to grow longer and bigger, and Molly
Morris shorter and smaller. It looked an uneven battle—
the pony, scarcels fourteen hands high, trotting and strug-
gling against a horse that stood over sixteen hands—and
when he overtook ner at the distance-stand, and beat her to
the wire by an eyelash only, in 2:244, there was great cheer-
ing, and J think that the sympathy of a great many in the
audience was with Molly Morris on account of her size and
her honest attempt to win. Rarus won the next heat, but
not until he had had another determined battle, and went a
second faster than in the fourth mile. In the deciding heat
they had all had enough of it, and Rarus won in 2:264. In
this race he had gone from 2:28 to 2:23$, and Doty told me,
that night, at the hotel, that he considered him, by long
odds, the fastest and best horse that he had ever driven.
That rather surprised me, as I had seen Doty have some
very good ones, and I felt that he had Rarus a little over-
rated on account of his victory. At Buffalo he met about
the same lot of horses the following week, but Molly Morris
turned the tables on him, and beat him in straight heats, in
2:22, 2:243, and 2:244, Carrie getting second position, and
Rarus third. Doty told me that night that he thought
the track being hard hurt Rarus, as he did not seem dis-
posed to extend himself, and at no part of the race, except-
ing the finish of the last heat, did he show anything like
his Cleveland speed. From what I knew of Rarus after-
ward, I think that Mr. Doty gave the right solution of his
defeat. While the first heat of this race might have been
faster than he could have gone, he had shown his ability
to beat 2:24, which was the time of the last heat.

The following week, at Rochester, they had another royal
battle. Some of the heats of this race were trotted in the
mud, which accounts for the great variation in time. Rarus

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 61

won the first heat in 2:234, Molly Morris the second in 2:244,
and then the rain came on, making the track slower. This
told against Molly Morris more than any of the others, and
Rarus beat her in 2:26. By this time the track was very
heavy and anchored them both, Rarus having a very long
stride. Eva won the fourth heat in 2:334, and then the
race went over until the following day, when, on a good
track, Rarus again lowered his record, trotting a mile
in 2:22.

At Utica about the same lot of horses started. Bonner,
a chestnut gelding, driven by Jack Feek, won the first heat
in 2:22. Feek is one of the ornaments of the profession, both
from the standpoint of skill and in personal appearance.
He is often called by his intimate friends ‘‘ Handsome Jack
Feek,”’ and his looks warrant the compliment. There is one
thing that the boys always know, when Jack Feek starts a
horse in a race for the money he is in the pink of condition,
and this was never better illustrated than at Cleveland last
summer, when he came out against seventeen others, all of
whom could beat 2:20, with the little mare Lady Whitefoot,
and, without asking their permission or consulting anybody,
took the second, third, and fourth heats of the race and the
last dollar that was played in the pool-boxes, all the miles
being in 2:19 or better. After this race the price of salt
about Syracuse was reduced away below the high-tariff rate.
In the Utica race the second heat was won by Bertie in 2:27,
and then Rarus went on and took the next three in 2:25, 2:23,
and 2:23. He was sick at Springfield, and did not start there,
but at Hartford, on the first of September, he was again in
form, and made another material reduction in his record.
Some new competitors were met here, among them being
Frank J. (that my old friend Jack Bachelor, whose linen
duster and spectacles were in those days familiar from one
end of the land to the other, drove), Parkis’ Abdallah, Crown
Prince, and Triumph. Frank J. had shown his owner a trial
or two that made him think well of his chances, and when-
ever Bachelor believed he had a good thing he was willing

62 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

to play the limit. To prove this latter statement, I will cite
an instance in his career concerning an occasion when he
was interested in a faro game. Ashesat behind the dealing
box a flashily dressed man came inandsaid: ‘‘ Well, Uncle,
what’s your limit?”? Bach looked at him and replied:
‘‘From the green earth to the blue sky above, my split-
haired friend from the city,’’ and Bach meant what he said.
On another occasion Bach was presiding at the lair of the
tiger in the far West, when in dropped a miner who had
just struck a rich vein of ore, and whose pockets were filled
with little bags containing gold dust. The stranger was of
the type of man that one reads about in novels. He had a
fierce moustache, his face worea stage-villain scowl, and the
ends of a couple of big revolvers peeped out coquettishly
from his hip-pockets. He began setting the little bags of
gold dust down, and finally centered his affection on the jack.
By this time the other players had taken their bets from
the lay out and were watching the stranger. He surrounded
the jack with a double row of little canvas bags, put two or
three more on the corners, and then stopped, still holding
a couple of bags in his hand. ‘‘ Have I got to the limit?’
he asked Bach. The old man looked up over his spectacles,
with the air of a college professor, and said in that high,
squeaky voice that all the boys know so well: ‘‘ No, sir,
you have not reached the limit; put down the other two
bags, and then jump on yourself.”’

So when Bach started Frank J. in the Hartford race he
played him in just the same way. He went out and drove for
his own money. He won the first heat in 2:232 very
handily. In the next heat we saw one of the grandest battles
that had come off that year. Frank J. lead all the way to
within fifty yards of the wire, where Rarus closed and beat
him out an eyelash in 2:202, which was a second and a
quarter faster than he had ever gone before, and proved that
Bach was right about his horse, which he had deemed
capable of a mile in 2:21. In the next. heat Frank J. broke,
and Rarus won easily in 2:254. In the fourth heat they

LIFE WiTH THE TROTTERS. 63

renewed the battle, and it was anyone’s race to the finish,
where Rarus landed a winner in 2:223, this being the fastest,
and best race he had ever trotted. Two days later he per-
formed over the same track against Annie Collins, Little -
Fred, Adelaide, and Bonner. He won this race in straight
heats, the time being 2:214, 2:224, and 2:24%. This race was
conceded to Rarus, and all the betting was on the place.
Crawford’s mare had not shown any remarkable speed here-
tofore, the most of the money going on Bonner. Mr. Craw-
ford took advantage of public sentiment, something which
he has done on several occasions, and placed his money on
Annie Collins for second place, and the result of the race
shows the wisdom of the whole transaction, because Annie
Collins went the best race of her life, making Rarus trot the
first mile in 2:214 to beat her, and the second and third in
2:224 and 2:24%. All of Rarus’s other races through the
balance of this season were fully described in a former
chapter in connection with Kansas Chief.

At the end of this season Rarus was taken home to his
owner’s farm, on Long Island, and placed in his own quar-
ters, which he had left without fame, but to which he returned
encircled by the halo of glory that in those days a record of
2:202 would give to any horse. The Long Islanders are
all horsemen, and they appreciated the fact that Mr. Conk-
lin’s prophecies, which they deemed wild and visionary at
the time, had been more than fulfilled, and in the frosty
days of November, and all during the following winter, they
would stroll up to the barn, sit around the glowing stove in
the office, and listen to the old gentleman as he recounted the
triumphs that the bay gelding had won in the big cities of
the land.

The first time that ever I saw Mr. Conklin to know him
was the next morning after Kansas Chief had beaten Rarus
the last race in Prospect Park, in the fall of 1875. I was out
at the stable, looking over Kansas, when I saw, walking to-
ward me, a gentleman who looked as though, in the prime
of life, he might have been a man of great size and strength.

64 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

I asked who he was, and one of the boys told me that was
Mr. Conklin, the owner of Rarus. I stepped out and said
good morning to him, and we naturally fell to chatting about
the result of the race the day before. He felt very much
cast down to think that Rarus had been beaten; was willing
to acknowledge that Kansas was a good horse, but not that
he was the superior of Rarus. I told him his horse had too
long a season, and was out of condition, and at the same
time told him that I thought Rarus showed speed enough
in the race to convince me that he was the fastest horse I
ever saw. This remark of mine must have touched a sym-
pathetic chord in the old man’s heart, for from that day
until he died no man had a warmer friend than I had in Mr.
Conklin. Inthe course of our conversation he told me that,
if he ever made a change of drivers, I should have the first
chance with his horse, and gave me a pressing invitation to
come over to Long Island, and visit him at his home. This
invitation I accepted, later on. About the Ist of January I
took a Long Island train to Mir. Conklin’s home. I arrived
there at six o’clock in the evening, and was invited in toan
old-fashioned farm-house supper, and introduced to Mr.
Conklin’s family. After doing ample justice to the good
things at the table, of which there was no lack, the old
gentleman lit his lantern, put on his big coat and boots, and.
we started out to visit Rarus. I found the horse in the stall, as
pleasantly situated as I ever saw him afterward. Plenty of
room, good bedding, lots of blankets, and in the room ad-
joining the stall, fitted up as an office, was a nice fire and
comfortable chairs, which the old gentleman had provided
for the reception of his friends. When he ordered the
blankets taken off Rarus, I could see, by the light of the
lantern, that he had filled out and developed into a grand
looking horse. He seemed to have entirely recovered from
his summer’s campaign, and was very much improved in
every way. We sat down and talked until bedtime, and in
the course of our conversation I asked Mr. Conklin if he
would sell his horse. For reasons which it is not necessary

LIFE WITII THE TROTTERS. 65

to explain, he said to me that he would, at the same time
giving me his reasons, and I may say here that it was not
because he had lost confidence in his horse, as he stilt
insisted, and, I am sure, believed, that he would eventually
be the greatest trotter the world ever saw.

After a pleasant visit of a day or two, I returned to New
York, and, one day in my rambles, met Mr. James Wallace,
who was at that time one of the most liberal patrons of the
trotting turf. Mr. Wallace was always ready to buy a good
horse, pay a good price for him, trot him, and give the driver
everything that was made with him. In the course of our
conversation I told Mr. Wallace what I thought of Rarus,
and also informed him of what Mr. Conklin had said about
selling. He told me to find out just what would buy Rarus,
and made an appointment to see me again. I met him after-
ward, and stated the price, which I had found out from Mr.
Conklin. Wallace said that if I would, under a certain
contract, undertake to train and drive his horses, he would
buy Rarus. I accepted his proposition, and the first of the
month started in under the contract. I wrote Mr. Conklin,
and he came to New York to close the deal with Mr. Wal-
lace. About this time some one of the many people there-
abouts, who were always ready to advise everybody about
their own business, told Mr. Wallace that Rarus wasan un-
sound horse, and advised him, under no consideration, to buy
him. Mr. Wallace sent for me, and stated the case. He told
me to pay Mr. Conklin liberally for any trouble that he
might have been at, but, under the circumstances, he thought
it would not be advisable to buy Rarus. He said, however,
that he would buy any good horse that might appear on the
turf in the spring. Mr. Conklin did not seem much dis-
appointed when I told him what Mr. Wallace had said,
simply saying: ‘‘ Very well; there may come a day when
he will want to buy him and can’t’’—words that afterward
came true, as Mr. Wallace, on one occasion afterward, told
me he would give $20,000 for the horse.

In the spring of 1876 Mr. Conklin gave his horse, =

66 LIFE WITH TUE TROTTERS.

train and drive, to Mr. James D. McMann, a man whom I
had seen drive races in the days when I used to play hookey
from school and hide my books under a lumber pile. He
took the horse to Philadelphia, and trotted him in the spring
races against his old opponent, Kansas Chief, then in the
hands of Mr. Dave Muckle. Kansas beat him three races
in succession, Rarus seeming to have none of his old-time
speed or dash. About this time Mr. McMann, feeling that
he was too old to leave home to campaign the horse, sug-
gested that he would turn the horse over tome. Ihad given
Mr. Wallace a contract for my services for the year, and
could not take the horse without his consent. So strongly
was [impressed with the greatness of Rarus that I was will-
ing to give up a good contract, with a certainty, for the
chance of getting him to train and drive. Iwent and stated
the case to Mr. Wallace, and he advised me, for my own
good, not to give up the contract and take Rarus, but said
that if I insisted he would consent to the arrangement,
which he did. By this time Mr. McMann had brought
Rarus toa half-mile track on Long Island, owned by the Bar-
clay Brothers. About the ist of July I went one morning,
with Mr. Conklin and McMann, to this place, and, for the first
time in my life, sat behind Rarus. Mr. McMann advised me
to give him a mile in about 2:40, and, twenty minutes later, to
drive him another mile in about 2:30, and, if I liked him, to
let him step along the last quarter, which I did. I was
much pleased with him, and, while Mr. McMann told
me he thought him a great horse, I was full sure that he
was greater than even he thought. Mr. Conklin made
me the proposition that I take the horse and enter him, and
pay his expenses, and have half what he won. I was per-
fectly willing to accept the contract, but the next thing was,
where could I get the money to pay the expenses? I
bethought myself of Mr. Simmons, knowing that if I found
him I would have no trouble to get what money I needed; but
on my return to New York, Mr. Simmons was out of town,
and no one seemed to know where he was. The entries through

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 67

the grand circuit closed that night, and whatever was done
had to be done before eleven o’clock. My financial stand-
ing at that time was such that there was not much chance
for me to effect a loan at any of the National banks, so I
concluded to look around for some place where they loaned
money on less security. I happened to meet that genial
man and fellow-sportsman, Col. Jim Crawford, who had
been a side partner of Uncle Jack Bachelor, and who was
always willing to cake an even chance on anything from
jack-straws to fox-hunting. I stated the case to him, and
told him how much money I thought it would take to pay
the expenses of entering Rarus through the circuit. He
took me to his hotel, had the safe opened, drew out his bank
roll, and counted out to me the amount of money that I
wanted. I thereupon entered Rarus through the grand cir-
cuit, commencing at Cleveland and ending at Hartford, and
the following week I shipped him west from Long Island to
Cleveland. At this time he was rather high in flesh and
short of work, and [had but little time before his first race,
but still I believe that, had the track been good that day, he
would have won that.

The only other starter in the Cleveland race beside May
Queen and Rarus was General Garfield, a horse that was
driven by Ed. Brown, better known as ‘‘Nosey,’’ who was
born in New York City, but who at that time had made
Chicago his home for a good many years. He is dead and
gonenow, but, in his day and time, no man was a better
‘‘catch’’ driver than ‘‘Nosey,”’ and, in this respect, he
greatly resembled Dan Mace, being able to jump up ata
moment’s notice behind any horse, good or bad, and drive
him about as well as he could go. Nosey was a character;
in personal appearance he was somewhat uncouth, and not
much given to the foibles of the toilet, but he had a big
heart, a ready tongue, and was about as witty as they made
them. Asa hustler we never had his equal, and, more than
this, he could tell a good story well, even when the point
was against himself. A famous yarn of his in Chicago

68 LIFE WITH TIE TROTTERS.
a

to-day is one that he used to relate with great gusto—how
he, in walking alone one cold winter day on the West Side,
espied a beautiful terrier dog that seemed to be without an
owner. Feeling pity for the animal, ‘‘ Nosey”’ reached down,
and a moment later the dog had a warm resting place
beneath his overcoat. Just then the owner of the animal
appeared, and ‘‘ Nosey,’’ who was unaware that the pup
belonged to anybody, was soon engaged in a lively scrap
with the man. ‘‘I hung onto the pup,” he used to say,
‘as we rolled over on the ground. I downed my man, and
got up andran away, with the Jog still under my overcoat.
When I paused for breath I looked under my coat, but the
pup wasdead. Itseemsthat I had fallen on him, and he was
mashed out as flat as a postage stamp. It was the only fight
that I had won that winter, and the prize was a dead dog
that the police would not let me put in the street, and that
nobody seemed to want.”’

In the Cleveland race May Queen was a long favorite.
The track was deep, owing to a good deal of rain having
fallen. In working Rarus out before the race, I found that
he was about as helpless a horse in that sort of footing as I
had ever seen. I made up my mind that he had no chance
to win, and that I would simply go along and save my
distance. May Queen won easily in straight heats, in
2:2263, 2:254, and 2:274, ‘‘Nosey’’ Brown and myself
having a good race for second money, which Rarus won
after a pretty tight finish. This was my first race with
Rarus, but the track was so bad that I had no chance to do
anything in the race to give me any opinion as to his ability.
From there we went to Buffalo where the purse was $3,000,
where we againmet May Queen and General Garfield, Car-
rie being alsoin the race. A few days before the Buffalo
meeting, Mr. Conklin suggested that I take Rarus out,
give him some work, and see what I thought of him. I
followed his suggestion and drove him the first mile in
2:30; the second heat I drove him in 2:224, and, when I
wastold how fast he had gone, was very much surprised, as

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 69

I was positive I could have driven him a good deal faster.
I went out to give him another mile, and told Mr. Crawford
I would take him to the half-mile post slow, and let him
come home as fast as he could. I was rather anxious my-
self to see just how much speed he had.

I drove him down to the half in 1:18, and, when I spoke
to him there, he cut loose at a rate of speed that, to say the
least, surprised me. When I finished the mile I asked
Mr. Crawford how well he had gone, and he said 2:20. I
could not think it possible, as I knew I could have driven
Rarus the last half very much faster than Idid. That made
the last half of the mile 1:07. Quite a number of the
betting men around saw it, and they could not make up
their minds what was in the wind. They fancied I was a
little too liberal inshowing my goods. One of them asked
Crawford why I had done it, and he told them we had every
confidence in the horse, and wanted to show the public
something that would give them a little confidence also.
The gentleman answered, ‘‘ All right, Crawford, but I will
have my money on May Queen the day of the race,’’ which
promise he kept, as he was the first man I saw at the pool-
box when the race came off. May Queen, by the way, was
the same mare that, under the name of Nashville Girl, had
made a record of 2:20 the previous year, and had shown
herself to be a first-class race mare. At this time she was
owned by Mr. Joseph Harker, of New York, a great friend.
of Commodore Vanderbilt, and was in the stable of Mr.
Charlie Green when he was in the heyday of his glory,
and, under those circumstances, it was not strange that she
was a favorite at $100 to $20 over the field, as she had beaten
the other horses, and everyone supposed she would do it
again. In talking the matter over with Mr. Crawford, we
concluded to put some money on Rarus, and take our
chances, which we did, and it paid us a handsome profit.
In looking the field over we saw no one in it that we thought.
could make a fight with May Queen, and started in the race
with the determination to go at her right from the start,

70 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.
e

if no oneelse didso. In going to the first turn, after getting
the word in the first heat, May Queen made a break, and I
noticed that when Green went to catch her she tore off one
of her forward shoes. She was a mare that had to have a
good deal of weight to keep her from pacing, and I made
up my mind that her chances for the heat were gone. At
this time I was in third position, Mace being in second
place, with Carrie, This mare led to the quarter-pole, where
Rarus passed her, and going by the half-mile pole, I heard
Mace cry out, ‘‘Go on, Splan, May Queen is distanced.” I
knew Mace was pretty cute, and I did not take his word
for it, thinking he might be trying to get me to drive my
horse a hard heat and pump him, thereby giving him a
chance to come along with his mare and ‘‘do’’ me for the
money. In going through the last quarter I had a chance
to look over my shoulder, and satisfied myself that May
Queen was really distanced. I drove along at about
the same rate of speed, and finished the heat in 2:241, with
May Queen behind the flag.

To say that there was a hubbub on the track does not de-
scribe the scene. The pool-buyersrushed down to the quarter
stretch like a flock of sheep, and commenced to give the
judges a great deal of advice as to how to decide the heat.
The judges gave Rarus the heat, placed Carrie second, and
Garfield third, saying nothing about May Queen. Mr.
Crawford stepped over to the pool-box, and straightway
played his money on Rarus, and had the field sold against
him. A great many people, thinking that May Queen was
not and would not be distanced, played the field. When
wecame out on the track for the second heat, May Queen
was there, with Doble in the sulky. Iimmediately went to
the judges’ stand, and asked if they intended to allow May
Queen to start. They said they did, and I asked them on
what grounds or under what rule they were acting. These
were two questions that they seemed unable to answer. I
thereupon told them that if they allowed her to start and she
beat me I would certainly protest their decision, and I be-

LIFE WITH TILE TROTTERS. 71

lieve that by taking it to the board of appeals it would
be decided in my favor. They held a short consultation
and then distanced May Queen. Then the grand howl of
the day came from the people who had played the field
against Kansas, expecting May Queen to start for their
money. One enterprising individual went so far as to get
out an injunction against the pool-seller paying over his
money to Rarus in case he should win the race. Mr. J.
Gorman was selling the pools at this time, and before he
left the city a man got him put in jail on a charge of turning
over to us the money we had won on Rarus, but through
the political influence of some of our friends we got John
out of the sweat-box in time to go to Rochester with us.
The second heat Rarus won easily in 2:254, but in the third
he threwa boot and made a break. Ilaid him up, and Car-
rie won in 2:244. Rarus won the deciding heat in 2:244. In
this race he was not called on in any place to extend himself
or go at his highest rate of speed. With the exception of
the place where he threw his boot he acted very steadily,
and Mr. Conklin, Mr. Crawford, and myself felt we were
on the high road to prosperity.

At Rochester, Garfield was the only starter against Rarus,
and the betting was all on our horse, he being a favorite at
$100 to $10. He won without an effort in straight heats,
the time being 2:272, 2:224, 2:242. At Utica, the following
week, Clementine, General Garfield and Carrie started against
Rarus. This was Clementine’s first race in the circuit that
year, and as Budd Doble had her in charge, there was some
little money played on the field against our horse, Clemen-
tine having gone some good races the season before. Rarus
won without an effort in 2:224, 2:214, 2:23, the second mile
being the fastest that I had driven him up to this time in a
race, although in his work he had shown me 2:20.

I had now driven Rarus four good races, and will tell
something about how I worked him. Up to this time I had
not made any changes in any way, simply having him shod,
booted, harnessed and driven about as the boy told me who

72 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

rubbed him he had been heretofore. He had on him, I
should think, at this time, about fifteen or sixteen ounce
shoes. I noticed that when he got strung out at a 2:20
gait he seemed to sprawl, or in other words go longer than
he ought to. This made me conclude to experiment a little
with a lighter shoe. I had given him after the Buffalo
race no work to speak of, never driving him a mile better
than 2:30, and only brushing him a little at the finish of
his miles. I would jog him about five or six miles a day,
giving him plenty to eat. Iwas satisfied that he did not
need any extra preparation to beat the horses he was liable
to meet, so never made any attempt to screw himup. From
Utica we went to Poughkeepsie. Clementine was the only
other starter. I will here relate an incident which will
show what effect on the betting a little information will.
sometimes have. In the first betting over night, Rarus was
bringing $100, and Clementine from $15 to $20. C. 8S.
Dempsey, a man who is familiarly known to the boys as.
“Old Dempse,’’? had the pool-selling. When Dempsey
opened his box, Crawford stepped up and told him to put
$500 on Clementine for him, and that if he got that on
before he came back, to put on $500 more. Crawford and
myself went to the theatre, and on our return to the hotel,
the first man we met was a well-known character named
Paddy Dooley. Paddy dragged us both into a dark corner
and wanted to know what was the matter with Rarus.
When I asked him why he wanted to know, he told me
that in the opening betting Rarus was the favorite $100 to
$20, but before the betting closed Clementine was the
choice, she selling at $100, Rarus $75. Dooley added that
tlie scene about the pool-box put him in mind of Black
Friday in Wall street. Of course, Mr. Crawford and my-
self were very much surprised at the information, and went
to bed leaving Dooley as much in the dark as he was at the
start. The next morning we went to the track, and gave
the groom of Rarus positive orders not to open the stall
doors to anybody, and that if people asked about the con-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 73

dition of the horse, to refer them to me, which I think he
must have done, as I was interviewed by a great many
people that morning as to what was the matter. When
the betting opened at the track, there were two pool-sellers,
Dempsey and Major Barker. Mr. Crawford picked out two
friends of his, and sent one to each box, with orders to buy
every ticket that was sold on Rarus. The betting opened
with Clementine the favorite at $100, Rarus panes about
$80. Mr. Crawford's friends sent the money in on Rarus
in such a shower, however, that by the time the bell tapped,
Rarus was the favorite at $100, while Clementine went begging
at $15. By this.time the people, especially the pool-
buyers who had been squeezed in the deal, were looking
for a chance to commit murder. The track was very rough
and full of holes, and immediately after the horses got the
word in the first heat, Rarus made a break, and I never
moved for the heat. Clementine took it in 2:264, and then
Rarus won in straight heats, the time of the miles being
2:24, 2:252, 2:294; and Crawford’s scheme against the smart
men about the pool-boxes turned out well. When Crawford
stepped up that night to pay Dempsey the thousand dollars
that he had played on Clementine with him, Dempsey
looked at him. ‘‘ Well,”’ he says, ‘‘ you’ve got me this time,
but you will never do it again.” As a pointer, I would
advise the boys not to try and repeat Crawford’s attempt
to deceive Dempsey, as it would be very liable to fail, for
since that time the old man has grown as wise as the best
of them, and has an eye like an eagle, and a hand like the
talons of a hawk, to discover and seize any stray good
things that may be flopping around in the general scuffle
during the trotting season. ‘‘Dempse’’ is a character.
When he started out on the trotting turf, it was as a buyer of
pools; but his education and philosophy soon taught him
that the inside of the box, especially in the fall, was more
apt to be fur-lined than the outside, and it was not long
before he had a stand at the circuit meetings, and a pool-
box of his own. He made money at the business, and has

4 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

a farm in Pennsylvania where he raises all kinds of blooded
live stock, from rabbits to Durham bulls. He paid me the
compliment of naming his best horse Jack Splan.

From Poughkeepsie we went to Hartford, where Rarus
beat Adelaide and Carrie in 2:234, 2:224, and 2:234. By
this time I had become thoroughly satisfied that Rarus could
go better with a lighter shoe. I called in Charles Huey, a
man in whose ability as a shoer of trotting horses I have the
greatest faith. Huey originated in Buffalo. At one of the
early meetings in Buffalo, Mace had occasion to call in a
blacksmith, and, in response to his summons, a great big,
good-natured man stepped up and said, ‘éI do alittle horse-
shoeing myself.’’ Mace gave him the order he wanted exe-
cuted, and the man unrolled his leather apron, tied it around
him, and started in at the work. Mace, with his accustomed
acuteness, saw in the stranger what he considered a first-
class mechanic, and, as Huey put down the horse's foot,
turned to him and said, ‘‘If you will come to New York
with me, I will see that you get a chance to make a for-
tune.’ The following spring Huey came to New York, and
Mace fitted him up ashop in Broadway, between Forty-
seventh and Forty-eighth streets, where, with Mace asa
friend, and his own ability, he soon made himself a name
second to that of no man in the business. When Lucy and
Goldsmith Maid were campaigning the country, Huey was
hired by Doble, at a large salary, to accompany the outfit
and do the shoeing. At the time I speak of, he had located
at Hartford, and had a shop. When he came to the stable
he sat down, and, in his good-natured way, commenced to
talk to me about the time I used to play hookey from school
in Buffalo to go to the race track there and drive horses for
John L. Stevenson. When I called his attention to Rarus,
he looked his feet over carefully, and said he thought he
could improve them. Itold him I did not want to make
any very serious changes, as he was going extremely well
then. We talked over the matter of the weight of the shoes,
etc., and finally concluded to have him shod after certain

LIFE WITH TIE TROTTERS. 75

ideas of our own, which, on the following day, we carried
out.

Rarus had rather peculiar feet, which always troubled
him more or less while I had him. They were inclined to
be very high, and rather narrow at the heel. They also had
something in the way of thrush, or some such disease, for
which I never found, perhaps, the proper name. At times
of the year there would be a discharge of a purulent sub-
stance, and he would seem to get very sore in his frogs.
Before I had him he had been troubled with one or two
quarter cracks. His feet were rather inclined to be dry and
hard, with occasional fever. We had him shod, reducing
the weight of his shoes to about thirteen ounces, lowered his
heels some and shortened his toes a trifle. At this time his
hind feet were inclined to be very long, and low at his heels.
We shortened his toes behind, and thought they would bear
to be shod with six-ounce shoes, full at the toe, to balance
him behind. The first time I drove him, after having been
thus shod, I liked him better, and he could go faster than
ever [had seen him. Ialso reduced the weight of his quar-
ter boots, having them as light as possible. At this time
we had on him nothing but quarter boots in front, with light
scalpers and shin and passing boots behind. The following
week, at Springfield, we met Carrie and Adelaide, beating
them in 2:26, 2:264, and 2:25, in straight heats, without an
effort, and then we started for Fleetwood Park, New York,
to trot a match race for $1,000 with Sam Purdy, to wagon,
our opponent being a stallion that Doble had brought from
California, that had obtained a record through the grand
circuit of 2:204, and came from the Pacifie coast with the
reputation of being a great wagon horse. A great many
people thought that, from Rarus’s formation, he would not
be able to pull weight, and believed that when he came to
the hill in the last half mile at Fleetwood, it would anchor
him. Mr. Conklin had often told me, in our talks about
Rarus, that he could draw weight, and draw it well, as in
his work over the sandy roads of Long Island he had shown

76 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

him all that, long before the public ever thought of Rarus.
I told Mr. Crawford I thought it would take more than one
wagon to anchor Rarus, as by this time I was convinced.
that the horse was not foaled that could beat him. I com-
municated my opinion to Crawford at the time, although I
had never driven him any fast miles against the watch or in.
his races; but I had stepped him out for short distances in
his work, and he had showed me so much speed and deter-
mination and such good behavior, that I could not see
how they could possibly beat him. Rarus was the favorite
in the overnight betting in the pool-room at the corner of
Twenty-eighth street and Broadway, NewYork, where a good.
many of the sports and drivers of the present time took.
their first lessons in pool-buying, and that was run at that.
time by the Johnson brothers, William and Tom, and Davey
Johnson, who has since become the most notorious plunger
on the running turf, but who was then a good-natured
schoolboy and a great companion of Mace’s, was a boy
about the place. We decided not to place any more money
on the race until we would see what sort of a day and track.
we would have, knowing from our experience at Cleveland
that we had no mud horse. It was the fall of the year, and
the weather looked as though we might have rain. When
the horses were called for the word I concluded to go out
and feel of Purdy, and see whether we could beat him or not.
I did so, Purdy winning the first heat in 2:312. From what.
I saw I was satisfied that Rarus would beat him easily. We-
so bet our money, and the result proved that I was right, as.
Rarus won in three heats without an effort; time, 2:274,
2:314, 2:294.

By this time, Mr. Conklin, Crawford, and myself felt.
as though we were ready to tackle the world, and looked.
about for new opponents to conquer. It will be remem-
bered that this was the season when Goldsmith Maid,
Smuggler, Lucille Golddust, and Judge Fullerton trotted.
their wonderful series of races in the free-for-all class
through the central circuit, Smuggler beating the Maid at

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 17

Cleveland and at Rochester making a record of 2:154,
which was then by far the best for a stallion. The Maid
did not start in the Rochester race, on account of reasons
personal to Mr. Doble, and as Fullerton and Lucille Gold-
dust were out of the contest at various other points, it so
happened that the only horse that took part in all of the
seven free-for-all races through the circuit that year was
Bodine. This horse was a big bay gelding by Volunteer, .
that had been purchased a couple of years before by Mr.
H. C. Goodrich, of Chicago, and that was driven by Peter
Johnston. Bodine did not win a heat in any of the races,
being out-classed in speed by Smuggler and the Maid, but
he had always given the others a good race and, under John-
ston’s careful management, had shown himself a dangerous
horse in any company. The Western people were wild
about Bodine, and with some reason, since he was the best
one in that part of the country. At Hartford, Mr. Good-
rich had a talk with Mr. Allie Bonner, son of Mr. Robert
Bonner, and in the course of the conversation the perform-
ance of Dexter, who had some years previously drawn Mr.
Robert Bonner a mile to wagon in 2:213, a performance
that to this day has never been equaled under the same con-
ditions, cameup. Mr. Goodrich wanted to sell Bodine, and
asked Mr. Allie Bonner if the offer that his father had made
some years previous, to pay a good price for a horse that
would do what Dexter did, was still open. Mr. Bonner,
while not saying that the offer still held, replied that his
father would be willing to buy any good horse that could
do that. Andso Mr. Goodrich shipped his horse to Chicago,
he having no further engagements in the East, with the
idea of showing what he could do to wagon. The seven hard
races that Bodine had trotted against the Maid and Smug-
gler had taken a great deal out of him, as it always does
with a horse that is fighting against superior odds, he being
necessarily strung out in every heat he goes. So when
the son of Volunteer came back to Chicago, he was pretty
thin in flesh, and not too exuberant in spirits. The weight

78 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

drawn by Dexter in the fast drive by Mr. Robert Bonner
was 421 pounds, and in order to make this weight it was
necessary for Mr. Goodrich to put a large bag of sand on
the seat of the skeleton wagon in addition to the weight of
the driver, Mr. Johnston. It was perched on this piece of
baggage that Johnston, acting under Mr. Goodrich’s direc-
tion and not by reason of his own judgment in the matter,
attempted to drive Bodine in 2:214 over the Central Park
track in Chicago.

The result was that the best mile the horse could show,
rigged that way, was 2:27, and the look of disgust that
came over Johnston’s face at the finish was something
worth going a long way to see. After this trial Mr. Good-
rich gave up the idea of selling Bodine to Mr. Bonner, and
returned him to the turf, entering him in the free-to-all
race at Cincinnati. Jn looking over the sporting papers I
saw an advertisement of this race, and, having nothing else
on hand, I sent on an entry for Rarus.

On reaching Cincinnati we were surprised to find that the
track was a half-mile one, and our chance did not appear to
me to be very rosy, as I had been told that Rarus would not
perform well on a track of that length. The other starters
were Silversides, Bodine, Cozette, Elsie Good, and Monarch,
Jr. They were all Western horses, and considered good ones
over a half-mile track. Mr. Conklin was a little worried
for fear that something might happen to Rarus, but I told
him not to fear. From what I saw before the race, it was
plain that it would be the West against the East, and I, being
the only Eastern man, would be alone in the battle. I kept
a little track of the other horses in their work, and the
fastest mile that any of them went was one by Bodine in
2:252. I took Rarus out one day and drove him the first
mile in 2:30. He seemed to take kindly to the half-mile
track, and in repeating him he stepped the mile in 2:27. A
good many people were there to watch him, as they had
heard about his performances, and were anxious to get a
line on him. About this time the dinner bell at the club-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 79

house sounded, and everybody made a bee line for that
point. I told Barney to look after Rarus; that I would go
to the club-house; that while I was gone, to put the boots
and harness on him again, and that when I saw the boys
comfortably seated at the table I would return and drive
the horse a mile for ourselves. When [ came back Barney
had Rarus ready, and I met Jim Murphy, a man whom I
had known for some time, and who is famous as a
trainer of some of the most successful racehorses on the
running turf. I told Murphy my plans, and asked him
to time Rarus for me from a big tree at the head of
the stretch. I sent him a mile from that point, and when I
came back, and he showed me his watch with the hands at
2:214 I made up my mind that the first money in that
purse would go East. When the day of the race arrived.
there was plenty of betting, Bodine being the favorite.
Murphy had a commission from our party to put on the
money, and it is not necessary to tell those who know
Murphy that he did this, put on his own money, and was
willing to get on himself. Rarus won the race in the easiest
possible manner, not losing a heat, the miles being done in
2:254, 2:24, 2:25%. Silversides got second place, Bodine
being obliged to content himself with third money, thereby
carrying down in the pool-box all who backed him.

About this time the Fleetwood Park people in New. York
offered a purse free to all trotters with the exception of
Goldsmith Maid. I had been driving the chestnut gelding,
Judge Fullerton, in the free-for-all class against Goldsmith
Maid, and at this time had him in my stable. I said to
Mr. Humphrey, his owner, that if he had no objection I
would like to trot Rarus in the Fleetwood Park purse, and
after talking the matter over he concluded that he would
give Fullerton to John Murphy to drive in this race. A
great many people thought the purse would not fill, but,
when the entries were opened, we found that a lot of other
drivers had figured just as I did, and thought they would
get some easy money by dropping into New York. The

80 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

result of this was that, beside Rarus, there was also entered.
Great Eastern, who had been a winner in his class through the
circuit, making a record of 2:18. This horse was the largest
trotter I ever saw, standing over seventeen hands high, and
had been very successful that year under the management
of Jack Feek. Judge Fullerton was also in, as I have
stated, and appeared for the first time with John Murphy
behind him. Then came Lucille Golddust, who had always
proved herself a first-class performer in any company. She
had been trotting third to Goldsmith Maid and Smuggler
through the circuit, beating 2:20 two or three seconds every
heat. The great stallion Smuggler, with his record of
2:154, made only a few weeks before, was also one of the
starters, and Frank Reeves, who was a little out of his ele-
ment, completed the field. When Mr. Conklin saw that I
‘had Rarus in this race he seemed quite pleased to think I
would give up Fullerton, as fast a horse as people supposed
he was, to keep his horse and trot him, and asked me how
Icame to doit. I told him I considered Rarus much the
better horse of the two, and that I thought he would beat
Fullerton easily. He asked me what I figured from. Ful-
lerton had a record of 2:18, and had shown miles much
better—was, in fact, considered a dangerous competitor for
any trotter except Goldsmith Maid. I told Mr. Conklin
that I could have driven Rarus in 2:20 over the half-mile
track at Cincinnati, and I did not think Fullerton had ever
seen the day he could have done that. After our return
from Cincinnati we had a week before the Fleetwood race,
and I gave Rarus very light work, the best mile being 2:25.
I stepped him down the hill a way as fast as he could go
in this mile, to see what he would do on the down grade,
and noticed that he wanted to break, and acted as though
he was not properly balanced. In the last half of the mile
1 sent him up the hill fast, and this grade also bothered
him. There was a reverse turn right in the sharpest part
of the hill, and that seemed to annoy him, but I never saw
him when he appeared to have more brush in the stretch.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 81

After thinking the matter over carefully, I concluded to
change his shoes, and put alittle more weight on the forward
feet, to balance him going down the hill. I was sure he
would out-trot every other horse in the race if it came to a
finish. This was the first race I had ever had Rarus in
where I felt that he was meeting horses that were anything
like his equal in speed, and soI bent all my energies to
have him in the pink of condition; my only fear was that
the shape of the track might make him unsteady. In shoe-
ing him I put about two ounces more on the forward feet,
and when we scored for the word in the first heat I was in
every way satisfied, and made up my mind that, if he was
beaten, the one that did the trick would get a great mark.

CHAPTER IV.

Rarus wins his first race against the crack trotters of the country—A private
trial in fast time over the Fleetwood track—The trip to California with
Goldsmith Maid—Another fast mile in private, and a refusal of $45,000 for
the gelding—Andy Daniels and the cattle raiser at Chico—Inside facts
about the race in which Rarus beat Goldsmith Maid—Coming East again,
and lowering his record to 2:16—The wonderful race against Great Eastern
at Fleetwood Park.

In the betting, Rarus, Fullerton, and Great Eastern sold
about even, Lucille Golddust, Smuggler, and Frank Reeves
composing the field. I concluded to follow the old plan of
laying up a heat or so, and did this for two reasons. In the
first place I knew Fullerton to be a fast horse, and felt that,
with Murphy to drive him, he would make the fight from the
first score, as that was the plan I had seen Murphy follow in
all his races. Second, the track was deep from rains, and I
thought that every minute of wind and sun would make it
better. Fullerton won the first heat in 2:22, and I never saw
any man show more pleasure and excitement than did the
horse’s owner, Mr. William Humphrey, at the finish of that.
mile. The New Yorkers go wild over John Murphy, and
they gave him a cheer when he came back to the wire, the
Trish contingent being specially vociferous. Ithink Murphy
felt quite confident that he was going to carry off the race,
In this heat I contented myself with just saving my distance.
After the finish Rarus cooled out well, and Ihad never seen
him when he was a better horse. I talked the race over with
Mr. Conklin and Mr. Crawford, and we concluded to invest.
a little money on Rarus at the odds, which had shifted in

favor of Fullerton. There was a great deal of betting, the
(82)

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 83:

general public backing Fullerton. A few of my intimate
friends, like Mr. Simmons, Jack Bachelor, and Mace, put
down their money on my chances. We decided that if no-
one else gave Fullerton a fight for the second heat, we would
make the battle with Rarus. In the meantime there was a.
rumor in the betting ring that Feek was very sweet on Great.
Eastern’s chances, and the betting soon showed that some-
body was putting a lot of money on that horse. In scoring’
for the second heat Great Eastern showed as much speed as
Fullerton, which somewhat surprised the crowd, as the.
chestnut gelding had the reputation of being able to out-
score almost any horse when he would go ona trot. From
the way in which Feek scored I was satisfied that he would
make a fight for the heat, and so determined to lay up again.
Great Eastern and Fullerton went at each other, hammer
and tongs, and in a driving finish for the last two hundred
yards, Great Eastern outlasted Fullerton and beat him half
a length, in 2:204. Taking into consideration the day and
track, I have always considered this the best mile that Great.
Eastern ever trotted.

I now began to think that our chances looked very rosy,
as Fullerton and Eastern had gone two corking miles, and I
was sure that Rarus could come back in 2:20, which, to my
mind, was certain to win. In going off in the third heat I
concluded that Fullerton and Eastern would make the pace
from the start, but I decided to drive my horse a rating mile,
paying no attention to the brushes that they might indulge
in. Sure enough, the pair went away with the lead, I con-
tenting myself with fourth place. They out-trotted Rarus.
. the first quarter, but in going along the Morrisania side I.
spoke to him, and he moved up and closed a part of the gap.
As we struck the hill coming to the Rocks, Fullerton broke,
and Great Eastern drew away from Rarus. I could never
account for it, but I never saw a horse that could outspeed
Great Eastern going up this hill. What is usually termed
the Point of Rocks on this track was where he out-trotted
Rarus this time, and in another race he did the same thing..

B84 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

After we were over the hill I set Rarus going, and. he slowly
closed on Great Eastern. Two hundred yards from the wire
he had him beaten by a neck. Feek drew his whip and
began to drive. Eastern responded very gamely, and went
a hundred yards with Rarus, but from that point out he
slowed a little, and, as my horse kept up his even clip, we
were first to the wire by a head, in 2:214. The fourth heat
Rarus won easily by two lengths, in 2:23, and then the race
was put over until the following day.

Although the time of these heats does not in these days
appear fast, yet when one takes into consideration the season
of year, the condition the track was in from rain, and the
further fact that, at that time, the fastest mile that had been
made by any horse over Fleetwood in a race was 2:194, it will
be seen that Great Eastern’s 2:204 was certainly a first-class
performance. Rarus did not seem to be much distressed
after the race, cooled out nicely, took his feed well, and in
every way showed me that the struggle had done him no
harm. About the hotels and pool-rooms that night there
was a great deal of gossip over the race. Rarus had rather
surprised the people. While he had been winning his
races through the circuit, he had not met a horse that was
considered first class. The manner, therefore, in which he
handled Great Eastern and Fullerton was a revelation to
the public. Of course, as is always the case on race-tracks,
there were some people looking for an excuse when an
unexpected horse wins. Some of them said that Fullerton
‘was not himself, and others asserted that Feek had not
‘driven Great Eastern very hard, but from where I sat in
the race, I concluded that Rarus had beaten them both on
their merits, and felt certain that he would win again the
next day. That evening Dunn Walton came to me and
asked if I would price the horse to him for a gentleman
who wanted to buy. In our talk, he insinuated that Rarus
had won because Fullerton and Great Eastern killed each
other, while my horse was laid up. I told him that if he
felt that way I would not price the horse to him that even-

LIFE With THE TROTTERS. 85

ing, but that when we trotted the following day, if either
Fullerton or Great Eastern beat Rarus to the half-mile pole,
I would price him much cheaper. He smiled, and com-
menced to tell me about some of the halves that Mace had
driven Fullerton, but I told him that I thought Rarus
could beat Fullerton any race from the length of a corn-cob
out to the Rocky Mountains, and, if I did not convince him
next day that he could do so, I would buy him a red apple.
Dunn and I were always good friends, and he wasa very jolly
companion. We staid around there for some time, talked
the race over, and Dunn told me that he had not got his
winter's coal yet, and that, if Rarus was that kind of a horse,
he would take a few tickets on him in the morning, and fill
up his coal-bin with the proceeds, which he did. When
the race was called the next day, the track was much better,
but the weather was very raw and cold, and only a few of
the great number of people that we had seen the day before
came to witness the finish of the contests. I gave Rarus an
easy mile about twenty minutes before the call of the race,
not better than 2:30, but stepping the last hundred yards
about as well as he could go. An idea of the estimation in
which I held the horse may be got from the fact that when
I stepped out of the sulky, Mr. Simmons asked me what I
thought of my chances of winning, and I told him that I
thought he would win sure, and further that he could beat
any horse that I had ever seen, Goldsmith Maid not ex-
cepted. There had been much talk about Fullerton and
Great Eastern out-trotting Rarus, and, when I thought the
matter over carefully, I made up my mind that the surest
way to beat them both was to carry them down to the half-
mile pole as fast as they could go. When the word was given,
Rarus had the pole, and Eastern the second place, with a
slight advantage. In going around the turn, Feek’s horse
crowded me a trifle. I spoke to Jack, and he pulled him
out. At this time, Feek’s wheel was at my horse’s neck,
and from there to the turn beyond the quarter pole they never
changed positions. When we struck that turn, Feek had

86 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

a little further to go, and Rarus landed head-and-head with.
him. From that point to the half-mile pole they went like
a pair of horses in double harness. From there on, how-
ever, Rarus out-trotted Eastern, beating him up the hill.
As we came by Mace’s stables, Dave Muckle yelled to me
to look out, or I would beat 2:20. By this time Lucille
Golddust had passed Fullerton and Great Eastern, and
overhauled me in the stretch, but Rarus was going easy,
and when she came up I spoke to him, and he moved out,
and beat her in the easiest kind of style in 2:20.

Thus ended the first race that Rarus had ever started in
against a field of horses that I considered anything like his
class. This performance convinced me that I was right
about his ability asa trotting horse. The easy manner in
which he handled Fullerton and Great Eastern, when J had
really set out to race with them, proved to me conclusively
the truth of all that I had thought of him. Up to this time
he won every race but one I had driven him, beating all the
horses in his own class, and finally winning a free-for-all
race with Goldsmith Maid barred, but all the other good
ones in. In doing all this he had not beaten 2:20. This
was a great comfort to me at that time, although, as I shall
subsequently show, he might as well have gone in 2:16 that.
day, for all the effect it had on his future career. In talking
the matter over with Mr. Conklin that night, I found that
he seemed very much pleased in anticipation of the satis-
faction he expected to derive from hearing his neighbors
take back all they had said about his being daft when he
predicted that Rarus would some day beat all the best
horses in the country.

The night after the race I met Mr. Doble in the Gilsey
House, New York, and we naturally fell to talking about it.
He told me he thought Rarus had the making of a wonder-
ful horse. Up to this time I had known Budd only ina
general way, he being a few years older than myself, and,
as I had always been connected with Mace, I never trained
in his line, as it were. In the course of our conversation,

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 87

California, and the effect its climate had on trotting horses,
was mentioned, Doble giving me his views in a general way,
and it set me to thinking whether or not it would not bea
good thing to take Rarus to California. The more I thought
of it, the more I was convinced it would be a good plan. I
went to Long Island, and talked the matter over with Mr.
Conklin. We staid up late in the night, and viewed the
plan from every standpoint. Of course there was a chance
of accident, etc., in shipping a valuable horse such a long
trip; but, after a general discussion, Mr. Conklin agreed to
leave the matter entirely with me. I came back to New
York, thinking I would have another talk with Mr. Doble,
but was disappointed to learn that he had left for Philadel-
phia. The following week I went to Philadelphia, and
spent the day with Budd. JIhad a further talk with him
on the subject in question, and the result was that I decided
to ship Rarus to California. Budd said he was going to
send his horses from Chicago in a short time,-and that I
would be welcome to go in his car if [liked to come. I
went back to New York, and made my arrangements to go.

After concluding to take my trip to the slope, I was
rather anxious to see Rarus go a mile as well as he could.
I met Mr. Arthur Gillender in the evening, and, in talking
of the merits of the horse, I told him I thought he could
trot a mile over Fleetwood better than 2:18. He rather
doubted that statement, and the conversation ended by my
inviting him to go to the track the next morning and time him
while I drove him a mile about as well as he could go, as I
thought then he was in shape to go a good mile. When we
arrived at the track we found it in very good shape, but the
day was rather cool. I gave Rarus a warming up mile in
2:25, and twenty minutes later repeated him in 2:17, which
was three seconds faster than I had ever driven him before
in public or private. This I thought a remarkable mile, as
I kept him well out from the pole all the way, and the track
at its best was never very fast. When Mr. Gillender came
back to me, he said: ‘‘Splan, you match that horse against

88 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Goldsmith Maid for five or ten thousand dollars a side, and
if she beats him I will do the losing.” I had thought for a
long time that Rarus would be able to beat Goldsmith Maid
some day, and lower her record; but I was not quite so san-
guine at that time as Mr. Gillender, for I knew that before
my horse could defeat the Maid he would need some further
education. I had seen a good many fast horses have a shy
at her, and the consequence generally was that, sooner or
later, they got beaten. I made up my mind to profit by
their experience, and not give her a fight until I was sure I
had everything right.

In the meantime the Utica Park Association had offered
a purse for Rarus and Great Eastern to go a race to wagons.
I concluded to enter Rarus there, as it was on my direct.
road to Chicago, and did so. In going to Utica from New
York it turned out, owing to the delay from an accident, that
we never reached the track until the morning of the race.
The track was wet and muddy, and Rarus seemed sore from
his long standing in the cars. Great Kastern beat him in
straight heats, the time being 2:35, 2:30, 2:243. The cause
of the first heat being so slow was that Rarus threw a shoe.
After this race I shipped Rarus to Chicago, and from there,
in Mr. Doble’s car, to San Francisco. We reached Califor-
nia about the latter days of November, and on my way there
Timproved my time making the further acquaintance of
Doble. I thought to myself: ‘‘Here is a man that has
trained the only horse that ever trotted a mile in 2:14.’’ I
knew enough about horses to be well aware that, be a trotter
ever so good, the animal must be well trained to perform
such a wonderful feat. Thinking that I had a horse that
was able to go that well, if properly handled, I made up my
mind to learn everything I could from Mr. Doble in the way
of fitting a horse for such a performance. I stated the case
to him, and he, with his usual modesty, told me that, if
there was anything he could teach me, he would be glad to.
do it, but from what he had seen of me, skirmishing along
the line with the boys, he thought, perhaps, I was as liable

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 89

to hustle a horse around in 2:14 as anyone he knew. When
we arrived at San Francisco, and got ready to train the
horses, I said to Mr. Doble again that I would consider it a
favor if he would give me his ideas about training that par-
ticular horse. J have always been a believer in giving every
man credit for what I thought was his due, and for that.
reason I wish to state here that Mr. Doble tanght me many
things about training horses that other people might have
known about, but which, up to that time, had never entered
my head. He was one of the first men that ever taught me:
the danger of overfeeding a horse. Rarus was, without
exception, the greatest feeder I ever saw. I held at that.
time what I have since considered a mistaken idea, that it
was proper to give a horse all he wanted to eat in the way
of grain, etc.

Another thing that Budd taught me was that a horse
could be put in condition with a great deal less fast work
than I had at that time supposed possible. His idea was to
give them plenty of what we call three-quarter speed, with
longer work from a mile to a mile-and-a-half and two-mile
heats, never under any consideration giving them what.
some of the boys term ‘‘ reefing.’? He advised mea good
deal about the shoeing of Rarus, and about this time some-
thing happened to that horse that 1 never saw in any other.
He had a quarter-crack in one of his hind feet. When I
saw that, I thought the jig was up for the present. Budd.
told me that the Maid once had such a foot, and that he
could fix the wound so that I could work Rarus without.
any trouble. We took him to the shop and had him shod.
with a bar-shoe on the affected foot. Then we took a saw
and sawed the bearing out underneath and had the foct.
sewed in a canvas bandage with some balsam of fir. I kept.
him at work, seeing that the foot was always clean, and re-
newing the bandage occasionally, and I never saw any plan
work better. For the first thirty days I gave Rarus no work
better than 2:25. The Californians who came out with their
watches every morning to see him go became rather dis-

‘80 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

-gusted, and concluded that the stories they had heard
about his speed were, to say the least, a little overdrawn.
After timing him a good many miles in from 2:25 to 2:27,
and seeing no part of a mile done at any better rate, they
shut up their watches and went to sleep. 1 think that before
the winter was over they regretted having done so.

On Budd’s return to San Francisco he had sent Sam
Purdy to the stable of his owner. I met that gentleman
-one day, and he asked me how I explained Rarus beating
Purdy at Fleetwood to a wagon. I told him I thought
Rarus rather out-trotted Purdy. This seemed to roil the
gentleman slightly, and he proposed a match. I arranged
a race with him on the spot. At this time there was in
California quite a celebrated driver by the name of Tom
McClellan. The people there seemed to have a great deal of
confidence in his ability, but I always thought him a little
on the slam-bang order. He weighed at this time about 190
pounds. Purdy was placed in his hands to condition and
drive in the race. I made up my mind that, if Purdy could
draw 190 pounds against Rarus’ 150, and beat him, I would
not have any money left when the race was over. Purdy
was rather a lazy horse, and the people of California fancied
that McClellan could drive him better than Mr. Doble,
arguing that Budd was not severe enough with him. The
race came off, and Rarus beat Purdy in straight heats, the
fastest being 2:264. This was in the last mile. I madea
-close race of this at the finish, just beating Purdy and that
was all. I trotted Rarus three races that winter in Califor-
nia, which he won, the first being against St. James and
May Howard, and another against Bodine, and then came a
race about which I desire to say something in detail.

Having no further engagements for Rarus, I thought
this a good time to find out something about his speed
under the watch. About this time Mr. Conklin paid Cali-
fornia a visit to see Rarus and myself, and I told him that
if he wished to see Rarus go a mile under the watch I
-would put him in order and we would give him a mile to

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 91

get a line on him, as I had never driven him a mile better
than 2:20 but once, and that was for Mr. Gillender, at Fleet-
wood, where he went in 2:17. The day Goldsmith Maid
was twenty-one years old Budd drove her for Governor Stan-
ford a mile in 2:16, a performance that I never expect to see
any other animal make under similar conditions, and that 1
think speaks volumes for Mr. Doble’s ability and care as a
trainer and driver. To have had a mare under his charge
all those years, and to have driven her over all kinds of
tracks, travel the country with her in steam cars from one
end to the other, and then drive her a mile in 2:16 the day
she was twenty-one years old, stamps him in my mind as
a trainer without a peer, if he had never done anything else
in the line. When Mr. Conklin saw the time on the board he
asked meif I thought Rarus could do that, and I said, ‘‘ Yes,
sure.’ The day following Mr. Conklin and myself drove
out the Bay District road, and I gave Rarus a couple of miles
in about 2:25. Twenty minutes after, I brought him to the
track, and asked Mr. Covey, at that time the superintendent
of Governor Stanford’s farm, to go with Mr. Conklin and
time him. Iscored up for the word, and at the first attempt
Rarus went the first quarter in 34 seconds, the second in 34
seconds, the third in 34 seconds, and the fourth in 33-
seconds. Ispoke to him at the distance stand and from
there to the judges’ stand he stepped off at a pace that I
have never seen any other trotter make. He finished strong
in 2:15.

I don’t think Mr. Conklin was much surprised, and I
myself was not in the least, as I was sure he could doall that
and more; but Mr. Covey was about as astonished a man as
I saw while I was on the coast. He immediately asked me
what I would take for Rarus if he was for sale. Itold him
that Mr. Conklin was the only man I knew who could
answer that question. When he asked Mr. Conklin if the
horse was for sale, ‘‘Pap,’’ as we always called him about
the stable, said, no; that he did not think that he would
care to part with his horse. After considering a moment

92 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Mr. Covey said: ‘‘Mr. Conklin, I will give you $45,000
for that horse, and you need not take the harness from
him.” Jexpected to hear my partner say, ‘‘Iam going to
let you have the horse,’’ but he answered ‘‘ No,’’ in about
the same tone of voice that he might have used had he been
offered a respectable price for a barrel of flour. When Mr.
Covey left us, Mr. Conklin asked me how well I thought I
could drive Rarus a mile if I sent him for all he was worth.
TI told him I thought about 2:12, and asked him if he did
not think he had better take the $45,000. He said, no;
that Rarus could earn that much money, and that he thought
he would be able to sell him for that price at almost any
time, all of which became history afterward. I afterward
learned that Mr. Covey made the offer for a wealthy citizen
of San Francisco, who was anxious to own the best horse in
the world.

After I got my horse in condition Mr. Doble and myself
started out to trot a few races with the Maid and Rarus,
it being now the latter part of March. These races, by
the way, were advertised as exhibition purses, it being
announced on each occasion that there would be no pool-
selling, and that Goldsmith Maid would try to beat her
record. The reason why we advertised it in that manner
was that I did not think that Rarus was in order to beat the
Maid, and I did not want to go out and tear him to pieces
against such a mare as I knew she was. I never deceived
anybody in any way with regard to my trying to beat the
Maid with Rarus, and no one ever expected when they paid
their dollar at the gate that Iwould. The reason I make
this explanation is, that a race came off afterward about
which there was a great deal of newspaper criticism, and
which I will explain when the proper time arrives. At San
José, on the 31st of March, we trotted the first of these
races, the Maid winning in straight heats, going the fastest
mile in 2:16%. Nearly a month later, on April 28, we
took the horses to Los Angeles to give another exhibition.
Budd was taken sick, and was not able to leave his bed.

LIFE WITH THE TROTIERS. 93

What to do I did not know. The exhibition was adver-
tised, and the town full of people. Right here I may tell a
little story that will serve to show the uncertainties of horse-
racing. We also had with us on this trip Bodine and Occi-
dent, the latter being a horse that at that time belonged to
Senator Stanford, of California, and that had made a record
of 2:16, which at the time of the performance was the best
mile ever trotted on the Pacific coast. Occident was a horse
of most romantic history, having been taken out of a ped-
dler’s cart and his speed developed when he was past the
age of maturity in most horses, and further handicapped by
not being any too sound. The fact that Governor Stanford
owned him, and that he had gone such a fast mile made
Occident a great attraction on the coast, and he would
always draw a crowd. Bodine, a horse that was in my
string, had been sent to California from Chicago by Mr.
Goodrich, his owner, who understood that a winter in that
climate would help him a great deal, he having been pretty
well worn out by his races of the previous summer. These
two were to trot for a purse, and I was always firm in the
belief that Bodine could beat Occident easily over any track.
At this time they had never trotted together. Budd con-
cluded that the best thing he could do was to get someone
to drive Occident and the Maid for him, rather than disap-
point the people. A leading driver of those parts was
Henry McGregor, who originally hailed from Michigan.
Budd arranged with him to drive the race, and it looked to
me as though Bodine had a cinch on Occident, as I knew
he was rather a peculiar horse to handle, and McGregor had
never been behind him. Uncle Ben Wright, of Boston, hap-
pened to be over on a trip for his health, and to his willing
ear I confided the good thing I had on the boys and told
him to play my horse. He asked me how high he should
play him, and I told him just as high and as long as any-
body would play the other one, and have always been sorry
since that the other people hung on so long, as the race
came off and Occident beat Bodine in five heats. That was

94 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

the first time I ever heard the remark applied to a horse
race: ‘‘ We have met the enemy, and we are theirs,’’ which
was the expression to which my partner gave utterance
when I saw him after the deciding heat. In the race with
Rarus at Los Angeles, Goldsmith Maid won, the best time
being 2:19. It isneedless to remark that Henry McGregor's
stock as a trotting-horse driver went up a couple of points,
after beating Bodine with Occident, and Rarus with Gold-
smith maid, and for all I may know he may still be enjoying
the fruits of that victory in increased patronage.

From Los Angeles we shipped to San José, where, on
May 12, the Maid again went three heats against Rarus,
the time being 2:164. Then we shipped to Chico, where
there was a new and very fine track, and in this race occurred
an incident which has always seemed to me one of the most
ludicrous that ever occurred in connection with trotting.
Among our contingent of side partners was Andy Daniels,
then a hale, bright-eyed gentleman, who had been a horse-
man, trainer, and owner when I was a boy and used to creep
in under the canvas, he having been one of the original
party who purchased the mare Princess, that afterward be-
came the dam of the stallion Happy Medium, and took her
to California, where she trotted so many famous long-dis-
tance races. Daniels had buffeted the waves of fortune for
many years, sometimes being on the foam-crested billows
of prosperity, and again on the rocks of disappointment
and acversity; but no shock, however severe, could, for an
instant, crush his exuberant spirits, and he was always ready
to again put on the gloves with fickle fortune. When we
got to Chico there was a great crowd that had come in from
the surrounding country to witness the race and the inaugu-
ration of the new race-track, which, in those days, in that
country, was far more important in their estimation than
the dedication of a church. Among them was a wealthy
ranchman, and who had never seen any really first-class
trotters. Some of the fastest ones in his country were able
to step in 2:30, or thereabouts, and he had got it fixed in

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 95

his mind that these figures represented the acme of trotting
speed. As I stated before, there was no pool-selling at these
exhibitions by Maid and Rarus; but, in some way or other,
Andy Daniels fell foul of the ranchman an hour or two pre-
ceding the race, and the Californian at once stated his
opinion of our combination, finally winding up by offering
to bet a large sum of money that there was not a horse in
the outfit that could beat 2:17 over that track. Daniels
came to see me for a diagnosis of the case, and after he had
stated the conversation I advised him to go back and bet
the stranger a reasonable amount that 2:17 would be beaten.
With his usual enthusiasm in such matters, Andy hunted
up his man at once, and before he had left him had bet him
all the money he had and given his assurance that enough
more would be forthcoming to satisfy all the cattle-raisers
in that section of the country. Doble came on from Los
Angeles on the morning of the race, and I told him about
the money that Daniels had bet on 2:17 being beaten. Budd
was not very sanguine about the matter, but we went out
to trot with the intention of doing all that we could to win
the money for Daniels and ourselves. In the first heat the
Maid went about as well as she could, Doble driving her
almost all of the way ; but she seemed tied up, and not ex-
actly at herself, the result being that she finished the mile
in 2:194 and was pretty well strung out. Doble said to me
it was not possible for her to beat 2:17that day. I thought
the matter over and then replied to Budd, ‘‘Pll give you
one more chance to get the money, and then if you don’t do
it, I shall have to see how my old horse can go.’’ When we
started for the second heat the Maid went away faster than
before, and struck the half-mile pole in just 1:074, beating
Rarus to that point five or six lengths. From there he
closed on her gradually until they turned into the stretch,
when he was on her wheel. She made one break; but, to
say the least, it was not a bad one, and she came to the
stand on a trot at 2:144, beating Rarus the heat. When
they hung out the time on the board, the cattlemen took a

96 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

look at it, turned to Daniels and said: ‘‘ My pretty boy from
San Francisco, you have had a shade the best of me. J have
been betting you did not have one horse in your outfit that
could trot in 2:17. Judging from the way these two acted,
I don’t doubt now that you have a whole barn-yard full
that can go that well.” As Andy had won the money and.
was in a happy frame of mind, he could afford to be pleasant.
with the countryman. :
As Mr. Conklin and myself were visiting a friend that.
evening, I told him I was sure that Rarus could beat the
Maid a good deal oftener than she could him—in fact, that
I did not think, from the present aspect of affairs, that she
could beathim atall. We then came back to San Francisco,
where we had other engagements, and there occurred a race
which has already been criticised by the press, public, and
pool-buyers, from every possible standpoint, and I have
been accused in connection with it, of everything in the
world excepting murder in the first degree, and, like the
gentleman in the story who devoted most of his last will
and testament to a vindication of a charge that had been
made against him, I want to state my side of this race
before I die, and while some of the other people that were
connected with it are still on earth. Mr. Doble had often-
times, when I had been otherwise engaged, driven my
horses in their work for me, and I had done the same for
him. Perhaps ten or fifteen different times through the
winter, I had driven Goldsmith Maid under his directions in
‘his absence. After our return to San Francisco, our first
plans were to go East immediately. With this idea in view,
we commenced preparing the horses for the trip. One
morning when I was going to the track, Mr. Doble asked
me if I would not work Goldsmith Maid a couple of miles
at a certain pace, and gave me an order on ‘‘Old Charlie,”’
who rubbed the mare, to that effect. I worked her exactly
as Mr. Doble directed. If I remember right, he told me to.
drive her two miles in about 2:25. I recall perfectly that I
drove her within three-fourths of a second of what he told

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 97

me to do, which for a boy seemed to me pretty fair. About
this time the proprietor of the Oakland track advertised a
purse, free for all horses, entries to close at a certain day.
I did not ask Budd whether he was going to trot Goldsmith
Maid, and he did not ask me whether I intended to start
Rarus. I did not think Budd would enter his mare, from
the fact that I had often heard him say he would never
start her in another purse. When the entries were opened,
I was somewhat surprised to learn that Budd had nomi-
nated Goldsmith Maid. I had entered Rarus, and I think
sent a check for his entrance. I saw the proprietor of the
track, and he informed me there were only those two entries,
but that if I would guarantee to give Goldsmith Maid a
race, he would let the money go for these two. I never
knew what he said to Budd, if anything; but I don’t think
he had any talk with him about it. I had already, in my
own mind, concluded to give Goldsmith Maid a race at that
time, although I did not care to state so to the proprietor. of
the track, as that was a matter that I thought would be
worth something to me to keep to myself. Anyway, the
proprietor accepted the entries, advertised the race to come
off in connection with the balance of his meeting, and I
commenced to get my tools ready to give people what Jack
Phillips calls ‘‘a yearly killing.” I never talked to any
one about the race in any way, shape, or manner, with the
exception of a gentleman of the name of Kenner, whose
acquaintance I had made while in San Francisco, and
who was in the habit of doing a little betting, occasionally.
I worked my horse out about three days before the. race,
and then and there decided to back him and try to beat
Goldsmith Maid. I went to Mr. Kenner, stated the case to
him, told him that I was sure I could beat the Maid, pointed
out that she was old, and thatifit came toalong-drawn fight
Rarus must certainly wear her out, and that I believed he
could out-trot her in the first half-mile in the first heat. I fur-
ther told him that if Rarus did not beat the Maid, I would be
more mistaken than I had been about a race fora long time.

98 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Mr. Conklin was in San Francisco at the time, but he
never seemed to take much interest in the details of the
races. He always appeared satisfied to leaveeverything to
me, and never wanted to bet any money, with the exception
of what I bet for him, and for that reason I never said any-
thing to him about this race. Mr. Conklin’s son was there,
but L did not even tell him, and if I remember rightly, he
had a few small tickets on Goldsmith Maid. I told Mr.
Kenner that I would like to have him manage the betting,
that I had not told any one else what I was doing, and
that he was to look after that part of the race entirely,
while I took care of the other end of it. I think the arrange-
ment was, that we were to divide the profits or losses of the
pool-box into three equal parts, the sharers being Mr. Kenner,
Mr. Conklin, and myself. While this was going on, I saw
Budd occasionally, but I did not consider that he had any
claims to know my business, and I did not tell it to him.
The betting opened on the race two or three days before the
day fixed for it, in the Lick House saloon, Goldsmith Maid
starting off the biggest kind of a favorite. On the day of
the race Mr. Kenner played Rarus rather carefully, not
daring to pile it on too hard for fear it might spoil our
chances. When the day of the race came on and the people
arrived at the track, they were a little surprised to see a man
continually backing Rarus against Goldsmith Maid at the
odds. So persistently did this man play my horse, that
at the end of an hour he had forced him up in betting con-
siderably. The effect was somewhat like that of a man buy-
ing all the wheat offered on the Chicago Board of Trade,
thus forcing up the price of it. About the time the race was
to be called, a sample pool was: Goldsmith Maid, $500,
Rarts, $450. <A friend of Budd’s came down to the stable
where he was standing and told him in my presence how the
betting was. Budd seemed to realize that there was some-
thing going on, and he turned and asked me what I thought
made that betting. I told him very frankly that it was my
money going on Rarus. He seemed surprised, and then I

LIFE WITH TIME TROTTERS. 99

told him further that I would win, sure. At this time it
. Was raining and continued to do so until it was likely to
make the track slightly disagreeable. Budd went to the
judges’ stand and objected to starting the Maid, on account
of the weather. The judges told him he would have to
start her, and that if he did not they would pick out some
other man to drive her for him. I myself felt a little
shaky, knowing that Rarus was a very poor mud horse,
and I concluded that if the rain continued for any length
of time, I would try and draw him, and in that way get
the money declared off. When we scored for the first
heat, I found that Rarus could easily out-trot the Maid. She
had the pole, and I concluded to trail until she turned into
the stretch. We went to the first three-quarters of the mile
in that way, but as we started home from the head of the
stretch, Rarus threw off a quarter-boot and made a wild
break, something I had not seen him do in six months. I
merely pulled him up, and made no further move for the heat,
Budd winning in a jog. When we got the word in the
second heat I set sail to make the Maid go from start to
finish. She out-trotted Rarus around the first turn, but in
going down the back stretch I got head-and-head with her,
keeping very close to her. Budd called to me to pull out,
saying that, if the Maid made a break, she would certainly
go into the fence. I did not pull out, simply kept my
place, and, as we passed the half-mile pole, she made a lunge
and a break, and tore off one of her quarter-boots, cutting her
quarter. All this I saw at the time, as she was nearly as
close to me as Rarus was. From there on, Rarus won
easily, his time being 2:19.

This was the first mile in a race he had ever gone better
than 2:20. After the heat, Budd wanted the judges to let
him draw the mare on account of her foot, which they de-
clined to do, and Rarus beat her the two next heats, without
an effort, in 2:192, 2:20. After the finish of the deciding heat
a lot of people who had bet their money on Goldsmith
Maid, thinking they had a sure thing, and who had gone

100 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

around San Francisco all winter saying that I did not dare
to beat Goldsmith Maid, and that Budd had control of both
horses and a contract on Rarus, I being simply driving
for him, set up a howl, and said they had been cheated out
of their money, and that they would stand no such nonsense.
They did not propose to let a New Yorker come over there
and trick them in that way. They asked the judges to de-
clare the money off, and at one time it looked as though
they would accomplish their object. The judges, however,
after a fair investigation, concluded that the race had been
trotted on its merits. They so decided, and declared that
the pools must follow the race. A good many people had
over-played themselves. At this time a Californian could
simply put his word in the pool-box, and it was a number
of days before Mr. Kenner was able to obtain the money
that was won on the race, some of it not being collected
until after I left California for the East with my horse. This
race probably shook up San Francisco as bad as anything
since the last previous earthquake. Of course, there was a
tremendous how] in the papers, and I think the reporters
who wrote it up must have been the most industrious men
in the world. Up to then they had always treated me fairly
well, but from the time Rarus beat Goldsmith Maid until
the first edition of their papers came out, they found out
more mean things about me than I had been able to learn
about myself in a lifetime. They did not blame Mr. Conk-
lin nor anyone except myself. They seemed to think that I
was the sole promoter of the ‘‘felony,’’ as they were pleased
to term it. A good many of Budd’s friends sympathized
with him, and, as they had lost their money, blamed me, for
what reason I could never see, as I did not, I am sure, com-
pel them to bet on Goldsmith Maid, and I always supposed
until that time that aman had a right to bet on his own
horse. Budd, naturally enough, felt very badly. To begin
with, he loved Goldsmith Maid as no other man ever loved
a horse, and he felt as I or any other man of sentiment
would at seeing the favorite animal of his life defeated. I

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 101

don’t think Budd ever accused me of treating him dishonor-
ably in the matter, in any way, shape, or manner.

The curious feature of the case was, that the result of this
race was not sent East by telegraph, and only became known
there when the California papers arrived. I shipped for the
Kast directly after the race, and my first intimation of the
storm that had been brewing was at Chicago, when I read in
the Tribune of that city a ferocious attack on me for my
part in the affair, it being intimated that I had robbed the
whole State of California, and had intentionally worked out
the Maid the day before the race in such a manner as to
deprive her of any chance of victory. Iremember very well
the first time I met the young man who has assisted me in
the preparation of this book. It was at Dexter Park, a day
or so after I arrived. He was at that time the sporting
editor of the Tribune, and we had never come together. He
was fresh from an interview with W. H. Crawford, and both
of them were pretty hot when we met on the quarter stretch.
J had read the article in the Trzbune, and, not being as
familiar then as now with the ways of newspapers and
editors, and having looked it over rather hastily, attributed
to Mr. White many of the statements that were really made
in the California papers. We had it, hot and heavy, for
awhile, but finally discovered that both of us were agreed
as to many facts, and from thatincident sprang up a friend-
ship that has continued without interruption ever since. It
may be stated here that Rarus never again met the Maid,
although there were some purses offered that Mr. Doble
could have started her for had he seen fit. As a matter of
fact, she never started again against any horse, but, after
giving a few exhibitions in the early summer of 1877, was
retired from the turf, and put to breeding at the Fashion
Stud Farm of Mr. H. N. Smith, who had owned her for
many years, as well as Lucy and Lady Thorne, two other
famous mares of their day.

From Chicago I shipped Rarus to Michigan, and started
him there on June 22, 1877, in a free-to-all purse, his op-

102 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

ponents being Cozette, Little Fred, Slow Go, Lady Maud,
and Nettie. This race came as near furnishing me a dis-
agreable surprise as any in which the horse had ever taken
part. After bringing Rarus from California, I had indulged
him in his work, thinking that I would not strike a horse
that could give him arace. I had made up my mind to go
easy with him through the early summer, and try to get him
on edge for the grand circuit. Iwent to Grand Rapids with
him in this condition, and struck there what was as good a
field of horses as ever started over a half-mile track, Cozette
having a record of 2:19, Lady Maud one of 2:18}, Little Fred
2:20, Slow Go 2:184 (made not long after that), and Nettie
could beat 2:20 then, and eventually made a record of 2:18.
I concluded to lay Rarus up the first heat, and let the others
make the fight; but I soon found that, if they did any fight-
ing, it would be against me. Cozette won the first heat
easily in 2:214. When the word was given in the second
heat, Slow Go interfered with Rarus at the first turn; my
horse made a break, and I did not try for the heat, Cozette
again winning in 2:214, two wonderfully good heais to be
trotted over a half-mile track. This convinced me that if I
won the next heat, it would be necessary to set sail from the
start, and this I did. Cozette and Little Fred made the race
with me. The black mare, that has long since gone from the
turf and been put to breeding, was a steady trotter, and
Little Fred was also a good trotter, as well as the best run-
ner Lever saw in harness. Morrell Higbie was a little over
weight, but the most industrious man, with that sort of
a horse, that had ever appeared on the turf. When George
Voorhies, who drove Cozette, found that Rarus was beating
his mare, he pulled up, and let Higbie see what he could do,
and the result was that Little Fred gave me a hard race to
the wire, Rarus winning by a head only, in 2:214, the three
heats being the best at that time, and I think up to date,
ever trotted over a half-mile track by a field of horses. In
the fourth heat Voorhies again laid Cozette up, and the rest
of the party went after Rarus. He stalled them off, how.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 103

ever, and won in 2:24%. At the finish of this heat, for the
first time in his life, Rarus showed me signs of distress,
seeming tired in his legs and affected in his wind, and I
found that I had an even chance of getting beaten. Cozette
had two heats to her credit, and had been laid up a part of
the third and fourth, and, with her miles in 2:214 staring me
in the face, I thought my chances were not very rosy. In
thinking the matter over, I concluded to let some one else
set the pace in the deciding mile, and try and win with my
horse at the finish, a plan that I-carried out, and, with the
help of a mistake that Cozette made, it landed me the win-
ner in 2:232. The five heats constituted the best race of its
length ever trotted over a half-mile track. When the word
was given, Cozette took the lead, Rarus trailing her, and,
after we had gone three quarters of a mile in these positions,
there was about two lengths of daylight between us. In
going around the upper turn, Rarus closed the gap, so that,
when swung into the stretch, his head was at the mare’s
wheel. From there to the drawgate, it was as desperate a
race as one could wish to see. At that point Rarus com-
menced to tire, and the mare was out-trotting him. For the
first time in my life I drew the whip on Rarus. He responded
to the blow with one burst of speed, moving up to Cozette’s
wheel, when she made a slight break, and he beat her to the
wire, in 2:232. That was the nearest, with perhaps the ex-
ception of one other race, that he ever came to being beaten,
after he began to win with me. I have been explicit about
this race, in order to show my readers what condition does
for a horse ina race. Here was a trotter that, when in proper
fix, had shown me his ability to trot a mile in 2:14, and yet
he was very near being beaten by a field of horses, the best
of whom were at least five seconds his inferior; and at the
best clip that Rarus could show, that means that they would
be more than a distance behind him at the finish of a mile.
If the public would make a little study of this, they would
be able to understand how horses often lose races, and men
their money, and then tl:ink they have not had a fair drive,

104 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

when, as a matter of fact, the condition of a horse has all to
do with it.

From Grand Rapids we went to Jackson, another half-
mile track, where Rarus trotted an exhibition mile in 2:17,
beating by a full second Goldsmith Maid’s best time over
a half-mile track, which had stood unchallenged for years.
This proved two things to me—that he was at that time the
fastest horse in the country, and that the five corking heats
at Grand Rapids had keyed him up to his best form. At
Detroit, Cozette was distanced in the first heat of our race,
which Lady Maud won in 2:21%. Nettie won the second
heat in 2:224, and then Rarus took the next three in 2:224,
2:25, 2:334. The last heat shows a wonderful falling off in
time. In the betting, Rarus was the favorite, with Cozette
well backed, the people remembering what a race she had
given Rarus at Grand Rapids, and still loath to believe he
was the great horse I had claimed him to be. The others
had some incidental support in the betting, but the main
money was on Cozette and Rarus. The only uneasiness felt
by me regarding the race was that the track was very soft
and uneven. I decided to lay up the first heat, and the
result proved the plan a good one, although likely enough
I could have won instraight heats. In the first mile Cozette
made a wild break and Lady Maud distanced her. With
Cozette out of the fight it was dollars to doughnuts that
Rarus would win. I knew that Turner had a fair mare in
Nettie, and as the General was rather inclined to lie around
and give the boys a surprise party now and then, I concluded
to keep an eye open and see what the little man from Phil-
adelphia was up to. On this occasion, however, he was not
dangerous, as after Nettie had taken the second heat in
2:291, I won the next three in the time stated above. In
the last heat Nettie and Slow Go came together at the first
turn as the result of a double break, and in the melee Lady
Maud also injured her stifle, so that the three had a grand
scramble to save their distance in the slow time of 2:333.
This race, I think, was the last in which Lady Maud ever

LIF# Witt THE TROTTERS. 105

started. She was a very game and fast little mare, and but
for an infirmity in her feet would undoubtedly have been a
star performer and materially lowered her record of 2:184.
After the finish of the last heat, Capt. John DeMass, a
turf celebrity, and who, as the owner of tugs, sailing ves-
sels, game roosters, and trotting and running horses, has
been prominent on the sporting horizon for the best part of
half a century, and is to this day considered the best assist-
ant in a horse race of any man on the turf, called me to
the judges’ stand. Ina few well-chosen words the Captain
presented me with a handsome bouquet that he said had
been left there for Rarus by a lady, who had forgotten
to say whether the gift was on account of the fast time
or the slow time in which the horse had gone, a remark
that seemed to me a very proper commentary on the last
heat.

From Detroit we shipped to Chicago and trotted Rarus a
race against Nettie, winning it with the best mile 2:23}.
At Cleveland we struck Lucille Golddust, Cozette, and Albe-
marle, and here Rarus made another great improvement
in his record, trotting the three heats in 2:184, 2:18, 2:183,
the three being better than any previous mile he had trotted
in a race. At Buffalo, the next week the same horses
started again, but the best mile that Lucille could make
Rarus go was the third, 2:193. Two days later I started
him against Lucille and Nettie in a free-to-all race, the first
event having been for horses of the 2:20 class, and this time:
Green’s mare made him go the second mile in 2:18. Then
we went to Rochester, where Rarus trotted a wonderfully
good race, and before alluding to that in detail, I will tell
something of the manner in which I worked him while he
was making this remarkable increase in speed. I gave him
nothing in the way of training except very light jogging,
with easy miles between 2:30 and 2:25, but at the end of
every mile I would brush him a hundred yards or so as fast
as he could go. I reduced the number of miles in his work
but kept giving it to him oftener—that is to say, I would

106 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

brush him a ways every other day, and found a decided in-
crease in his speed. There was no fear‘inmy mind as to his
staying qualities, as 1t did not seem to me possible for him to
have any more speed than he had the stamina to carry. I
had also by this time learned another thing, which was,
that when the tracks were not too hard he went better with
about ten or-eleven ounces on his forward feet than he did
with more weight, and I shod him accordingly. When
we reached Rochester it was apparent that Mr. Green and
his friends were very sweet on Lucille’s chances, she being
a mare that had always improved in her campaigns, and as.
Cleveland was the first race of the season for her, and she
had gone well, they believed she had a chance to beat Rarus
before the circuit was ended. Some people said that he
had been screwed up in California all winter; that the length
of the campaign had begun to tell on him, and that he
would train off. Whoever thought this made a great mis-
take. Rarus had not been keyed up in California, and
with the exception of the Grand Rapids race had ‘never
been pinched at all. In the first heat of the Rochester
race Green drove his mare from start to finish, but while
the contest was close there was no place in it where Rarus
wasextended. The time was 2:174, the best mile Rarus had
ever trotted in a race. I had hearda great many people say
that Rarus was not a game horse, and that if he were taken
by the neck he would stop. I felt, however, a good deal
like the man that had a quarter-horse, and who was told
that the first horse that tock his animal by the head would
beat him, but the old man only smiled sort of sadly, and
replied that it might be so, he didn’t know, but the trouble
was to find a horse that could get to his nag’s head. In the
second heat, Green made a desperate drive to the distance
stand, where, feeling that he had no chance to win, he
stopped. When I saw this and eased Rarus, Green made
another rush with his mare, and at the finish it looked to
outsiders as though he came very near winning the heat,
which was again in 2:174. As we walked to the cooling-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 107

grounds alter this heat I overhead Col. John W. Conley, a
shrewd judge of horses and horse-racing, say to Green:
‘You have got him now; you’ll beat him sure. He stopped
at the finish ofthat heat.’’ From Green’s manner I judged
that he was of the same opinion, but they were wrong. 1
always formed my idea of what Rarus would do from the
manner in which he cooled out after a heat. He had just
gone the best two miles of his life, and it would not have
surprised me had he shown some distress, but, as Barney
Stanford remarked, he never drew a long breath after either
heat. I thought, from what I knew of the horse, thatif Lu-
cille beat him the next heat he would see a mark on the black-
board that had never been there before. When they came
to trot the heat I don’t think Green was much to blame
for the confidence he had in his mare, as she trotted
outside of Rarus every step of the mile and then forced
him to the wire in 2:16—a third heat which, even in
these days when a two-year-old trots in 2:18, is not to be
sneezed at.

At Utica,Rarus beat Lucille Golddust and Great Eastern,
in the order named, the third heat, the fastest of the race,
being 2:17; and seven days later, at Hartford, we started
him against Hopeful, Nettie, and Great Eastern. Hopeful
won the second heat of this race in 2:19, Rarus having taken
the first in 2:21, and winning the third and fourth in 2:19,
2:22. Then a special race for these three horses was ar-
ranged to be trotted two weeks later over the running track
at Long Branch, and this event my horse also won, the best
mile being 2:222. By this time Rarus was the recognized
star of the trotting turf, Goldsmith Maid with her faster
record than his having been retired, and it was a little diffi-
cult to get engagements for him in ordinary class races.
Charlie Green had been working Great Eastern under the
saddle, and the Fleetwood Park people offered a purse for
Great Eastern to go that way against Rarus in harness.
This proposition was accepted. As this was a remarkable
race in more respects than one, and as in it the Great East:

108 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. am
ern made his saddle record of 2:152, which is still the:
best at that way of going, I shall tell about it in detail. In
the first place, it furnishes another instance of the uncertain-
ties of horse racing. To put it plainly, the condition of the
Fleetwood track at that time was villainous. Of course,
Rarus was a tremendous favorite for the race, and so we
started. In the first heat Great Eastern caught his boot.
right after getting the word, and Green had to pull him to.
a standstill, while I jogged Rarus the mile in 2:33, and had
I gone in 2:30, which I was afterward very sorry for not
doing, I would have distanced him. My reasons for letting
Great Eastern inside the flag were that a good many people
had come to see this special race, and feeling sure that my
horse would win in three heats I wanted to let the folks
have something for theirmoney. How near I came to being
entirely mistaken the result of the race will show. In the
second heat Green went away with the lead and I trailed
until we turned into the stretch. In a driving finish Great.
Eastern beat Rarus in 2:18. This taught me that I would.
have to follow a different plan in the next heat, and I con-
cluded to set sail from the start, having the fullest confi-
dence in the ability of Rarus to stay, and thinking that in
that manner I would force Green’s horse to surrender. Down
to the half-mile pole Great Eastern led all the way in the
the third heat, having got the best of the start. From there:
to the three-quarter pole he increased his lead at least an-
other length. As we rounded into the stretch Rarus began to.
close on him and had got to his saddle skirts at the distance
stand. From there to the wire Great Eastern beat him out
in what is to this day the best saddle record, 2:153. Had
the race been over a track prepared like that at Cleveland
or Hartford I am certain that this mile would have been as.
good if not better than 2:13, and in this opinion I have often
heard Mr. Green concur.

At this point in the race the betting changed, and there.
was one grand rush to hedge. I made up my mind that if
Great Eastern kept going that kind of a clip he would cer-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 109

tainly win. Still, I could hardly believe that.Rarus, a horse
that had gone to California and back, beating everything
that he had started against, was to meet his Waterloo. Both
horses showed distress after the third heat, and when we
went away in the fourth the clip was not as fast as it had
been. Great Eastern led all the way to the head of the
home stretch, and from there to the stand we had a desperate
race. I was very busy watching and driving my own horse
and could not see what Green was doing, but was told after-
.ward, by men who are good judges, that he rode his horse
as skillful a finish as was ever seen. At the last stride
Rarus got his head on even terms with Eastern, and as they
went under the wire I could not tell which had won. The
judges at once decided that it was a dead heat, which I
think was correct, as all the betting men seemed satisfied.
This mile was in 2:183, a pretty good clip to be going ina
fourth heat over such a poor track. We had now gone four
miles, three of them having been fighting ones. Neither
horse seemed to have much advantage over the other in
speed, the fact of Rarus going in harness putting Great
Eastern on even terms with him inthatrespect. Thad often
heard running-horse men talk of handicapping two horses
so that they would run to a head-and-head finish, and after
this race with Great Eastern could see how it might be done.
One thing I believed about Rarus was, that he was game to
the core. I had never seen Great Eastern tried in that sort
of a battle, and, as a rule, turfites always doubt the game-
ness of a horse until they see him thoroughly tested. That,
I think, arises from the fact that so few horses prove them-
selves fully game when tried by the fire of a long race in
which every heat is gone at top speed. In the fifth heat
Eastern again went off with the lead, out-trotted Rarus to
the half-mile pole, and from there to within twenty-five
yards of the wire we went likeadouble team. At the point
named the big horse faltered, and Rarus beat him to the
wire by a length in 2:21. After this heat Great Eastern
looked as though he was through. Rarus was somewhat

110 LIFE WiTH THE TROTTERS.

distressed, but not enough to cause me any alarm, and I felt
confident that, barring accident, we had the race in hand.
Again there was a flop in the betting, Rarus bringing $160
to $10, with little demand for the short end. In the sixth
and deciding heat Great Eastern still had some speed,
and led to the half in about 1:10, but then gave it up,
and Rarus beat him in the easiest kind of a jog in 2:274,
this ending what was considered by those who saw
it one of the best races, from the standpoint of peed
and endurance, ever contested on the American trotting-
turf.

On September 28, Rarus beat Hopeful a race at Fleetwood
Park in straight heats, the fastest mile being the second,
which was done in 2:16}, the best ever made up to that time
over the track. Then we entered in aspecial race with Great
Eastern and Hopeful, at Cleveland, Great Eastern under
saddle, and the othersin harness. The race occurred October
5, Great Eastern winning the first two heats in 2:194, 2:174,
after which Rarus took the next three in 2:214, 2:21, 2:22.
From there Great Eastern and Rarus went to Columbus,
Ohio, and October 11, Rarus beat the saddler in straight
heats, the best mile being 2:173. Five days later we trotted
over a half-mile track at Cincinnati, Great Eastern winning
the first heat, after which Rarus won, his best mile being
2:18, the best, up to that time, ever trotted over a half-mile
track in a race against other horses. This was the last time
Rarus trotted that year. Beginning on May 26, at San
Francisco, when he beat Goldsmith Maid, he had journeyed
from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and started in no less than
fifteen races, all of them against fields of crack horses, the
best in the land, and in no instance had he met with defeat,
although in his contests with Great Eastern he was handi-
capped by being obliged to pull a sulky, while the other
horse went under saddle. During this time he reduced his
record from 2:20 to 2:16, and made the best record, both in
exhibitions and in a race, over a half-mile track. These
statistics show what a wonderful horse Rarus was, even

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 111

then, and, in another chapter, I shall tell of his exploits in
1878, when he set a mark for every trotter in the world to
shoot at, showed himself the fastest, most reliable, and
gamest trotter that had, up to that time,ever looked through
a bridle.

CHAPTER V.

How Rarus was wintered at Cleveland—Barred from the free-to-all races in the
summer of 1878—He trots in 2:14 at Cleveland—Uncle Ben Wright’s
unlucky bets—The record lowered to 2:1314 at Buffalo—A great race at
Hartford—Gus Glidden and Edwin Forrest—Trouble at Minneapolis, and
a great wagon performance at Chicago—Another trip to California—An
accident in the stable, and what the veterinary said—Trotting in 2:1314 to
save Mr. Conklin’s $10—The sale to Mr. Robert Bonner, etc.

The trotting season was now over, and after consultation
with Mr. Conklin, I decided to winter the horse on this
side of the Rockies. After looking for an eligible place, I
concluded to try Cleveland, so Rarus was sent to the track
there, winter quarters being arranged in the shape of an
extra large stall. His shoes were taken off, his feed
reduced, and some light medicines for the stomach and.
blood given. The only exercise at first indulged in was
plenty of walking. Had I not been afraid that he would
hurt himself in play, it would have suited me better to have
turned him out in a large paddock for awhile every day
when the weather was fine, but this I did not dare to do, and
so a walk night and morning was the next best thing. This
routine was kept up until about the first of January, by
which time he had put on an even coat of flesh, and seemed.
entirely recovered from the natural wear and tear of a long
campaign. There was plenty of snow on the ground when
we first harnessed Rarus, and I began driving him slowly
two or three miles every day barefoot, giving him regular
walking exercise in addition. The jogging was gradually
increased, and his feed in the same ratio, so that before the
snow was off the ground, I was driving him six or eight

miles a day. This was my own personal work, as I never
(112)

LIFE WITH TIE TROTTERS. 113

allowed anybody else to jog or drive this horse. There was
nothing unkind about Rarus, or any disposition to be ugly,
but he was about the best feeling horse I ever saw, and
would in play do things that might have caused accidents
with an inexperienced man having hold of the reins. I
remember that one day during the winter I took Dave
Hosmer, the driver of Abdallah Boy and other trotters, out
to ride with me. Rarus saw something in the road, and
made a dart to one side so suddenly that he landed Dave
high aad dry ina snow bank. When Hosmer picked him-
self up he said he did not wonder at that horse trotting in
2:14 after the move he had just made. I had arule with
_ the bors that whenever we went to hitch or unhitch Rarus,
one of them should always take him by the head, and the
other me unhook one side of the harness, while I looked
after tie other. One day I drove him into the yard on re-
turning from exercise, and found Mr. Crawford and some
friends of mine there. I sat in the wagon chatting with
them vhile waiting for the boys to come out of the stall.
Only »ne boy appeared, and he started to unhitch Rarus.
I said to take the horse by the head and wait for the other
‘boy, which he did. At this moment, something passed
through the yard that Rarus noticed, and he at once made
‘a dar, and tried to bolt. I had hold of the reins, and the
boy lad him by the head. I have often seen children play
“crak the whip’’ at school, but it was not a circumstance
to the way Rarus dashed the groom and myself about that
yarc Fortunately, he did not hurt himself, or get away.
Ineer saw another horse that could make such lightning-
likemoves.

n the spring, when the snow left the ground, I hitched
Raus in double harness with Calmar and gave him all his ex-
ercse in that manner, thinking it safer than to drive him sin-
gle The season was a late one, and I did not get todomuch
onthe track before the first of May. Having no engagements
fo Rarus I began very moderately, working him to a skel-
ebn wagon, and gave him a great many miles in from

2:50 to 3:00, sometimes as many as a half a dozen in a
day, with twenty minutes rest. between them. There was
no attempt to drive at a high rate of speed, but ate the
weather became settled, I gradually improved his speed in
the work, at the same time shortening the distance. | About
May 15, I made an engagement to show Rarus aj Pitts-
burg two weeks later, stipulating, however, that I/should
not be expected to drive him better than about 2:21. | I gave
him a few moderate miles between 2:30 and 2:25, bushing
only at the finish of each mile. His best performame was.
2:244, and in it he showed me that he had plenty of|speed,
so I had no fear but that he would be abie to fulfill the
Pittsburg contract, which he did easily enough. Th» track
there was a half-mile one with a good deal of grade in it,
the first quarter being downhill and the last quarter lphill.
Here I found the same trouble to exist that I had ioticed
at Fleetwood the previous year. With his lighi shoes.
Rarus could not get down the hill well, and this caused me
to at once shoe him heavier in front. On the day of lhe ex-
hibition he went the second heat in 2:214, which

114 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

and slow from recent rains. Up to this time I h
done much with Rarus, as the stewards of the grand creuit
had seen fit to bar him in the free-to-all race at their neet-
ings, something never heard of before—barring a horsdin a
free-to-all class before he had ever trotted there throug] the
circuit. Several parties approached me with a propostion
to show Rarus against some pacers, but I told them\no;
that if they had a pacer capable of beating him to get \im
ready and come on with theirmoney. The circuit pele
made me what: I considered one-sided propositions to slbw
him over the different tracks, but to all these I said \o.
Then they wanted to know what I was going to do
him, pointing out that the horse was barred in the free-p-
all class, and without record low enough to make hina

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 115

star performer. Ireplied that if necessary I would get the
record all right. After talking with Mr. Conklin, I de-
cided that the first thing was to do this, and with that end
in view, the rest of my stable being entered at Saginaw, I
took Rarus there, hoping to find the track and day favorable
to fast time. On the contrary, I found the track worn out,

and the prospects anything but rosy, which decided me to.
give Rarus only safe work, waiting for a better opportunity
to smash the record. There wasan exhibition by Rarus, and
in this he showed me the three best consecutive heats he
had ever trotted, the miles being 2:174, 2:16, 2:16%. In this.
exhibition, for the reasons stated, I did not pinch Rarus, sim-
ply letting him go three good rating heats. From Saginaw we.
went to Cincinnati, and gave an exhibition on the Fourth
of July, the second mile being done in 2:17 over a half-

mile track. It had rained the previous night, which slowed
the track some, but I had never seen Rarus when I liked

him as well. Toledo was the next place on the route, and
here Rarus tried to beat his own half-mile track record of
2:17. Iwas sure he would doit. While the track was far
from fast it seemed safe and the horse moved like a bird.

Up to this time I had given him only moderate work and
no fast miles, simply sending him along in about 2:25,

brushing him the last 150 yards as well as hecould go. My
aim still was to make with him all the speed possible, and
I trained him as you would have handled a sprint runner.

When we came out at Toledo, Rarus went two trials in 2:19,

2:174. Darkness coming on, the exhibition was postponed un-
til the following day, when Rarus trotted in 2:16, beating his.
own record a full second, and that of every other horse two
seconds, so far as performances over half-mile tracks were:
concerned.

The great summer meeting at Cleveland was now at hand,
and we went there to trot an exhibition, the terms being
that Rarus was to go three heats that should average better’
than 2:18; and if Goldsmith Maid’s record was beaten, we
were to get an additional $500. In this race, I not only

116 LIFE WITH TIIE TROTTERS.

tried to win the money, but also to make the best showing
I possibly could, knowing that if he went well there would
‘be no trouble in making all the engagements I wished for
the rest of the season. Had this Cleveland exhibition taken
“place on the day it was first advertised to form part of the
programme, I am sure that Rarus would have gone the
three heats in 2:14, or better, but from the effects of a big
gale and rainstorm the track was so bad that the race was
postponed, and did not come off until the next day, which
was the last of the meeting, and the last of the week, and
then not until very late in the afternoon. I was very busy
that day driving two other races, and did not have the time
in which to give proper attention to Rarus. I will describe
the race, and tell how near an intimate friend of mine came
to losing a good bundle of money on the result. At this
meeting Hopeful had gone three heats against Proteine,
which were the three fastest consecutive heats ever trotted,
the time being, 2:174, 2:153, 2:153. An admirer of Hope-
ful came across my friend, and bet him $500 that Rarus
would not in his exhibition trot three heats to average as
good as Hopeful’s three. I told my friend that that money
was won; that the trotting horse never lived that could
make a performance that Rarus could not beat. In the bet-
ting on the race, it was $100 to $50 that Rarus would trot .
three heats to average betterthan 2:18; it was $100 to $20 that
he would not beat 2:14. My friend said to me, ‘‘I am going
to bet a couple of thousand dollars that he don’t beat 2:14,
-and at that odds I will win about $3,500 or $4,000.’’ I told
him not to do it, as I thought Rarus had a chance of beat-
ing 2:14, and that I should certainly drive him as fast as I
could. Anyhow, he bet $2,000 that Rarus would not beat
2:14. Rarus went the first mile in 2:144, and the second in
2:15, after which my friend said to me that he was very
glad he had bet his money as he had, for that, after going
the first mile in 2:144, and the second in 2:15, if he beat
‘9:14 his opponent could have the money and welcome. In
the third heat, I had a runner to go with him, and when

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 117

the judges said ‘‘ go,’’ Rarus went away from the wire as
though he intended to trot a mile in two minutes. At the
quarter pole, the old runner took to the bushes and bolted.
As soon as his company was gone, Rarus wanted to slack
up; I kept him steady, however, and when we turned into
the home stretch, I found waiting for me on his celebrated
gray horse, that noted character, William Potts, at that
time marshal of the Cleveland track. I called to him to come
on with his horse, but Potts did not get the gray going quick
enough, and was unable to reach me. When I went under
the wire, I guessed that something unusual had happened,
as I never heard such cheering before in my life. When I
got back to the stand, the first man I happened to meet was
my friend who had bet his two thousand dollars. He says
to me, with a peculiar look on his face, ‘‘ We are murdered;
you went the mile in 2:13!’ The time that the outsiders,
I found, had madeittoaman. Inthe judges’ stand there
was a disagreement, two watches making it 2:14, and one
2:132. They hung it out 2:14, and my friend won his
money; but he told me quietly, that night, that he would
never bet that much again that Rarus would not trot in
2:14, whenever I was willing to try with him. This race
not only proved that Rarus was the superior of every
horse then on the turf, but that he had, in one race,
equaled the best record of Goldsmith Maid, and gone
three of the fastest consecutive heats ever trotted or paced
by any horse, and everyone who saw him make the per-
formance felt sure that he could beat 2:14.

The following week we went to Buffalo, and under a special
arrangement were billed to try and beat 2:14, and here I want
say that I made a very serious mistake in the start. Rarus
was a horse that had always gone with a very light shoe,
and I knew could always go better over a track not too hard,
but, as I suppose many a man has done before, I allowed
myself to be advised as to the condition of the track, and
the superintendent had it made harder than I had ever seen
it. The soil of the Buffalo track at this time was just fit for

118 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

making bricks, and with a little water and straw the track
would have been as hard as a brick. The superintendent
being anxious to have the record beaten over that track did
only what he thought was best, but I was sure at the time,
and am more positive now, that Rarus, or, in fact, any other
horse, can go better over a track not quite as hard. I had
done but very little with him in the way of work, being
satisfied that the three heats-he had gone at Cleveland would
give him all the preparation he would need. There was a.
good deal of betting on the event, a wonderful crowd of
people, and great .enthusiasm. In the auction pools the
betting was on the result of the three trials that he was
to have. In the French the betting was all on the result
of the different heats, and the odds were about $100 to $60:
that time would win. In the first heat I simply drove Rarus.
a good stiff mile in 2:174. Of course, in the second heat.
everyone expected, as I did myself, tomake the grand trial.
My friend, Uncle Ben Wright, whom everybody, from the
ticket taker to the president of the track, knows on every
race track from Bostou to Australia, came and asked me
what I thought of the heat. I told him I thought Rarus
had a chance to beat 2:14, and said to him that if I made a
mistake in getting off I certainly should lay him up, sup-
posing, of course, that he was going to bet his money in the
auction on the result of therace. Instead of that he walked
over to the French and played his money there, which went
on the decision of that heat. When I commenced to score
Rarus for the heat, and he extended himself as a horse
would going at a 2:14 gait, the track hurt him, and he broke
several times—something entirely new with him. Every-
body had a different reason for this unsteadiness, but I was
positive at the time it was the track, and now I know it was.
We finally got the word, but he had not gone far before he
made a wild break, and I simply jogged him the mile in
2:50. Inthe meantime, Uncle Ben,seeing Rarus acting badly
in scoring for the heat, thought he would make a hedging
bet and went to the auction pools and played his money

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 119

there that he would not beat 2:14, expecting to save the
money that he had in the French pools; but as the sequel
will show, he misunderstood the terms of the betting in
both pools and lost his money two ways. In going the
second heat in 2:50 Rarus lost the money that Uncle Ben
had in the French pools, and when we got the word in the
third heat he went it in 2:13}, which cost Uncle Ben the
money that he had bet in the auction pools, being thereby,
as Jack Bachelor would say, ‘‘ whipsawed on the last turn.”’
The only mistake that I think I made in this trial was in
allowing them to have the track so high, and then in driving
him away from the wire faster, I think, than I ought to
have done; at least, this was my opinion after the race was
over. I think that when the judges said ‘‘go’’ in the last
heat, Rarus must have been going at least a 2:10 clip.
On the second turn I took him back the least bit, and when
we swung into the back stretch I cut him loose again. He
did not drive as he did at Cleveland, but seemed to have a
disposition to pull all the time—something that was very
unnatural with him, as he never wanted to do this unless
the track was wet or muddy. Rarus pulled less than any
horse I ever saw, and went his heats with just the least hold
of the bit. He wanted to be driven about as a man would
play a violin, with the ends of the fingers. He went steadily
true all the way to the head of the stretch, and there he
made a wobble, as though he was going to break. I steadied
him around the turn and at the distance stand commenced
to drive him. He did not finish as well as at Cleveland,
but still went the mile in 2:134.

As I turned him around beyond the judges’ stand to
‘come back, my old friend Jack Feek ran down, and with as
much pleasure expressed on his face as there was on mine
when I bought my first drum, he announced to me that
Rarus had beaten the best record, having gone the mile in
2:134. By this time, it seemed as though every man, wo-
man, and child on the track had been apprised of the fact,
although the judges had not as yet given their decision.

120 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

By the time I returned to the stand, the quarter stretch.
was one mass of howling, screaming, and surging men, boys,
and women, and the grand stands looked as though they
had been depopulated by an earthquake. After a moment.
or two of this sort of thing, the judges were able to get
partial quiet, and announced the heat, and then commenced.
such an uproar as I had never up to that time seen or heard
of. As Barney led Rarus to the stable, a crowd gathered
about them, and it was with great difficulty that he could
get the horse through the people. The judges insisted on
my making a speech. Someone had advertised meas being
a great talker, but at that particular moment, and, as I
believe, the only time on record, I had lost my talk. To
me it seemed rather strange, that here over this race-track,
where I used to come in my boyhood days to play hookey
from school, and where I took my first lessons in the trot-
ting business, I should in after years accomplish a feat that.
had been tried by the whole world, but in which no one had
ever before succeeded. Goldsmith Maid’s record had
stood for six years, and I think the man that would not.
have been proud to have the horse to beat it must, to say
the least, be a little cold blooded.

My only regret in the whole affair was that Mr. Conklin,
my partner and friend, was detained at his home by illness,
and was not able to witness the result. But as soon as the
telegraph wire could be brought into use, he was made
acquainted with the fact that his wildest dreams had been
more than realized. They afterward told me that every
fisherman on the Long Island shore blew his tin horn the
most of the night after the news had come that Rarus had
beaten Goldsmith Maid’s record. I hardly think that.
General Harrison received any more congratulatory tele-
grams on the night of his election to the Presidency than I
did the night after Rarus went this mile in 2:13}. I soon
had from Mr. Conklin a dispatch in which he said: ‘‘ Hur-
rah for Splan, and hurrah for Rarus.”’

The following week, at Rochester, Rarus’s performance

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 121.

proved to me that what I had said about the Buffalo track.
was right. Knowing that the track was very. hard at
Buffalo, I was extra cautious in the way of care, and the
attention that the horse should have after the race, and in
bringing him out free from soreness, etc. But when we
arrived at Rochester, and I went out to work him, I found
that in spite of all the attention and care he was sore, had
no speed, and I was certain could not make a good per-
formance. My arrangement with the association at Roch-
ester was that I was to try and beat 2:18. They came to
me and wanted to make a new contract, and have me try to
beat the horse’s new record. I told them 1 could not under-
take to do it, and explained why. I was sure my horse
would not be able to beat 2:14, and I did not want to an-
nounce to the public that I was going to try and do some-
thing that I knew I was unable to accomplish. I told them,
however, I would try to beat 2:18. Of course, the public
and the pool-buyers thought that to do this, Rarus had
only to jog around the track. The sequel will prove that.
they were wrong, as the best he could do was three heats.
in 2:18, 2:19, and 2:17, thereby losing the race.

The following week, at Utica, he had recovered a good-
deal of his old-time form, as he went the first mile over the
Utica track, which was never considered fast, in 2:15; the
second, in 2:15$; and came back the third time, in 2:173— the
best three heats ever trotted over that track to this day.

From there we went to Hartford, the following week,
where Rarus trotted the three best heats he ever went. He:
also beat Goldsmith Maid’s best record in two of the heats,
and made what was looked upon by most people as his best:
performance up to that date. At Hartford we had a good
week, the weather being fine, and the track in good condi-
tion. This year Gus Glidden brought out Edwin Forrest,
and, before going any further, I want to say a few words.
about Gus as a horse trainer. There was one point in which
I think Gus excelled every man I ever saw. You give him
one of those double-gaited, shifty, pacing horses that are

122 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

occasionally met with, and he could come nearer straighten-
ing him out, and making him go on a straight trot, in less
time than any man I ever saw. In fact, so impressed was
I with his ability in that line, that I took a few lessons from
him, which I afterward found very useful. As I am writing
this book for information, I would be glad to tell the public
all about this double-gaited business, but like many other
things in which men excel, I think the ability to drive such
horses is a gift, and in Glidden’s case proved very profitable,
as, out of that kind of material to develop race-horses,
Gus made enough money to buy one of the finest farms in
Indiana, and, while there are some people in Rush County
who dress better than Gus, there is no man who pays
any more taxes or lives higher. In 1878, Gus hove in
sight at Louisville, with a bay gelding called Edwin Forrest,
‘with more speed and less sense,’’ Gus said, ‘‘than any
-eritter I ever set eyes on.’? I saw him working him from
Louisville through the Michigan circuit, and he had tools
‘enough with him to break into a safe or build an engine.
About the time the grand circuit meetings commenced,
Gus’s horse began to grow better, and at Cleveland he won
a@ race, and got a record of 2:18, in a large field of horses,
thereby placing himself at one bound in the front rank,
and adding several acres of ground to Gus’ already baro-
nial holdings. About the time of the Hartford meeting, our
friend, Charley Green, got Edwin Forrest, and stated his
willingness to show him a mile against time, and try to
beat the best heat that Rarus should make. I thought
Charley was flying at pretty high game, but for a considera-
tion that the association promised him, he started out on
the same day that Rarus did to go against the watch. In
the morning I met Messrs. David and Allie Bonner. Mr.
Allie Bonner asked me what I thought my chances were
with Edwin Forrest, and I told him I did not think there was
any chance at all about it; that I was sure that Rarus could
‘rot three heats that would average better than the best
heat Edwin Forrest could go. When Green brought Edwin

LIFE WITIT THE TROTTERS. 123

Forrest out, he looked and acted as though he was fit to trot’ ©
for a man’s life. When they gave the word, he was going
true as an arrow, and as he turned into the back stretch he
cut loose at a rate of speed that looked to me as though he
was not only going to beat Rarus’s time, but knock the
watches out of their cases as well. He went down to the
half-mile post better than 1:06. Of course, I did not want
anybody’s horse to beat Rarus, but at that particular time
it looked as though he was going to get a horse race. For-
rest came on into the stretch at what appeared a terrific
gait, but about an eighth of a mile from the judges’ stand, the
high rate of speed commenced to tell on him, and he finished
the mile in 2:14%, which seemed to me, for a horse that
never had any more training, certainly a wonderful per-
formance, as I, myself, with one of the grandest horses I
ever saw, had been hard at work for two or three years
before I could make him go that well. Edwin Forrest was
afterward sold to Robert Bonner, and made some wonderful
performances both to harness and wagon. After this heat I
met Allie Bonner, and he asked me what I thought about the
red apple that I had agreed to forfeit in case Edwin Forrest
made a better performance than Rarus. I told him that I
would not have to buy it, as Rarus would trot three heats
that would average as good or better than 2:142, which he
did by turning the track three times, in 2:15, 2:131, and
2:133, making the great average of 2:144, and thereby
making good all I had claimed in favor of the horse. I
think this performance seitled in the minds of everyone
who saw it, that, beyond all doubt, Rarus was the king.
The only other races trotted that season by Rarus, that
would interest the public, are the ones at Minneapolis, where
the people fancied they were being wronged, and that at
Chicago, between Rarus, Hopeful, and Great Eastern, that
drew 40,000 people to the track, and demonstrated the ability
of Rarus to pull a wagon in 2:154 overa track that had just
been made, and, in addition, was dead and damp from late
rains. My first engagement in the far West was made with
9

124 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Col. William King, of Minneapolis, who has been a Congress-
man, and held several offices of public trust, to which he
has been elevated by the votes of the people of that section,
and a leading man in all the public undertakings of Minne-
sota. I contracted with him to go to Minneapolis and show
Rarus three heats at the fair. At this time there was a great
strife between Minneapolis and St. Paul. The St. Paul
people concluded they would have a fair at the same time,
and I, not knowing about this feeling, engaged with the
president, Mr. Finch, to show Rarus at that fair also. I
agreed to show at St. Paul on Tuesday and at Minneapolis
Friday. Long before Larrived in that country, [had learned,
by both the newspapers and the telegraph, that unknowingly
Thad got myself in hot water, as the Minneapolis people
claimed that, having engaged with them, I had no right to
show at St. Paul. While I would not have done it had I
known the feeling that existed, I had, at the same time, as
much right to trot my horse at St. Paul that week as I would
have to do so the next year, and I saw no way to get out of
it. When the Minneapolis people found that I had my horse
at St. Paul, and intended to start him there on Tuesday, they
opened up on me in the newspapers, and I got more abuse
than any politician that ever ran for office. Everything they
could think of to say was said with a vengeance. I saw Mr.
King, and we talked the matter over, and we both viewed
the affair in the same light. He expressed regret that the
newspapers had given me such a going over, but I said to
him, ‘‘Let them go on. It is the best advertised affair that
has come off in these parts for a long while.”’

The day of the St. Paul race, I showed Rarus to a crowd
of people, such as I had never before seen, they, of course,
taking my part on every turn. Rarus went in 2:16, which
I thought a good performance, considering the track. From
there we journeyed to Minneapolis, and the reception that I
received on all sides there, made me think that I must be a
very mean man. Still, as I was to receive $3,000 in money
for the exhibition, and had already earned the same amount

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 125

for that in St. Paul, I concluded that I could afford to pocket
my feelings. The papers came out with all sorts of state-
ments, one man going so far as to say that I did not intend
to drive my horse a good mile, and that, if I did not beat
‘the record made at St. Paul, the public ought to come down
and hang me. The only fear [had was that the track would
not be in such a condition as to make it possible for Rarus
to goa good mile. The cattle and horses had plowed it up
until it looked like a garden. Mace had shown Hopeful a
mile there, and driven him in 2:14%, and, as a matter of
course, I was anxious to beat that. I set to work myself on
the track, and got it into the best possible condition I could.
Mr. Charles M. Smith, the best starter in the country, was
there in charge of the judges’ stand. The night before the
race, in a talk at the hotel, Mr. Smith told me that he was
afraid there would be a riot in case Rarus was unable to go
well. Of course, I knew that Rarus could not be right on
an edge, having traveled so far in the cars, and having al-
ready gone three heats in the same week, and I thought
myself it would be very doubtful whether he would be able
to beat Hopeful’s mark of 2:142. Mr. Smith said to me he
thought it would be a good idea for him, on the following
day, to make a little speech to the public, state the facts of
the case, and to try and make them understand that I had
come there to give them the best possible race I could with
my horse. When the time of the race arrived, and I brought
out the horse, Mr. Smith, in a very neat speech, stated the
case to the public. They didn’t seem to notice much what
he said, and took it very coolly.

When I brought Rarus out to warm him up there was a
disposition on the part of a good many to hiss, and in other
ways to show their hostility to myself and horse. The
weather was varying, and looked as though it mightrain at
any moment, and I concluded that, contrary to my usual
method, I would warm Rarus up, and try to give him his
best mile first. I got the word and drove him in 2:15,
thereby beating the best mile that had been accomplished

126 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

over the St. Paul track, which fact seemed to mollify the
pyopulance to a large extent. Of course, this mile was too
fast fora warming up heat, and not fast enough to beat
2:14, thereby diminishing my chances of doing it. The next
mile I again essayed to beat Hopeful’s record, but failed,
finishing the mile in 2:154. The crowd by this time had
worked itself into good nature, and were willing to cheer
and shout as hard and as long as they could. WhenItook
Rarus back to the cooling shed, I told Barney and Dave to
take care of him and to cool him out; that I would drive
him an easy mile in the third heat, as I was not going to
try to beat Hopeful’s record. If I had reduced their wages
the boys would not have felt halfasbadly. They could not
bear the thought of Hopeful’s 2:14%, and said so. Dave
suggested that we cool Rarus out and get a runner to go
with him, as he felt sure that under those circumstances he
would do the trick. To satisfy the boys, more than any-
thing else, I consented to this arrangement. When we
came out in the third heat the wind had lowered. I hada
man run a scraper round the track, and when the judges
said go, and Rarus and the runner started on their mile, the
crowd gave a cheer that I have never forgotten. The horse
went straight from start to finish, and trotted the mile in
2:144, beating Hopeful’s record by a quarter of a second,
and showing three heats better than the best he had gone at
St. Paul, thereby making every man, woman, and child in
‘Minneapolis sleeplessly happy, and my friends for life.
For the balance of the week, they loaded Rarus and myself
with flowers, bouquets, and everything from atooth pick to
a fly-back watch.

From Minneapolis I made a circuit of the country, giv-
ing exhibitions at Dubuque and Kansas City, and from
there went to St. Louis, where I staid two weeks, and
was obliged to show Rarus under a tent, as the track was
not large enough for him to exhibit on. In the meantimea
race had been arranged by the Chicago track, between
Rarus to wagon, Hopeful in harness, and Great Eastern

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 127

under saddle. This race was trotted on the 10th of Octo-
ber, over a track that had just been built, and that was dull
and damp from rain the day before. Rarus came to
Chicago at the end of one of the severest campaigns that a
horse had ever made, and in no condition to show his best.
In the betting, Hopeful was a long favorite, he having
shown some grand miles. I told my friends I had no faith
in the race, and I think they did not puta dollar on. For |
the day and track, the race was a first-class performance,
Hopeful winning in straight heats, in 2:174, 2:17, 2:17,
Rarus second all the time, and Great Eastern third. At
this race there was the greatest crowd of people I ever saw
at a regular horse-trotting event, it being estimated at all
the way from 30,000 to 50,000.

Two days later, when the track was much faster and the
weather bright and warm, Hopeful made his wagon record
of 2:163, and this set some people to thinking that Hopeful
could beat Rarus at even hitch, both going in harness. The
first that I heard about that was when Mr. Conklin broke
into my room one morning in a heated condition, with a
newspaper in his hand. He pointed excitedly to an article
in it which stated that the public thought Rarus had had
his day and that Hopeful could beat him. He said he
would like to have me answer that article over his name.

“Well,” said I to him, “‘ what will I say to them?”’

‘Tell them for me,” he replied, ‘‘that Rarus can beat
Hopeful any kind of a race that two horses ever trotted.”

“How much money will I say you want to bet on him ?”
I asked. Said Mr. Conklin: ‘‘ Ten thousand dollars in money
and this year’s crop of hay.’’ There was some newspaper
correspondence, but no race.

Talking about matching Hopeful against Rarus brings
to my mind some other people who were anxious to match
their horses against Rarus. The previous winter, while Rarus
was being wintered at Cleveland, the owner of the stallion
Smuggler had announced in an eastern sporting journal his
willingness to trot that horse against Rarus, and out of it

128 LIFE WITH TIE TROTTERS.

grew a pretty lively newspaper controversy, but no horse-race.
From Chicago Mr.Conklin wended his way to his Long Island
home, and I started for the Pacific with Rarus, giving exhi-
bitions in several places on the way there, to which he drew
great crowds of people and always trotted the tracks faster
than any other horse had up to that time. On my arrival
in San Francisco I trotted Rarus in an engagement next
day after getting off the cars, in which he went in 2:14, 2:14}.
I state this to prove what a wonderful horse he was. He
had started in races all over the country, been twice across
the continent and as far north as Minneapolis, and the next
day after a ten days’ railroad trip beat 2:15 twice.

I have often heard people say that Rarus was a weak
and washy horse. I don’t think that needs any denial, as.
his performances are the strongest argument. Naturally,
after a campaign of that length, he was reduced in flesh,
and his feet had commenced to trouble him a good deal. I
immediately concluded to stop driving him, reduce his feed,
and commence to nurse his feet. Rarus was a great horse
to recuperate, and it was but a short time before he com-
menced to show his old-time appearance and spirit. I gave
him very moderate work and trotted him at few exhibitions
jn California that winter. In the spring I brought him to
Sacramento, thinking to prepare him for his triphome. He
was a great horse to play in a stall and at the end of a halter.
One day, while in Sacramento, as I stood watching him, he
laid down and began to roll in the stall, and when he was
through he sprang up suddenly. His hind feet went out
from under him and he fell. I was frightened lest he might
have bruised himself in some way. I looked over him very
carefully, had him led out, but saw nothing to indicate that
he had hurt himself. The next morning when I went out to
work Rarus I thought he was slightly lame behind. I spoke
to Dave about it, and he said he thought not; but I felt
sureI wasright. As the horse’s shoes had been on for some
time, I took him to the blacksmith’s shop, hoping to find
the cause of his lameness. At this time there was no swell-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 129

ing or any indication of puffing in his leg. We found noth-
ing in his feet to indicate any soreness, so I brought him home,
hoping that I was mistaken and that it was merely fancy
on my part. When I harnessed Rarus the next morning
there was no doubt about his being lame. I took him back
to the stall, had the harness taken off, and examined every
part of the limb and foot again carefully, but was unable
to locate the seat of the lameness. I sent for a veterinary,
and he examined him with no better success. I have often
lost the last dollar that I had in the world, and some that I
did not have, but I can never remember the losing of my
money having cost me a thought or a particle of trouble.
If you have a brick house, and it tumbles down, and you
have the price, you can go and buy another one; but if you
have the best race-horse in the world, and he goes lame or
dies, all the money in the world can not fill his place.

These were my feelings at that time. Ihad all the respon-
sibility; the horse’s owner was in Long Island, and Rarus
with me in California. After the veterinary had examined
him very closely, and could not find the trouble, I concluded
not to harness him again until I could locate it. The next
morning, which was forty-eight hours after I first discovered
his lameness, I went to the stable, and found that the entire
surface of one hind leg was very much swollen, with a good
deal of fever, and that the horse was very lame on it. I
sent again for the veterinary, and he came and looked him
over. He turned to me and said: ‘‘There is just one thing
to do with that horse; get the fever out of his leg, and fire
and blister him.’’ I said: ‘‘ Doctor, is that the only remedy?’
He said yes; that nothing else would ever do. I said:
‘* Doctor, it will never be done. No horse that has been as
good and brave as that one will ever be fired with my con-
sent. I will take him home to Long Island, where he shall
end the balance of his days in peace and plenty.’’ There-
upon the doctor discharged himself, and left Rarus to Dave
and me. We applied some simple cooling lotions, kept
him tied up by the head, so that he could not walk about,

130 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

had his feed reduced, and postponed his training indefi-
nitely.

This treatment we followed for about three weeks, and
when the acute heat and fever had been entirely removed, I
found, close to his ankle, asmall enlargement that had never
been there before, and which was the cause of a good deal
of the trouble. Of course, I had no idea whether he would
stand campaigning again or not. I gave him a few days’
moderate jogging, and then shipped him East, stopping on
my way at several places to trot my other horses. Rarus’s
leg seemed to improve, and he showed no lameness. I think
itis a true saying that misfortunes never come singly, and
the truth of this was illustrated to me in this particular
case. I went to Rarus’s stable one morning, and found him
the lamest horse forward I ever saw, and apparently in great
pain. I examined his foot carefully, and found nothing to
indicate where the lameness was. I was sure it was in the
foot, and commenced to treat him with hot water and hot
poultices, which I kept up for about forty-eight hours. His
foot gathered and broke near the coronet; the wall separated
on the right side of the foot, and we were obliged to cut away
a great portion of the wall, and leave the live part exposed.
Thad a compress made with astrap and buckles, and put
that on him whenever I worked or jogged him. It looked to
me at that time as though he would not be trained again that
year. I jogged him along very moderately. Previous to
this [ had made an arrangement to trot Rarus against
Hopeful over the Chicago track July 24. When I arrived
at Chicago, I immediately went and stated the facts of the
case to Col. John W. Conley, the manager of the track,
telling him that I had not the slightest idea that Rarus
would be fit to start in any race that year. He said to me:
‘Let the matter stand just as it is, and on the first of July
you let me know what the prospects are, and if you then
say he will not be fit to start, I will arrange for some other
attraction. This race grew out of a newspaper talk of the

year previous about Hopeful and Rarus, and the Chicago

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 1381

Association generously offered $5,000 to be trotted for,
entrance free. I concluded to work Rarus along mode-
rately, start him a race or two, and see whether or not he
would stand up. I did so, and started him the first race at
Jackson, over a half-mile track, where he went an exhibition
in 2:20. Two weeks later I went to Toledo, Ohio, where
Rarus trotted in 2:20, and then I notified Colonel Conley that
i would be able to start on the 24th of July in Chicago.

At this time I had not trotted Rarus at his best speed,
nor did I think he would be fit to beat Hopeful in the race,
but, rather than disappoint the association, I was willing to
take the chances and trot him. As it turned out, Rarus im-
proved faster than I thought he would, and won an easy
race from Hopeful in Chicago, in 2:172, 2:21, and 2:18. There
was a big attendance, anda good deal of betting on the race.
The following week he started against Hopeful, at Cleveland,
and beat him in three straight heats, trotting the third mile
in 2:15, which was the best of the race. At Buffalo, he went,
in an exhibition, in 2:18, 2:14%. By this time, Rarus was
back to his old form, and, at Rochester, August 14, ina
gale of wind, he trotted three heats in 2:174, 2:16, 2:133, the
last mile being within a quarter of a second of his best record.
When he came to go this mile, there was a good deal of
betting on the time, with very long odds that he would not
beat 2:14. I never knew his owner, Mr. Conklin, to put a
dollar on him, or buy a pool ticket, always leaving that part
of the business with me. This day, however, he heard some
one say he would bet a hundred to ten, that Rarus would
not beat 2:14. After I had gone the first two heats, the
weather became very bad, and I concluded not to drive him
another mile, and so stated to the boys, whom I ordered to
take him to the stable. About this time, ‘‘Pap,’’ as we
called him, came along, and told me what he had done,
namely, that he had bet that Rarus would beat 2:14. I told
him I had notintended to trot another heat, and wished that
he had not bet the money. He said: ‘‘ That does not make
any difference. Don’t drive him unless you feel like it,

132 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Never mind the ten dollars.’’ I said: ‘‘ No; put the harness
on him. J would rather win that pool ticket for you than
to win the whole world for anybody else.’ I told the old
man to put on his glasses, go up in the grand stand, and sit
down and see what kind of a battle Rarus and myself would
make for his money. When I went out for the third heat, it
was late in the evening, the wind had died down, and most of
the audience had left the track. When we took the word,
Rarus was going straight and strong, with all his old-time
speed and determination, and I said to myself: ‘‘ The money
is Pap’s.’’? As we turned into the back stretch, I heard
something clatter on his hind foot, as though his shoe might.
have been loose, and started to pull him up. About that
time, one of his scalpers flew off, and, as [knew that would
not make much difference to him, I kept him going, and,
when we rounded into the stretch, I cut him loose for all
that was in sight. True to his old-time record, he finished
the mile in 2:134, thereby winning the pool ticket for his
owner, and coming within a quarter of a second of his old
best performance. Itneverentered my mind that that would
be the last fast mile I would ever drive Rarus. It so turned
out, however, and the reader will see what a little incident
caused me to make such a fast record with him that day.
We trotted the following week against Hopeful, and won,
the best mile being 2:16.

I have now come to the sale of Rarus and his retirement
from the turf forever. The night after the Utica race, my
old employer, Mr. Z. E. Simmons, came to me at the hotel,
and asked me if Rarus was for sale, saying that if such was
the case, he would like to have a price on him. I told him
that, as far as I was concerned, if I could be guaranteed
that Rarus would be sold to a good home, I would consent
to the sale and use my influence with Mr. Conklin to that
effect, providing, of course, that we agreed on the price.
He told me that, while he was not at liberty to give the
name of the would-be purchaser, he was prepared to guar-
antee me all I asked. He said he would leave that night

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 133

for New York, and wished that, after talking with Mr.
Conklin, I would come to New York and see him. I com-
municated these facts to Mr. Conklin, and by appointment
we met in New York two days later. In our first talk, Mr.
Conklin opposed the idea of selling Rarus very much. He
said he thought that after all the good Rarus had done him
he was at least entitled to a good home in his latter days.
I said that Mr. Simmons was ready to guarantee that the
horse would have as good a home as any animal could have.
T also told him that I thought it was more humane to sell
Rarus toa good home while in the prime of life than to
keep him and trot him until he was old and worn out and
suffered defeat, as I had known a great many other first-class
horses to do. This seemed to strike him rather forcibly,
and after some further talk, he said to me, ‘‘ You have at-
tended to all the trotting of him, his training and driving,
and have controlof him, and if you see fit to sell him IJ will be
satisfied with anything you do.”’ Itooka carriage and drove
to Mr. Simmons’s office, and told him that I had come pre-
pared to put a price or Rarus. Ithen told him that the price
was $40,000 in cash. We had some talk, which ended by
Mr. Simmons offering me $30,000 for him. I said ‘‘No,
$40,000,’ and left the matter there. Mr. Conklin and I
took the train for Hartford that evening, where Rarus had
already gone to meet an engagement. Our intention was to
try and beat his record, which we were positive he was able
to do at that time, having without extra preparation gone
the third heat at Rochester in 2:134. I gave him careful
preparations for the effort, and the last time I worked him
before the day fixed for the trial, I thought him a better
horse than ever. He seemed in the pink of condition, with
unlimited speed.

The morning of his race, H. M. Whitehead, of New York,
came to me on behalf of Mr. Simmons, with regard to the
sale of the horse. I told him, as I had stated to Mr. Sim-
mons, that the price was $40,000, with the regular commis-
sion off for cash, which was 10 per cent. I also told him

134 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

that the horse had engagements; told him what they were;
said that if he bought Rarus it would be with his engage-
ments, and donelided by telling him that I would not sell
the horse without the engagements. He made several prop-
ositions, none of which I accepted, finally telling him as
we stood in front of Rarus’s stable, he with his head out
of the door, that there was the horse, and that for $36,000
he could have him, but that I would not lead him over the
sill of the door for him. He finally said that he would take
the horse for Mr. Simmons, but was not prepared at that
time to pay for him. I told him that if the horse was for
Mr. Simmons he could pay for him whenever Mr. Simmons
thought fit. I told him that he was now Mr. Simmons’s
horse, and that if he died or broke his neck, Mr. Simmons
could hand Mr. Conklin $36,000 in money, just the same as
if he got him in the best of order and condition, and that I
expected him to doit. This took place about ten o’clock
in the morning, and the horse’s engagement was to trot that
afternoon. I thereupon waited upon the president of the
association, and told him we had sold Rarus, with his en-
gagements, to Mr. Whitehead for Mr. Simmons of New
York City, as I understood, informing him, in addition, that
T had no further control over the horse in any way, shape,
or manner. The president interviewed Mr. Whitehead on
the subject, and he said he had bought the horse, but
declined to trot him, as his owner did not wish to do so.
That was all that took place in my presence at that time.
‘When I went to the hotel for dinner I met Mr. Conklin and
told him that I had sold Rarus and delivered him to his
owner’s agent. He says, ‘‘ Well, I suppose it will have to
be,’ and walked away. If I had been possessed of $36,000
then, I would have given it for Rarus, just to have had the
old man keep him. After dinner, uf which neither of us
ate much, Mr. Conklin and myself went to the track, and
found a great crowd around Rarus’s stall. We drove up,
entered the back door, and I had Dave, the boy, lead
Rarus out where Mr. Conklin could see ini: I never saw

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 135

any man parting with a friend show more feeling than Mr.
Conklin did for his horse, and he bid him that day what I
believe was his last farewell, as I think he never saw him
afterward.

When the hour for the trot arrived, there was about ten
or fifteen thousand people on the ground. It had got noised
about that Mr. Whitehead had received: orders from New
York not to start Rarus. Of course, there was great hub-
bub and excitement, the association coming to me about
the matter, but as I had sold the horse with his engage-
ments, I referred them to Mr. Whitehead. The talk ended
by his refusing, point blank, under any consideration, to
trot the horse. The officers of the association thereupon
took action in the matter in a manner that caused, at that
time, a great deal of unfavorable comment, and which they
afterward, at their own motion, rescinded, thereby showing
that they considered themselves to have acted hastily, and
to have imposed an unwarranted and unjust punishment on
an innocent man—a punishment which was nothing less
than the expulsion of Mr. Conklin and Rarus.

The people were wonderfully surprised when the presid-
ing judge rose in the stand and announced that Mr. R. B.
Conklin and the bay gelding Rarus were expelled from all
tracks forever. This seemed to me a strange and pathetic
ending of two such noted characters on the turf—the man,
one who had bred, raised, owned, and trotted the grandest
horse that, at that time, the public had ever seen, and that
probably had delighted more people with his feats of speed
than any other horse up to that time; a man who had scorned
to do anything unfair or unjust from the first to last of
his turf career; while the horse was one that had gone twice
across the continent, and had never failed to do his best.
For those two to be expelled at the end of such a career,
and that, too, by the officers of the track over which the
horse had made what were then the three fastest consecutive
heats on record, was a sad, as well as strange, termination
to a course of honesty in both man and beast.

136 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

When this announcement was read out from the judges’
stand, I immediately stood up in front of it, and then and
there protested against the judgment as being wrong in
every particular. First and foremost, I stated that Mr.
Conklin did not control the horse; that he made no engage-
ment with the association in any way to trot the horse for
them, and finished by saying that, if anyone was to blame
or to be expelled, I considered that it was myself. Why
they expelled Mr. Conklin instead of me, was one of those
things that I could never find out.

By this time it was rumored that Mr. Robert Bonner was
the real purchaser of Rarus, and a grand rush was made by
all the newspaper reporters to see who could first find out
the most reliable information. Mr. Allie Bonner was on the
track, and he was interviewed on every side. Whenasked
if his father owned Rarus, I heard him say that he might
own him, but that if he did he knew nothing aboutit. I
was rather anxious on the point myself, and asked Mr.
David Bonner whether Mr. Robert Bonner had bought
Rarus or not, and he said he could not tell me. Nothing had -
taken place in regard to the sale of a horse in a long time
that was so much written and talked about as this. The
telegraph wires to New York were brought into play, and in
that manner Mr. Bonner was interviewed from all sides. In
the next day’s papers was the authentic news that Mr. Rob-
ert Bonner was the owner of Rarus, and the next day I
received a telegram from Mr. Simmons asking me if I would
bring Rarus to New York for him, and at his own risk. The
following morning I prepared Rarus for the trip, got his traps
together, and Mr Conklin and myself went with him to New
York. Arriving at Forty-second street, we were met by Mr.
Simmons, who directed the horse to be taken to Mr. Bonner’s
private stable on Fifty-seventh street, near Fifth avenue.

When I saw the boy lead Rarus into that stable all my
fears with regard to his having a good home vanished. I
had always felt that there was one duty I owed Rarus, and
that was to see that he was given a home as good as could be

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 137

furnished for any horse after he had become useless as a
turf horse, and when I learned that the sale to Mr. Sim-
mons was in the interest of Mr. Robert Bonner all the anxi-
ety and perturbation of spirit that had naturally resulted
from the sale vanished as if by magic, for I knew that in
Mr. Bonner, Rarus had acquired an owner whose fame as
the purchaser of the fastest trotters in the world was ac-
companied by the knowledge that every horse belonging to
him received during his lifetime as good care as could be
given any human being. I knew that as long as Rarus
might live it would always be his portion to receive from
experienced grooms every attention that was necessary for
his well-being and comfort. I knew that the bodily ail-
ments that were to come with increasing age would be at-
tended to in the most skillful manner, and that under no
circumstance would he be parted with, for it is a rule of
Mr. Bonner's life that no one of the famous horses that he
owns shall be sold; and the history of Dexter, Pocahontas,
and the two old mares—about the first fast pair that Mr.
Bonner ever owned, Lady Palmer and Flatbush Maid—had
told this to the world. Not alone where the English lan-
guage is spoken or written, but wherever the blooded
horse is an object of interest, the name of Robert Bonner is
a familiar one, and a book of this kind would be imcomplete
without more than incidental reference to him, since no’
other name is so intimately and prominently associated
with the American trotter as his. A man of rare intellect-
ual attainments and business ability, which is demonstrated
by the accumulation of a large fortune obtained in a strictly
legitimate manner, with a mind that probes to its utter-
most depths any subject worth taking under consideration,
Mr. Bonner has given to trotting horses more mental effort
than any other man in the world.

Beginning thirty years ago, he purchased his first trot-
ter, an animal that could step in about three minutes, in
obedience to the directions of his physician, who advised
him to try driving for his health. From that day to this,

188 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Mr. Bonner has been an enthusiastic road-rider, and in the
pair of mares mentioned above, he had the first team capa-
ble of trotting a mile to pole better than 2:30, and of doing
two miles in a fraction over five minutes. From this to the
purchase of Dexter for $35,000, an amount that seemed fab-
ulous at the time, Mr. Bonner’s name was famous, and the
morning after the sale above referred to was made, it was
flashed all over the world as that of the owner of the fastest
trotter that had ever been seen. Then came in rapid suc-
cession the addition to his private stable of so many noted
horses that a list of them would be wearisome, and after all
these purchases the acquirement of Rarus for $36,000.
After Rarus had been retired from the turf, St. Julien was
the first horse to beat his record; then came Maud §., and
she had lowered the trotting record to 2:094, people said there
was one horse, the best in the land, that Mr. Bonner could
not own, because she was the property of aman many times
a millionaire, the late Wm. H. Vanderbilt. But strangely
enough if came about that Mr. Bonner eventually did
own Maud §8., and when he became her owner it was through
the wish of Mr. Vanderbilt, and not only for the reason
that Mr. Bonner was his personal friend, but that, asin the
case of Mr. Conklin and Rarus, it was his wish that the
famous daughter of Harold should become the property of
the man in whose possession she would always be guaran-
teed a life of ease, so long as she might live. The writer
has seen an autograph letter from Mr. Vanderbilt to Mr.
Bonner in which this sentiment is given words, and he
knows that Mr. Vanderbilt's expression of his feelings in
the case of Maud 8., and his reason for selling her were as
much a pleasure to Mr. Bonner as was the ownership of the
fastest trotter. the world had ever seen. I have often heard
people bewailing the fact that Mr. Bonner bought up and
retired from the turf the best trotters in the world, but it
has always seemed to me that his action in this regard was
a positive blessing to the animals, as it not only insured
their comfort for life, but also prevented the necessity of

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 139

their being contestants in races long after their powers were
on the wane, causing them to suffer defeat from animals
whom in their prime they could easily have left behind.
Another reason why Mr. Bonner is a benefactor to the turf
lies in the fact that his willingness to buy, no matter at what
price, the fastest horse in the world makes a constant mar-
ket at top figures for animals that would otherwise be
white elephants on the hands of their owners—something
for which an adequate value could never be obtained. Mr.
Robert Bonner, above all men, has been the friend, patron,
and in every sense the benefactor of horse breeders, horse
drivers, and horses themselves.

But to return to Rarus and his sale. After leaving the
horse in the stable, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Simmons, Mr. David
Bonner, and myself, adjourned to the Hoffman House, where
the money was paid over to Mr. Conklin. I told Mr. David
Bonner that I had left all of Rarus’s effects, wagons, etc.,
at the stable with him, with the exception of one pair of
blankets that I had promised Mr. Conklin, and wished he
would say to Mr. Robert Bonner that he was entitled to
them all, but that, if he did not wish to keep them, he could
send me word, and I would comeand take them away. The
next day, I received a note from Mr. Robert Bonner, asking
me to call at his office, which I did. He thanked me for my
attention in sending him Rarus’s traps; told me he would be
glad to keep them, and insisted on giving me an order to
duplicate them new from a shop at his expense. This I
declined to accept, for the reason that I believed any man,
who had given $36,000 for a horse, was entitled to his be-
longings, and so said. Mr. Bonner told me that he should
send Rarus to his farm in a day or two, and invited me up
there to see Rarus in his new home. I accepted the invita-
tion, and the pleasing remembrance of that day, and the
valuable hints that I received in the way of training horses,
are still fresh in my mind. I there took my last ride behind
Rarus, driving him a mile in 2:164, over Mr. Bonner’s track,
and left him arith feelings of regret.

140 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

I now come to what might be termed the personal history
of Rarus; and, while it seems to me that his career in my
hands had been at the least fairly successful, I feel like tak-
ing but a small part of the credit for his success to myself.
First and foremost, he was a grand horse when he came into
my hands, and his owner, Mr. Conklin, was a man that I
think the owner of any trotting horse could well pattern
after. In the first place, he had what people would calla
good deal of horse sense. In the second place, when he gave
his horse to me to drive, his contract extended for four
months. At the end of that time, he renewed his contract
with me, and said to me, ‘“‘Splan, as long as I own Rarus,
he is your horse to do with in every way, shape, or manner
as you see fit. Nooneshall ever criticise you or your actions
to me. I will do nothing in connection with the horse with-
out your freewill and consent. Take your time, and do what
you can with him, whether it be in one, two, three, or four
years. The greatest pleasure that I could have with that
horse would be to see him beat the best record.’? When he
told me that, I knew and believed that he meant exactly
what he said. Few people imagine how the trainers of horses
are annoyed by outsiders running to owners and criticising
the actions of the drivers. It is an easy matter for a gentle-
man who never drove a trotter a step in his life, and who
never did more than to sit up in the grand stand in a shady
place, to say to the owner of a horse how his driver should
‘handle him, but if that same critic were asked to drive in a
race, he would have to be tied in the sulky, in order to in-
sure his appearance when the horse was come under the
wire. If I might be permitted here to give a little advice to
owners, it would be: If you get atrotter, pick out the man
you think is the best driver and trainer in the world, give
him your horse, and treat him as Mr. Conklin did me, and,
if you do not get that man’s best efforts, I will be more mis-
taken than I have been in horse-racing matters in a long
while.

The next factor in my success with this horse, was, I be-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 141

lieve, the men that rubbed him forme. The first was Barney
Stanford, who wasa pupil of my old friend Mace, and learned
the art of caring for a horse as well as it was possible for
any man to acquire it. After having done this he was will-
ing to give his employer his best services at all times. Bar-
ney came to rub Rarus in the fall of 1876, and remained with
me untilthe day I sold the horse. There was a good deal to
Barney besides his ability as a horserubber. He was digni-
fied and obliging to everyone, attractive in his personal ap-
pearance, always dressed in the latest fashion, and possessed
the taciturnity that is especially commendable in men who
have to do with trotting horses. In habits he was first class ;
he always managed to get a little money onall the good things
that came off in the neighborhood, and took as much pride
in Rarusas I did. In attending to a horse who was famous,
it means that the head rubber must be, on every day of the
trotting season, prepared to act as a reception committee to
thousands of people, many of whom have apparently no
idea of the responsibilities that areinvolved inthe care of such
ananimal. In dealing with over-enthusiastic folks, Barney
displayed all the watchfulness of a Vidocq and the diplo-
macy of a Talleyrand. He is now a successful trainer on his
own account at Detroit, and I want to say that any man who
gives Barney Stanford a horse to train and drive will place
him in the hands of a capable, honest, industrious, and pains-
taking man.

The other boy’s name was Dave Colross. He came to help
Barney take care of Rarus in the spring of 1878. When he
applied for the position he looked as though he might have

. been measuring tape in some dry-goods store. I asked him
something about his ability in the care of a trotting horse,
and he told me that Mr. Morrell Higbie, his former employer,
had said he was the best rubber he ever saw, a statement
which I wish to indorse. He remained with me until the
day Rarus was sold, and afterward rubbed for me the pacer
Johnston, in which capacity I shall have something further
to say concerning him.

142 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

In disposition, Rarus was a brave horse, not much in-
clined to be affectionate, but, at the same time, not avicious
animal. I never saw anyone that he seemed very fond of,
except Mr. Conklin, Dave, and the dog Jimmy, without
some mention of whom no history of Rarus would
be complete. This dog was a Scotch terrier that was
presented to me in San Francisco by a fireman when
he was a youngster of about two months. I took him
to the track and gave him to Dave, who advised that
he be put in Rarus’s stable. I cautioned Dave about
the pup, as I had seen Rarus make the fur fly from
one or two dogs, and told him that he might not have
any dog, unless he put him in a safe place. Ina few days
I asked about him, and he told me that Rarus and the dog
had got to be great friends. That appeared rather strange
to me, as, while I had always treated Rarus very kindly,
he was never disposed to make friends with me. Inappear-
ance this dog was a small, wiry-haired terrier weighing
about fifteen pounds, and possessed of almost human intel-
ligence. The admiration and love that this dog and horse
had for each other equaled anything that I have ever seen
in the human family. Not only were they extremely fond
of each other, but they showed their affection plainly as did
ever aman for a woman. We never took any pains to
teach the dog anything about the horse. Everything he
knew came to him by his own patience. From the time I
took him to the stable a pup, until I sold Rarus, they were
never separated an hour. We once left the dog in the stall
while we took the horse to the blacksmith shop, and when
we came back we found he had made havoc with everything
there was in there, trying to get out, while the horse, dur-
ing the entire journey, was uneasy, restless, and in general
acted as bad as the dog did. Dave remarked that he
thought we had better keep the horse and dog together after
that. When Rarus went to the track to work or trot, the
dog would follow Dave around and sit by the gate at his
side, watching Rarus with as much interest as Dave did.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 143

When the horse returned to the stable after a heat, and was
unchecked, the dog would walk up and climb up on his for-
ward legs, and kiss him, the horse always bending his head
down to receive his caress. In the stable, after work was
over, Jim and the horse would often frolic like two boys.
If the horse laid down, Jim would climb on his back, and in
that way soon learned to ride him, and whenever I led Rarus
out to show him to the public, Jim invariably knew what it
meant, and enhanced the value of the performance by the
manner in which he would get on the horse’s back. On
these occasions, the horse was shown to halter, and Jimmy,
who had learned to distinghish such events from those in
which the sulky was used, would follow Barney and Rarus
out on the quarter stretch, and then, when the halt was
made in front of the grand stand, Barney would stoop down,
and, in a flash, Jimmy would jump on his back, run up his
shoulder, from there leap on the horse’s back, and there he
would stand, his head high in the air, and his tail out stiff
behind, barking furiously at the people. He seemed to
know that he was as much a part of the show as the horse,
and apparently took great delight in attracting attention to
himself. I had several tempting offers for Jim in the way
of cash, but such a thing as parting with him never entered
my mind. When Rarus was sold to Mr. Bonner, Jimmy
was not included in the bill of sale, but I felt that Rarus
belonged to Jimmy and Jimmy to Rarus. After they both
became the property of Mr. Bonner, the affection of the dog
and the horse for each other never abated, and this was well
illustrated on one occasion. In Mr. Bonner’s down-town
stable was a bull terrier, a rather savage fellow, who had
the run of the place, and naturally wanted to be boss.
Jimmy, who was brave to a fault, attacked the bull terrier
one day, and the result was that he was soon knocked out.
When his yelps reached Rarus, whose stall was adjacent,
the old horse made a break for the center of the barn, and
had he not been restrained, would have made short work of
the bull dog. Mr. Bonner was much impressed with this

144 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

incident, and afterward related it to the writer as evidence
of how strong the bond of affection between these two ani-
mals was.

When I commenced to drive Rarus, I had some trouble
in getting a sulky to which I could hook him far enough
away so that he would not hit his hocks. While he did
not have excessive action, when he was strung out at his
best clip he measured a good deal from end toend. After
several experiments, T. H. Brown, the sulky builder of
Chicago, made him the first sulky that was really a success.
It was the first one that I ever saw with an arched axle,
which peculiarity of construction enabled the horse to be
hooked close and still avoid any contact with the vehicle.
What boots Rarus wore I had made of the very lightest
material. I used them as a preventive more than from
actual need, as his gait was perfection, and I think a man
could have driven him for years and never have him hit.
himself. I drove him with an open bridle, and easy snaffle
bit, an over-check and check bit. I used long martingales.
Rarus was the most perfectly broken horse and had
the best mouth I ever saw. No matter how high the
rate of speed or how close the contest, with a sim-
ple word of mouth and the least shifting of the bit,
a man was sure to attract his attention and meet a.
response in any way that he wished. A great many horses
have to be taken hold of to square them and get them into
their stride. Notsowith Rarus. No matter howslow you
jogged him he went with the same perfect motion he had at
a high rate of speed. I never saw him hitch or hobble going
either slow or fast. He was a good walker, and a pleasant.
horse at road gaits, and it seemed to make less difference in
his effort whether he was going at a three-minute or 2:15
gait than with any other horse I ever saw. If he had got up
to 2:40 gait, you could put him to his top speed in a very few
revolutions. A great many people imagine that he was nota
very fastscorer. Thatarose from the fact that I knew hecould
win and always let him go away ata moderate pace. Some-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 145

times I would work him out with a runnér, and when we
turned around about 150 yards from the judges’ stand,
Barney would have turned the runner loose at full tilt by
the time we reached the wire. In carrying Rarus about he
never seemed to be tired. When we went to California and
all the other horses would act as though they would like to
be in their little beds, Rarus would be up and ready to kick
the stall down. He knew as well when the car pulled up
to the platform as did one of the boys, and often gave us a
good deal of trouble and fear lest he might hurt himself in
charging about. I never knew him to miss a feed of any
kind while Ihad him. His appetite was something won-
derful. No matter how long the trip or how hard the race
he was always ready for his meals. This was something
very remarkable, as few horses go through a serious cam-
paign without sometimes losing their appetites,

CHAPTER VI.

The pacer Johnston, and the manner in which he was trained to beat all the
records—A nervous, fretful horse that would not feed well—Treatment at
Gincinnati during the winter months—Slow work in the spring—Speed
comes gradually—Dave Colross turns up in the nick of time, and takes
care of the horse—A mile in 2:10 at Milwaukee, and then 2:06) at Chi-
cago—Mattie Hunter, Sweetser, Gem, and other famous pacers.

I now come to the consideration of the fastest pacer that
the world has ever seen, and to whom I gave his best record.
I refer to the bay gelding Johnston—record, 2:064.

This horse was bred near Berlin, Wis., and was sired by
a horse named Bashaw Golddust. His breeder was a Ger-
man farmer, and, when the colt was four years old, he sold a
half interest in him to C. M. Mather, a banker of Berlin, for
$350. The following summer the horse was taken to Chi-
cago by a local driver named Bassett for the purpose of
sale, the price asked for him being $5,000. He was driven
a number of miles better than 2:20 while in Chicago, the
best exhibition being 2:152. No sale was made and in the
fall the horse was sent home. During the following winter
E. H. Smith of Milwaukee went to Berlin and bought a
controlling half interest in Johnston, paying therefor $5,000,
and afew weeks later the horse was sent to Chicago and
placed in the stable of Peter V. Johnston, a well-known
driver, after whom he was named. The horse had previously
been called Charley M., and at the time of the change of name
he was entered under that name for several events, but had
never started in a race formoney. Johnston drove him a
number of races through the Michigan circuit, winning them
all, and came back to Chicago, where he won a purse and

race, reducing his record to 2:18. In the first heat of this
(146)

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 147

race, which was the fastest, he distanced Billy 8S. and Eddie
D., and in the second Gurgle was behind the flag at the finish.
On October 9, of the same year Johnston paced a mile in 2:10
over the Chicago track, beating the then best pacing record
of 2:114, which was previously credited to both himself and
Little Brown Jug.

At this time I was training Commodore Kittson’s stable
of pacers and trotters. The Commodore was approached
by the owner of Johnston to buy that horse. In an inter-
view with Mr. Kittson he told me that if Ithought Johnston
was capable of beating his record he would like very much
to own him. He said he wished I would investigate the
matter and give him my opinion. At this time Johnston
was rather a delicate-looking horse, and I, with many other
people, had fears about his staying abilities. I saw his
owners and they arranged to drive him three heats for me.
When the day for the trial came it was raining. Finally,
on the 23d of the month, the track was fairly safe, but
not at all fast. I asked Mr. Johnston to drive the pacer
three heats, twenty minutes apart, and not to punish him in
any one of them. I figured for myself how much slow the
track was, and then took into consideration the fact that
the horse had been interfered with in his training. In this
trial Johnston went in 2:14, 2:154, 2:15%. That satisfied me
that he was game. I thought any horse that would pace
the first mile in 2:14 and then finish the third one in
2:152 had courage enough, and went home very much pleased
with the performance, which, together with his mile in 2:10,
convinced me that he had a first-class chance to makea very
fast record. I reported the facts to Mr. Kittson and told
him I thought, without doubt, Johnston would beat every
pacing record in the world. On the strength of that recom-
mendation Mr. Kittson gave $20,000 for the horse and
placed him in my hands, with the understanding that he
would be trained expressly to go a fast mile.

When Johnston arrived at my stable I found him very
low in flesh from the fact of his having been very sick

148 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

through the middle of the season. His appetite was poor,
and he seemed nervous and irritable with strangers or at
noise of any kind. My first idea was to take him to Cali-
fornia, and winter him there, thinking the warm climate
and plenty of grass would be beneficial. I finally decided,
however, to take him to Chester Park, Cincinnati, my reason
for selecting that place being that I had been there the
previous winter with my horses and found it one of the
most comfortable places in winter there is in the northern
country. On reaching Cincinnati with Johnston, I called
in a veterinary, and had the horse examined. The doctor
prescribed some gentle physics and tonics, and suggested
that he be turned out in a field of grass whenever the
weather permitted. I took off his shoes and started on this
treatment immediately. It was quite a while before John-
ston showed any improvement in his condition or appetite,
but after being on the grass about thirty days, I saw a slight
improvement. The veterinary still continued his tonic treat-
ment and gave him some more medicine for his blood, which
he decided was out of order, from the effects of his last year’s
illness. About the first of January the horse commenced to
put on flesh. [had alarge paddock built for him, and every
day, unless there was astorm, gave himarun of about thirty
minutes init. By this time he had got to be a good-feeling
horse and took a great deal of exercise. His appetite kept
increasing and I gradually added to his allowance of food.
Up tothis time I kept him in acomfortable stall with plenty
of bedding and moderate clothing. Ifthe thermometer fell
I increased his clothing, and immediately reduced it when
the weather moderated.

About this time we had a good fall of snow and I had
a boy lead Johnston, by the side of a saddle horse two or
three miles on the track every day. I kept his feet nicely
rounded off, but had no shoes on him. I followed this treat-
ment until the first of March, by which time he had grown
and filled out into a very handsome horse, and- weighed a
hundred pounds more than he did in the fall of the year,

LIFE WiTH THE TROTTERS. 149

which is a good deal of flesh for a horse to put on in that
space of time. Besides looking to his feet and exercise
through the winter I studied Johnston in other ways, and
tried to learn his disposition, temperament, etc. I noticed:
that he was a good deal inclined to be nervous and fretful,
and very much afraid of strangers, and, if you put him ina
stall where anyone was working round he acted a good deal
likea wild animal. If he was feeding, and astranger stepped
into his stall he would walk away from his feed and per-
haps not go near itagain. The result of this observation,
together with some experience I had in training Rarus to go
fast miles, was my determining on the following plan: The
first of March I took Johnston up and had him clipped.
There is a great difference of opinion in regard to clipping
horses. My experience, after having tried it for years, is
that in training a horse in a cold climate in the spring of
the year clipping is a very important thing to do. Before
the horse sheds his coat, if you exercise him enough to warm
him, he will be sure to reduce himself in flesh more than
you want him to. With a horse like Johnston, that is
inclined to be soft, before you could get his legs in order,
the flesh would be all off him, and I would advise that in
the majority of cases it is best to clip a trotter when he is
in training, when the spring begins.

I had Johnston shod with about fourteen-ounce shoes in
front, and seven-ounce ones behind, and started in myself to
jog him and superintend everything about him. I lived within
about sixty yards of hisstable, so that I think there was not
much done that I did not see. I gave him, through the
month of March, from six to eight miles a day, when the
weather would permit, in the way of moderate work on the
road, toa cart that weighed about 200 pounds. He had at this
time about eight quarts of oats a day, with plenty of hay.
He appeared to do well all the while. The flesh hardened
on him and he seemed in the best of spirits. By the first of
April the track was in good order and I commenced to give
Johnston less jogging on the road, and moderate work on

150 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

the track, never better than a three-minute gait, and after
a couple of weeks of that I began to drive him a great
many slow miles in from 3:00 to 2:50, kept all the flesh
on him that I could, was very careful about clothing him,
and did not blanket or scrape him in any way. I gradually
increased his feed to about ten quarts a day. Heseemed to
be ery strong on his legs but acted as though he did not
have much speed. I had, by this time, increased the work
to about a 2:35 gait, and would drive him five or six heatsa
day about twice a week in from 2:50 to 2:35. I did not
attempt to brush him, but simply rated him along, and
sometimes would drive a mile and a half or two miles at a
2:40 clip. In this way I got his flesh very hard and smooth.
I found that he kept to his feed well, but still continued to
act as though he did not have much speed. The latter part
of May I commenced to reduce the number of miles 1 gave
him, shortened his work, and brushed him in places nearly
as fast as he could go. Instead of giving him slow miles, I
worked him oftener, and brushed him a way nearly every
day, and, in a short time, I found he had plenty of speed.
He had by this time worn his shoes off until they weighed
about twelve ounces. His feet were naturally rather long at
the toe and low at the heel. I shortened his toes all I
could and raised his heels.

The best mile I drove Johnston over Chester Park was
in about 2:25. I then went with the balance of my horses
through Indiana to trot them, and took Johnston with me,
but as the tracks there were all half-mile ones, and rather
bad, I did not do much with him excepting to give him
plenty of slow work, and nothing in the way of trying to
speed him. I gave an exhibition with him at Indianapolis,
but did not try to drive fast as I considered the track un-
safe for that sort of a performance. From there I brought
him to Chicago, where I had an engagement to show him,
and, one week before this race, gave him five heats, twenty-
five minutes apart, commencing at 2:25 and gradually im-
proving the pace, so that his last heat was in 2:16. I drove

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 151

him the final 250 yards in the last heat as fast as I could,
and thought he went about a 2:10 gait. This work seemed
to draw him up some, and also impaired his appetite. I had
found that in shipping Johnston about from one track to
another he became more nervous and irritable. If you left
him long in the stall he would tramp around like a wild
animal and get himself into a perspiration. I think he was
the most nervous horse that I ever saw. If anyone went
into the stall next to his, and commenced to hammer or
make anything like a loud noise, he would try to climb out
of the window. If a stranger stepped into his stall he
would give a snort and back into the farthest corner. I
made up my mind that it would be a pretty hard job to
train that kind of a horse and make him beat 2:10. At this
time I changed his shoes, putting on a ten-ounce shoe in
front, with leather pads and a sponge between the pads and
his foot. I did this for several reasons—first, I wanted to
lighten the weight on him, as I found that one ounce on a
pacer tells more than two on a trotter, and in shoeing him
with a very light shoe I was afraid that the track might
sting his feet and make him unsteady.

When the day of his trial came I drove him in 2:11.
This pleased me, as the day and track were not favorable for
fast time, and I did not drive hima real scorching mile. I
think he could have gone that day a mile in 2:10. From
there I took Johnston to Cleveland, and there his condition
manifestly improved. The track and roads were fine, there
was plenty of grass, and the cool nights that are common on
the shores of Lake Erie seemed to brace the pacer up.
I gave him all he would eat, plenty of moderate exercise,
worked him out about twice a week a mile and repeat, in
about 2:20, and would brush him the last part of the mile.
About this time John Campbell, half owner of the pacer
Richball, that had a mark of 2:124, was very anxious to
make a race with him against Johnston. I talked the mat-
ter over with Mr. Woodmansee, Commodore Kittson’s super-
intendent, and Dan said he would like to have me make

152 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

up my mind whether I thought it a good scheme to make
a race with Richball or not just then, and if I thought it
was he would accept the challenge. I worked Johnston a
little way on Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning went
out and scored him down seven or eight times and sent him
a mile in 2:15, going both halves aboutalike. After twenty
minutes I scored him six or seven times more, and went the
journey in 2:134, the last half in 1:032. He finished strong
and good, and I told Mr. Woodmansee that was speed
enough to go against any horse in the world. He took my
advice, and made a race with Richball, to come off over the
Chicago track later on. :

From Cleveland we went to Buffalo, where the follow-
ing week we paced Johnston in a race that had been
arranged by Mr. C. J. Hamlin, and in which the win-
ner of the first heat went to the stable, and the win-
ner of each successive heat then retired, until three heats
had been trotted or paced. Then the horse having made
the fastest mile was entitled to first money, the others
taking their positions in the summary according to the
speed they had shown. Johnston won the first heat and
the first money by going in 2:12. I could have driven him
faster, but carried my watch, and was satisfied that 2:12
would win the money. The following week we went to
Rochester. All this time I had as rubbers for Johnston two
boys that was I dissatisfied with, and often wished that I
might secure Dave Colross, the boy that took care of Rarus
for me.

The morning after we arrived at Rochester, who should
walk into the stable but Dave. I asked him what he
was doing, and he replied that he was engaged in some
business in town. [I finally asked him if he would come
and rub Johnston for me, saying that if he would I would
make it an object to him. I told him that I was very anx-
ious to have Johnston beat his record of 2:10, and thought
he could do so, everything being favorable. Dave finally
said that he had made up his mind to never rub another

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 153

horse, but to oblige me he would come and stay until the
end of the season, which he did; and I want to say here that
I think to his care and attention, more than any other one
thing, is due the fact of Johnston’s having the fastest
record of any trotter or pacer in the world. I have always
said that Dave deserved as much credit, if not more, than
I did, for the result of the effort. The next morning Dave
came to work; I told himall I knew about Johnston’s pecul-
jarities, and I saw right away that the boy had entered into
the affair with his whole heart and soul. The first thing he
did was to get a dog and put it into the stall with the horse,
claiming that it would be company for him. From that day
on Johnston improved, ate more, was less nervous and fret-
ful, and, in fact, did better in every way. I paced him two
heats over the Rochester track, the second one of which he
went in 2:113. From Rochester we returned to Chicago
and paced a match against Richball over the West Side
track, and Johnston beat him easily in three straight heats,
the time being 2:13, 2:11%, 2:1384.. From there we went to
Minneapolis, and paced another race against Richball, a mile
and repeat. Johnston won the first heat easily; in the second
heat he threw a boot, and Richball beat him; but in the
third Johnston won the race without an effort. At Still-
water we paced our last race against Richball, again win-
ning. About this time Johnston commenced to show the
form and speed that afterward made him famous. From
Stillwater we went to Milwaukee to pace an exhibition.
The weather was not very favorable and the track was far
from being good. But, in spite of this, Johnston’s exhibi-
tion was so satisfactory that everyone thought, with a better
day and track, he would certainly beat his record, and ar-
ragements were thereupon made for him to pace the follow-
ing week. He failed to beat his record, but tied his best
mile, going in 2:10. I told Mr. Woodmansee I believed
that, with anything like a fair day and a good track,
Johnston would certainly make the fastest record that
ever was heard of. He thereupon arranged to have the

154 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

horse brought to the West Side track at Chicago, to make
a grand effort.

At this time Johnston was doing as well as I could wish.
He had, to a great extent gotten over his disposition
to be nervous, ate heartily, took to his work kindly, and
rested well. Dave never left him alone for a moment, not
even to go and get his meals. He had them brought to the
horse’s stall, and ate them there. He slept there, and I
never saw him away from the stall all this time, further
than to go tothe pump. After his horse was done up in the
morning, Dave would go inside the stall, shut the door and
stay there. This treatment was just what Johnston wanted,
as, with Dave and the dog in sight, he felt contented and
lost his nervousness. On our arrival in Chicago we found
the track rather heavy from recent rains and set to work to
try and put it in first-class condition, which we succeeded
in doing to our entire satisfaction. I never for one moment
doubted that Johnston would go a grand mile, for every-
thing about him pleased me. At this time I had him shod
with a shoe and pad and sponge forward, the whole weigh-
ing nine and one-half ounces, with a five-ounce shoe behind.
When the bell rang for his trial I never saw everything
appear to be in better shape for fast time. The day was
simply perfect—warm, with plenty of sun and no wind;
the track as fine as you could wish for, being perfectly
smooth and not too hard. I gave Johnston four slow heats,
twenty minutes apart, before the trial, commencing with a
mile in 2:40, winding up in 2:19, the last halfin 1:07. The
reason I gave him these slow miles was that I wanted to
have his stomach thoroughly empty before making his effort.
Johnston was a horse that did not need any particular
warming up to thaw him out, as he always had his speed
with him, and was not tied up from being sore.

In talking the matter over with Mr. Woodmansee, I said
that I was sure Johnston would beat 2:08. My idea was to
drive him to the half in 1:04 and then step him home as
well as he could go. Mr. Woodmansee cautioned me not to

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 155

try todo too much with him, for fear he might make a
break and spoil it all. He thought that, perhaps, driving
him to the half-mile pole in 1:04 would be too fast, and
make him stop, but I figured that the Chicago track was at
least two seconds faster than the one at Milwaukee, where he
paced in 2:10,and Lalso thought that that effort had done the
horse good. I told Mr. Woodmansee I was sure that I would
be safe in trying to drive him to the half-mile pole in 1:04.
So when the time came I scored Johnston down a couple
of times easily, took my watch in my hand, and brought
him to the stand at about what I considered a 2:08 gait, got
the word at the third attempt, and went the first eighth of
a mile in just sixteen seconds. Inever clucked or spoke to
him in any way, he simply swinging along at a great big
open gait, as though he was out for exercise. He went this
clip to the quarter pole, where he landed in thirty-two sec-
onds. The same even stride was continued down the back
stretch, and I timed him to the half-mile pole in just 1:04.
In going around the upper turn, I pulled him a trifle wide
on the turn, as the water had washed the track out a little
next tothe pole. That quarter we went, by my watch, in 314
seconds. I had not yet spoken to him, but he seemingly
increased his speed from the half-mile pole on. At the
three-quarter pole I found we had landed in 1:35, and knew,
from the ease with which he went there, that he was bound
to beat all the records that had ever been made, unless he
fell down. JInever spoke to him until he was within an:
eighth of a mile of the judges’ stand. There I pulled the
bit through his mouth gently, and spoke to him once. He
seemed to straighten out and go lower to the ground, and
the sulky commenced to weave a little, as though it were
hooked to an express train. After he got well straight-
ened out into his stride I leaned over and touched him
gently with the whip, when we were within about 100 yards
of the wire, and he shot out at a rate of speed that I never
before saw any horse attain. He passed the stand going
better than a. SwOnrni Ute gait, finishing the mile, as I made

156 LIFE WITIL THE TROTTERS.

it by my watch, in 2:064, which was also the official time,
beating the best racing record 33 seconds and setting a
mark that, to this day, looks a good way off to any pacer or
trotter.

It so happened that although the day was a pleasant
one the audience was not large, and this was not the first
time that a great harness performance has been made with
a small crowd in attendance, as afew years previous to this
when Maud 8. beat all the trotting records by going a mile
in 2:102 over the same track, there was hardly a corporal’s
guard on the ground, no one expecting to see a fast mile.
But those who did see Johnston make this performance
were mostly practical horsemen and when the judges
announced the time, the shout that went up made up in
enthusiasm what it lacked in volume. The trial did not
seem to distress the horse in the least and I am positive
that he could have gone some faster, and his performance
the following week proves tome conclusively that this isthe
case. He went directly from Chicago to Lexington, Ky.,
and, being detained in a smash-up on the train, I never had
a chance to put the harness on him until he came out to pace
for the money. He was to pace for a purse to beat the best
time ever made over the Lexington track, and won by going
in 2:08, pacing the last half up the hill in 1:02--a perform-
ance that it would take a pretty fair runner hitched toa
sulky to accomplish. This was the last time I ever drove
Johnston, as my connection with the Kittson stable was then
severed.

J have heard a great many people say that Johnston is a
soft horse. In condition, I think him as game a horse as I
ever saw, and by long odds the fastest one. Out of condi-
tion, he is about as helpless a horse as can be imagined; and
that is not the case with Johnston alone. Some of the
gamest horses that I ever saw when in condition, were the
most helpless when out of form. Rarus, a horse whose
stamina and courage no one ever doubted, was the same.
Wedgewood, who proved himself to he possessed of as much

LIFE WiITIl THE TROTTERS. 157
bulldog determination as any horse I ever saw in a race,
would give it up, when short of work, at the slightest notice.
I have been told that game chickens will run away quicker
when out of condition than adunghill bird will, and I believe
itis the same with horses. It is my idea that the more
finely organized and better bred a horse is the more liable
he is to quit when out of condition. I have been asked
whether I thought a horse that could go in 2:06$ was not
more finely organized, and more delicate in his nervous sys-
tem than one that could not go a mile better than 2:40. I
answer yes. I think a high nervous organization is what
makes a horse go a mile in 2:064, and I think, further, that
it requires more skill to drive a horse a mile in 2:10, pro-
vided that is his limit, than a liorse that can trot in 2:30,
provided that is his hmit. My friend, William McGuigan,
explains this by saying that there is as much difference
between training a 2:10 and a 2:20 horse as there is between
sharpening a razor and an ordinary jack-knife; that any boy
can sharpen a jack-knife, but that it takes a barber to keep
@ razor in order.

I have already alluded to some peculiarities of Johnston
in the stable, and will finish by stating what boots, etc., he
wore. Iused on hima very light knee boot, and an extra
light pair of quarter boots, with shin boots in front, and
nothing behind. I drove him with an overcheck, and open
bridle, and a snaffle bit, covered with rubber. I covered his
bit because of Johnston’s having such a tender mouth that
he seemed afraid to take hold of the bit enough to steady
himself. J used long martingales on him, and checked him
moderately. In his trial he pulled aforty-two pound sulky,
and I weighed 153 pounds. Johnston was a very steady
horse. Ithink he never broke with me over three or four
times in his work or racing. After everything was just
right, track, etc., it was a good, safe bet that he would never
make a break.

The day that I drove Johnston to his record at Chicago,
was a sort of gala occasion in my career as a driver and

158 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

trainer, and what took place that afternoon has seemed, both.
to myself and my friends, as the best exhibition of training
and driving that I ever gave, as it included the driving of
a pacer a mile in 2:064, in single harness, unaccompanied.
by a runner or other incentive to effort; the reducing of
Fanny Witherspoon’s record to 2:164, and driving the pacing
mare, Minnie R., a mile in double harness, with a running:
mate, In 2:03}; and, from the fact that these three events.
were so closely associated, all the horses being owned by the
one man, and all having been trained and driven by me, I
think this an appropriate place in which to say something
concerning the other two animals:

Fanny Witherspoon wasa handsome chestnut mare, six-
teen hands high, very rangy looking, with the grandest set of
feet and legs that one could wellimagine. She commenced her
turf career when acolt, having been trained to trot, I think, as.
a two-year-old. In her younger days, she did not give much
promise of the speed that afterward made her famous. She
passed through a number of different trainers’ hands, and
was finally sold to Commodore Kittson, and was in his stable.
when I took charge of it, in 1882. At that time she had a.
disposition to be a rather unsteady, disagreeable mare, a
fact which she proved to me beyond a doubt after I com-
menced to train her. She seemed to have a great deal of
speed, but not the least idea of being driven. She wanted.
to do everything when and where she liked. The effect of
her natural disposition and of having had her own way
was something that it was rather difficult to overcome. Ido
not say this with any disrespect to any of the gentlemen who
drove her, because I think that no one man had Fanny long
enough to give her what she really needed—a thoroughly
good schooling. I think thata great many horses are spoiled,
because their trainers do not have a chance at them, from
the fact that they keep them one season, which is just about
long enough to learn what to do with them, and this mare,
I think, proved it. The first year I had her, while she showed
me a great deal of speed, and I drove her some good heats.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 159

‘and won some races with her, I thought her, on the whole,
rather unsatisfactory. I drove her a trial over the Cleveland
track, in 2:153, won a heat, and made a record for her of
2:17, in a $10,000 purse, but got beaten a good many slow
and unsatisfactory races, sometimes not as fast as 2:20. At
the end of the season, I took her to Cincinnati, at the same
time I did Johnston. I made up my mind that there could
be a great deal of improvement made in the way of training
and driving her, and made a study of it through the cold
months. I wintered her about the same as Johnston, the
only difference being in the feed. I gave her a little less to
‘eat and more work, she being avery strong and robust mare,
‘with a disposition to put on a good deal of flesh. When the
‘Spring arrived I commenced to work her. She had always
been driven, before I got her, with an over-check and no
martingales. At this time she was rather slow to score, and
if you pulled her out after a horse and she could not rush
by in an instant, she would be almost sure to break. I told
Mr. Woodmansee that, if she could not be broken of all these
habits (as she was in a class where she must not only be able
to trot fast but also behave herself well to get any of the
money), it would be better to give up trying to make a trotter

driven with an over-check, a mistake that I have often made
myself. In talking to Orrin Hickok about this peculiar
mare, he suggested that she be tried with a side-check and
an overdraw bit. I concluded to try the plan, he telling me
at the time that that was the first arrangement he could drive
St.Julien with. I gave Witherspoon thirty days’ work on the
road to a cart with this arrangement. I then puta halter on
her, or whatis better known as a halter with a standing mar-
tingale, and fastened the martingale under the girth so as to
draw her head down; kept letting her check out, and short-
ened the martingale by degrees till I got her head on about a
level with her back. I drove her with an easy, covered bit,
and ancse band. After giving her six weeks’ work on the

of her.
Almost everyone thinks a trotting horse ought to )

160 LIFE WITIL TUK TROTTERS.

road I took her to the track and commenced to give her a
great many slow miles. Some days I gave her as many as
six or seven miles between 2:50 and 3:00 This treatment
rather dulled her spirits, but I gave her plenty to eatall
the time, and after this commenced to teach her to score.
fast. We did nothing at all in the way of giving her fast
miles, but let her have all her work in scoring. I would take
her out some days and score her an hour atatime. Atfirst
she did not take very kindly to it; she would either want to
rush up against the bit or else break; but I kept persevering
with this treatment, and after a month or so of that sort of
work saw someimprovementin her behavior. Then I short-
ened her work and increased the speed. After [had driven
her two or three moderate heats in the morning I would
take a runner out with her. At first she would seldom let.
the runner get within hailing distance without wanting to.
break. I kept this up, trying to accustom her to the runne%,,
and after awhile commenced scoring him with her.

It was quite awhile before she took kindly to that, but.
after awhile she gave up entirely and allowed me to place:
her anywhere [liked in company with other horses. I then
stopped giving her the long, slow work, but changed it to.
plenty of road work, and brushed her every day from a
quarter toa halfa mile. I took her with me on our trip
to Indiana, and gave her lots of moderate work, and when we
arrived in Chicago we had her entered to trot against Edwin
Thorne. Her feet and legs looked to be in as good condi-
tion as it was possible for them to be. A week before the
race I gave her five heats between 2:30 and 2:244, twenty min-
utes apart, with plenty of scoring, giving her about as much
work as she would have got hac she been in a race with that.
number of heats. In this work she was very steady and
showed plenty of speed when called upon. I may say that
she beat Edwin Thorne one of the best contested races I
ever saw, of five heats. He took the first two, she the third,
fourth, and fifth. I will describe the last heat in detail:
They went away from the wire together, and iu going down

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 161

the back side I felt as though Fanny was able to out-trot
Thorne, but concluded, as she was going safe and steady, I
would remain where I was. But she was a peculiar mare,
and the least little thing would attract her attention on the
track, so that she was liable to jump over it. At the three-
quarter pole there was a path where the people had walked.
across the track, and in crossing that in every heat she
showed a disposition to break. This time I held her well
in hand, thinking that I had Thorne beaten sure, and that
there was no chance for her to make a break; but when she
came to the place she seemed to notice it, and, in spite of
all extra caution and effort, she made a plunge and jumped.
over it. John Turner, who drove Thorne, knowing my
mare’s peculiarities, took advantage of the circumstance,
and made as much noise with his whip and voice as the law
would allow, and at the same time got me in pretty close
to the fence, as I thought, hindering me from having a
chance to swing Fanny out and catch her. My first thought
was that the race was over, but as she broke I swung her to
the inside fence and let her go as though I intended to run
her against it. This had the desired effect, as she caught and
came on with one of the bursts of speed that she was noted.
for, and in spite of all of Turner’s efforts, she beat Thorne,
thereby winning therace. I think Turner was a little bit
surprised, and I know I was.

I have heard a good many people say that it is impossi-
ble to condition a horse and make him go his best race
without having had him in two or three races. I think, in
some instances, that may be the case, but not always. I
believe, if you have time enough and give him work
enough, you can condition a liorse and bring him to his very
best efforts withont a public race. This I consider the best
race that Fanny Witherspoon ever trotted before or after,
and I refer to it in proof of myargument. Ifa horse is idle
or inclined to be lazy, it might need the excitement of a race
or two to get him to his best efforts, but I believe any fair
horse can be taken out with a runner and trained to his very

162 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

best condition in that way. These impressions I obtained
from Orrin Hickok, and on this subject he knows more
than any other man I ever saw. In my hints on training, I
shall give some of his ideas as he expressed them to me.
From Chicago we went to Kalamazoo, and had identi-
cally the same battle there between Witherspoon and
Thorne. Before this race came off, I met Mr. Stewart, an
old and respected citizen of Kalamazoo. He told me that,
in his younger days, he timed Flora Temple when she made
her record of 2:19% over the Kalamazoo track, and he
remarked at that time that he did not expect to time
another horse faster. In a conversation on the morning of
the race, he said he had heard a great deal of other
horses going very much faster than Flora Temple, but it had
never been his privilege to time one of them. I told him, if
he would come to the track that afternoon and did not
get such a chance, I would buy him aredapple. He said:
‘‘Tam getting old and feeble, but, if I thought that I would
have that opportunity, I would make an effort and come
down.’’ In the afternoon as 1 drove on the track, I met
him there; and he said, ‘‘ Il am here, and have got my watch
with me, and if I don’t see some horse go better than 2:192,
J will be disappointed as well as win a red apple.’ In the
first two heats Witherspoon was slow in getting off, anda
little inclined to be unsteady, and Thorne beat her in 2:20.
In the third heat she got well thawed out, and they had a
battle which ended by her getting home first in 2:17, which,
taking into consideration the condition of the track, I con-
sidered the best heat she ever trotted. At the end of the
heat my friend Stewart said: ‘‘ Well, you have won. Tam
going home now, and I think that is the last time I will
ever see a horse trot in 2:17, as I fear my health will never
admit of my coming to a track again.”’ Witherspoon beat
Thorne in the fourth heat; in the fifth she broke at the half-
mile pole, and it looked as though the race was ended, but
when she got straightened out she came with one of her
tremendous bursts of speed, and while Turner drove Thorne

LIFE WITIL THE TROTTERS. 163

with more determination than I ever saw him display before
or since, she caught him a hundred yards from the wire, and,
after a desperate struggle, beat him out a head, thus win-
ning the race.

I now come to the trial at Chicago, in which she went
against Fritz, a pacer, for a special purse. She beat him
the first and second heats handily, but before the third heat
I told Mr. Woodmansee that I thought I could give her a
very fast record if he wished to have me do so. He replied:
‘ “Cut her loose; that is just what the Commodore would
like.’’ When she got the word in the third heat, she went
away straight and fast, reaching the quarter-pole in thirty-
three seconds; she went the back quarter in thirty-three
seconds, making the half in 1:07. I eased her a little in the
third quarter, but she went it in thirty-four seconds. After
she got straightened into the stretch, I commenced to drive
her. When I got within 150 yards of the wire, Mr. Wood-
mansee ran out and motioned to me to stop her, which I did.
She finished easy in 2:164. Mr. Woodmansee explained to
me afterward that he thought it better to keep the mare in
the 2:17 class. I am sure that she would have gone a mile
in 2:16, or better, had he let me finish with her as I was
going.

I have alluded already to some.of Witherspoon’s pecu-
liarities. She was a little inclined to shorten up her gait
behind. The last year I had her she improved very much
in her disposition, and also in her gait, and I believe that
had she been trained regularly afterwards, must have made
avery fast record, as, at the end of her trotting career, she
was one of the soundest animals I ever saw. She was re-
tired from the turf without spot or blemish of any kind.
T wore on her in front about a ten-ounce shoe and a light
quarter-boot, with buckskin rolls above her ankles behind,
scalpers, light shin boots, passing boots, and a seven-ounce
shoe. After the breaking up by auction of Commodore
Kittson’s breeding establishment, Fanny was bought by Mr.
E. C. Long, of St. Paul, who intends to use her strictly as

164 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

a brood mare, and that she will prove a great success in this
department cannot be doubted, as, in addition to possessing
. wonderful speed, she had also the quality of stamina to a
great degree, as was shown by her trotting two miles in
4:43, lowering the record for that distance three seconds,
her performance being still the best. In blood lines she is.
of a most fashionable quality, being by Almont, one of the
sons of Alexander’s Abdallah, and out of a mare by Gough’s.
Wagener, thus uniting in her the strains that produced Maud
S. and Jay Eye See—the Hambletonian family on the pa-
ternai side and that of Lexington in the female line.

The third performance of that memorable day at Chicago,
was with Minnie R. This was a remarkable mare in more
ways than one. In the first place, she was not a trotting-bred
mare, her pedigree being almost thoroughbred. In the next
place, she was the only horse I ever saw that had a record
at pacing and trotting, both better than 2:20. When she
first came into my hands Minnie R. nad a trotting record of
2:19, and with a disposition to pace. She had been trained
and driven with heavy toe-weights and from the use of them
had become very sore and lame, so much so that, in fact, it
was almost impossible to make her strike a trot, no matter
how much weight I would putonher. I told Mr. Wood-
mansee I thought it was very foolish to try and train her to
trot, and suggested that he make a pacer of her. He
seemed to think it better not to give up the idea of trot-
ting her. As the first year I had her I had done little if any-
thing with her, when I went to Cincinnati with Jolnston,
I took her along, took off her shoes and toe-weights, and
went to work on her, with the idea of trying to relieve some
of the soreness in her feet and legs. We succeeded in that.
very well, and when the training commenced in the spring,
T insisted on trying to make a pacer of her, and Mr. Wood-
mansee finally consented. When I first began to work her
on a pace I had to put about sixteen ounces on her in front,
and about nine ounces behind. She could pace about a 2:40
gait. I commenced very moderately with her, the same as

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 165-

with a horse that had never shown any speed at any gait.
I kept increasing the weight on her hind shoes, and decreas-
ing the weight in front, and, after about thirty days of that
sort of training, I paced her a mile in 2:30. At this time
she had on about fifteen ounces behind and not more than
twelve ounces in front. She handled her forward feet all
right when I began to work her, but her hind feet would
get out of place occasionally, and she would make a break.
That was the reason I kept the weight on her behind. After:
training her thirty days more with the weight in this man-
ner, she got to be so steady and true that I drove her a mile.
in 2:25, and she could have gone some faster. I gradually
reduced the weight on her hind feet; the only change I made
on her forward feet was that I shod her with leather pads
and a sponge of oakum. I then took her, with the balance
of the stable, to Indiana, and paced her several races, all of
which she won with ease.

From there we went to Chicago and Michigan, and she
never lost arace. At Buffalo, during the summer meeting,
Minnie R. paced the race of her life. That year ‘‘ Knap”
McCarthy had Jewett. He had been a trotter, with a dis-
position to pace, and ‘‘ Knap,’’ seeing Minnie R. going so
well, concluded to try it on Jewett. The report had got out.
that he had shown him a very fast trial, which I think must
have been true, as, when the bell tapped for the race at.
Buffalo, ‘‘ Knap’’ had Jewett in the race, and Peter Schatz,
his owner, was there, with all his relatives from over the
line, to bet their money on him. I thought Minnie R. ought
to beat him pretty handily, as I had rated him to go a mile
in about 2:18, but, for fear that they might have a ‘‘sleeper,”’
I concluded to lay up a heat or two. It was very fortunate
for us that we adopted that plan, as I now think that, if we
had gone out in the first heat, we would have been beaten in
the race. When the judges said ‘‘go’’ in the first heat,
Jewett went out in front, and was never headed, winning in
the fast time of 2:164, and Peter Schatz was correspondingly
happy. In the next heat, Jewett led from start to finish, in

166 LIFE WITH TIE TROTTERS.

2:152. I did not make a move in either one of these heats,
and of course there was nothing left for me to do in the
third mile but to go out and makea fight. When they gave
the word Jewett went away with the lead. At the quarter
pole he was two lengths in front of us, and going down the
back stretch he outpaced me at least another length, but
at the half-mile pole I set sail, and, when we turned into the
stretch, Minnie R. commenced to gain on him, but very
slowly. From there to the judges’ stand, both horses were
driven for their lives, and Minnie R. beat Jewett a nose in
2:164, which most people thought a pretty good third heat
‘for two comparatively green pacers to make.

Jewett was a good deal distressed after the heat, and,
while it did not look very rosy to me, I felt fairly confident
that Minnie R. would beat him the race. She did, but not
without a struggle, as he hung on and went one of the best
races of his life. Just before the race started my old friend
Charlie Perkins, whom everybody around a race track is on
friendly terms with, came and asked me what I thought
about the race. I told him to bet every dollar he had on
Minnie R., as I thought he would win it, sure and easy.
After the race was over, Perkins came around and in his
own peculiar manner, told me that times had changed con-
siderably since he was a boy, as in those days men would not
tell a friend to put his last dollar on as close a race as that
was. But, after I explained to him that Jewett was about
three seconds faster than I thought he was, Charlie said that
as long as he had won his money, he would forgive me.

From Buffalo we went to Rochester, where Minnie R.
met and defeated the same field of horses, in four heats,
Jewett winning one heat. None of the pacers were at their
best in this race, as they had not gotten over the scorching
time they had at Buffalo. We returned West from there, and
gave a number of exhibitions with running mate, in all of
which Minnie R. acted well and went fast. In this per-
formance at Chicago, where Minnie R. made her record, the
runner was not right up to his best form, as he had taken

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 167:

part in a good many races of that kind and become stale.
Minnie R. went to the half-mile pole in one minute, and
covered the third quarter at the same gait, and, I am sure, if
the runner had not tired, they would have gone the mile bet-
ter than two minutes, but 200 yards from the finish he gave up.
the ghost, and Minnie R. had to do all the work from there
out, landing at the stand in 2:034. This was her last perform-
ance in public, and she retired from the turf with three rec-.
ords that no other one horse ever had—2:19 trotting, 2:16$ pac-.
ing in single harness, and 2:034 pacing with a running mate.
Here is a problem for the breeders and trotters of pacers
to solve. This was a mare without any pacing or trotting
blood to speak of, and for her to go out and both trot and
pace so well seems to me considerable of a mystery. She
was a very blood-like and racy-louoking mare, about fifteen
and one-half hands high, with head and neck like a race
horse, and long, round, smooth body and hips. She did not.
look at all like a typical pacer, was a good feeder and easy
trainer, and a good campaigner. She had the very best of
legs, without any bunches or puffs of any kind, and her
feet, with the exception that they had become very much
bruised and sore from the use of toe-weights and heavy
shoes, were remarkably good. That she was very game was.
demonstrated both at the pace and trot. I think that she
should have had a good deal better record at both gaits than
she got, and as she has been put to breeding, I shall watch,
with a good deal of interest, what her produce may do.
While on the subject of pacers, I will givea little history
of my star side-wheeler, Mattie Hunter. She came on the
turf in an era of pacers that has never been equaled, and
looks as though it never would be. She was one of what
was once called the ‘‘ Big Four’’—namely, Sleepy Tom, Lucy,
Rowdy Boy, and Mattie Hunter—but I will not undertake
to tell all of the wonderful races that these horses paced. I
have a fair knowledge of them, as, at one time or another, I
drove, I think, all of them. I drove Mattie Hunter a race
or two for Mr. Pate, of St. Louis, and I liked her so well

168 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

that I induced my friend, C. F. Emory tobuy her. He did
so, thinking she would be useful as a race horse, and that
when her career on the turf was finished he would like to
have her for a brood mare. I think the result has proved
that his judgment was wise in the matter, as, after he owned
her, she beat more horses than ever beat her, and her career
in the stud promises to eclipse her turf career. She was a
mare fifteen hands one and one-half inches high, a chestnut
with four white legs, white face, and I can’t remember now,
in all my career, a handsomer or more blood-like animal than
Mattie. She was the universal favorite of all the women
and children. In motion she was grace itself, her gait being
perfect, and her disposition the finest. She was a fast
scorer, and a good finisher, two things that are hard to beat
in a race horse.

In the summer of 1879, Sleepy Tom electrified the coun-
try by his wonderful pacing performance, having beaten all
previous trotting and pacing records in Chicago that year.
At Rochester Mr. Pate asked me to drive Mattie Hunter,
saying that he thought she had a chance to beat Sleepy
Tom, a statement that I was hardly prepared to believe; but
the result proved that in Mattie Hunter Mr. Pate had a
great mare that day, as she forced Sleepy Tom to go the
best race that has ever been paced. I laid Mattie up in the
first heat, which Rowdy Boy won in 2:13%, giving every-
body a surprise, as no one expected him to go at that rate.
The second heat Sleepy Tom won in 2:163, Mattie Hunter
again just dropping inside the distance flag. In the third
heat we went out for a battle, and Hunter beat Tom in 2:15.
She beat him the fourth heat in 2:154. The fifth heat he
defeated her, after one of the most desperate finishes I ever
saw, in 2:133. In the sixth heat they fought every inch of
the road from start to finish, the others being out of the
race, and Tom beat Mattie the shortest kind of a head in
2:14, thus winning the fastest race of the number of heats
ever paced or trotted in one day, the average being 2:142 for
the six heats.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 169

This a very good story for people who are breeding and
training pacers to read whenever they get to thinking they
have the only pacer that ever was. Another thing that
impresses itself on my mind is the fact that both these
horses were pacing-bred pacers. Of late years nearly all
our fast pacers have been trotting-bred, and Jewett, Mike
Wilkes, Westmont, Roy Wilkes, and a dozen others that I
could name that have beaten 2:20 a good way, are by trot-
ting sires, the Alexander's Abdallah and George Wilkes
branches of the Hambletonian family having given us more
pacers than any other trotting strain. Still, there has
never been a pacer that has gone as good a six-heat race as
both Mattie Hunter and Sleepy Tom fought out that day at
Rochester, nine years ago. Mattie Hunter is by Prince
Pulaski, a pacing horse from Tennessee, and Sleepy Tom
was by Tom Rolfe, a descendant of the famous old-time
pacing mare Pocahontas, that pulled a wagon in 2:17% when
she was four months in foal with the colt that afterward
sired this very pacer Sleepy Tom. Mattie Hunter’s best
record was made under the following circumstances: At the
July meeting at Pittsburgh in 1881, Maud §., trotted against
the watch, and went a very fast mile. The public and the
association thought that she would be able, with another
trial, to beat it, and they arranged for her to trot against
the watch again. On the regular programme Mattie Hunter
won the free-for-all pacing race that week, and took the
deciding heat in 2:14%. The association offered an extra
purse for her and Sorrel Dan to. pace the day that Maud S.
should make her trial against the watch, with an extra
inducement if 2:14 was beaten. The race was to be a mile
and repeat. Mattie Hunter won in straight heats, going
the first mile in 2:12%, and the second in 2:153, thereby
winning the race and the extra money that was given for time.

One of the best races Mattie ever paced, taking into con-
sideration the slowness of the track, was at Springfield,
where she defeated Lucy and Rowdy Boy a contest of six
heats, going the last mile in 2:153. I have mentioned only

170 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

a very small percentage of the great number of races that
she took part in, always being in the thickest of the fight,
and I think, with the exception of once or twice, getting
some share of the purse. She wore no boots of any kind,
and paced all her races with an eight-ounce shoe in front
and five ounces behind. I wore leather pads on her all
around, had a bar-shoe on in front, with calks at the toe
and heel. I know it is rather unusual, either with a trotter
or pacer, to use calks, but Ihave done it with a number of
horses, with success. Mattie’s feet had been neglected in
her early life, had gotten out of shape and were very much
bruised, she having what people term corns, but which are
neither more nor less than severe bruises, on the heel. When
you shoe a horse with a very light shoe, without any leather
or other protection, and drive him over a track as hard as.
they have them nowadays, the result is almost sure to be
that the horse’s feet will become more or less bruised and
very much inflamed. I think that a small calk helps to.
break the concussion, and for that reason I have often used
them. I drove Mattie with an open bridle, long martingales,
and an easy over-check and check bit. She drove very
straight, never pulled, and never wanted to break. After
her turf career Mr. Emory put Mattie to breeding. He
mated her with strictly trotting-bred horses. Ihave watched
all her colts with a good deal of interest, and have never:
seen any one of them strike a pace under any circumstances,
but, on the contrary, every one of them trotted naturally,
right from the start, without shoes or weight of any kind.
Mattie herself had a nice, open gait at the trot, and I have:
sometimes seen her strike at least a three-minute gait at.
that way of going. I always felt that, if she had been
weighted and trained to trot, she would certainly have gone-
very fast, and I predict that some of her colts will prove
winners at that gait, and, in fact, one of them has already
done so, as her daughter, Mattie Mentone, as a two-year-
old, in 1887, captured a stake and beat 2:40.

One other pacer I had that had a good deal of speed, but:

j—4

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 71
lacked the other qualities that go to make up a race horse,
was the gray gelding Sweetser. Whenever I hear his name
it brings to mind the time I sold him to my life-long friend
Capt. John De Mass of Detroit. When I bought Sweetser
I gave $2,500 of my own money for him, and while I owned
him gave hima record of 2:17 to wagon and 2:15 in harness,
but for all that I decided that he would not do fora race
horse. One day at Cleveland we were discussing the
‘qualities of the different horses, and Sweetser’s name was
mentioned. I said that I owned him, and that I would be
glad to sell him at a loss. De Mass asked how much of
a loss I would stand, and I told him I gave $2,500 and was
willing to lose $1,250. He said that if I split the balance
he would take the horse, meaning of course that he would
give me $625 for him. I told him that was a good ways
to fall, from $2,500 to $625, but I should let him have
Sweetser. He got his money out, paid me $500, and
said that he would give me the other $125 at the hotel.
I told him that he need not do that, I would bet him
$125 that he had cheated himself, give him thirty days to
figure, and let him decide it. I met De Mass a few days
afterward. He handed me the $125 and said he was glad
he did not accept my proposition to bet, as he had decided,
without waiting thirty days, that he would lose. As De
Mass is one of the men that never cry if they do not get the
best of everything, this horse trade never interfered with our
friendship.

Gem, another pacer, that I had, was a handsome bay
mare by Tom Rolfe. The only remarkable thing that I can
think of about her was that she got a record of 2:133, which
I gave her, and that she never won for me but one race,
and tried to lose that one, the only reason that she did not
‘do so being that the other horses could act worse than she
could, one of her opponents getting distanced after beat-
ing her two heats.

12

CHAPTER VII.

The story of the fast, game and reliable stallion Wedgewood—A horse that.
had a succession of hard races during his career—Going close to 2:20 the
first time he started-—Desperate contests in the mud at St. Louis and Cin-
cinnati, and a glorious victory at Washington—Down the central circuit
the next season, winning every race in which he started—A peculiar horse
to train and drive—What came of trying to please a friend—Laying up
heats, and sparring with the judges as well as the other drivers—A well-
told tale of a great horse’s campaign from the lakes to the sea.

The best and fastest stallion that ever I drove, and one
of the most successful horses that ever appeared on the
trotting track, was the brown stallion Wedgewood that
came into my stable late in the fall of 1879. Wedgewood
is by Belmont, one of the stallions in use at the Woodburn
farm of Mr. A. J. Alexander, where he was bred, and his dam
was Woodbine by the thoroughbred horse Woodford. This.
mare Woodbine also produced Woodford Mambrino,
another stallion that proved himself most successful on the
turf and in the stud, making a record of 2:214 and siring
among others the famous stallion Pancoast, that was sold
for $28,000, the highest price ever paid at. auction for a trot-
ting stallion. Pancoast made a name for himself when his.
son Patron came out as a three-year-old a few years ago,
and trotted in 2:194 that being the best record for a trotter -
of that age. This he accomplished in a well-contested race.
Two years later he reduced that record to 2:14} in the third
heat of arace over the Cleveland track, in which he beat.
Harry Wilkes. I state these facts to show that Wedgewood
comes honestly by his trotting speed and race-horse quali-

ties, and also his success in the stud.
(172)

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 173

After selling Rarus to Mr. Bonner, myself and a friend
were looking around for a trotter. Mr. Emory had called
my attention before this: to Wedgewood, telling me he
thought him the making of a good horse. This talk left an
impression on my mind, and I decided that we would take
a trip to Kentucky and see the horse. On our way there
we met Mr. Emory, and he rather surprised me by saying
he had already bought Wedgewood. I asked him if he
would sell him, and if so at what price. He told me he
would, and fixed $10,000 as the price. We went to Ken-
tucky and spent a week looking over the trotters, and listen-
ing to the stories that were told us of the wonderful
horses that were owned at that time in the State. We finally
decided to buy Wedgewood. The horse had a public
record at this time of 2:38, and had shown a trial over the
Lexington track in 2:234. When we went to Mr. Alex-
ander’s place in company with Mr. Emory to see the horse,
we found that he was certainly one that his breeder and
trainer could be proud of and the first time I drove him, I
decided to buy him, which we did without any delay. As
I remember him on that morning he wasa handsome brown
stallion about fifteen hands, two and a half inches high, with
the best of feet and limbs, had no wind puffs, bunches or
blemishes of any kind, and looked what he afterward proved
to be, a first-class race-horse in every particular. Mr. Hull,
Mr. Alexander’s trainer, had nothing but praise for the
horse, and predicted that he would certainly beat 2:20. He
told me that he had never done much with him in the way of
hard training, had given him plenty of moderate work,
wishing rather to havea good horse than a fast colt.

It seemed to be Wedgewood’s fate while on the turf to
have nothing but hard battles to fight. In the first race I
ever started him, at St. Louis, he made a horse trot in 2:20
to beat him. In this race no one had any idea that they
would go better than 2:27 or 2:28. I knew Wedgewood was
not in good shape for a hard race, but thought at that rate
of speed he would have no trouble to win, and on the

174 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

strength of that started him and put my money on it.
This race will prove that even the people on the inside of a
horse race are sometimes seriously mistaken. I for instance
in this race thinking 1 had an easy thing to win in 2:26 or
2:27, and betting my money on that basis, realized before
the race was over that I stood a good chance of getting beaten,
losing my money, and ruining my horse. The race wasa hard
fight of seven heats, and before it was over the track
‘was a sea of mud from the effects of a storm that came up.
As this was my first race with Wedgewood in I decided to
lay him up. The first heat was won by Green Charley in
2:264. The result of this heat rather convinced me that I
would have no trouble to win, and when they gave the word
on the second heat I started out for the front. Fanny Rob-
inson, a mare who up to that time had the reputation of
being very fast but uncertain, more liable to be distanced
than to win, took the lead, and I followed with Wedgewood
in second place. At the half-mile pole I moved up and
tried to beat her, but was very much surprised to have her
stay through a hard fight, and lead me to the wire by a
neck. As Icame back to the stand Mr. Goldsmith was
there, and said: ‘‘He beat you, but you have got a good
horse.’”’ The heat was in 2:204. Iacknowledged that I was
surprised as I never for a moment supposed that she could
make such a performance. In the next heat we went at it
hammer and tongs when the judges said ‘‘go.”” Fanny
Robinson beat me all the way to the distance stand. There
Wedgewood closed with her, and they came to the wire a
dead heat, both horses tired, in 2:234. In the fourth heat
they had another struggle from start to finish. Fifty yards
from the wire, when Wedgewood had the mare beaten, he
pulled off a shoe, made a break, and she won the heat in
2:23.

Wewere then overtaken by a tremendous shower of rain
and the race was postponed until the following day. When
we were called out the track was so bad that I was afraid
to start my horse, and I tried to induce the judges to agree

LIFE WiTH THE TROTTERS. 175

to a postponement, saying I thought it inhuman to compel
horses to trot over a track like that, and pointing out that
I had just paid a long price for my horse, and was afraid
that I might ruin him. The gentlemanly judge, whom I
shall never forget, gave me a pretty short answer, said he
thought the track was too good if anything, and cautioned
me to bring my horse out and use my best endeavors to
win. This last suggestion he might as well have kept to
himself, as I had my money on Wedgewood, and did not
intend to give up’withoutafight. The other gentlemen who
thought they had such good mud horses were a little sur-
prised when Wedgewood went out in the morning and won
the fifth heat in 2:31 going through the slush likea duck on
its way to breakfast. He was beaten the next heat after a
driving finish and was as tired a horse aseverI saw. An
old friend of mine, J. C. Kelly, who had some money on
him, told me that my chances for winning the race were
gone, that he did not believe it possible for any horse that
was as tired as Wedgewood was to go another heat fast
enough to win. I told him that I was not worrying about
getting beaten,but I was sure that it would ruin the horse to
give him such arace as he was getting in the condition
I knew him to be in. I took him into a field behind
the judges’ stand, called for a couple of pails of warm
water with which I bathed him thoroughly, washed off the
mud, gave him a good fomenting with hot Pond’s Extract,
threw a light blanket over him, and walked him about. In
a short time he stopped trembling on his legs, seemed easier
in his wind, and I made up my mind that the rest of them
must be a little tired, as they too had been going their best
through the mud. In the deciding heat Fanny Robinson beat
Wedgewood all the way to the distance stand, but there he
carried her to a break, and won in 2:27}.

This being the first race in which Wedgewood started,
and taking into consideration his condition, and the other
circumstances that I have alluded to, I should not have been
at all surprised if it had ruined him, and so stated at the

176 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

time. The following week at Cincinnati, he trotted two
races, and here the luck of St. Louis followed him, as they
were both desperate affairs of five heats each, where he was
defeated after winning a heat in 2:234 over a half-mile track.
I then said: ‘‘No more hard races until he is in order, if I
don’t win a dollar with him.’”’? Right here I wish to state
that I have seen a great many horses cruelly punished and
injured by trying to win with them when they had no
chance, and were in no condition, simply to please the spec-
tators, and pool-buyers and satisfy the judges. In the sec-
ond Cincinnati race [soon found that it would be impossible
for me to win. There were sixteen starters, and as Wedge-
wood was the favorite over the field they combined to at
least not give me any the best of it. I believe that when a
man knows he can not possibly win, he ought to have the
right to drive his horse as easy as he likes, but in this in-
stance, as in many more, after the horse had made every
effort to win, and could not, the judges called me up and
wanted me to punish him just to satisfy the public, some-
thing I very plainly told them I would not do. I informed
them that I would rather have the public dissatisfied than
to punish the horse, as I saw there was no chance for him to
win. One of John Turner’s strong points to my mind, is
that when he is beaten and he knows it he stops punish-
ing his horse right there, and instead of wearing him out
trying to do something impossible, saves him for another
day. The best race-horse trainer I ever saw had one rule in
regard to this. The order he always gave his jockey was:
‘‘When you find you are beaten, stop riding; don’t punish
your horse to win second or third place,” and I believe that
the trainer who does this will save his horse and make more
money than the man who hammers him out and drives him
those several races for the sake of getting a place.

From Cincinnati, I took Wedgewood to Pittsburgh, where
I stuck to my resolve, as I drove him avery easy race. From
there we went to Philadelphia, where he had another easy
race, and was a much improved horse. About this time

Livi WITH THE TROTTERS. 177

some of talent remarked that I had paid pretty well for a
poor horse, and when I started him in Washington the
following week in a large field of pretty fair campaigners,
he was entirely overlooked in the betting. I thought he had
a chance to win, and told some of my friends so. We got
our money on at good odds, and when it came to the race
I laid Wedgewood up the first heat, winning the second with
him in 2:254. I then made up my mind that everybody was
getting ready to have a battle, and that it was a safe con-
clusion that I would have a chance to lay up a heat or two,
which I did. Wedgewood won the sixth and seventh heats
of this race and convinced me that I had not overstepped
the mark when I bought him. That was the last race he
trotted that season. I sent him to Long Island to be win-
tered, where he was jogged and well cared for until the
following spring. He was then allowed to serve a few mares
before leaving Long Island, after which I took himin hand,
trotted a few preparatory races, and went to Chicago, at
which place the grand circuit of that year properly began,
‘my idea being to trot him in his class all through circuit,
feeling confident that he would make a record and perform
in a manner that would justify all I claimed concerning him.

Wedgewood did more than this, for from Chicago to
Hariford, or in other words from Lake Michigan to the
Atlantic Ocean, he trotted and won every race for his class
in the grand-circuit meeting, placing a succession of victo-
ries to his credit that have never been equaled by any trot-
ting stallion, as he was successful at Chicago, Cleveland,
Buffalo, Rochester, Springfield, and Hartford, and to show
the wonderful endurance of this horse I may state that in
these six races, the number of heats trotted was twenty-
nine, or an average of five toarace. In the Chicago race,
T had only Lucy and Katie Middleton as opponents, and as
Wedgewood had the foot of these two he won in straight
heats, the time of his best mile being 2:21. Itmay be noted
that in this mile he reduced his record of the previous year
two and one-halfseconds. AtCleveland there was a remark-

178 LIFE WITI THE TROTTERS.

ably strong field to start against, as the lot contained Ken-
tucky Wilkes, Deck Wright, Kitty Bates, Palma, and
Katie Middleton. By this time I learned that to give Wedge-
wood a severe first heat, either in his work or in a race
seemed to distress him very much. I thereupon concluded
that the best way to win with him was to lay him up until
I saw that he was in condition to do his best. He was rather
a close-made horse, sometimes would not sweat out freely,
and was rather slow about emptying himself. When I
would first take him out for work it would seem as though.
it was impossible to make him extend himself, and if I
drove him hard heats he would be very much distressed,
both in wind and limbs. He being the favorite over the:
field in the Cleveland race I expected a battle and was not.
disappointed, as I got all [had bargained for, and more too.
My opponents gave me the best they had in hand and the
judges annoyed me all they could by trying to compel me
to go off in the lead in the first heat and win all the time.
J think it is all right for the judges to see that everybody
tries to win when they can but I believe that the driver
and the owner of a horse are the best judges of how and
when to win with their own horse. It seems to me that if
a man pays 10 per cent. entrance money he ought to have
the privilege of saying how his horse shall be driven, pro-
vided of course that he is trying to win. Some people
may get back with the remark that men lay their horses up:
in heats to work the pool-box. I wish to deny right here
that I ever drove a horse a heat in the interest of the pool-
box. Inever played my horse, for or against, in a heat.
and I never saw a man that did do it make a great deal of
money at the game. In this race I backed my horse for
the race right from the start and went out to lay him up.
the first heat, which I did, but it seemed to me, in this heat
that he could not go much, Kentucky Wilkes winning in
2:22. Then I determined to try to win the second one, but.
when I scored up with Wedgewood I found that he had no
speed, and I thereupon made up my mind to lay him up

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 179°

again. Before we got the word the judges called me to the
stand and lectured me roundly, saying they wanted me to
try and win right there and then. When they gave the.
word Wedgewood threw off one of his toe-weights, and I
made no effort, Kitty Bates winning in 2:24%. In this heat
Wedgewood acted to me as though he never would win a.
heat. Thejudges called me into the stand again and said they
were thinking of taking the horse away from me. I told
them very plainly that they might expel me, but that I
would not give the horse up; that I was trying to win with.
him, that I had my money bet on him, and I further added
that I did not propose to be treated inthat manner. I told.
them they could investigate the matter if they wished and if
they found that I was not trying to win, they could punish
me, but give up the horse I would not.

By this time the boys had taken Wedgewood to the:
stable, where I followed. He seemed quite distressed, did
not sweat out any, and in several ways convinced me that
he was out of condition. I took two pails of warm water’
and gave him a shower-bath with it, and after that gave
him a thorough rubbing with hot Pond’s Extract, and went
out and scored up for the third heat, but did not get the
word until the judges had given me another good lecture.
I state this to show how far wrong the judges sometimes.
are. When we got the word, Deck Wright sped away with
the lead. I never made a move with my horse, and Wright.
won the heat in 2:22. When I turned into the stretch in
this heat I spoke to Wedgewood, and for the first time in
the race, he showed that he had hisspeed. After the heat was
over, I told Mr. Al Carlisle to get a few pool-tickets on
him, as I believed he would win. By this time the judges.
had exhausted their fund of talk, concluded that Wedge-
wood was unable to win, and said nothing more tome. In
scoring for the fourth heat, Wedgewood showed plenty of
speed. When the word was given I trailed to the half-mile
pole, there cut him loose, and he won handily in 2:22. He
won the next heat in 2:234, and the last in 2:24. No matter:

180 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

how hard I might have tried in the first part of the race,
he would not have won a heat, and, I believe, would have
hurt his chances of winning the race.

The following week we “went to Buffalo, and the same
field of horses had a fight that would do credit to any field
of trotters now. li the betting Wedgewood sold even
against the field, and from what I saw about the pool-boxes
before we started I made up my mind that my opponents
were there to give me a battle royal, and the result proved
that I did not make any mistake. The only error they did
make was that instead of ‘‘bunching their hits’ as they
say in the prize-ring, they sparred with each other while I
laid up, and at the finish they fell victims to Wedgewood’s
gameness and syeed. Kitty Bates won the first heat in 2:19,
knocking several seconds off her record, and in the second
heat that world-renowned campaigner Deck Wright made
his star performance, winning in 2:192, which is his record
to this day. The third heat Kentucky Wilkes won in 2:214,
which is also his best mark. In these three heats I had not
made a move, but when they scored for the fourth Wedge-
wood and myself had on the war paint, and we needed it,
as Kentucky Wilkes gave us such a fight that from that day
to this he has been always borne in my mind as not only
one of the best sons of that greatest of all sires Geo.
Wilkes, but I believe the gamest Wilkes that I ever saw.
Wedgewood and Wilkes fought the heat from start to
finish, both horses being driven for all they were worth,
and at no time in the heat was there daylight between them.
Wilkes broke in the last twenty-five yards, and Wedge-
wood beat him to the stand in 2:214. I made up my mind
that this would about finish Wilkes for that day, as he had
gone four heats and had been first or second in every one,
but I counted wrong. When they said ‘‘go”’ in the fifth
heat he immediately moved up to the front, out-trotted
Wedgewood to the half-mile pole about a length, and from
there to the judges’ stand they fought out another desperate
finish in which Wedgewood beat hind in 2:20.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 181

By this time I had made up my mind that in Wilkes I
had an opponent that it would hardly do to overlook. He
did not show the slightest disposition to surrender at any
part of the mile, and Wedgewood only beat him in the last
stride. Mr. E. H. Brodhead the owner of Kentucky
Wilkes who lived in Milwaukee, was unable to be present
and see the gallant fight his horse made, but his interests
were ably represented by my friend H. D. McKinney, who
ably seconded Kentucky Wilkes, contesting every inch of
the ground on the quarter stretch and under the judges’
stand. Mr. McKinney protested everything that day, in-
cluding all the heats I won and those I laid up, telling me
afterward he did this for two reasons, to keep in practice
on the law points and to be sure that no technicalities were
overlooked. There was no chance for Johnny Grier to miss a
point, as Henry was there with the laws and rules.

In scoring for the deciding heat, everybody was deter-
mined to get away first. The judges scolded, threatened,
and at last fined several of the drivers. When the word
was given there was a general scrimmage to the quarter
pole, in which everybody indulged and the hickory flew in
a manner to lead the spectators to believe that they were
looking at a toothpick factory in operation. Deck Wright,
who was always famous for his ability to hurdle, outdid
himself in this case. By the time we reached the half-mile
pole, they were strung out, and the race was again between
Kentucky Wilkes and Wedgewood. Whether McKinney’s
coaching or Grier’s natural disposition to see how fast he
could drive a horse did it I don’t know, but if I had not
known Grier, I should have imagined from the way in
which he hustled Kentucky Wilkes along that he was a Dan
Mace. He out-trotted me through the third quarter a little,
and as we turned into the stretch, took me right up against the
inside fence. From there to the stand the horses changed
position at least half a dozen times. First-one was ahead
and then the other, but in the final struggle Wedgewood
showed in front at the wire by a head in 2:24, .

182 LIFE WITH TINE TROTTERS.

The following week at Rochester we struck some new
talent in Wedgewood's race, which we disposed of without
much trouble, winning in four heats, Kitty Bates taking
the first. In the second heat of this race Wedgewood re-
duced his record to 2:194, after which he trotted the third
heat in 2:20, and the fourth in 2:23, winning easily. In
this race I made one of the greatest mistakes of my life. I
was more than ever convinced that for Wedgewood to go a
good race he must be laid up at least one heat, and maybe
a little more, it depending a good deal on his condition.
The newspaper reporters and a few others who go to the
races commenced to abuse me roundly; said that I was driv-
ing Wedgewood simply in the interests of the pool-box ;
declared that the judges ought to compel me to win in
straight heats with him, and if I refused or did not do it,
take the horse away fromme. This did notaffect me much,
as long ago when I was a boy and worked for Mr. Simmons,
Tonce went to him, complaining that the newspapers had
criticised me very severely, and he said to me: ‘‘ Well,
Splan, if you are going to make your living out of the pub-
lic, you will be bound to be criticised, and sometimes very
severely, but you can rest assured of one thing—you had
better have them criticise you severely than to say nothing
at all about you.”? Mr. Simmons told me many a good
thing, but I always considered this one the best. I don’t
believe that newspaper criticism can make or unmake aman.
If he is made of good stuff, all the newspapers in the world
can’t write him down, and if he is made of soft material
there is no real merit. The higher the newspapers write
hitn up, the harder he will fall when he comes down, as he
is certain todo. A friend of mine who, like the newspaper
reporters, thought I could win whenever I liked, came to
me at Springfield, and said that as a personal favor to him
he would like me to win in three straight heats; and to
please him, and thinking perhaps I could drag it off in
three heats, I put my money on my horse and started out
with that determination. The track was soft and deep and

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 183

the day very hot. I tried for the first heat. Deck Wright
did some trotting and a great deal of running, and beat me
to the stand in 2:203, and the judges gave him the heat. I
punished {Edgewood in this heat, and drove him for hislife,
and when it was finished he was a good deal distressed.
The next heat he beat Wright in 2:234, but at the finish he
was so badly distressed that I decided to lay him up the
next heat. Itook him down under atree, and Orrin Hickok,
who had some money on him, went along and helped cool
out the horse. I got plenty of warm water and gave
Wedgewood a shower bath, took him over to the bank of
the river and walked him there in the shade. It seemed as
though he never would stop blowing, and he came as near
having the thumps as a horse very well could. When the
bell rang he was still very much distressed, and I went to
the track determined to lay him up, no matter what hap-
pened. I did so and Deck Wright won in 2:23}, I simply
saving my distance. By the time they rung the bell for the
next heat, Wedgewood was a good deal better, and it looked
as though he might have a chance to win. When the word
was given the others went off in front and I trailed to the
half-mile post, but drove from there home, beating Wright
in 2:234. In the next heat Deck Wright was first to the
stand, in 2:264. He did not do as much running as in the
first heat, and I think to this day was entitled to the last
heat, but the judges took it from him‘and gave it to Wedge-
wood. I thereupon made the resolve that in any race I might
ever drive, no remarks that the public might make and no
criticism that might be written about me in the newspapers
would ever have the least effect as to how I should manage
my horse.

I do not wish to be understood as saying that I will not
take advice, because I am always ready to do so, and have
often asked it, but what I do wish to say is, that I should
be the judge of who is the one to give me the advice. I
think it a good thing for the trainer and driver to counsel with
competent persons. If you have a particular case in hand and

184 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

you don’t seem to get on as well with it as you could wish,
pick out the man that you think would be the most liable to-
be well posted on that particular subject and go and get his
opinion. You are not obliged to follow it after you get it,
and in finding out his opinion, you may learn something.

I have many a time asked advice from different people, and
have received some that has been of great value to me, and
to illustrate this I may state an experience that I had with
Dan Mace on one occasion. It was when Hopeful first came
on the turf. I saw Mace drive him, and also some other
people try their hand, and he seemed to me to be very no-
tional about scoring. In talking with Mace about it, he ac-
knowledged that he was, and he told me what the peculiar-
ity was. He said Hopeful could not bear to have another
horse score up head-and-head with him to get the word, and
in such an emergency he was almost sure to break or pace.
He told me the way to do was to take Hopeful down behind
the other horses, and bring him up on a bulge—that is, to
let him go as fast as he could, and if he was within striking
distance to take the word, and Hopeful with his extreme
speed would be able to rush by almost any horse, and take
the pole from him.

I never thought any more of this until a race when I was
asked to drive Hopeful after he had lost two heats. The
first time I scored down I turned round head and head with
the other horse, but at the wire Hopeful broke, and paced.
That brought to mind the conversation I had with Macetwo
years ago, and Iresolved to act on whathetold me. I went
up and turned him round, as Mace had directed me, follow-
ing his instructions as nearly as I could, and when the
horses came to the wire, the others were going about a 2:25.
gait, and Hopeful was about at a 2:22 gait, they pulling
back, and Hopeful going at full sail. I nodded for the
word, the judges said ‘‘ go,” and before it was cold out of
their mouths Hopeful had the pole and was never headed.
Mace always said: ‘‘If Hopeful is in the lead, and another
man comes along head-and-head with you, take him right out,

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 185

and after you get in front ease way on him, keep him there,
and don’t let the other horse get too close to you.”’ Later in
the season Mace had Hopeful at Buffalo, and as he had a
misunderstanding with the association there he declined to
drive the horse. There was a great deal of talk about who.
was to drive him, etc., one paper stating that Dan would
send for his brother Ben. Dan came to my room and said
tome: ‘‘I think this association has been treating me badly
and I won’t satisfy them well enough to drive over their
track. I want you to drive Hopeful. I think there will be
pretty fair betting on the race. He will have no trouble to.
win, and we will try and get ourselves some money.’’ There
was nothing said in public about my driving Hopeful until
the bell rang for the horses to come out, when I appeared
behind Hopeful and won the first heat easily. In going
away in the second heat I took him back a trifle, and when
the judges said ‘“‘go” steadied him around the turn and
Great Eastern rushed up head-and-head with him. The
moment he did this Hopeful broke. Great Eastern took the:
pole and I could not get Hopeful to try to beat him after he
had lost the lead. When I got out of the sulky I told Mace.
it was my fault that I lost the heat. He said: ‘Don’t tell
anyone, as they all think that Eastern will beat him,
and we will have a good chance to win something.” When
they scored for the next heat I had the long sights on Hope-
ful and when they said ‘“‘go”’ his head was at Great East-
ern’s heel, but when they struck the first turn he was in the.
lead and if Rarus himself had been there after him he would
not have been going faster. I took him back there, but I
had never let Eastern get closer than within three lengths of
me, and won the heat without an effort. The last heat I
followed the same tactics, and he won the race. I doubt.
very much if he would have done so if it had not been for
what Mace told me.

There are a great many little things about horses that it.
takes time for a man to learn. Of course I think the man
that is driving every day andis behind a great many differ-

186 LIFE WITH THE TROTTEES.

-ent horses has a sort of knack, and gets on toa horse’s
peculiarities very quickly. That was one of Mace’s strong
points. He would look a trotter over and tell at a glance
about what sort of a horsehe was. There was another thing
about Mace that a good many people overlooked, and that
was that if he was out to trot or work with you he was study-
ing your horse at every opportunity, and if there was any
peculiarity about him he was pretty apt to see it, or in other
words he would try to get the best of everything that was
going. He said to meonce, when I was a boy: ‘‘ When--
ever you go into a fight with a man, the first thing you do
is to find out what kind of tools he is going to have, and be
sure and hit him first.”” That was invariably Mace’s way
inarace. He found out all he could about the other man’s
horse and his ability and was prepared to take advantage
of all the weak things. In regard to this peculiarity of
Hopeful’s that Mace told me of, and that I learned when I
came to drive him to make use of, I was also prepared to
take advantage of it when Hopeful came to trot against
Rarus, as I never allowed Mace to go up and come down
with me on a bulge. No matter how far he went back, I
went back and turned with him. Mace was pretty cute,
and often tried his old tactics, but I had just as gooda
horse, if not a little better than he, and I had him at a dis-
advantage. I often heard people say that Hopeful always
made a better race against any horse than he would against
Rarus, and I think that wasthe reason why. The man who
‘drove Rarus was well acquainted with Hopeful, both from
hearsay and by having driven him, something that might
not seem like much of an advantage, but it would be enough
to win a close race.

Returning to the story of Wedgewood and his races, I
may say that after the contest at Springfield, where I dis-
tressed the horse somewhat in an effort to please a friend,
he went to Hartford, trotted five heats there, and made the
star performance of his life against a fresh lot of timber,
which included Charley Champlain, Iron Age, Knox Boy,

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 187

Golden Girl, and Keene Jim, our late opponents, Patchen
and Deck Wright being also on hand and in better form
than ever. This wag one of the betting races of the cam-
paign, and the public and my opponents concluded that
Wedgewood must be getting stale and off on account of his
race at Springfield, and as he was favorite over the field,
they took the field for all there was init. In his prelimi-
nary work at Hartford Wedgewood pleased me in every way.
Among the number on my side was uncle Ben Wright
who again went through a Turkish bath performance on
account of the precarious situations and the hazardous
events of the race. It was in this race that Doc. Appleby
made one of the most original remarks and at the same
time one of the most appropriate ones on record. The Dac-
tor did not know exactly what horse he wanted to play
when the race began, but was sure that he did not want
Wedgewood. With Johnny Murphy behind Patchen he
concluded to back that horse, and for a while the chances
looked roseate. Then Deck Wright took a heatin such
commanding style, that he looked all over a winner, and
Mr. Appleby made another plunge in that direction, and
backed the horse from the West for enough to get back all
that he had put on Patchen and land a goodly pile beside
if Deck Wright won. When Patchen captured the third
heat the Doctor stole another base and played the field
against Wedgewood, a horse that had not yet come to the
front. After Wedgewood had won the race and someone
asked the Doctor what he had done for himself, he said:
‘“‘T have done badly. I kept climbing from one rotten
branch to another until finally the whole tree fell on me.’’

I determined to follow my old plan and lay up, and
Murphy showed the boys what he had in hand, by winning
the first heat with Patchen in 2:182. He led all the way in
the second heat to the distance stand, where he broke, and.
Deck Wright beat him out in 2:204. I contented myself
with dropping inside the distanc» flag. In scoring for the
third heat I determined to try and win, but in the score

188 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Wedgewood broke, and I had no thought that the judges
would give the word. He came galloping tothe stand and
they said “go” with the horses strung out like Brown’s
cows. Keene Jim had at least twenty yards the lead of
everybody, and sped away as though he did not intend to
be caught. Patchen broke immediately after the word was
given. I was sure Murphy would not try to win the heat
with him, and if he did I was positive they would beat him,
so felt no uneasiness, thinking that Keene Jim a horse that
had not yet won and was not dangerous in the race, would
take the heat, but I figured wrong. Murphy caught his
horse and set sail. He overhauled Keene Jim at the distance-
stand and beat him out in 2:204.

From where I sat the race looked a little ‘‘binding.’’ Here
was Patchen going every heat in 2:20, or better, and he had
just won the third heat in 2:203. It wasa prospect which, to
say the least, I saw nothing very rosy about, with myself and
all my friends up to our necks in the pool-box, and from
what I knew of the gentlemen driving the other horses they
would be delighted to pour ice water down our backs. I
saw that I had a few first-class heelers to cool Wedgewood
out after this heat. Jack Phillips had the price of a few
barrels of flour on the horse, and after the heat he came
down to the cooling ground and took off his coat in about
the same manner I had seen him do when he was a farmer
boy around Watertown. He told me to sit down in the
shade and cool myself out, and he would see to the cooling
outofthehorse. Thisis a matter that people sometimes over-
look. If you have driven a horse a hard heat and you are
tired, and your nerves unstrung, itis not likely to aid you
much to get out of the sulky and go to work to help cool
out the horse. I think that after a severe heat a driver
needs some time for rest and to get his nerves in order for
another trial. While as arule the drivers of trotting horses
are necessarily men of strict sobriety, it is notwithstanding
true that in situations of this kind some of them at times
resort to a stimulant to brace themselves up for the impend-

LIFE WitH THE TROTTERS. 189

ing struggle. In all my life I have never tasted a drop of
liquor, and as I do not use tobacco in any form, this stim-
ulus is denied me, so that in my case, the only relief in situ-
ations of the kind mentioned is that of solid rest to mind
and body. Ido not mean to say I do not think that there
is no time when something of a mild stimulant will doa man
good, and I believe there have been occasions after driving
a severe heat when a glass of wine has been a good thing,
just as itis to celebrated riders of runners. I have given
my horses champagne and Seltzer water as a mixed drink,
and found it one of the most beneficial things to a tired horse
I have ever tried.

While Jack Phillips with the rubbing cloth and Turner
with a sponge and Mace as general director of the work
were engaged on Wedgewood, Uncle Ben and Terry Barden
and Al Carlisle sat around in the background giving us the
latest reports from the pool-box, and the general public
looked on, feeling that for once the most noted talent on the
turf were in a tight place, and it seemed to me as though
they rather enjoyed it. They regarded us with looks which
seemed to say, ‘‘ Well, you have often had us in tight
places; how do you like it?”

When the bell rang for the last heat and the horses
showed up in front of the judges’ stand, a row of people
stood opposite with about as much interest in the expression
of their faces as you will often see. I told the judges before
getting the word that this was a race in which there was a
great deal of money bet on Wedgewood, and as he was a
horse that never caused any trouble in scoring or anything
of that kind, I could not see why he was not entitled to his
position when the word was given, and I asked them as a
special favor to have the kindness to see that he had his
place when they said ‘‘go.’”’ Deck Wright rushed away
with the lead, but pulled up at the turn and gave his place
to Patchen. In doing that he convinced me that it was
Patchen to win and Deck Wright to hold me. I concluded
that for the safety of my chance, as well as for the safety of

190 LIFE WITIT THE TROTTERS.

my sulky, it would be well to keep away from Deck Wright.
I therefore trailed away behind him until we turned into the
stretch, Patchen still at the pole, Deck Wright outside.
After we rounded into the stretch I pulled Wedgewood well
out into the track, and as they say on the running turf, I
sat down and commenced to ride him. I never saw him
show any more determination than he did right there.
Every time I spoke he responded, but while he was doing
that Murphy was getting Patchen one of those drives that
he is noted for. It took Wedgewood all the way to the wire
to beat him, which he finally did by a headin 2:19, the best
and fastest heat he ever trotted. Between Patchen’s trot-
ting, Deck Wright’s running, and the hustling tactics of the
others they kept me busy the balance of the race, but
Wedgewood won, going the fifth heat in 2:204 and the sixth
in 2:228.

This, I believe, was the last race of any prominence that
Patchen ever took part in. Patchen was a horse that came
to his speed very quickly, having never beaten 2:23$ until
this day. He made this one skyrocket performance, and
then went down in the same manner, never having been
heard of after that season. From Hartford we went to Bos-
ton, where he beat Wedgewood, Driver, Sheridan, and Lady
Maud, in 2:203, 2:212, 2:21, Driver winning the third heat
in 2:21. There were some very unimportant races in which
he took part during the following month, and on October 15
he wound up the season with a first-class contest at Prospect
Park against Patchen and Driver, six heats being required
to settle the money, three of them being trotted better than
2:20; and taking into consideration the time of the year, and
the fact that it was the end of a long campaign, this was
looked upon as a wonderful performance. It was the last
star race for Wedgewood, Driver and Patchen, and one of
the last races in which Wedgewood took part.

In this race I expected to have both horses to battle with.
T had learned in a second-hand way that Murphy intended
to lay his horse up. I hardly believed that, as I had never

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 191

seen him do it before. I had also been told that Johnny
Goldsmith was going to do the same thing with Driver. I
thought, if that was the case, it would be a good scheme to
get my horse well warmed up, and go out and perhaps win
the first heat without an effort. I followed this plan, and
when they said ‘‘go’’ I cut loose and won the first heat,
in 2:19 Murphy and Goldsmith did not make much of an
effort, as I thought, to win, each one expecting the other
one to make a fight. The next heat they were both ready
for battle, but Wedgewood beat them in 2:193. In thethird
heat Wedgewood and Driver trotted a dead heat in 2:19},
making the fastest three consecutive heats that Wedgewood
had ever trotted in any race, all being better than 2:20. After
this heat Wedgewood was somewhat distressed, and Imade
up my mind to lay him up. In the fourth heat Patchen and
Driver finished so close that no one but the judges could tell
who won, they finally giving it to Patchen in 2:21}. Driver
won the fifth heat in 2:21%. In both these heats I was satis-
fied to save my distance. In the sixth heat they all rushed
away together when the word was given and at the quarter
pole Patchen broke. From there to the stand, Driver
and Wedgewood had a battle royal. By this time it had
grown so dark that the judges could not see us as we went
down the backside, and it was a case of give and take all
the way. These horses were about as closely matched as
anything I ever saw. They were both game, good breakers,
would stand any amount of driving, and at that time Gold-
smith was not much more than a boy, but as industrious a
fellow with a horse sulky and whipas I have ever seen since.
Anyway, we fought it out on that line, and Wedgewood
beat him to the stand and won the heat in 2:204.
Wedgewood was a grand horse for me, an honest trotter
if ever there was one in the world, and since his retirement
from the turf he has been doing great work in the stud, as
is plainly shown by the character of his get. Favonia, a
daughter of his, that is out of a mare by Alexander's Ab-
dallah, was quite the star of the trotting firmament last

192 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

season, beating Rosaline Wilkes and all the other cracks she
met, and making a record of 2:15. This mare displayed a
good many of the characteristics and qualities that I had
noticed in Wedgewood, and as she was by my old favorite,
I took particular notice of her. Wedgewood’s home is at
the Hermitage Stud Farm, a magnificent estate near Nash-
ville, Tenn., and there is no stallion to whom I would breed
with greater confidence.

CHAPTER VIII.

Trotters with romantic histories that I have driven—The gray gelding Charlie
Ford, that was first a turf outlaw, then madearecord of 2:163; was valued
at $15,000, and finally sold for $300—Ford’s match with the stallion Bone-
setter, and how he was trained for it—He is the only horse that ever won
a beat from Maud §.; the story of the incident—The great race at Chicago
with Haunis, where “the talent” was on the wrong side—Adclaide, a
little mare that had one remarkable peculiarity; no matter how hot the
day, or severe the race, she would not sweat—Drawing wood into Water-
town, N. Y., by the side of her dam, she is purchased by 1 horseman and
makes a record of 2:193—A pony in size and weight, she beats some of the
best horses in the country, every ounce of her being race-horse material—
Planter and his good qualities—The wonderful affection of the trotter Bay
for an old white horse.

If ever a horse had a romantic history, the gray gelding
Charley Ford is the animal. Beginning his turf career by
trotting in classes where he was not entitled to start, being
for this offense expelled from all National association
tracks, then found to have more speed than it was dreamed
he possessed, and for this reason reinstated after a great
effort; then sold for $2,500 to a noted Chicago sporting
man, he passed through the hands of several drivers, under
my management made a record of 2:162; was worth at one
time $15,000, that amount in cash having been refused for
him; is the only horse in the world that ever beat Maud 8.
a heat; lost his speed, and was sold for $300 when still
comparatively young, and now jogs soberly along the streets
of Chicago, an animal that never would be taken for one
about whom at one time the trotting world was considerably
excited.

Charley Ford was a light gray gelding, nearly white,
stood sixteen hands high, with as fine a head as you could

(198)

194 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

find on a trotting horse, it being of good shape, not too
large, and the handsomest eyes that I ever saw in a trotter.
He was bred in Racine County, Wisconsin, and was sired by
a horse known as McKesson’s Gray Eagle. When he was
about five or six years old, a local driver developed some
speed in the gray gelding, and he trotted a few races under
the name of Billy Basteder. The following year, not being
supposed to be able to trot to his record, which was then
not as good as 2:30, he was taken to the Pennsylvania oil
regions, and took part in a number of races. During that
trip, he displayed so much speed and gameness over the
half-mile tracks where he trotted, that the following winter
he was looked after a little more carefully, and along in
the summer of 1879, he was brought to Chicago, and over
the West Side track showed a mile in 2:244, which led to his
purchase by Jerry Monroe, an all-around Chicago sport
who knew a good thing when the saw it. That season,
Charley Ford—he having by this time having been given
that name—was driven in some races by Dan Brown, after
which Jimmy Dustin took him in charge, and late in the
fall he was driven a time or two, I think, by Dan Mace. It
was during this season that the horse first attracted public
attention. He trotted a number of races in the grand cir-
cuit, and in the fall came to Cincinnati, where he was
entered in a race over a half-mile track at that place against
Driver—those two being the only starters. It was this race
that first particularly attracted my attention to Charley
Ford, and made me think that he had in him the making
of a great race-horse, because in beating Driver he was
forced to trot one of his heats in 2:203, and this perfor-
mance over a half-mile track was equal to 2:18 or better
over one a mile in circumference.

One evening the following winter while in conversation
with anumber of Chicago gentlemen the names of Bone-
setter and Charley Ford were mentioned. Bonesetter was
a bay stallion that at that time had a record of 2:194, and
was quite a noted horse. He belonged to Mr. H. V. Bemis

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 195

of the Bemis Brewing Company, who gave for him $10,000.
My Bemis was at this time the leading owner on the West-
en. trotting turf, having in his stable such well-known ones
as Bonesetter, Silverton, Fred Douglas, Little Brown Jug,
and Sorrel Dan, the two last named being pacers, and the
lot about as formidable a one as has ever been owned by one
man. In the discussion as to the merits of Ford and Bone-
setter I expressed the opinion that Ford was the better of
the two horses, and from that came a match, the owner of
Ford and myself backing him against Bonesetter in a race
o!' mile heats, three in five, to come off the 12th day of June
over the West Side track at Chicago, for $1,000 a side and
the gate money, Mr. Bemis backing his own horse, and John
B, Drake, of the Grand Pacific Hotel, was appointed final
stakeholder. From the moment the race was made until the
day it was trotted there was a great deal of talk and excite-
ment and a large amount.of money was wagered on the
result, Bonesetter being a favorite in the betting from the
start, a position he held until the race came off. I had not
seen Ford from the time I witnessed his good work at Cin-
cinnati until after the race was made, and the forfeit put up.
The next morning I went to his stable, to look him over,
and I found him in what seemed to be rather bad condition.
His legs were very much swollen, with a great deal of fever,
and his system seemed generally out of order. While I was
considering what course of treatment to give him his groom
applied some patent lotion to his legs to reduce the swell-
ing, which had the effect of blistering him in the most fright-
ful manner, from the effect of which his legs never entirely
recovered.

My first efforts were directed to reducing the swelling
and inflammation caused by the blister, which was so pain-
ful to the horse that he neither ate, slept nor lay down for
at least ten days, and it seemed to me at one time that he
would certainly die from the effects of it. One word here
about blistering horses. I have known in my time several
animals to lose their lives from the effects of a blister. My

196 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

rule has always been that if I want my horse shod to get the
blacksmith to do it. The same rule holds good in case of
sickness. If my horse needs blistering or any other medical
attendance, I get what I consider to be the best veterinary
surgeon within reach and let him take charge of the case,
and I know of no reason why this rule should not be fol-
lowed at all times. ‘‘Every man his own lawyer’’ gener-
ally gets the prisoner locked up, and I think every man his
own doctor would be a great scheme for the undertakers.
In this case, that the horse did not die was due, I am satis-
fied, more to good luck than good management. I called in
a veterinary, and he suggested a treatment that he thought
would serve to allay the inflammation and pain. He man-
aged to effect this result, but the swelling never entirely
left the horse’s legs.

As the season for training approached, I commenced
giving Ford moderate exercise on the road, and then took
him to the West Side driving Park to prepare him for the
race. The spring being very backward and cold and the
track unfit for fast work I made up my mind I would either
have to hunt another training ground or I would not have
my horsé in any condition by the12th of June. I concluded
that Indiana would be a good place to go to, as they have
an early spring and sandy tracks there, but when I sug-
gested this to Ford’s owner I met with opposition that I had
not expected, as he did not see why a horse could not be
prepared just as well in Chicago as at any other place, and
freed his mind to that effect. I was so sure that my judg-
ment was right that I told him to do one of two things, —he
could take my interest in the race, and have Ford trained
wherever he chose, or I would take his interest in the race
and have my way about it. Under this pressure he finally
consented that I should use my own judgment, and so I
took Ford with my other horses to Elkhart, Ind., where I
found a good half-mile track, first-class stabling, good
roads, and everything favorable for an early preparation.
I discovered when I begun to drive Ford along, that his

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 197

legs would swell very badly. This is the greatest trouble I
had with the horse. About the twelfth of May I was able
to drive him miles in about 2:33. In watching Ford the
year before I saw that he had a disposition to want to break
and run, being what they call a first-class breaker. This I
consider a grievous fault in any horse, and one that will
ruin many horses’ chances of winning where they would
otherwise get the money. My idea about horses of this
kind is that if the time and strength expended by them in
breaking and catching were to be put in at honest trotting
it would give them a very much fasterrecord. Ihave heard
people say that Goldsmith Maid gained when she broke,
but I noticed that when she trotted miles in 2:15 or better
she never made more than one break in the whole mile. ,
Deck Wright, Grey Salem, Lem Scott, and all that tribe of
hurdlers made their best records in the heats in which they
ran the least and trotted the most. In training Ford, I
drove him on a trot all the time, never allowing him to get
close enough to the top of his speed to have him show a
disposition to break. He seemed uneasy when a horse took
him by the head, and sometimes when he was being out-
trotted tried to break with you. Iworked him alone a great
deal at first, and when I did take a horse out to work with
him I did not allow the other one to pinch Ford hard enough
to make him want to break.

As we were to trot the match race with Bonesetter on
the 12th day of June, I felt anxious to give Ford one or two
races before that event came off. [entered him in two races,
both of which he won, trotting five heats in each race. He
beat Will Cody over the Elkhart track a five-heat race in
which 2:30 was the fastest heat, and he had all he could
possibly doto win. This race acted on Ford as I expected
it would; made him a better horse. The other race was
against Lucy, a black mare owned in Canada, driven by a
man named Palmer, and called among the boys ‘The
Queen’s Own.’’ They trotted over the Adrian track, which
is rather slow, and Ford won in five heats trotting one of

198 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

the miles in 2:25. He showed me so well on this occasion
that I was satisfied that, barring an accident, he would beat
Bonesetter inthe match. I had aman watching Bonesetter all
the time, and he wrote me that the weather in Chicago had
been very bad, Bonesetter had been given but little work,
was high in flesh, and any horse that could trot three heats
in from 2:25 to 2:22 would certainly win the money. The
result of the race proved that my tout Knew what he was
talking about.

We came directly from Adrian to Chicago, where I
found all the horse talent very much excited over the race,
Bonesetter still having the call in the betting. I don’t re-
member of ever having had a race that I was any surer that
I would win than this one, and I not only put my own money
on Ford, but advised all my friends todo so. But Bone-
setter had such a hold on the public that he remained
the favorite until they got the word, with the odds about
$100 to $80. My friend Capt. John Dumas saw the race at
Adrian and gave me $500 to put on Ford, as he said he
would be unable to attend the race. A great many of my
personal friends advised me not to bet my money, as they
were sure Bonesetter would beat Ford. One of them said
that he did not believe I would be able to drive Ford well
as he had always been driven by a country boy who whipped
and run and scuffled him along, and that was the way
he had always won his races. He thought that I would
try to keep him on a trot, and that he would not be able to
get around the track fast enough to head the other horse.
On the day set for the race it rained, and it was postponed
until the following Monday. The story of the race is soon
told—Ford won in straight heats without an effort or with-
out ever being headed. The best time was 2:23, in the first
heat. In this race Ford was very steady and I could have
driven him to his record. Bonesetter was high in flesh and
several seconds from the mark. In training Ford for this
race some people criticised my methods, as being different
from the way other people had handled the horse. I trained

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 199

him in the following manner, and for the following reasons:
He was inclined to be rather a sluggish horse when worked
alone and would not try to extend himself. I did not like
to work another horse with him, as that kept him pulling
all the time. I confined his work to very little walking,
short jogs, repeating him slow miles, and brushing him the
last part of the mile as fast as I could and keep him ona
trot. In getting ready for the Bonesetter match I drove him
a mile in about 2:30 twenty minutes before the race, letting
him come the last half in about 1:10. Some of the critics said
I drove him a great deal too fast, but I had my watch in my
hand, and I knew just what I was doing, and as I wanted
to be ready to go with Bonesetter as fast as he could make
me right from the start, I knew that it would take good
sharp work to have Ford well opened out for his effort.
Everyone supposed that Bonesetter would be able to out-
speed Ford, and the only hope I would have of beating lim
would be to force the pace and beat him at the finish, but I
felt differently. I wanted to out-trot him right from the
start, thinking that was the surest way to get the money.
Whether or not my theories were right, Ford won the race.

After that I trotted Ford several races through the
Michigan circuit with more or less success, and in this cam-
paign came across General Turner and his wonderful horse
Hannis. I had seen enough of Hannis and Turner to know
that they were about as formidable a pair as a man would
want to meet with a horseand sulky, and made up my mind
that no matter what else happened I would keep my eye
on them, whether they won or not. I did so, and for my
pains had the satisfaction of learning enough to save my
money. I had noticed this about Turner's horses, —that in
the spring he works them just enough to see whether they
are good or not, then he starts them out on an easy cam-
paign, or, in other words, instead of training them gets them
out and trots them in public races, and lets them trot them-
selves into condition. When he gets them to what he thinks
is an edge, he makes a raid on the pool-box, and in this

200 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

campaign he followed his old tactics. In the different races
that Ford trotted against Hannis, I saw maneuvers that
made me believe the little chestnut stallion was a much
better horse than the public rated him, and when I came
back to Chicago for the summer meeting, [found him entered
in the same race with Ford, and they were the only ones of
any note in it.

Here, I think, I made a mistake in training Ford. His
owner and groom both thought that I worked him too
severely and often criticised me on that point. They said
so much about it that finally I thought that perhaps I was
wrong, and gave way to their opinions. This fact, and a bad
decision that the judges made, cost Ford the race and his
backers more money than I think was ever lost on a trotting
race. A few days before the Ford race came off, Turner had
Hannis in a race against Monroe Chief and Wedgewood.
They finished the race with Monroe Chief first, Hannis sec-
ond and Wedgewood last. I saw enough in this race to
convince me that Hannis was a race-horse of the first water,
and made up my mind that he would certainly trot a mile
in 2:16, and when I went out with Ford to contend with
him, I thought I had a chance to win, but did not look upon
it as a sure thing, as the owner of Ford and all his friends
did. They backed him for every dollar they had in the
world, and some of them have not yet recovered from the
shock. When I tried to tell them thatin Hannisand Turner
they had a pair that would bear a great deal of watching
they laughed and said I was cowardly. In this race the
judges made what I consider one of the most outrageous de-
cisions that ever I heard. Ford beat Hannis in the first heat
half the length of himself, never was headed in the heat,
never swerved or made a break of any kind, led from start
to finish, and I could have beaten him further if there had
been any necessity, and to the surprise of myself and every-
body on the track, Turner included, the judges decided ita
dead heat. They explained to me, after the race was over,
that they expected it would.be a very one-sided affair and

LIFE WitH THE TROTTERS. 201

wanted to give the public some amusement; that they thought
I would surely win and the decision would only make one
more heat in the race.

In the second heat Ford led from the start to finish, and
won by alength. In the next heat he led all the way, and
when they turned into the stretch Hannis was on his wheel.
Fiom there to the distance stand they had a battle, both
horses being driven under the whip. At this point Hannis
commenced to gain upon Ford in spite of his efforts. Here
I saw something that the public did not. Hannis over-
reached with his hind foot and stepped on his quarter boot,
which caused him to break, and Ford beat him to the stand
in 2:163, which was the best mile he ever trotted. Isaid to
some of my friends who were plunging on Ford after this
heat at the rate of $100 to $10 that they were doing a very
dangerous thing, as Ford had only beaten half a length in
2:16%, and Hannis had met with an accident in the heat.
Another thing I knew was that Turner’s horse was a, tried
campaigner, had been in races where he had been out-trotted,
and his gameness had never been questioned. His breeding
and all that went to make him a dead game horse. While
Ford had a reputation with some people of being game, I
considered that he had never been tried in a manner to sat-
isfy me of his gameness, and while I do not want to slander
a good horse, I have always had my doubts about Ford being
dead game where he was in a race with a horse of equal
speed or a little better. Another reason I had for doubting
his ability to win was that he had never before been asked to
goamile better than 2:20, and to be called on now to go four
or five heats better than 2:20 I thought a contract that he
would be unable to fulfill. When we scored up for the next
heat I found that my fears were only too well founded.
Ford lacked the dash and speed he had previously shown,
and I went out with my mind made up to keep Turner on
the outside as long as I could and make him go round me
and leave the battle to the last hundred yards unless Turner
forced the pace. Turner seemed determined to do this right

202 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

from the word ‘‘go,’’ and in going down the back side Han-
nis out-trotted Ford, and took the pole, and from there
home he went with something to spare. After this, Ford
gave up the fight, and I think finished the last mile in about
2:26 or 2:27.

At the time I was very severely criticised about this race.
A great many people thought I did not try to win, but I
» never took the trouble to deny any of the statements. The
only fault I had to find with myself was that I allowed peo-
ple who were not in a position to be able to form an intelli-
gent opinion about training the horse to tell me how I ought
to work him for the race. But even with all that bad man-
agement had Ford got justice out of the judges’ stand he
would have won in straight heats. Ithink that if I had
taken him out about a week before his race and given him
severe work, driven him a couple of miles in about 2:16 or
2:18, that he would have been able to have dragged off the
race. He was never so good a horse afterward as he was
that day, and I am satisfied that the severe strain he under-
went, being at the time short of work, had a good deal to
do with his subsequent defeats.

The most notable thing that Ford accomplished while in
my hands after this was to beat Maud 8. the only heat she
ever lost to any other horse. This was at Buffalo, in the
first heat of the race. Maud §8., Ford, Driver and Hanntis
were the contestants. Maud 8. being such a favorite, there
was no betting, except for second place, and on this point
there was a great deal of money wagered, Turner and his
friends backing Hannis, Junkey Goldsmith and the cheese-
makers from Orange County pinning their faith and money
to that reliable race-horse Driver, while my friends and a
fair share of the public took tickets on Ford. In driving this
race, each man had to help himself. We all knew that Bair
would win with Maud §. in two straight heats. Neither of
the other men I think ever had an idea of attempting to
beat her a heat—I am sure I did not. After the word was
given, Maud §. led right from the start until we turned into

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 208

the stretch, the other three horses behind her, each driver
catching the others, and all apparently waiting to make a
drive at the finish. These tactics suited me exactly, as I
was sure that Ford had the speed of Driver and Hannis and
was willing to leave the race to be decided in the last fifty
yards. As we turned into the stretch, I noticed Maud 8S. trip
with one of her hind feet. I have often had horses do that
with me, and when goingata high rate of speed they would
almost always make a break. I did not wait to see whether
she broke or not, but as they say on the running turf, I
commenced to ‘“‘sit down and ride’ Ford. I think my two
opponents must have seen what I did at the same time, for
Maud 8. had not fairly left her feet until I could hear Tur-
ner and Goldsmith driving their horses as though it was a
life-and-death struggle. I never saw a more desperate finish
between three horses, or one much closer. Every horse was
driven to the best of his driver’s ability, without regard to
the number of times they hit them on the back with the
whip. They all finished lapped on each other, Ford coming
to the wire first by about a head, Driver second, and Hannis
third; time, 2:17; and I may say that this was the second
best heat of Ford’s life, the best heat ever saw Driver trot,
and as good a one as Hannis ever trotted. Maud 8. then
went on and made short work of the race, winning in three
heats, thereby giving Ford the second money and to his
backers the money that was bet on the place.

This was about the last season that Ford ever made any
showing on the turf. His owner got in reduced circum-
stances, and this horse, which had attracted the attention of
thousands of people, and for whom a cash offer of $12,000
was refused, was finally sold to a private citizen in Chicago
for $300, and is now being jogged around on the roads by
him. The last time I saw Ford I was going out on Wash-
ington boulevard, and noticed a rather matter-of-fact look-
ing gentleman and lady jogging along behind an old white
horse that neither looked nor acted as though he had ever
shown any disposition to trot. As he drew near there seemed

204 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

to be something familiar about him, as there often will about.
an old friend that you have not seen for along time. As I
looked him over carefully it came to my mind, ‘‘ There is.
my old friend Ford.”? A feeling came over me about the
same as if I had seen someold friend that had been reduced.
from luxury to poverty. I asked some people who were
with me if they thought the horse going by would ever be-
taken for arace-horse. They said no, they did not think
there was any possible chance of that, and whenI told them.
he was the only horse in the world that had ever beaten.
Maud S$. a heat, they were greatly surprised. In disposition,
Ford was a very mild and pleasant horse; he was a good.
feeder and not a hard horse to train. He wore quarter boots.
and knee boots, shoes and scalpers behind. I drove him.
with an open bridle, and overhead check, long martingales,
and a Dexter snafile bit. He was a horse that when it came:
to the finish needed considerable driving, or hustling along,
as the boys call it, but in other respects there was nothing
remarkable about him.

A horse of as marked peculiarities as I ever saw was.
Adelaide, once a member of my stable, and she was a very
handsome small bay mare, less than fifteen hands high, and
when in condition did not weigh over 800 pounds. But.
every ounce of her was first-class race-horse material, as.
she proved over and over again in her battles with some of
the biggest and best trotters that ever took the word on a.
race track—and when I say this, I mean that Adelaide was.
a great one in her day. Trotters should always be gauged as.
to their merits by the position they attained at the time
they were in their best form, and when Adelaide had the.
most speed of her life it was at a day when a 2:15 horse was.
practically unknown, and not as now when every year a
new one of that speed comes out. Adelaide was a daughter
of Phil Sheridan, out of a mare that was brought to Water-
town by an English officer, and owned by a farmer, and
commenced her career by drawing wood to town by the side.
of her dam. She finally fell into the hands of a local

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 205

driver named Irving Harris. He drove her a mile in about
2:30. Then Dan De Noyelles, who used to drive horses with
Dan and Benny Mace when they were boys, having owned at
that time the trotter Frank Vernon, afterward known as
Panic, went up to Watertown and gave a long price for the
little mare. Someone suggested that Dan bought Adelaide
for a book-mark, saying she certainly was not big enough
for anything else. But the little mare’s career proved that
Dan knew what he was about, as she was a mark
for a good many horses to shoot at that were not able to
hit her. She passed through the hands of Mose Whipple
into Jack Phillips’ stable and then came to me.

The first time I worked her and brought her to the
stables she did not sweat a particle. This being such an
unnatural thing I was rather alarmed, but when I spoke to
the boy about it he said it was nothing unsual—that she
never would sweat. I could hardly believe that statement,
as in my career up to that time, I had never seen a horse in
health that would not sweat after violent exercise. I inter-
viewed De Noyelles about it, and he said that the most
he ever saw her sweat was to moisten under the harness just
a little. I studied the mare carefully, but was never able
to account for’ this peculiarity. In training Adelaide, I
took extra pains to handle and care for her ina manner that.
would cause her to perspire or sweat freely, but nothing I
ever did in the way of medicine or attention seemed to have
the slightest effect on her. She was a good feeder, carried
but very little flesh, and even in winter when allowed to eat.
all she wanted to, would not increase her weight more than
fifty pounds. In the two years I had her she trotted some
great races. The most notable one, perhaps, was where she
defeated a field of a dozen that were considered first-class
horses at that time. This race took place over the Cleve-
land track in 1878. The two horses between whom the race
was supposed to lie were Prospero and Midnight, a couple
of black geldings that had shown the ability to trot in 2:20,
whereas Adelaide was looked upon' by horsemen and the

206 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

public as equal to a mile in about 2:23 when at her best.
In the betting the night before the race Adelaide was
entirely overlooked by the public—so much so that De
Noyelles, her owner, gave Dempsey an order to put $250 on
her. Dempsey told me we could win all the money in the
pool-box with $100 on Adelaide—provided of course that
she was victorious. Dempsey put $163 on her for De Noyelles
at the odds, which netted after the race was over something
in the neighborhood of $7,000.

When Dan came out the next morning and showed me
the tickets, I gave him what the boys call the laugh. He
said that was all right, but that if I would drive the race as
he told me and he did not win he would be perfectly satis-
fied. I told him he could have absolute command, and to
be around with his orders when the bell rang. When the
time came De Noyelles just asked me to go easy the first
heat, simply saving my distance, which I did, and was far
behind Prospero, who rushed away the lead, was never
headed, and won the heat in about 2:22. De Noyelles told
me to lay up the mare again in the second heat regardless
of what might happen. I did this, and Midnight, a horse
that belonged to Mr. C. M. Reed, of Erie, Pa., and one that
was looked upon by the talent as a sure winner went out to
the front at the word and won with seeming ease, the time
again being about 2:22. When we were ready for the next
heat De Noyelles said: ‘‘ Lay up again,’ and I did, Mid-
night again winning. When they called for the fourth
heat, De Noyelles said: ‘‘ Have your war-paint on, and when
the judges say go, let us see how fast youcan getaway from
the wire.”? Adelaide was a good scorer, a first-class breaker,
ancl could be relied upon to do her very best when asked.
At this time I had heard that Midnight had a soft spot in him,
and on the strength of this [took him well down the stretch,
scored up a few times, and when they said ‘‘go”’’ he and
Adelaide went off at a great clip. Midnight broke at
the first turn, which gave Adelaide the lead and she was
never headed, winning the heat with something to spare. In

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS., 207

the next heat, Adelaide was too much for the others, none of
them getting to her. This being the fifth heat all the horses
that had not won a heat were sent to the stable, which left
the race to be finished between Adelaide, Prospero and
Midnight. Prospero and Midnight had given up the battle,
for that day at least, and it looked then as though De Noy-
elles had the boys sure. Midnight’s party held a council
of war, as a last resort put Turner up to drive the black fel-
low, but it was of no use, as they never headed her, she win-
ning the heat and race in 2:30, and could have shut out both
horses.

Adelaide was a very mild, pleasant mare, both in the
stable and on the track. Her legs and feet were simply
perfection. She wore about a ten-once shoe in front, and
no boots with the exception of a light pair behind. I drove
her with an open bridle, an overcheck, no martingales, and
she was aseasy amare to drive aslever had. After her
turf career was finished, De Noyelles bred Adelaide to
Nutwood, 2:182, and her filly by him has been sent to Cali-
fornia to be mated with Sable Wilkes, 2:18. The result of
this union, according to the records in his family, ought to
be a prince of trotters, as his dam has a record of 2:19, her
sire one of 2:264. The sire of the filly has a mark of 2:183,
and the sire of Sable Wilkes one of 2:154, while his sire,
George Wilkes, placed 2:22 many years ago.

On one of my trips to California, I went on a social visit
to a place called Marysville. While sitting in the hotel one
day a rather queer-cut looking little man came in and in-
troduced himself tome. He said his name was James B.
McDonald, by trade he was a bricklayer, a statement that I
judged was true from the brick and mortar dust that had
gathered on his clothing. I supposed that he might want
to sell me a brick house, but was surprised that he came to
interview me on the horse question. McDonald told me
that he owned a bay stallion that he had bought in Ken-
tucky. He said that Gen. John E. Turner had bought the
horse at an auction sale in Kentucky, and the next day he

208 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

gave Turner $25 profit on the colt and took him with some
horses to California. He added that he did not pretend to
know much about trotters, but had been some with race-
horses when a boy, and all the training this horse had
received was done by himself. He wanted to know if I
would oblige him by going to the track some day driving
his horse, and telling him what I thought of the animal.
To please Mr. McDonald I said I would, and on the follow-
ing day we met at the track by agreement, and he had his
horse there. When I saw the animalI was not particularly
impressed with him as he was a low-headed horse, with
rather a slouchy way of moving. McDonald asked me to
drive him from the half-mile pole to the judges’ stand. I did
so, and when I set him going he moved out at a nice clean open
gait, and went the half in 1:11. Mr. McDonald seemed
rather excited at this, and when I told him that I thought.
I could have driven the half from one to two seconds better,
I think it pleased him more than would, just then, a con-
tract to build a brick block. On the strength of this per-
formance, I arranged to take the horse back with me to
San Francisco and train him. He showed me a trial of
2:224, and Mr. McDonaid and myself brought him East, and
trotted him a number of races with more than ordinary suc-
cess. He had a record of about 2:30 at this time, and was
called Brigadier.

We trotted ‘‘ Brig’? through the Michigan circuit, where
he won all his races. People say there is nothing in luck.
LT hardly think there is myself, but this was one of the luck-
jest horses I ever had. If ever it came to a close decision
out of the judges’ stand, Brigadier always seemed to get the
best of it. I can give a little incident which illustrates this,
and also shows the uncertainty of horse-racing. We had
Brigadier in a race at Toledo, Ohio, over a half-mile track.
When we got there we found a large field of horses and a
very rough track. Mr. McDonald liked to back his horse
well whenever he had a chance to win, and as we thought
we could handle the field easily, he put on about all the

LIFE WiTIL THE TROTTERS. 209

money that he could get judiciously, and I went out to trot
‘and win in three str: aight heats. He drew the pole, but when
the word was given in the first heat the horse next to him
broke and swerved, and I took Brigadier back to avoid a
collision. Just then he caught a hind foot in one of his
‘quarter boots, and came near throwing himself down. By
the time I got him stopped the other horse was going down
the back side of the track and Brigadier was more than a
‘distance out. I took in the situation at a glance, made up
my mind I had no chance to save my distance, and merely
jogged him round the track. When [arrived at the judges’

stand, I found there rather an excited party, and among
the lot was a very pompous individual who had a pool-
ticket on Brigadier the amount of which did not represent
‘perhaps one-half of one per cent. of the sum that Briga-
‘dier’s owner had on him. This man was telling the judges
in language more forcible than elegant that he did not pro-
pose to be robbed by Splan or anyone else. He wanted a
show for his money, or there would be a fight. He knew I
had thrown the heat away for a purpose and had my horse
‘distanced intentionally. Of course Mr. McDonald and my-
self expected Brigadier to’ be distanced, and had already
commenced to figure up our losses. The judges held a con-
-sultation and then called me into the stand, and I will never
forget the expression on their faces, as they looked at me
‘as much as to say: ‘‘ You are perhaps a pretty cute driver,

but you can’t come up in this country and swindle our
patrons,’’ and they opened their conversation by asking me
‘if my horse was in the habit of making that kind of breaks.
I told them no—it was the first time he ever broke with me
‘in arace. In a very dignified manner, they informed me
that they were not satisfied with the manner in which I had
‘driven the heat; that they were not going to take me out, as
they believed I was as good a driver as there was on the
track, but would insist on my starting my horse again, and
that if he did not win they would perhaps relieve me from
‘driving any more that season, meaning that I would be sus-

210 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

pended if I did not win. They then announced their decis-
ion to the crowd and told what course they had taken in
regard to«Brigadier.

Of course Mr. McDonald and myself felt as if our lives.
had been spared. When they gave the word in the next.
heat Brigadier went out to the front, and was never headed.
The people who had bet their money against him were dis-
posed to kick up a row, but the judges awarded him the:
heat and race, and we not only got the purses but the pool-
box as well. Now here is a case where I think the judges.
erred. This horse was distanced fairly, and they had no.
right to allow him to start again under any rule in the book,
unless they thought I had willfully had him distanced.
Brigadier was a horse with a wonderful turn of speed, a.
good actor, feeder and campaigner, and with horses that.
were no faster than himself he was pretty hard to beat.
Mr. McDonald afterward took Brigadier back to California.
where he improved his record to 2:214, and is now used in
the stud. He was by Happy Medium, and his dam was a
mare by Jack Pierce. The best race Brigadier ever went
to my knowledge was when he beat Chestnut Hill at Butfalo
in a race of five heats. The public thought that if Briga-
dier did not win in three straight heats he would not win
at all. In this race we let the other people do the fighting
and laid Brigadier up the first two heats, and when it came
to the finish in the next mile he outstaid Chestnut Hill,
beat him the heat, and finally won the race.

Among my old-time horses was the chestnut gelding
Planter, who came into my hands with a record of 2:294,
and was owned by a gentleman of the name of Andrews,—
a contractor from New Jersey. Mr. Andrews was not very
much posted about trotters, but he had unlimited confi-
dence in his own horse and a disposition to back him every
time he started regardless of the class he was in or what I
might think about the matter, and as it often occurs in these.
cases he made some winnings that a more careful and
prudent man would not have made, as Planter dragged off

LIFE WITIL TITE TROTTERS. 211

one or two races where a victory by him seemed next to.
impossible. The first race I won with Planter was at Utica.
against Marion, a horse driven by D. P. Bissell, one of the
old school of trainers, a first-class blacksmith by trade, who
now lives and runs a shop at Indianapolis, Ind. Bissell first.
made his reputation away back when I was a boy by driv-
ing such well-known horses as John A. Logan and Billy
Barr. In this race Marion was a long favorite, Planter
selling for nothing—his owner backing him and I telling
him I was sure he was wasting his money. They fought
out a desperate race of six heats and in it Marion made the
best record of his life, as also did Planter. Dan Mace was
there and bought a few cheap tickets on Planter, more, I
think, because I was driving him than because he thought
the horse would win, and after each heat came down, took
off his coat, and with his usual enthusiasm helped the boys
to cool out the horse.. Planter was rather a hard horse to
drive, having a disposition in the first half of a mile to run
a good deal, and the last half he wanted a good deal of
carrying.

The only other race of any note Planter trotted was one
over the Springfield, Mass., track the sameseason. Here he
had a large field of horses to contend with, sold for nothing
in the pools again, his owner backed him, and the public
refused to have their money on him at any price. Therace
proved a disastrous one for the talent, as Trio, the favorite,
was distanced in the first heat, and a bay gelding called
Bay, that belonged to a band of people that I have never
seen on the turf before or since, won it. There was a pecul-
iarity about this trotter that made an impression on my
mind that has never been effaced. On the farm where he
was bred was an old gray horse that ran in the field with
Bay while he was colt. As Bay grew up to a horse’s form,
he and the old gray formed a strong attachment for each
other, and it was with difficulty that they could be separated.
The colt being trotting-bred, his owner concluded to have
him trained, but found when he sent him to a trainer’s that.

‘212 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

he was apparently wild from the loss of his old gray friend,
he refused to eat, thrashed around in his stall, and made
‘things uncomfortable generally.

They took him back to the owner, and when he was again
turned in with the gray horse he seemed perfectly satisfied
and quiet. They thereupon concluded to return him to the
trainer, and send his old gray chum with him for company,
and ever afterward the two were not separated. When Bay
showed speed enough to warrant his being entered through
the circuit the old gray gelding had to be shipped in the
same car. When they went to the race track with Bay the
gray had to be taken along and kept at the cooling-out
ground where Bay could see him while they were cooling
him out between heats. The nearest to this attachment that
I ever saw shown in a horse, was the love of Jim the dog,
and Rarus. People often say that horses cannot think—
well, maybe they can’t, but just such things as the incident
related make me positive that horses are as near human as
anything can be without the ability to think. The talent
thinking that Bay was not being driven by an expert, in-
duced Mr. Doble to get up behind him. It came to a battle
between myself and Planter on one side, and Budd with Bay
-on the other, with the old gray horse thrown in for company.
I learned something about Budd that day that J have not
forgotten. JI had heard people say that Budd drove well if
he had the best horse but they didn’t believe that in a
tight race he would be dead game. In this fight between
Planter and Bay it came down to the deciding heat, and as
Wwe were going down the back side of the track, head and
‘head, Budd’s horse broke. In every other heat where he had
broken I had beaten Bay easily, and of course when he
made this break I thought the heat was over, but such was
not the case. Budd never let go his hold and caught his
horse on a trot without even having lost his position. I
immediately climbed out on Planter’s back and everything
I had ever heard about hustling a horse I practiced on him
right there. They came to the three-quarter pole in just

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 213

those positions and as they rounded into the stretch both
horses showed a disposition to give it up. Ipersevered with
mine and Doble did likewise with his. At the distance
stand they were both staggering like a couple of drunken
men. There was a big darky that rubbed Planter who
always went around bareheaded. About this time he rushed
out on the track like a wild man and shouted out to me,
loud enough to be heard all over the grounds: ‘Reef
him, boss! reef him!’’ Whether it was the darky’s en-
couragement or not, I never could tell, but I hit old Planter
again and he fell under the wire first by about a head.
Whenever anybody tells me now that Budd Doble cannot
drive a tight race Ido not have to take out my book to
figure on it, I merely think of the heat when he drove Bay
against Planter, and while I might not try to prove to the
other man that he is wrong in his argument, itis enough for
me to remember that Budd will do to drive for the money,
no matter how tight the fit.

In the spotted gelding Prince, I had another horse which
proved the uncertainties of race-horses. This animal was
of humble birth and beset with misfortunes besides. A
circus company of rather moderate renown was exhibiting
through the State of Georgia. Among their teams was a
blocky bay mare that proved to be in foal and gave birth to
a spotted colt that was totally blind. Thinking that the
colt would be nothing but a nuisance, the circus people
gave him away to an old lady and gentleman, who in the
kindness of their hearts took him home and raised him on
a bottle. He grew up one of the most knowing horses that
Iever saw. The old man tells me that he could be taught
anything that any horse ever learned. When he was about
five or six years old he was sold and came into the hands of
Mr. G. J. Fuller, a man who at that time was the star
trainer of the Southern country, and originally went there
from the State of Ohio, where his family were born, were
first-class farmers, and always good horsemen. Since that
time Fuller has made a reputation as one of the most suc-

214 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

cessful colt and horse trainers in this country. Among
some of the most noted trotters he has trained and devel-
oped are Frank Reeves, Elvira, with whom he beat the four-
year-old record when she was of that age, trotting a mile in
2:184, Patron, with whom he beat the three-year-colt record,
and afterward gave a record of 2:14} at five years old,
beating at that time the star trotting horse of the year in
Harry Wilkes. Asa colt handler, Fuller ranks as among
the best in the country. While he was with the Glenview
farm he brought out a number of good ones, among them
Nutbreaker, a son of Nutwood that was one of the first
horses to beat 2:30 when two years old. Of late years, Mr.
Fuller has been the trainer and driver for the Forrest City
farm of Mr. C. F. Emory, and in that position he has
attained marked success.

CHAPTER IX.

How Maud 8. trotted in 2:08%, as seen by the man who drove a runner
alongside of the mare—What Splan knows of Guy, the sensational trotter
of 1888—Driving him to a road-cart in 2:174, the horse being barefoot—The
story of how Colonel West discovered Kentucky Prince, the sire of Guy—
Trotters are born, not made—Jay-Eye-See’s good races down the circuit
in 1887, beating Arab, the crack trotter of the year—Clingstone’s race
against the watch in 2:14—His great victory over Harry Wilkes at Detroit—
How he was trained for this race and driven 1m it.

To return to the history of Prince. In Mr. Fuller’s
hands he obtained a record of about 2:26. I bought him
for a friend of mine, drove him on the road through the
winter, and in the summer of 1876 took him up and trotted
him a few races. The best race he ever went for me was
one in which he beat Slow Go at Philadelphia. In that
race I had for a side-partner Gus Glidden, and as Phila-
delphians were not very well acquainted with Gus and my-
self they rated us just a little too cheap. Slow Go was in
Turner’s stable, and as he had shown some fast trials in his
work his party backed him as though the money was won.
When the day of the race came Turner was ill and confined
to his bed, and he intrusted Slow Go and the money of the
Philadelphians to his lieutenant, James Pettit. This was
Glidden’s first appearance on the Philadelphia turf, and
-when he drove on the track attired in his Indiana costume
the boys were a little disposed to guy him, and when I
asked the pool-man whether he hadn’t better get a ticket
on Prince, he said No, he did not want any. Prince’s
owner left a fair-sized check in Mr. Barker’s pool-box to be
put on his horse; told me if I won the race I could help

myself to whatever part I thought myself entitled to, and
(215 ) .

216 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

he would take the balance. When it came night we had
the money. Slow Go won two heats, but as he was a trifle.
out of sorts Prince hung on a little the longest and won the
race. Pettit insists to this day that Glidden and I rather
double-banked him, but Gus allowed that as long as we got.
the money we could afford to let Pettit have his say about.
the race.

Prince was a dead game horse; he could have gone two:
miles well, and although he had the misfortune to be blind.
he was one of the best race-horses of his speed I ever drove.
He was a good scorer, very steady, and a first-class finisher.
His infirmity appeared to make all his other senses more
acute. He seemed to know that he was blind, realized the.
fact, and left everything entirely to the driver, and I noticed
that in shipping him about in the cars all the other horses.
took a great deal of interest in this blind one, and as I
watched them I thought that perhaps they realized the fact.
of his being sightless. If you left Prince alone in the field.
he would not stir until you went for him, being apparently
afraid to take a step on his own responsibility. If after
trotting a severe heat, you took the harness off him he
would lie down and roll exactly like a mule after a hard
day’s work, get up and shake himself, and seem ready to
goatitagain. In connection with Prince, it may be said
that the boy that took care of him was a character. He
was so plain and homely in appearance that the other boys.
called him ‘‘ Danger,’’ which nickname he carried to his
grave. Prince became as fond of ‘“‘ Danger” as a dog
would of its master. I think they were the best assorted
pair, horse and man, that ever I saw.

Inasmuch as I drove the runner with Maud 8. when she -
made her greatest effort, and succeeded in beating not only
the whole world but her own record, I feel that it will not.
be out of place for me to give what I know will interest the
readers—a short sketch of this mare as I have seen her from
my standpoint. The public is already well informed about
the history of Maud 8., and I will confine myself strictly to

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 217

the inside view of her great mile in 2:082. This trial took
place over the Cleveland track. She was advertised to give an
exhibition and I was asked to drive the runner to accom-
pany her, something that I was pleased to do as I always.
greatly admired this mare, and was glad to see a horse
whose owner was brave enough to buy the best trottter in the
world succeed. After Mr. Bair had his mare properly
warmed up, as he considered, we went out and tried to do.
the trick. I have heard a great many people remark that.
nobody is interested in seeing a horse trot to beat the watch.
In some cases I think they are right; for instance, if some
cross-roads man comes out with a cheap horse and wants to.
try to make him beat 2:35 and he can not go better than
2:342, people take no interest in it, but in my turf career I
have always noticed that when some horse that the public:
thinks has a reasonable chance to do something that no
other horse has ever done, whether it is to go against
another horse or against the watch, comes on the track,
they take interest enough in the performance to give their
time and money for the privilege of seeing the animal try.
I have seen Dexter, Goldsmith Maid, Rarus, St. Julien,
Jay-Eye-See, and Maud 8. successfully lower the trotting
record, and when they would do it the large crowds that saw
them would cheer ina manner to convince the most skeptical
that they were deeply interested in the matter.

I had for a runner the day Maud S$. trotted at Cleveland,
a handsome brown horse called Dart, that belonged to Mr.
W. J. Gordon. After we scored down two or three times.
the judges gave the word, and after going about seventy-five:
yards the mare broke. Bair stopped and returned, and on.
getting the word the next time she went away steadily and
fast, the pace seeming to me a little too speedy. Bair said
nothing to her as she moved by the quarter pole at arate of
speed that rather frightened me, as I thought no horse
could live at that pace. She went on down to the half-
mile pole at the same terrific gait. I staid well back with
the runner, as I thought the mare was going fully as fast as.

sf

‘218 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

she ought to. At the half I looked at my watch and told
Bair that we were certainly going fast enough, and to not
increase the speed. As we moved around the upper turn it
seemed to me that without any urging on the part of her
driver the mare put on increased speed. Turning into the
stretch it seemed to me that for a stride or two she faltered,
and I said to Bair, ‘‘ Better take her back a little.’’ He did
so, and at the seven-eighths-mile pole he straightened her
out, drew his whip, and touched her very lightly. At this
point I brought the runner up head and head with Maud
and from there to the judges’ stand the mare showed all the
determination and bravery that you could imagine any ani-
mal or man capable of showing. If aman had been in her
position and making a struggle for his life he could not have
put forth a more superhuman effort than that mare did,
and how anyone can see a horse struggle as truly and
bravely as she did and not admire him is more than I can
tell. It took the audience but a very few seconds to learn
“hat Maud 8, had beaten the record. They did not wait for
‘the judges to announce the fact from the stand before they
set up such a cheer as it seems to me Maud 8. and Bair
will never forget. After they had given vent to their
first enthusiasm Mr. Wm. 8. Edwards, the president of the
association, and the presiding judge in the stand, was en-
abled to call them to order long enough to announce that
Maud 8. had beaten her own previous record, and made the
-wonderful mark of 2:082. I have never seen any man under
any circumstances receive a greater ovation than this mare
did right there. She was literally loaded down with
flowers and bouquets enough to have gladdened the heart
-of the most exacting prima donna.

A great many people naturally thought that because
Maud §. had beaten her own record everything in connec-
tion with the matter in the shape of weather and track must
have been first class. I have had some experience in driv-
ing horses against the watch and find there are several things
often overlooked that have avery material effect on the

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 219

result. First and foremost, of course, is the kind of a horse.
you have; second, the condition that he is in; third, the:
track. At the time of the Cleveland trial there had beem
more or less rain, and the weather was very unsettled for
two or three days. This I consider a vital element in mak-
ing a great performance. Unsettled weather not only inter-
feres with the regular training, which it did in this case, but.
the atmosphere is apt to be in a state that also has more:
effect on the track than people imagine. When in the best:
of condition the Cleveland track, to my mind, is the fastest:
one I have ever seen. On this particular day, the track,,
from recent rains, while it looked good from the stand, was:
inclined to be cuppy and moist, and there were several:
places that cupped out under the mare’s feet, and I noticed
that when she struck them they retarded her progress:
quite perceptibly. In talking the matter over afterward
with Bair and telling him what my impressions were, he:
agreed with me, and stated one instance in particular, where:
she turned in at the head of the stretch. I simply tell this:
to give my views of the case from where I sat, and as I was:
very close to the mare think perhaps I was in a good posi-
tion to be able to judge of it as well as anyone except Mr.
Bair.

This mare came honestly by her speed at the trot. In
the first place, her sire, Harold, is an inbred Hambletonian,
being by Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, and out of amare by Ab-
dallah, that was the sire of Hambletonian. This concentra-
tion of blood that has founded the most remarkable trotting
family in the world gave Harold a manifest advantage as a.
sire, and time has shown that when he has been mated with
mares of the Pilot Jr. family, of which the dam of Maud 8.
is a member, his success in the production of a high rate of
speed and the ability to carry it the mile has been most
marked. The fact that the dams of the two fastest trotters
in the world, Maud 8. and Jay-Eye-See, are daughters of
Pilot Jr., and that the granddams are of the Boston family
of thoroughbreds must not be overlooked. To say that Maud.

15

i

220 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

S. was bred at Woodburn would not be enough in praise of
that establishment, which is the oldest of its kind in this
country, as well equipped in all the fashionable strains of
blood as any and conducted in a manner that has made its
name known throughout the world, not only by the fame of
the horses that have come from there but also by reason
of the business-like methods and the strict integrity of pur-
pose which have always characterized its dealings with the
public. To have produced Maud 8. were sufficient to give
any breeding farm a great reputation, but when one examines
the list of American trotters that have beaten 2:30 and scru-
tinizes their pedigrees closely, it is simply wonderful to note
the frequency with which strains of blood that may be said
to have been originated at Woodburn are found. It was at
Woodburn that the stallion Pilot Jr., whose daughters have
become so famous as the producers of trotters, was given his
first opportunity in the breeding ranks, and with copious
infusions of this blood, together with that of Mambrino
Chief and a number of his sons, topped by the best thorough-
bred crosses, the result has been a constant succession of
trotters, trotting sires, and mares that have produced trot-
ters of the highest type,—animals that not only have speed,
but also possess the vim, determination and stamina to fight
out a race of split heats and contest every inch gamely when
they are overmatched as well as when they are winning
easily, and, as the owner of the famous race-horse, Longfel-
low, said, ‘‘to go from eend to eend.”’ It was from Woodburn
that Wedgewood, of whom [have previously written, came,
and, as I have also noted, the foundation of Mr. Emory’s
farm was laid by the purchase at Woodburn of a large
number of colts and fillies, whose produce are making a repu-
tation with each succeeding trotting season. When one
looks over the catalogue at the Forest City farm, he sees
that the blood that has made it known is that of the Wood-
burn animals, and the same is true of other prominent estab-
lishments in other parts of the country. Messrs. Baker &
Harrigan, a well known New York breeding firm, at one

LIFE WITH TILE TROTTERS. 221

time purchased the entire crop of yearlings at Woodburn,
Mr. W. R. Allen, whose breeding establishment at Pitts-
field, Mass., has started out in a manner which shows him
to be not only unstinted in the expenditure of money but
also the possessor of a keen judgment and extensive knowl-
edge in the matter of trotting blood, madea large draft from
Woodburn. Other instances might be noted, but this will
suffice to show the influence which one establishment, prop-
erly conducted, can have on the breeding interest of the
country, and how that influence will continue for genera-
tions. With Harold, the sire of Maud 8., Belmont, the sire
of Wedgewood, Lord Russel the brother of Maud 8., King
Wilkes, sire of Oliver K., and other horses of less promi-
nence, but perhaps not less merit, on its roll of stallions, it
ean not be but that Woodburn will always keep to the front.
Its policy, under the management of Mr. Brodhead, has al-
ways been an intelligent and progressive one, and this was
never better shown than last season when Mr. Brodhead
sent the dam of Maud §8., two of her daughters, the dam of
Pancoast, and one or two other famous mares clear across
the continent to be bred to Electioneer. He had noted the
successes of the Californian stallion, and, as he has since
said in print, it was the Electioneer cross that he wanted—
not any particular one of the strains that go to make up
the pedigree of Senator Stanford's premier stallion. It is
this policy that pervades all the branches at Woodburn.
There is no narrow-minded plan of breeding, but the central
idea of the management is always to secure, retain and
develop the most promising strains of performing trotting
blood, no matter from what source they may come, and it
was this policy that dictated the recent purchase of King
Wilkes. Men from all parts of the country go to Wood-
burn every year and buy horses with as much confidence as
they would go to Tiffany’s in New York to buy jewelry.
They know that the reputation of the place will not allow
of misrepresentation being made, and that the goods are
standard. And what wonder that a mare bred at a place

222 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

like this should enhance its already good reputation by trot--
ting the fastest mile that the world has ever seen.

The sensational trotter of 1888 was the black gelding
Guy. My experience with Guy was very limited, as I
started him in but one race. When I took charge of Mr.
W. J. Gordon’s stable and horses Guy was rather an uncer-
tain quantity, he having already shown all the speed that
has since made him famous to the public. I will cite just.
one instance of what he did for me to prove that this horse
was a wonderful trotter from breeding and inheritance. I
drove him a mile to an ordinary road cart in 2:174 over the:
Cleveland track, going eighteen feet out from the pole. In
this performance he wore nothing except the harness, no
shoes or tips of any kind, no boots or weights. This per-
formance, while it may not seem much to a casual observer,
now that Guy has gone in 2:12, impressed me more than his.
performance of 2:12 afterward. To see a horse go out with-
out mechanical appliances of any kind, as you would take
him out of. the pasture, and hook him to a vehicle which,
with the driver, weighed over 300 pounds, and with the
poles laid down so that he could not go within eighteen feet
of the inside rail, and in those conditions trot a mile in 2:174,
the first half in 1:10 and the last half in 1:074, and do it in.
a manner which led a man who was a very close observer,
and saw the performance, to remark that it was not the
2:174 that he was wondering at, but what he could have
done had Iturned him loose from the start to finish, is what.
stamps the performance as a very notable one.

Having shown by this what a wonderful trotter Guy is,
brings to my mind a conversation that I had had years before:
with that estimable gentleman and excellent judge of horses,
Col. Richard West, of Georgetown, Ky., concerning Ken-
tucky Prince, the sire of Guy. Long before Guy or any of
the Kentucky Prince family had attracted the attention of
the trotting world by their extraordinary flights of speed
Colonel West predicted for Kentucky Prince the great repu-
tation that he has since achieved. Upon my asking him one

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 223

‘day what horse to breed a mare to, and giving him her pedi-
gree, he advised me to send her to Kentucky Prince. Iwas
rather surprised, as at that time I had not heard much of
Kentucky Prince. He belonged at this time to a gentleman
who bred more for his own amusement than for public
patronage. Nothing much was ever done in the way of
advertising Kentucky Prince, and for that reason he was
partially overlooked. I knew that Colonel West must have
some very good reasons for advising me to breed to the
horse, and asked him to state them. His first reason was
that his breeding was good; then he said that as an individ-
ual horse Kentucky Prince was simply perfect. He then
went on to explain to me in his genial manner how he had
received a letter from a man down in Bourbon County
of Kentucky, telling him that the writer had a wonderful
stallion that he would like to sell. The letter made such an
impression on Colonel West that one day he took his team,
and his trainer and friend, Geo. Brasfield (a man who, though
now retired from the turf, has handled many famous trot-
ters in their babyhood, among them Director, Jay-Hye-See,
and Santa Claus), and started for the farm of the man who
had written. He said that when they arrived at the farm
they found the best crop of weeds, and the poorest cattle,
he had met in a long time—in fact the whole county had an
aspect of going to seed. On inquiry for his man Colonel
West was told that he had gone down to the bottom-lands
to drive up the cows. He asked about the horse, and an old
darky said they had such a horse, but the farmer had rid-
‘den him after the cows. He said while waiting for the farm-
er’s return he interviewed the colored person on the subject .
of trotters in general, and this horse in particular, and his
ideas about a trotting horse were something wonderful. He
finally volunteered to show the Colonel the track on which
this trotting horse was trained the days that the farmer did
not have to ride him after the cows, and as the Colonel had
nothing else to do he bethought himself to pace off the track,
and see whether it was half a mile or not, which he did, and

224 LIFE WITIE THE TROTTERS.

satisfied himself thatit was more than that distance. Wher
the farmer returned he introduced himself and hitched up his
trotter to a vehicle that Colonel West told me he had never
seen the like of on any of the circuit tracks, and under these
conditions the sire of Guy showed him a half mile in 1:12.
People may say: ‘‘What of 1:12, Ihave colts that can beat
that.” Yes, but a half mile under these conditions con-
vinced Colonel West, than whom no better judge of trotting
horses ever lived, that Kentucky Prince was a trotter of the
first water, and he never for one moment lost his faith, and
lived long enough to have the pleasure of seeing the horse
demonstrate all that he had ever claimed for him.

At the time of which Colonel West spoke there was not
much done in Bourbon County in the way of breeding trot-
ters. A mannamed Willets, who lived in Bourbon County,
came up to Edge Hill, Colonel West’s farm, on business,
and while there told about a wonderful three-year-old colt
that was owned by a neighbor of his named Thomas. This.
colt, he said, was a son of Clark Chief, and had shown half
a mile in 1:16. Colonel West, was always on the look-
out for fast colts, and he and George Brasfield made the trip:
to above. They drove their own team to Paris, and there
hired another conveyance with which they made their way
across the country to Thomas’s farm. Brasfield says the
place had the forlorn and deserted appearance described by
Colonel West. The track was in a cornfield and all that
could be seen of it was a space wide enough for a sulky to
‘travel upon.

When the horse came back from the trip after the cows
he was pretty wet, having forded a creek only a little while
before, but when Thomas hitched him up, Brasfield
remarked at once how wonderfully handsome he was.
They had previously paced off the track and found the
length to be all right. The boy who was to do the driving
was rather excited and started across the field from the
stable at a good stiff three-minute gait. After he reached
the track he drove the horse to a break and this put.

LIFE Will THE TROTTERS. 225

Kentucky Prince and his jocky so much at variance with
each other that the colt became excited and refused to trot at
all. Seeing this Colonel West told them to put the animal
in the stable until after dinner, when he would let Brasfield
get up behind him. This was done and Brasfield drove
Kentucky Prince a quarter in forty seconds, repeating him
in thirty-seven seconds. This was enough for Colonel
West, because ai that time the best mile by a three-year-old
trotter was the 2:29 of Lady Stout, and it was evident that
with very little handling Kentucky Prince could beat that.
Colonel West thereupon bought the colt for $7,000, and the
next day he was taken to Edge Hill.

About ten days later Col. John W. Conley, now of
Chicago, but who was at that time a resident of New York
City reached Edge Hill during one of his numerous trips
to Kentucky, and of course he was told about the colt. It
was arranged to show him the following day and although
he was still far from being in condition to do his best Bras-
tield drove him half a mile in 1:104. Colonel Conley had at
this time a standing commission from Mr. A. B. Darling of
New York, to buy for that gentleman any stallion that came
up to certain requirements as to physical appearances laid
down by Mr. Darling, and that could also show speed. The
Colonel felt satisfied that in Kentucky Prince he had found
a horse that would exactly suit Mr. Darling, and so bought
him for $12,590 and shipped him to New York, upon arriv-
ing at which place Mr. Darling at once took Kentucky
Prince, being more than satisfied at a Conley’s action
in the matter.

There is arather funny story in connection with the sub-
sequent sale of Kentucky Prince at auction, that has never
before been made public. When Thomas, the breeder of
the horse, learned that the horse was to be sold he had an
idea that perhaps he would go for far less than his value, and
so without saying anything to his neighbors he packed his
grip and started for New York City, having decided to pay
as much as $2,500 for the horse. He was on hand bright and

226 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

early on the day of the sale, but when Kentucky Prince was
led out the first bid on him was $5,000, and in a little while
he was struck off at $10,000. Mr. Thomas took one good
look at the horse and went back to Kentucky, and it was a
year later that he first mentioned the circumstance.

That Kentucky Prince must have impressed his present
owner, Mr. Chas. Backman, of Stony Ford, N. Y., in the same
manner that he did Colonel West is shown by the fact that
when the stallion was put up at auction sale in New York
several years ago, and at a time when the depression in all
values had affected the horse market to a marked degree,
Mr. Backman was present and paid $10,000 for him, fully
believing there wasa great future for the son of Clark Chief.
At this time the premier stallion of Mr. Backman’s farm
was Messenger Duroc, a horse of marked success as the sire
of trotters, and in addition to him Mr. Backman had numer-
ous sons of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, and a band of brood
mares of the American Star, Mambrino Chief and other
fashionable families, whose reputation was known in all
parts of the country. It is under Mr. Backman’s manage-
ment that Kentucky Prince has attained a foremost place
among the stallions of America, and with the exception of
Electiomeer there is no stallion to-day who so completely
fills the public mind. In addition to the 2:12 of Guy last
season, Kentucky Prince had another notable representa-
tive on the turf in the black gelding Spofford, that won the
‘$10,000 stake at Hartford, beating a large field of the best
horses, and making a record of 2:18%. Spofford is faster
than his record shows, as I have seen him go half a mile in
a race better than 1:06 and timed him a mile in 2:163. Like
‘Woodburn, the farm at Stony Ford, of which Mr. Back-
man has long been the owner, has an important effect
on the trotting interests of this country. Animals bred
‘there are representative ones, the strains of blood from
which they come are those that have been tested in the
fire of the grand circuit races, and they have not been
found wanting. Green Mountain Maid is, in the opinion of

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 227

many horsemen and breeders, the greatest brood-mare that
the world has ever seen, for in addition to having six sons
and daughters in the 2:30list, and another one with a record
of 2:31, she is also dam of Electioneer, the most famous
stallion now alive. More than this, the blood of Green
Mountain Maid is potent on both sides of the house. Not
only has her son Electioneer sired the fastest young trotters
in the world, but one of her daughters, Elaine, that beat all
the records for three-year-olds when she was of that age
and afterward obtained a mark of 2:20, is the dam of the
filly Norlaine that in 1887 set the yearling record at 2:314,
a performance which no other trotter of her age has ap-
proached, and had not Norlaine been destroyed by the fire
at Palo Alto the following spring there is little doubt as a
two-year-old she would have beaten 2:20. Notonly have the
produce of Stony Ford made themselves famous on the
turf but that establishment has been the fountain from
which other breeders have made drafts for the purpose of
establishing breeding farms in various parts of the country,
and these have been uniformly successful. When Governor
Stanford began his operations at Palo Alto one of his first
moves was to visit Stony Ford and purchase $48,000 worth
of breeding stock, among the animals being Electioneer, for
whom he paid $12,500, and to this horse is due the fame of his
sons that made Palo Alto famous throughout the world as
the birthplace of the fastest baby trotters. At that time it
was thought an extraordinary occurrence for a man to invest
so much money in animals for breeding purposes, but Gov-
ernor Stanford has proved the wisdom of his investment,
and shown that the money has come back to him one hun-
dredfold.

This has been the experience of other men who have made
drafts from Stony Ford for breeding purposes, and the most
noticeable illustration of the esteem in which that establish-
ment is held is shown by the fact that Mr. Wm. Russell
Allen, whose farm at Pittsfield, Mass., starts out under
auspices singularly favorable, went to Stony Ford and at

228 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

one purchase transferred from the ownership of Mr. Back-
man to that of himself no less than $44,000 worth of trotting-
bred stock, the largest purchase of the kind ever made in
the world for breeding purposes. To mention Stony Ford
without bringing in the name of Johnny Hoag would leave
the subject incomplete. He is like some of the colts, took
his first lessons in horses at Stony Ford, and to say that he
has improved, and kept up with the colts, and with the
breeding, only partially tells the truth. As a handler and
trainer of colts he is rated by those who are supposed to be
judges as in the first class of that profession.

In this connection I might mention a grandson of Ken-
tucky Prince which I had in my charge for a short time—
I mean the black gelding J. Q. by Kentucky Prince.
When I say that I consider this horse one of the fastest I
ever drove I think his performances will bear me out. J. Q.,
like Guy, seemed to be born with his trotin him. The
first time I saw him he was in the hands of a man who at
that time had not made much reputation for himself as a
horse trainer. J. Q. is one of the best evidences of my argu-
ment that all great horses, like poets, are born and not
made; in other words that their speed is a natural gift and not
a developed quality, and I can cite some very notable in-
stances in support of this idea. The first time I ever saw
Johnston the pacer he could pace for a short distance as
fast as I ever saw him go afterward. By this I do not.
want to be understood as saying that he could have gone a
mile in 2:064 at that time, but I know that he was capable
of pacing 100 yards at that rate of speed. The. first time I
saw Mattie Hunter she had all the speed that she had when
she went a milein 2:122. The same can be said of Little
Brown Jug, Rarus, and Maud 8. St. Julien is a very
noticeable instance. I saw him brush close to a 2:20 gait
the day he was sold for $600.

In the case of J. Q., at the commencement of his career
he was fast enough to warrant the belief that some day he
would go a very fast mile. He was handed about from one

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 229:

trainer to another, which, by the way, I consider a very bad.
practice, as no matter how much experience a man may
have had or how capable he is, you need never expect to
get the best results out of a horse by having him trained
and driven by a number of different people, even if they
are all first class. Every man trains a horse differently,
every man drives them differently and when you take into.
consideration the fact that in order to bring a horse to his
best possible condition and speed, years of careful training
are required, you can perhaps see that frequent changes of
trainers are a detriment. When J. Q. was placed in my
charge I for one thought his days of usefulness were
about over. He at that time had a record of 2:174. He
had been rather unfortunate, having been out of condition
and lost races to horses with slower records. The first race
Idrove him he was defeated, but still his performance.
rather opened my eyes to the fact that J. Q. was a little
better horse than either myself or the public gave him credit.
for being. That the public realized the fact I doubt very
much, as I noticed that whenever J. Q.’s name appeared as a
starter in a race it never created any very great seusation
among the betting fraternity.

The second race still further convinced me that I had.
made no mistake about his ability and that he was liable to
be a right good horse. The third race made such an im-
pression on my mind that I took his owner aside, and we:
commenced to lay plans to spread our net and make a haul
that would include the sturgeon as well as the suckers.

This was in the summer of 1887, and I had taken J. Q.
to the Detroit meeting and trotted him there and at Cleve-
land and Buffalo against Arab, Charley Hilton, and some
other horses that were supposed to out-class him a great.
deal. Arab was a star trotter through the circuit that year.
Orrin Hickok had him in charge, and as the next best one
in his class, Charley Hilton was driven by my friend
William H. Crawford; these two gentlemen from California
had thus far generally been able to take first and second

230 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

money in free-to-all races at every place, and J. Q. was
left with what he could find. But at Rochester the pie was
cut in a different manner. In the betting Arab sold for
‘$100, and the field, including J. Q., Hilton, and other per-
formers, went for anything that you would bid. In the
previous races I had put in some of my spare time watching
‘the peculiarities of the horses I had to contend with and
‘trying to see what my chances were for beating them. I
-did not think it was $100 to $10 that Arab could out-trot
J. Q., and when I imparted that information to Mr. Temple,
J. Q.’s owner, he quietly placed some of his money on the
‘black horse at those odds, and we went out for the money.
I think there was hardly a man on the track who
expected to see the great race that took place between Arab
and J.Q. In the first heat Ilaid my horse up and Arab
won easily. In the next heat in getting the word Arab
was a little back, and Jack Feek with Kitefoot cut him off
‘at the turn, which put him in a pocket and Hickok, seeing
the disadvantage that he was at, immediately pulled his
horse up. I set sail with J. Q., and won the heat in about
‘2:19. This made no change in the betting; if anything Arab
was a bigger favorite than before, thus enabling us to place
some more of our money at the same odds. When they
gave the word in the next heat Hickok rushed out with
Arab and took the lead. I contented myself by trailing
within a length of him. We reached the quarter pole in
that order, and there was no change at the half-mile pole,
where we turned up in about 1:10. Around the upper turn
I moved up so that my horse was as close to Hickok as
was safe, and sat still until we got well into the stretch.
Arab and J. Q. were two very brushy horses. I had
often talked with Hickok about the two horses, and he had
always said they were not to be mentioned the same day,
and rather lost patience with me as I undertook to argue,
that J. Q. might be able to give Arab a very fair race. At
the seven-eighths-mile pole I pulled J. Q. out into the track
cand took off the brakes. From there to the judges’ stand

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 23f.

it was a horse-race, and J. Q. won by an eyelash in 2:174.
From the look on Hickok’s face after we finished I imagine
that he was as surprised a man as you would often see, and
the public commenced to realize that they were to be treated
to a genuine horse-race.

When we came out for the next heat Hickok asked the:
judges to be sure and see that he was in his place when
they said ‘‘ go,’ which they promised to do. I made the
same request of them. When the word was given both
horses were on their stride, and again Arab rushed out with
the lead. The heat was trotted identically as the one
before, with the exception that we might have commenced.
our brush a little further down the stretch. I went to the
half-mile pole in about 1:10, and home in about 2:174, J. Q.
beating Arab a head in the last stride, thereby winning the
race and money, and giving the cheap boys a chance to get.
a few good tickets cashed at night.

J. Q. was a peculiar horse, and often trotted in-and-out:
races, and sometimes the public imagines of such a horse.
that his driver is not honestly trying to win, when the facts.
of the case are otherwise. In disposition J. Q. was rather
a high-strung, thin-skinned, nervous horse, inclined to be
peevish, and after making an effort like the one he made in
this race it seemed to take him weeks before he recovered
the form that enabled him to perform at his best speed. I
have had other horses that possessed the same peculiarities,
although perhaps not in as marked a degree. At Utica he
was beaten, and at Albany the same, but at Hartford I
had my revenge, as he beat Spofford in a race that General
Turner had set his heart on winning, for which he had got
the watermelon all ripe, and the New York men came over
in a body with their cash and check-books, and backed the
little General and Spofford in a manner that showed their
confidence to be unlimited.

This was rather a peculiar race, as both horses were bred.
much alike, and Mr. Albert Hall of New York and David
Bonner, two reliable men, told me that J. Q. trotted a half-

232 LIFE WITIL THE TROTTERS.

mile in one heat in 1:053. In all the races I had seen Turner
drive Spofford he went easy with him until he reached the
half-mile pole, and made his brush from there home. I had
repeatedly seen him come home in 1:064, but for all that I
thought J. Q. could come home better than Spofford, and
the result of the race proved that I was right, as Spofford
trotted two of the fastest heats I had ever seen him trot in
a public race, and J. Q. beat him. Both Turner and myself
laid up in the first heat, each seeming to think that the
other was the only one they had to beat in the race. In the
second heat Turner scored up as though he was out for the
money, and I determined to keep myeyeon himalone. We
went to the half-mile pole in about 1:12, the other horses
some distance in the lead. At that point Turner turned his
horse loose, and I did likewise and J. Q. won in about 2:18.
The next heat was the same, Turner and myself trailing side
by side to the half-mile pole. Spofford led into the stretch
and all the way to within about three lengths of the judges’
stand, where J. Q. caught him and beat him out in 2:174,
equaling his own best record. The next heat, having two
to my credit, to make it doubly safe, I laid J. Q. up, and
Spofford won from the other horses in about 2:21. When
they gave the word in the next heat I trailed away until
well in the back stretch, where I set J. Q. going. At the
half-mile pole he had the lead, and from there home won
easily, thereby furnishing a good day’s racing for the public
with a sonand grandson of the same horse Kentucky Prince.

On two occasions when the well-known trotter Cling-
stone, one of the fastest horses of his day, performed before
the public I had to do with the transaction, and consequently
it will not be out of the way to say something of those events.

The first time was when Mr. Dunbar asked me to accom-
pany Clingstone with a runner in a trial against the watch
that Dunbar was booked to give him at the Cleveland meet-
ing in the summer of 1885. Dunbar told me at the time that
he thought Clingstone would go a mile in 2:14, which was
his best record. I was a little surprised to hear this, as

LIFE WITIL THE TROTYERS. 233

Clingstone had been practically retired from the turf for a
couple of years, and I did not imagine that he was back to
his old-time form. The sequel proved that Mr. Dunbar was
right, and it also showed that Mr. Dunbar was not only a
good reinsman but also a good conditioner and an excellent
judge of pace, two very important things in a horse-trainer.
When the trial took place Clingstone trotted in exactly 2:14,
but I have always been positive that Mr. Dunbar could have
driven him faster. His reasons for not doing so were that
this was the first time he had attempted anything of the
kind with Clingstone, and he was naturally anxious to avoid
any mistakes that would turn the trial into a disappoint-
ment to the public, but asmatters turned out both the public
and Mr. Gordon, the owner of the horse, were greatly pleased.

In the latter part of that season, Mr. Dunbar having in
the meantime severed his connection with the Gordon stable,
Clingstone was entered in a race against Harry Wilkes, to |
be trotted over the Detroit track, and it was in this event
that I first sat behind him in public. Harry Wilkes was
at this time the star of the trotting turf, having beaten all
comers and made a record of 2:15. There is a little history
about this race, or rather preceding it, that will read well in
this connection. :

At the time the match with Clingstone was made Harry
Wilkes was at the Cleveland track, and it was reported
around that he had gonea moonlight trial in 2:09. There were
some people credulous enough to take stock in this story. I
was one of the unbelievers, but the men who were booming
Harry Wilkes stuck to their tale, and even went so far as
to talk about trotting him against Maud 8. One evening Mr.
Gordon called on me witha letter he had received from New
York, and said he would like to read me a portion of it, which
he did. [have in my time seen some very flowery horse letters,
but to this particular epistle I award the pennant. I have
never to this day learned the writer’s name, but would like
to know it, in order that he might be given a niche in the
Temple of Fame alongside of Swinburne and others who

234 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

have gained a reputation in that line. The gist of the letter
was that Harry Wilkes could easily beat Maud §., and it
closed by saying that he could trot a mile in 2:09 and ‘‘fin-
ish as calm as a summer morning.’’ Mr. Gordon seemed to.
think there must be something to this, but Itold him it was
too calm to be true, and further said that if Clingstone was
himself he would beat Harry Wilkes sure. We had
eighteen days in which to get Clingstone ready for the race,
and the first time I worked him I was a little surprised and
disappointed. He seemed dull, sluggish, and without much
speed. After careful inquiry of Phil Riley, the boy who-
rubbed him, I found that there had not been much done with
the horse in the way of speeding. He had been given a
good deal of long, slow work on the track, and long jogs on
asandy road. He showed a disposition to want to lie down
and sleep a great deal in the daytime, which I think very
unnatural ina horse. JI asked Phil how much he had been.
feeding Clingstone, and he replied that the horse had been
getting about fifteen quarts a day. When I weighed the
oats I found they went about thirty-six pounds to the
bushel, and this proved to me that he was being a good deal
overfed. Clingstone always looked to me as though he car-
ried too much body for the size of the horse. Phil said they
had a great deal of trouble with him, and were obliged to.
keep him muzzled in order to prevent him eating his bed-
ding, etc. Imade up my mind that if Clingstone’s condi-
tion did not alter very perceptibly he would not cut much.
of a figure in the race with Harry Wilkes.

My first move was to call in Dr. Fair, the veterinary, to.
whom I gave a description of the horse’s condition as well
as I could see it. Dr. Fair decided to give Clingstone medi-
cine to act on his stomach, said the horse had been overfed, -
and advised me to not let him have more than eight pounds.
of oats a day, a moderate feed of hay, with plenty of grass.
and occasionally a couple of tablespoonfuls of Glauber’s salts.
in his feed. I had myself often tried the plan of giving a.
horse salts while in training, and always with the best.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 235

results. If your horse gets what the boys call ‘‘ burnt up’’
give him a few doses of salts instead of bran, and you will
find the result much more satisfactory. I have given a
horse thirty doses of salts in as many successive days with
good results. Dr. Fair said that if Clingstone did not
improve he would change the medicine, but as his condition
at once altered for the better we followed this treatment
until the race was over. In working Clingstone I gave him
very short, sharp jogs, stepped him a three-minute gait for
a little way almost every day, and every three days worked
him out a couple of heats close to 2:20 and brushed him the
last part of the mile as fast as he could go, the result being
that every time I drove him I liked him better.

Hight days before the race I took him to Detroit, and
on reaching there about five o’clock in the morning the first
man to meet me at the dock was Capt. John DeMass, who
had appointed himself a committee of one to receive me.
We rode to the track together, and after having Clingstone
placed in a comfortable stall I was introduced to the super-
intendent, who invited me to go out and inspect the track
and see what I thought of its condition. I found the course
as near first-class as anything I ever saw, and the superin-
tendent one of the few men who knew how to keep it in
really superb shape. I think that if track owners knew
how many horses are injured by tracks being out of condi-
tion they would pay more attention to this matter. They
seem to think that any man who can follow a harrow around
‘is good enough to superintend a track, but if they will go
and spend one day with ‘‘ Race-irack Jack”? at Cleveland
when he is getting things ready they will learn something
that I am sure will be of advantage to them. The next
day I gave Clingstone some work, and for the first time was
really pleased with him. I drove hima mile in 2:19, the
last half in 1:06, which was the best mile I stepped him in
his work before the race. From that day I never missed
giving him a mile as good as three minutes, never jogged

him more than three miles, and walked him but very little.
16

236 LIFE WITIL THE TROTTERS.

TI could see that the medicine was operating on his stomach.
We kept him tied up through the day so that he could not
eat his bedding, but did not muzzle him. I divided the
eight pounds of oats into five feeds, and gave him in addi-
tion a small quantity of hay night and morning. Every
‘day he seemed to get brighter, sharper, and have more dash
‘and speed. From what I had seen of the horse in his turf
career I made up my mind that whenever he had plenty of
speed it took a race-horse to beat him. I had heard people
say that he was what you would call a soft horse, but as
good a judge of a trotting horse as David Bonner once re-
marked in my presence that there was nothing in Cling-
stone’s breeding to indicate it, he having in his pedigree a
combination of the blood of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian,
American Star and the best thoroughbred cross that was
‘ever in a trotting pedigree, that of Lexington.

This race was in some respects a battle between strains of
dlood that had their respective partisans. I have told how
Clingstone is bred, and Harry Wilkes was also in fashion-
able lines, his sire, George Wilkes, like the sire of Cling-
stone, being by Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, while on his
dam’s side there was the blood of the pacer Captain
Walker, a horse that in addition to the dam of Harry
Wilkes had alsosired the dam of Black Cloud, astallion that
had made a record of 2:174, and went some good races where
the heats were split. People from all parts of the country
came to Detroit to see this race, among them many breeders,
and prominent in this section of the throng were Mr. Sam-
uel A. Browne and United States Senator Stockbridge of
Michigan, who were then, as now, proprietors of one of the
targest breeding establishments, inthe West, it being located
at Kalamazoo, Mich. As they were naturally anxious to
have on their place stallions and mares of the best strains
of blood they had come to see the race between these two
representative horses. To show that Messrs. Browne &
Stockbridge are men of liberal and progressive methods,
once their mind is made up, it may be said that they were

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. ~ 237

the first breeders in the country to pay $5,000 for a yearling
colt, they laving purchased at that figure the stallion Bell
Boy, a son of Electioneer and Beautiful Bells, that at the
time of this transaction had already produced Hindaa Rose,
three-year-old record 2:194, and St. Bell, 2:244; and two
others of the produce of Beautiful Bells have since entered
the 2:30 list. After keeping Bell Boy a year and winning
a large number of valuable stakes with him, Messrs. Browne
& Stockbridge sold him for the long price of $35,000, and
at once filled his place with animals of equal merit in the
matter of breeding. They have on their farm Ambassador,
a son of George Wilkes, that is not only a trotter himself, but
that is siring extreme speed, as is shown by Lady Wilkins,
Harry Wilkes, and others of his get that have beaten 2:20.

Another stallion of wonderfully good blood lines owned
at the Browne farm is Warlock, and there is quite a story
to be told in connection with him. Warlockis by Belmont,
perhaps the best. son of Alexander’s Abdallah, and his dam
is the famous old mare Waterwitch, that has produced
Viking, 2:191; Mambrino Gift, 2:20; Scotland, 2:224;
Wavelet, 2:244 and Waterloo, 2:294, while three of her
daughters have already become the dams of four trotters
that have beaten 2:30. While still a youngster Warlock
was purchased in Kentucky by an English gentleman of
horsey tastes who was traveling in this country and shipped
across the water. After Viking had shown great speed J.
E. Madden, better known as ‘‘ Happy Jack,”’ a young man
than whom there are few better judges of blood lines and
other things pertaining to trotters, discovered that War-
lock, the full brother of Viking, had been sent across the
sea, and the next steamer that left New York had Madden
for a passenger, his mission being to find Warlock and bring
him back to this country. Arrived on the other side, Mad-
den lost no time in sight-seeing, but took train for an in-
land county, where Warlock, his tail banged in the most
approved style was doing duty in the stud, being advertised
as ‘¢ an American hackney stallion.’”’ To hear Madden tell

238 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

the story of that trip is worth a long journey, but suffice it
to say at this time that he got the horse for $5,000, shipped.
him to America, and soon after reaching here re-sold War-
lock to Messrs. Brown & Stockbridge for $15,000. That
this horse will get trotters is not to be doubted, as his rela-
tives trot fast, and his pedigree contains the strains of blood
—Rysdyk’s Hambletonian and Pilot Jr.—that have given
us Maud 8. and Jay-Eye-See, the two fastest trotters in the
world.

The brood-mares at the Browne farm are standard under
the highest rule that has yet been formulated. They are
either the possessors of records of 2:30 or better themselves,
have produced a 2:30 trotter, or are out of mares to whom
the same distinction attaches, and when it is said that every
one of them—100 per cent—come under this head the high
standard of the farm in regard to blood lines is seen. Some
of these mares are by Grand Sentinel, a horse that Mr.
Browne selected many years ago, when he was alone in the
breeding business. Being by Sentinel, a full brother to Vol-
unteer, it was natural that Grand Sentinel should trot fast,
and had it not been for an accident in training he would un-
doubtedly have greatly bettered his record of 2:273, asin his
work he could trot quarters in 35 seconds, and that he was
a brave, level-headed and determined horse he showed in
his races, winning the ones in which the heats were split.
Empire, another stallion on the Browne & Stockbridge farm,
is already well known by reason of having sired Eminence,
that as a four-year-old last season showed herself one of the
best of her age that has ever come out, winning nearly all
her races and making a record of 2:21.

The night before the Clingstone- Wilkes match the town
was filled with people who had come from all parts of the
country. All their talk was of the race, and the chances of
Clingstone beating Harry Wilkes were eagerly discussed.
The friends of Harry were very sanguine, and the betting
was $100 to $50 in favor of their horse. Mr. France, Harry’s
owner, told Mr. Gordon that he was sure Wilkes was in first-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 239

class condition and would win the race with ease. Mr.
Gordon asked me what I thought about it, and I made an-
swer that I thought it took a pretty smart man to be in New
York, while the horse was in Detroit, and tell anything
about the animal’s condition, and so, while we did not go
about advertising the fact, both Mr. Gordon and myself felt
that our horse had achance to win. The morning of the race
dawned clear and long before noon the crowds began to wend
their way to the track. I had Clingstone shod with shoes
weighing eleven ounces apiece, with leather pad and sponge.
The track was as hard and smooth as it could be. In the
betting Wilkes was the favorite all the time and the talent
put their money on him at $100 to $50.

In warming up Clingstone I gave him two slow heats,
stepped him out at three-quarter speed in the last eighth ofa
mile, and liked him so well that I told Mr. Gordon that if
we drew the pole we would win the race sure. I had seen
Van Ness behind Wilkes so often I thought I knew just how
he would drive this race, which would be to go moderately
to the half-mile pole and then cut loose and try and win.
When they drew for positions Clingstone won the pole.
We scored, Ishould think, five or six times, each driver
watching the other like two men who get up to spar. The
word was finally given, when Clingstone stepped out and
took the lead and went to the half-mile pole two lengths in
front. There Van Ness began driving Wilkes, and when
we made the turn at the three-quarter pole they were head
and head. From there to the seven-eighths-mile pole they
went like a double team, and both horses doing their best.
Wilkes broke and Clingstone beat him home easily in 2:15$.

This heat resulted just as I expected it would. I told
Mr. Gordon before we got the word that I believed Cling-
stone would out-trot Wilkes when it came to the struggle,
and that I thought the heat would all be decided in some
one-quarter of the mile. I was satisfied to go as slow as Van
Ness wanted to and leave the battle to a brush, asin his work
Clingstone had shown speed enough to convince me that

240 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Wilkes could not by any possibility out-trot him. At the
half-mile pole when [heard Van Ness cut Wilkes loose, while
I did not sit down and drive Clingstone, I let him sail along
at about the top of his speed. Wilkes closed the gap and
came to Clingstone’s head and in doing so had to trot out
around him on the turn. I made up my mind that when
he turned in at the head of the stretch I would send Cling-
stone for all he was worth, which I did, and he did to Harry
Wilkes what I had not previously seen a horse do, and that
was to fairly trot him off his feet. When Wilkes broke he
acted to me like a horse that had for once found out when
he had enough,

After the heat I sent word to Mr. Gordon that, barring
an accident, the race was over, Clingstone would win sure.
To show the difference between the public and the driver
sometimes, I will state that after the first heat Wilkes was.
a bigger favorite in the betting than he was before the
horses started. In the second heat Clingstone beat him
easily from start to finish in 2:174%. In this heat Wilkes
gave it up at the head of the stretch, having had made his
brush early in the mile. About this time the boys about
the pool-box who had been betting on Wilkes commenced
to trim their sails for a storm. When the horses scored for
the third heat and got the word they went away head-and-
head, and trotted like a team to the half-mile pole in 1:08.
From there to the judges’ stand the race was as close and
exciting as one could wish, and ended by Clingstone win-
ning by a short head in 2:16, Wilkes making a much better
finish than he had in the heat before. I have been asked
how I accounted for Wilkes trotting himself to a standstill
in 2:17% and then coming back the next heat in 2:16. I do
it in this way: Van Ness had not come across any horse
that Wilkes could not out-trot easily, and for that reason
the horse hac not been keyed up or asked to go his best for
along while, and when he struck Clingstone, who had
speed enough to go a 2:10 gait, it put what the boys called
*¢a crimp” in him.

LIFE WIiTiil TILE TROTTERS. 241

When the race was over Clingstone received an ovation,
was given one of the handsomest floral pieces I ever saw on
the track, one that would have made glad the heart of the
most exacting prima donna. This race proved to me one
thing, that if you are selected to drive a race don’t be afraid
to go out and take the chances, or in other words, you are
the doctor and the one to decide whether or not to cut off
the patient’sarm. In training Clingstone for the race I had.
been cautioned by a great many people not to work him too.
hard, they saying that he was one of the kind that did not.
need any work. I have never yet seen a horse that could.
trot a hard race of mile heats, three in five, at anything
like the top of his speed and not have plenty of work. I
gave Clingstone all the work I thought he ought to have.
was not backward in changing his shoes or doing anything
for him that I thought would be fo® the better, and the
result showed the wisdom of the course, he not only win-
ning the race, but the average of the three heats was nearly
as good as he or Wilkes had ever trotted in public in their
long career. Mr. Gordon seemed much pleased at the result
of the race, complimented me on what he considered my
ability, and paid me a fee that would have made glad the
heart of a star-route lawyer.

Incidental reference has been made to the breeding farm
at Pittsfield, Mass., of Mr. W. R. Allen, a man young in
years, as well as experience in breeding trotters, but that his
ideas are of the right kind, founded on a careful and intel-
ligent study of the subject of blood lines in trotters, can not
be doubted after one looks over the list of animals he has
collected at his farm, and sees with what uniformity the
lines of their pedigree go in the direction of actual speed.
production of the highest type, and that it has been tested
on the race-track and not been found wanting.

Mr. Allen became famous as a breeder by one stroke, so
to speak, he having gone to Stony Ford farm, and made a
draft of very choice animals, the same including representa-
tives of its most famous animals, and for these he paid the

242 LIFE WITI THE TROTTERS.

sum of $44,000. A purchase at Woodburn, which amounted
to nearly $25,000, preceded this, and since then he has at
various times and places, added to his establishment animals
of the choicest breeding, never letting values stop him where
the strains of blood represented, were such as he desired.
It was this spirit that led him to visit the farm of Robert
Bonner not many months ago, and pay $15,000, for Miss
Majolica, a fullsister to Majolica, record 2:15.

In the way of stallions at his farm, Mr. Allen has a
remarkable lot of horses. His premier sire is Lancelot, by
Messenger Duroc, dam Green Mountain Maid, thus making
him a full brother to Elaine, 2:20; Dame Trot, 2:22; Pros-
pero, 2:20; Mansfield, 2:26; Storm, 2:262; Antonio, 2:284,
and Miranda, 2:31. It will be seen that in Lancelot, Mr.
Allen has a horse that in blood lines is as nearly a duplicate
of Electioneer as could have been produced at the present
time, he being out of Electioneer’s dam, and by one of the
best sons of the horse that sired Electioneer, so that so far
as pedigree is concerned there is but little difference between
the two animals, except in the fact that Lancelot is so young
that his success as a sire of trotters is still to be attained.
It should be remembered that not only in the male line has
the blood of Green Mountain Maid proved wonderfully suc-
cessful, but that one of her daughters, Elaine, is already
credited with the fastest yearling that the world has ever
seen, her daughter Norlaine having made a record of 2:314
at that age. Some of her sons have also been siring trotters
that have become distinguished by their performances, and,
on t!:e whole, it would be difficult to imagine a better horse
than Lancelot, when all the circumstances are taken into
consideration. But not content with securing a represent-
ative of the blood lines that produced Electioneer, Mr.
Allen determined to so equip himself in the matter of stal-
lions that by no possibility could he beat any time, through
the death of any one of them, seriously impeded in his
plans, and with this end in view he purchased America, a
black horse by Kentucky Prince, and out of Alma that made

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 943

a record of 2:28% in her old age, and that is a full sister to
Dexter, 2:174.

Two famous sons of Kentucky Prince are Guy, 2:12,
Spofford, 2:18%, that won a $10,000 purse at Hartford last
year. In America we have this blood joined with that which
produced Dexter, who was far and away the fastest, gamest,
most reliable trotter of his time, and that this blood is more
than ordinarily potent is seen by the fact that Dictator,
Dexter’s full brother, has given such wonderfully fast, game,
reliable trotters as Jay-Eye-See, 2:10, Phallas, 2:133, Direct-
or, 2:17, and more than a dozen others that have beaten 2:30.

Ordinary men would have been satisfied with the pos-
session of such stallions as Lancelot and America, but Mr.
Allen recognized the fact that while they were from strains
of blood that had produced very high speed at the trot, his
idea was to get as near, relatively, to Maud 8., the fastest
trotter in the world, as was possible. With this end in
mind he purchased at Woodburn the stallion Yarrow,
whose sire is Lord Russell, full brother to Mand 8., and
whose dam, Yolande, has given us Yuba, 2:244, and Yazoo,
2:344. Yolande is a daughter of Belmont, one of the fastest
sons of Alexander’s Abdallah, so that in Yarrow Mr. Allen
has a horse whose lines of blood have been uniformly suc-
cessful. Mention has already been made of the fact that
Mr. Allen, in selecting brood-mares, had in view the indis-
putable fact that trotting blood is on the whole, the most
successful in the propagation of speed at the trot, and the
. animals on his place trace back without exception to the
best trotting mares in the land. More than this, their near
relatives are in every case trotters themselves. He has for
instance, Rusina, that is by Belmont out of dam Maud §.;
Maudlien 2:252, by Harold, sire of Mand 8.; dam sister to
Nutwood, 2:182; Elista full sister of Elaine, 2:20; Malvasia
by Lord Russell, brother to Maud 8., out of Malmaison,
that produced Mannette, trial 2:164; Ashima, by Lord Rus-
sell, dam Alice West, 2:26, that produced Altamura, 2:30;
Salve, by Lord Russell, dam Noonday, her dam Midnight,

244 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS,

the dam of Jay-Eye-See, 2:10; Waterleaf, by Belmont, third
dam the famous Pilot Jr. mare Waterwitch,; Edita by
Kentucky Prince, out of a sister of Elaine; Mirella a sister
of Edita; Brenda by Kentucky Prince, dam Miss Brunette,
the dam of Black Prince, 2:254; Fedora, by Kentucky
Prince, out of a sister of Hogarth, 2:26; Guyda, by Messen-
ger Duroc, dam sister to Guy, 2:12, and a dozen others
whose blood lines lead directly to turf performers and whose
names are well and favorably known.

That Mr. Allen’s venture in the breeding of trotters will
be a successful one is not to be doubted. He is a man of
great executive ability, of marked enterprise, and with a
firmness of purpose that will attain almost any end which
it seeks. His investment thus far is the most extensive ever
made by a beginner in the ranks of breeders and is a
notable instance of what wealth and well-directed energy
may accomplish.

CHAPTER X.

Nobby, the most peculiar horse Splan ever drove; a wild, scary fellow that had
a wonderful flight of speed—The race at Cleveland in which Nobby
beat a lot of cracks—Mr. David Bonner’s well-remembered compliment—
Stuffing a horse’s ears with cotton, and some incidents connected with the
practice—Needle Gun, and the trouble he made on a ferry boat—W. J.
Gordon’s horses, his breeding farm, and his character as a man — Chat
about what certain drivers have done with particular families of horses —
Protection’s great race against J. B. Richardson.

The bay gelding Nobby was the most peculiar horse that
Lever trained or drove. Peculiar in disposition, peculiar
in formation, and peculiar in gait. The first time I ever
saw him George Saunders was working him out over the
Cleveland track. Nobby belonged to Mr. Gordon, he hav-
ing bought him in Kentucky for $5,000 the previous winter.
He had more of the grayhound appearance about him than
any other trotting horse I ever saw, being extremely long
in neck, body, etc., and when in motion looked to be at
least two inches higher behind than in front. When I first
saw him he was indulging in some very wild breaks, and
don’t think I ever saw a trotter that could run any faster and.
jump any higher in harness than he could. At this particu-
lar time he seemed to be using every effort in that direction.
When he did go on a trot it was with a long, low, easy gait
that took him over the ground at a much faster pace than
one would imagine by looking at him. He put me in mind
some of Calmar, a horse I had driven some years before for
Mr. George Baker of Cleveland. In looking Nobby over care-
fully I was very much struck with his race-horse formation.
Asking the groom about him I found he had been trotted

with some success and had a record of about 2:25. I never
(245)

246 LIFE WiTH THE TROTTERS.

saw anything more of him until the summer meeting that
came off at Cleveland, but heard that he had been trotted
some, not, however, being able to win. From the first time
I saw him I had an idea I would like to drive him, little
dreaming that I ever should. One day in talking about
him in the presence of Mr. William Edwards, I remarked
that Nobby was one horse I would like to drive. The next
day Mr. Edwards said he wanted me to do something for
him, which was to drive a horse in arace. I told him that
I would. When he told me that Nobby was the animal, I
was a little astonished, but he explained that he had seen
Mr. Gordon and arranged with him that I should drive the
horse in his race, which was to come off on Friday, this
conversation taking place Tuesday. Wednesday morning
I went out to make Nobby’s acquaintance. In talking the
matter over with Mr. Saunders, Nobby’s trainer, he gave
me all the points he could in regard tothe horse’s peculiari-
ties, and ordered the boy to hitch him up forme. My first
trip behind Nobby was rather discouraging. While he had
plenty of speed he seemed thoroughly uncontrolable; acted
sore all over, and after thinking it over I went to Mr.
Edwards, tried to get him to release me from driving the
horse and to induce Mr. Gordon to draw him from the race,
all of which he declined to do, and insisted on holding me
to my contract of driving him. I had Nobby’s shoes taken
off, and on examining his feet found them somewhat bruised
and fevered. I put his feet in warm water for an hour,
then had them thoroughly poulticed and did not put shoes
on him again until an hour before the race, when I had
him shod with leather pads and a sponge and a light toe
weight.

In the betting Secret, a mare owned by Mr. Emory, was
the favorite. She having shown well in her race the previous
week at Pittsburgh, the talent all thought she was the
right one. Felix had the German vote with him. Florence
M. represented Indiana, and President Harrison’s neigh-
bors all put their money on her. So little were Nobby’s

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 247

chances thought of that at the finish of the race the only
man proven guilty of having had a pool-ticket on him was
a Yankee of the name of Skinner, who was Mr. Gordon's
superintendent, and had been instrumental in having him
buy the horse. In rigging Nobby for the race, I put a very
easy bit on him, with a nose-band attachment, an over-check
and long martingales, and stuffed his ears with cotton, as
at this particular time the twitter of a canary bird on a
limb would have more effect on Nobby than a full brass
band on an ordinary horse. He could jump higher, farther,
and quicker without any provocation than any horse I ever
saw.

I decided to lay him up the first heat, and Florence
won from start to finish in 2:22%, which was rather a sur-
prise, as she had never before shown anything like that
speed. In this heat Nobby seemed to have his mind on
everything else except trotting, but after giving him a
thorough cooling out I found, in scoring for the second heat,
that he acted somewhat better, and determined if he got off
well, to try and get as good a place as I could. When the
word was given Nobby was the last horse, which position
he held until they turned into the back stretch. Going
from there to the head of thestretch he trotted by about
half the field. At this point Felix, Florence M., and
Secret had the stretch to themselves and the only open place
that I could see was in the middle between Secret and Flor-
ence M. I drove Nobby in there, but as the hole was not
very large it made him uneasy, and just as he reached the
wire, which he crossed first, he and Secret made a break and
finished the heat with Nobby first, Secret second, and Flor-
ence M. third, all lapped on each other. In deciding the
heat the judges gave the heat to Florence M., setting the
other two horses back for the break, and no time was given.
In the third heat, Felix rushed away and at the half- mile
pole Nobby, in trying to out-trot George Voorhies, who
had his long whip with him, went toa wild break, and
I made no further attempt with him that heat.

248 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

In the fourth heat, Felix went away first and Nobby
last, which positions they maintained until the half-mile
pole was reached, and then Nobby began one of his wonder-
ful brushes, and when he turned into the home stretch I took
him to the extreme outside of the track, so that he should
have no excuse for making a break, thinking that if he
staid on a trot he would surely win the heat, which he did,
but there was nothing very sure about it, as he was first to
the wire by only a short head in 2:232. No one paid much
attention to this, as it looked to me, and I think everyone
else, like a scratch heat. In the fifth heat the word ‘‘go”’
was not cold out of the starting judge’s mouth before
Nobby indulged in some of the tallest breaking I ever saw,
which of course lost him allchance of the heat, and Felix
won easily in 2:25. As all the horses with the exception of
Felix, Nobby, and Florence M., were then sent to the stable
for not winning a heat in five, everybody wanting a pool-
ticket bought it on Felix. The odds did not seem to make
any difference, as it looked like a sure thing. By this time
the Blue Bull quality had come to the surface in Florence
M., and she was practically out of the race.

When the judges gave the word in the sixth heat it was
raining slightly and the track wasa little muddy. At the
half-mile pole Felix was at least ten lengths in the lead and
going as though he never expected to surrender. At that
point Nobby commenced gradually to close the gap, and at
the head of the stretch was within about five lengths of
Felix. From there to the judges’ stand they had one of the
best contests I remember of. At the distance stand Nobby
got his head to Felix’s wheel. McCarthy drew his whip
and the crowd shouted for him to ‘‘come on!’ but it was too
late, as Felix had shot his bolt, and Nobby beat him to the
stand an eyelash.

The betting now took a change, and the speculators
seemed about to lose ‘their lives. They had first played
Secret, then Florence M., and hedged on Felix, and then to
have Nobby come along and look like a winner made

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 249

them, as Paddy Dooley said, think that another Black Fri-
day was at hand. I myself had but very little confidence
as to Nobby’s winning the race. I knew that at the least
provocation he would break, and that would end whatever
chance he might have to beat Felix. The track had by this
time become soft and sticky, and with Nobby’s long, low
gait I considered that against him. They gave the word
and I went off with the lead. On reaching the back stretch
I pulled out from the pole about the width of the sulky.
Knap came along with Felix and tried to go through between
me and the fence. I didn’t make the space any wider just
then, so he had to pull out and go around me; but he did
this, and at the half-mile pole was three lengths in the lead
and driving Felix for all there was out. When he turned
into the home stretch he pulled well out into the middle of
the track, thinking, as I imagine, that I would go outside
of him, but that was not my intention. I took Nobby in
close to the pole, and when he was straightened well into
the stretch gave him his head. The heavy footing did not
suit him, however, and he seemed willing to giveitup. As
he had his ears full of cotton, it was of no use to speak to
him, so I took the last dying chance and reached over and
touched him with the whip, not knowing what he might do,
but he staid on the trot, and at the distance stand again
had his head on Felix’s wheel. Knap used his whip and
voice the best he could and those who had backed Felix
shouted for him to come on. Both horses tired very badly,
and Nobby tried to break, but staggered out and won the heat
by ashort head in 2:283.

The winning of this race pleased me more than all the
other performances with a trotter that I had taken part in,
and I want to record the fact right here. It may seem strange
tomy readers, when they take into consideration the fact that
I have driven some of the best and fastest horses the country
has ever seen, that it should be such a gratification to me to

‘win a race with a horse I had no interest in, and with the
time as slow as 2:282, but nevertheless such was the case.

250 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Of the only two compliments ever paid me that I took much
stock in, one was by Mr. David Bonner in regard to this
race, he saying that he had been going to trotting races for
thirty years, and that this was the best driven one he had
ever seen. The other compliment might be considered rather
a second-hand one by most people, but it pleased me im-
mensely at the time. I was once introduced to a lady, and
after a pleasant chat she asked a friend of mine what my
business was. He said I was one of the celebrated horse
drivers of America, and she said: ‘‘ Why, how mistaken I
was. I took him fora gentleman.’ The boys all thought
they had the langh on me. While I was sorry to have the
lady deceived Iwas glad to know that my appearance was
even that good.

I have spoken of filling Nobby’s ears with cotton, and
want to give a word of caution in regard to the matter. A
great many horses treated in this manner will act as though
they were dumb—will not try to go, and will stop to shake
their heads when they are asked to trot. If you have a
horse that you think will do better with this treatment com-
mence with him gradually. That is, in his work put just a
little cotton in his ears at first, or, whatis still better, put it
in his ears while he is in the stable, and let him get used
toitin thatmanner. After you have done this a few times
the horse pays no attention toit. Bella, the bay mare that
I won a good race at Springfield, Mass., with, as told ina
previous chapter, would go out and work alone, be very
steady, and break and catch as well as any horse I ever saw,
but in company she seemed uneasy, wanted to break more,
and would not catch as well, particularly in a close place. We
tried the cotton dodge on her, and after she became used to it
thescheme worked toacharm. There area greatmany horses
that will do weli with the same treatment, but I would not
advise its indiscriminate use. There isafunny story in con-
nection with this subject that is well worth telling. A good
many years ago Mr. Frank Ferguson, of New York City, was
training a horse called Needle Gun, and it was, by the way,

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 251

the most appropriate name I ever knew a trotter to have,
as he was always cocked and primed and ready to go off at
the slightest notice. When in the vicinity of the steam cars
or ferry boats Needle Gun was perfectly wild, and in order
to handle him at all it was necessary to always stuff his ears.
One day they shipped Needle Gun across on the Thirty-
fourth street ferry. About the time the boat landed at
Hunter’s Point Needle Gun got the cotton out of his ears
and started in to unload himself. Although everybody on
deck at the time turned to stop him he tore out through the
ferry house and injured himself so seriously that he was
never afterward of any account.

Years ago, when Dan Mace was a kind of handy boy
about Boston, one of the old-time sports made a race and
started in to drive his own horse. He broke and acted wild
in the first two heats, and the owner invited Mace to take a
seat behind him. Mace put some cotton in the horse’s ears,
drove him the balance of the race, and won it. That night
the owner took his old horse home and the next time he
drove the animal found a great change had come over him.
Nothing in the way of noise seemed to have any effect on
the horse, and when he spoke to him the old fellow waited
to be hit with the whip before he moved. The owner was
somewhat alarmed «nd wondered what Mace had done to
the horse that he did not get over the effects in three weeks.
He sought out Mace and interviewed him confidentially on
the subject. Mace innocently told him he could not imagine
what ailed the horse, but on examining him the thought
struck him that the cotton had never been removed from his
ears, which proved to be the case, and when they took the
cotton out the old horse seemed to heave a sigh of relief and
the owner found he was himself again.

This race with Nobby was the first I ever drove for Mr.
Gordon, and as I have been connected with that gentleman’s
horses more or less ever since, a short history of his estab-
lishment may not be out of place. In manners, appearance,

ete., Mr. Gordon is a veritable Chesterfield. He is a success-
is

252 LIFE WITIL THE TROTTERS.

ful business man, an excellent judge of human nature, a.
lover of agood horse, and a true friend. Ican not now recall
any man who has been more successful on the trotting turf
for the time he has been connected with it than Mr. Gordon.
One of the first horses he bought for the turf was Clingstone,,
who has always been a star performer and one that Mr.
Gordon has had agreat deal of enjoyment and comfort with.
Not only has he had the pleasure of seeing him win some
grand battles on the turf, but has also enjoyed many a ride.
behind him. Clemmie G., another one of his early pur-
chases, acquired a record of 2:154, and proved herself acam-
paigner of the first water. In her loss by death, not only
Mr. Gordon but the breeding public, I think, met with a.
serious loss. Clemmie G., being out of a mare that had
produced six with records better than 2:30, and noted for
her good disposition and constitutional soundness, must:
have, if mated with some first-class stallion, produced results
that the world would have been proud of. Guy, thestar per-
former of this year, and for whom Mr. Gordon paid $10,000
as a colt, not only proved his good judgment but also his
willingness to pay for horses. Guy is the only horse that ever
I saw that could trot a mile better than 2:20 driven with-
out boots or shoes of any kind. He also has the distinction.
which no other horse occupies of having made a record of
2:12 in one season, having started ineligible for the three-
minute class. In Mambrino Sparkle Mr. Gordon has amare:
that has proven her right to be called a race-horse in every
particular, and I am anxious to see what the result will be
if she is used for breeding purposes.

Mr. Gordon has alsotaken more than a passing interest in
the interesting subject of breeding horses. He has invested
in this enterprise, animals and other property that, I should
think, valued at lowestimate, would be worth $200,000. His
farm, called Gordon Glen, is a picturesque spot just outside
of the city limits of Cleveland on St. Clair street, and runs.
back to the Lake Shore Railroad. As a gentleman’s estab-
lishment it is the most complete I have ever seen, having

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 253

plenty of good water, is well fenced, nicely divided into
paddocks and pastures suitable for stallions, brood-mares,
fillies and colts, the best of stabling, a three-quarter mile
working track, drained in such a manner that it is safeand
pleasant to use at all times of the year; an eighth of a mile
covered track where in disagreeable weather the horses may
take their regular exercise,—in fact everything in the way
of convenience and comfort for man and beast that money
could buy or brain invent are to be found there. Amongst
Mr. Gordon’s brood mares the first by right of merit is
Gretchen, she having produced Clingstone, 2:14. Largesse
has a record of 2:25. Leontine hasa record 2:23 over a half-
mile track, and her first foal, when eighteen months of age,
brought $2,500, at a public sale. She now has a handsome
colt by an own brother to Clingstone. All the most fashion-
able and valuable strains of breeding are found represented
on the Gordon farm by one or more animals that are known
to be the best that could be bought.

In the stallion line Mr. Gordon has Rysdyk, the sire of
Clingstone, and a number of others with records better than
2:30. He also has what is to my mind one of the most
promising horses in this country, Clingstone IJ, an own
brother to Clingstone. In color, formation, etc., this young
horse resembles his illustrious relation and has the proud
distinction of being, after Lord Russell, the brother of
Maud 8., full brother to the fastest horse in the land. His
education as a trotter has never been attempted, he having
shown enough in the way of speed to entitle him to be bred
to some of the best mares that Mr. Gordon has. His first
crop of colts, numbering less than half a dozen, contains.
one or two that bid fair to be great performers on the turf.

Writing of breeding takes me back to my boyhood days.
Thad fora chum and companion a good old soul of the
name of John Lindley, a man whose highest ambition in
life was to shine as the owner of the best game chickens,
and all the time that he could spare from his daily labor
was spent in the care and breeding of his favorite fowl. One

254 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

invariable rule he had was that when he found a chicken
that was an extraordinary fighter he always bred the own
brother, and never the chicken himself, and in explanation
told me he was sure that when a chicken had gone through
a severe process of training and then had the strain of a
severe battle with the steels it would leave his whole system
in a weakened condition and he would not be as liable to
transmit to his descendants the qualities necessary to make
them successful as would an own brother to him that had
not gone through such a severe preparation. In talking
with Colonel West about Dictator before that horse had made
his reputation, I told him what my friend had said. It
seemed to strike him very forcibly, and as I was always a
great admirer of Dexter I told the Colonel that I considered
him the greatest race-horse I had ever seen and gave him
my reasons for thinking so, which were that Dexter had
beaten every horse of his day every race that horses had
trotted from one to three miles, in harness, to wagon, under
saddle. He had also beaten every other horse’s time, and
long before we had the developments in the way of tracks,
harness, sulkies, boots, etc., that we now have, and in the
hands of a mere boy, Budd Doble, showed his ability to
trot a mile in 2:15 in public. Taking into consideration all
those facts, Dexter was certainly a wonderful horse. Dicta-
tor, I think, is a good example of the success of the theory
my old friend claimed was the proper one. If this is so
Clingstone II must certainly be a success in the stud, he
being an own brother to a horse that has proved by public
performance that he is entitled to be called first class in any
company. Mr. Gordon has always shown the greatest con-
fidence in Clingstone’s ability. Having made races for him
at different times when, from want of condition and other
things he had him overmatched, Clingstone has always
repaid his confidence by winning when it looked like a
forlorn hope. As an employer Mr. Gordon is kind and just.
In some of what I consider the star performances of my
life I have been in connection with his stable. Whatever

.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 255

doubts the public may have had regarding my honesty and
ability I think Mr. Gordon never shared, as he always
seemed willing to trust me implicitly with his horses in
every way. Ido not wish by this to be understood as find-
ing any fault with the public in their treatment of myself,
as I think it has always been as good or better than I
deserved. Not only has the public treated me well but
with ‘very few exceptions my employers have been the
kindest friends to me a man ever had.

It has always seemed to me that members of the horse
family have more peculiarities of habits, formation, disposi-
tion, etc., than there is in the human family. Take, for
instance, the trotting family among horses, and the most of
them that are bred now trace their pedigree back through
some of the numerous channels to Rysdyk’s Hambletonian.
Each family seem to have many things about them distinctly
their own, which always appears to me rather a strange
thing, seeing that they all come from one fountain head, and
I have never been able to find a satisfactory reason for this.
We see a great many different drivers that seem to have
made their reputation with some particular family. For
instance, Crit Davis, one of the best known and favorably
thought of reinsmen in this country, while he has been
more than ordinarily successful with different families of
horses, has made his great reputation in connection with the
Red Wilkes family, he having given Prince Wilkes, one of
the star performers of 1888, his record of 2:142. Prince
Wilkes has fought his way to the front in trotting circles
purely by hisown merits. His owner, a sportsman of the old
school, not wishing any, particularly newspaper, notoriety
in regard to him, has never had his horse ‘*boomed,’’ as has
so often been done with inferior animals. Mr. George A.
Singerly is a great admirer of the horse, he having owned,
driven and bred trotters long before it was considered highly
fashionable for a gentleman to do so, and in my younger days
T remember of often having seen him riding trotters to sad-
dle on some of the tracks about Philadelphia, and he was

256 IPE WiTH THE TROTTERS.

tt

always conceded to be the best amateur rider in the country,
and not averse to taking a shy at the professionals, as is shown
by his having ridden the bay gelding McLeod to his best rec-
ord, 2:194, in public, there being only two horsesin the world,
Dexter and Great Eastern, with faster records under saddle.

Mr. Singerly thinks every horse ought to stand on his
own merits, in which opinion I fully concur. I have noticed
that such men are the ones who, as a rule, make a success of
what they undertake. Mr. Singerly, or ‘‘George”’ as all his
friends call him, was admired by Dan Mace as much as any
man that Tever knew. Mace once bought a stable of run-
ners and the first good horse he owned he called George
Singerly. He told me that if he was as good a race-horse
as his namesake was a man he would get the money, and
seemed more delighted on account of this when the horse
commenced to win than on account of the pecuniary bene-
fit derived from the animal’s success.

Besides Prince Wilkes, Mr. Davis drove Repetition, an-
other son of Red Wilkes, three years old, a mile in 2:21 in
public race. He also won with him a race against a field of
aged horses in the 2:30 class, and showed that not only was
‘he a youngster of plenty of speed, but more determination
and the other qualities that it takes to make a race-horse
than are ordinarily found in a colt of that age. He also gave
Phil Thompson a record, while a colt, of 2:21 and after-
ward drove him to his record of 2:164, and performed a feat
that day that I never have seen any other man do, and that,
was to win two races in one day and drive each horse to his
best record of 2:164, the other performer on ‘this occasion
being Maud Messenger. In disposition, Davis always seemed
to me what I called a brave man. No excitement bothers
him, he is kind to his horses and everything about him,
always seems to have them well harnessed and booted and
properly shod; always aims to be a fair driver, never want-
ing to take undue advantage of other people, and in driving
in a race I have always noticed that heis what Icall arating
driver; he seems to know about how well his horses can go

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 257

before they start and then rates them along to accomplish
the mile in that way. I think that a man’s character often
has a great deal to do with the horse,—that is if you havea
brave man it will help to make a brave horse. Ido not think
I ever saw Crit driving a cowardly horse; they all seem to
have plenty of courage and determination. Ihave repeatedly
seen Prince Wilkes out-trotted in a manner that would have
been very discouraging to some horses, but have never seen
him show the slightest disposition to want to surrender at
any time or place. Crit always seemed to be a good deal of
a genius, having invented a number of boots, bits, etc. One
-of his bits I hear very highly spoken of as being a good
thing to break a horse from lugging orpulling. If Crit says
it is good you can rest assured that is a first-class indorse-
ment.

The Blue Bull family does not cut as large a figure in
trotting nowas formerly. Fifteen years ago in the Western
and Southern country the Blue Bulls were a very large fac-
tion. They were owned, driven and managed by a family
-of the name of Wilson, the head of which was better known
as ‘Blue Bull Wilson,’ he having got the name from his
horse. With this family of trotters Samp and Dick Wilson
and Gus Glidden seemed to be more successful than any
other men I know. While there were not many 2:20 per-
formers amongst the Blue Bulls, Gus always said they were
a good poor man’s horse. Whatever speed they had could
be attained with but very little training, and Gus’s idea was
to earn all the money as quickly as you could and when the
horse got to the end of his string sell him and get anew one.
And there must have been some method in his plan, as Gus
and the Wilson family both have real estate that is not only,
good to look at but brings them the wherewith for all their
wants. .

One or two of the best things I have ever seen Hickok do
‘in the way of training and driving horses, and what gave me
a great idea of his being a trainer and driver, was in races
where he drove some member of the Sultan family. Hickok,

258 Liks WiTH THE TROTTERS.

I think, was the first one who brought any of the Sul-
tans east of the Rocky Mountains. They are, strictly speak-
ing, a family of Californians. Sultan himself belonged to
Mr. Rose of Los Angeles, a gentleman who has made him-
self a reputation as a very successful breeder, he having
bred and owned some grand horses. I think Hickok trained
Eva, a three-year-old, when she won one of the grandest bat-
tles that Ihave ever seen trotted, and that gave me an idea of
what a task 1t was to train a horse and properly condition
him without starting him in races. This feat he accom-
plished with Eva, and by winning the race referred to per-
haps did more in the way of making a reputation for her
sire than anything that had ever been done for him up to
that time. In fact, it made such an impression on some of
the more intelligent breeders of this country that they made
overtures to Mr. Rose for some of his stock to bring East
with the view of crossing it on some of the well-known
strains of the Eastern country. Among the gentlemen who.
were successful in acquiring good representatives from the
family was Mr. Frank 8. Waters of Chicago, who owns a
handsome farm near Genoa Junction, Wis., he having bought
the bay stallion California, foaled in 1882, who has the right
to be considered first class in every respect, he not only being
by Sultan, but having the further prestige of being an own
brother to three with records in 2:23 or better. Hisdam also
produced Beautiful Bells with a record of 2:283, who was
the dam of Bell Boy that sold as a colt for $50,000 and also:
of Hinda Rose, 2:194, St. Bel, 2:244, and Palo Alto Belle,
that beat 2:30 last season as a two-year-old. California
himself is a trotter of the very first water. Mr. Waters did
not stop here, but went further and acquired Nutmeg, who
showed himself a trotter from the beginning of his educa-
tion and with but very little training made a record of 2:25
ina public race. He is by Nutwood and in that way traces
back to the best in the world, Maud 8. Erelong, another
one of the Waters stallions, is by Belmont, the sire of
Wedgewood, 2:19, who in turn got Favonia, 2:15, which is.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 259°

enough to say about any horse in a country where people
go to see trotting races, as Favonia and Wedgewood have,

by their public performances stamped their family as first.
class. Sprague Pilot, the third stallion at the Waters farm,

is by Governor Sprague, a horse who years ago electrified.
the world not only by his extreme speed but by the beauty
of his gait and his wonderful intelligence coupled with a.
formation of legs, body, etc., that made him an animal
without a peer. On his dam’s side Sprague Pilot may be
said to trace back to the Irish Kings, his first dam being by

Pilot Temple, a horse that needs no eulogy here, as his.
public record has done all that for him, he being by Pilot.
Jr., a horse whose daughters have produced two of the
grandest trotters the world ever saw, and back of all that.
comes the dam of Flora Temple, the first horse that ever beat
2:20, and beyond that the thoroughbred cross that has
proven so valuable in the pedigree of a first-class trotter.

This shows to me more than anything else what a wide
interest the public takes in the trotting horse. When a gen-
tleman who has devoted his time entirely to business and
takes up the breeding of horses for pleasure or otherwise
can select with such excellent judgment a good combination
of the best strains of blood of performers, he certainly must
have given the matter a great deal of thought and study. <A.
man might hit the bull’s-eye once by accident but he will
not shoot all day and keep hitting it unless he isa good shot.

Hickok not only drove Eva to a world-wide reputation,
but after Stamboul, a son. of Sultan, had been beaten some
races last season took him in hand and very soon gave him
a mark of 2:14.

I noticed that Hickok in training members of the Sultan
family worked them differently from any other horses I
ever saw him handle. They always seemed to have their:
speed, whether in condition ornot. Hickok seemed to bend
all his energies to conditioning their body, legs, wind, etc.,
and bringing them to the race fit in that manner. He often
told me that if a Sultan could trot he always had his trot.

‘260 LIFE WITH THE, TRUTTERS.

with him. Have them thorotghly conditioned, he said,
and they always prove themselves race-horses. The result
-of my observations was that Hickok was right. Speaking
of the difference in horses, there is also a very great differ-
ence in drivers. Take a dozen of the best reinsmen, and
they vary greatly in disposition, looks, build and in their
general system of driving and training horses. Hickok I
have known for’years. His forte, I think, is determination.
In training a horse he pays more attention to having the
horse thoroughly bitted and educating the mouth than any
man J ever saw. After Hickok has had a horse a reasonable
length of time you will see one that makes very few mis-
takes of any kind and is generally very.easy to drive. He
has had some ups and downs in his life, always been a bold
operator on the turf and elsewhere, is a shrewd business
man, and perhaps has owned an interest in more first-class
horses than any other man in this country. To appreciate
Hickok you have to know him well. If he is your friend
you can rest assured of one thing, that he will never leave
you in the storm. If he goes in out of the wet he will take
you with him.

The Goldsmith boys, Johnny and Jim, and the Volun-
teer family of trotters are the most distinct example of
breeding that I ever saw. The boys came honestly by their
horsemanship as their father was a horseman all his lifetime.
The old gentleman was a distinctive character in his way
-and one that would have made his mark in any walk in life
in which he might have been placed. When I first knew
him thirty years ago he was an extremely handsome man,
very affable in manner, always dressed well, and his lan-
guage at all times was good. At that time a man who
owned a trotter and trotted him for money was looked upon,
to say the least, with a little suspicion. That is, it was not
considered anything to be particularly proud of, but Mr.
Goldsmith like the intelligent man that he was, could see
nothing in the owning of a first-class horse that was low or
degrading and so expressed himself. He lived long enough

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 261.

to not only see his name coupled with some of the best
horses of the country but also to have the world acknowl-
edge that his theories in regard to them were right.

The Goldsmith boys had advantages that seldom fall to
the lot of a horse driver. They had the benefit of their
father’s experience, also‘an opportunity to acquire a good
business education, which I think goes a long way toward
making a man successful in any line,—not that I think it is
necessary in order to be a good driver, for a man to have
gone to college, but to manage a valuable stable of horses and
to get the best results financially, I think it very essential
that heshould have afair education. This will also expand
his mind and teach him to think, which is absolutely
necessary. As the Goldsmith boys and their horses have
been important figures on the trotting turf I will give a
sketch of them as they appeared to me, which facts I have
been able to glean from close observation, as some of the
greatest efforts that I have been able to put forth have been
made in a struggle to keep John and Jim from getting my
money in many closely contested races.

The first time I saw John Goldsmith he was a lad of
twelve or thirteen years, and was even then just as willing
to bet you he could name the winner as he is now. If he
made a mistake and lost his money he stood it like a veteran.
As an all-round driver and a shrewd manager under any
and all circumstances, John is entitled to a seat in the front
pew. Heisa man of medium size, weighing about 150 pounds.
“Jimmy,” as the boys call him, differs somewhat in his
appearance and methods from John, greatly resembling his
father. By general consent I believe he is considered the
handsomest and best dressed man connected with the trot-
ting turf. If Berry Wall had Jimmy’s personal appearance
and good taste in dress he would still be the ‘‘ King of the
Dudes.’ This part of Jim’s character extends also to his
business, as his horses are well harnessed, well booted, have
the best of sulkies, and the general appearance of his stable
would make glad the heart of an artist. Whether he has

262 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

’

the ability that John has in what is called all-round driving
I am not prepared to say, but any horse that Jim has in his
stable will be as well trained and driven and will come as.
near performing in a manner to get him the money as any
one I ever saw. His publicrecord I think bears out all these
statements. :

The Volunteer family of horses, with which the Gold-
smiths made their reputation, arefamous. Mr. Alden Gold-
smith bought Volunteer years ago when the horse had no
reputation himself or as a sire of trotters. He was at that
time one of the most stylish and finished animals I ever saw
and with a little training gave promise of speed of a high
order. The one trait in the Volunteers which gave them
more reputation than anything else was their extreme game-
ness, their ability to hang on until every other horse and
man had become tired, which has been proven, not only by
their races of mile heats, three in five, but also by their grand
performances in longer races, notably Huntress’ three-mile
race where she beat the record of the world. I have never
seen a Volunteer act, under anything like favorable circum-
stances, as though he would show the white feather. When-
ever I see a horse’s pedigree with a Volunteer cross in it I
- consider it a point in favor of the pedigree.

The first time Isaw Protection, the only thing about him
that I in the least admired was his pedigree. When they
informed me that he was by a well-bred son of Volunteer
and that his dam was said to bea thoroughbred mare I took
some interestinhim. On further investigation I found that
he could trot a quarter in thirty-five seconds. After that he
showed a disposition to give it up, as it were, was liable to
break, act badly, and get distanced, the direct opposite of
what I expected tosee in a Volunteer. I keptan eye on Pro-
tection and in two years from the first time I saw him induced
a friend of mine to buy him for $1,500, with the privilege of
training and trotting him whenever I wanted to. The fol-
lowing spring I sent for the horse, and, thinking that it may
be of some interest to my readers, will give them a general

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 263

idea of how I trained and drovehim. In making a study
of Protection the first few weeks he was in my hands I found
him what I considered to be an overly large horse to be a
successful campaigner, and a perfect glutton to eat; having
in the stable more the manner of an ox than a race-horse.
His feet were very large; long at the toes, and with a low
heel both in front and behind. In gait he went very low to
the ground, and in jogging him on the road he would contin-
ually stub his toes and knuckle over both in front and behind.
He had always been driven with a heavy shoe and toe-weight.
I had seen him get a good deal of what I call rough training,
and as that treatment had not made him a race-horse I con-
cluded to try the opposite plan. I had at this time a young
friend of the name of Harry Devereux, and for an amateur
I considered him to have as many good ideas about training
as anyone I knew of. I knew Harry had seen a great deal
of Protection and without his suspecting what I was really
doing I interviewed him on the subject, got all the points
from him that I could as to who had driven the horse, what
kind of work they had given him, and how well he had ever
seen him go, and when he told me that he had seen his
owner, Mr. William Fasig, whose reputation as a horse
driver is not quite so good as it is as secretary of a race-
track, drive Protection to a road wagon a full mile in 2:263,
I was sure he would certainly go in 2:20 or better in harness
andso told Harry. He did not agree with me on this point,
but nevertheless told me that he would be willing to help me
train to the best of his ability, which he did and I was af-
terward glad to thank him for his services. The first order
in connection with Protection’s training was to put him on
a light diet, about one-half the feed that he had been in the
habit of having. I had his shoes taken off all around and
found his feet in rather a neglected condition. One of them
had a slight quarter crack and the rest were more or less
dry and hard. He had at one time suffered severely from
the distemper, and I think that, as is often the case, it had
settled in his feet, and had it been winter, I would have treated

964 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

them differently. I would have in that case poulticed them
thoroughly and blistered them mildly and started a new
growth before I started to train him. As it was I had his.
feet shortened up moderately, had a pair of bar shoes made
weighing fifteen ounces, had him shod with leather and
sponges, shortened his feet behind all I could, and puta
ten-ounce shoe on him which would ordinarily be out of
proportion. But in this instance I wanted to change the
horse’s gait behind and took this way of doing it.

In training Protection, I gave him short, sharp work, got.
the best boy T could find to groom him, and began by giving
him moderate working miles and brushing him at the finish,
always well within himael?, As soon as he was in sondition
to go along at about a 2:30 gait I got Devereux to drive him
and I worked some horse with him, being careful all the
time to give Protection the best of it, never allowing the
other horse to out-trot him so as to discourage him. I liked
him from the first day I drove him and was sure he would
go in 2:20 or better, but never found anyone else who shared.
my belief, and when I told the boys that there would be
some day they would want Ey heaton, they replied ‘‘All
right, we will take our chances.” I never had.a horse in
my stable that trained easier or gave me less trouble than he
did. The only thing about him that seemed to need any
extra attention were his feet, which I kept thoroughly poul-
ticed, and stood him in warm water every day. When the
spring meetings opened in Indiana, I entered Protection in
his class and in his first race I liked him better than I ex-
pected to. The excitement of the race, etc., seemed to be
just what he wanted. As I had not done anything in the
way of keying him to a high rate of speed, and knowing
that I had no chance to win the race, I contented myself
with second position and as the race was decided in three
heats it was nothing but a good day’s work forhim. I trot-
ted him every week from there until the grand circuit opened
and at Buffalo I started him for the first time in the big
ring. And regardless of all that I had told the boys about

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 265:

his wonderful speed and race-horse qualities the book-mak-
ers were willing to bet a hundred dollars to five that he
would not win the first heat. But Protection came home
first in about 2:20 and there were a few people at the track
who did not get their breath again until the cold weather
set in. He was beaten the race, however, having to content.
himself with fourth money.

The following week, at Rochester, he bettered his posi-
tion a little by capturing a heat in about 2:20 and winning
second money. Again the book-makers got hurt by betting
they could tell which heat he would win. At Utica he trot-
ted a well-contested race, winning two heats, but was again
beaten. At Albany he won the third and fourth heats in
his race and at the finish of the race stood second. By this
time everyone said he would do very well for a heat or two,
but was no good after that. I made up my mind that there
would be a day when he would be able to win three heats.
My opinion was correct, for the following week at Hartford
he won over a good field with plenty of betting and acquired.
a record of 2:194.

But what I consider the star performance of Protection’s.
life was when he beat J. B. Richardson a race over the Point.
Breeze track under unfavorable circumstances where it took
five heats to decide it, they being the only contenders. The
winning of this race caused me some satisfaction as it proved.
what I had said of Protection—that he was a race-horse, and
it gave me an opportunity to take the scalp of a gentleman
whose hair I wanted. There was no pool-selling, but a good
deal of old-fashioned betting out of hand indulged in, and
Dr. Frost, Protection’s owner, and who they say is the best.
dentist in the world, and whom I know to be a first-class.
sport, was tempted to lay alittle money on him at the odds,
which were four to one. Richardson had beaten Protection
every race they ever came together, was known to be fast and.
a good actor, and proven himself one of the gamest Wilkes.
horses I ever saw. There was no laying up in the first
heat this time. Jimmy Goldsmith had the mount behind

“266 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Richardson and as the other horses were not supposed to
have a chance in the race, the fight started in between the
two. In the first seven-eighths of the mile in the first heat,
Protection and Richardson went like a team. Then Richard-
son broke and Protection beat him to the wire in about 2:21.
The second heat was almost identical with the first. They
trotted yoked all the way to the finish where Richardson
again broke and Protection won again in 2:204, which, taking
into consideration the day and the track, I consider the best
mile he ever trotted.

After this heat Protection showed a good deal of dis-
‘tress and we decided that the best thing to do was to lay
him up, regardless of whether there was any other horse to
drive Richardson out or not. Richardson won the third
and fourth heats easily in about 2:24. Most of the people
then left the track, thinking the race was over, and those
who staid got a genuine surprise party. By this time
Protection seemed to have recovered his breath, and it
jJooked to me as if we had a fighting chance to win. Hav-
ing trotted all these races with J. B. Richardson, I had
found out what I thought was his weak point, and that was
that if a horse took him by the head and hung right on to
him, he was almost sure to make a break, in fact wanted to
‘keep breaking all the time. I had no idea of beating him
to the wire, but thought I might make him run enough so
‘the judges would take the heat away and give it to me.
When the word was given in the fifth heat Richardson led
to the quarter pole, Protection a good second. In the drive
-down the back side Richardson broke and made a good run,
and by the time Jim had him trotting again I had the pole.
I then pulled back and let Jim come up to my wheel and
we raced in that manner to the three-quarter pole, where
Richardson indulged in another short break and landed on
‘a trot at Protection’s head. From there to the distance
stand neither horse seemed to have any advantage, both
staying on their feet and trotting their level best. Here
‘Richardson indulged in another break and we finished at

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 267

the wire so close that I hardly think anyone could tell
which horse was first. Here Jimmy put me in mind of his
illustrious namesake, James G. Blaine, because he claimed
everything and conceded nothing. He told the judges that
I had scared his horse off his feet, carriel him wide on the
turns, and that my conduct had been unbecoming a gentle-
man and a scholar, and his friends who were many, and.
who backed the horse, thought the judges were bound to:
decide the heat in favor of Richardson whether or no. I
thought at the time and still believe that Protection was
entitled to the leat and race. He had trotted five heats
without making a break, over a rough heavy track and
there was no leat that Richardson had not indulged in
a good deal of breaking. After the crowd had shouted
themselves hoarse [ got a chance to make a statement to
the judges and they awarded the heat and race to Protec-
tion. Some of the critics said that my talk got the race,
but if the money is hung up for trotting horses I don’t see
why they should not all be compelled to go on a trot if
they expect to win it. I don’t think any horse should be
allowed to run in a heat under any circumstances, unless it
isarunning race. In all the last races that I drove Pro-
tection in I had him shod with a light shoe, a two-ounce
toe-weight, leather and sponge, and had him calked about the
same as you would for the road. He hada low heel and a
big frog and I found that the hard track seemed to hurt
him. I put the calks on to break the concussion, and he
went better. All through this campaign Protection acted
very steady, and contrary to what everyone said about
him, proved himself much better than an empty stall and
gave me renewed faith in the Volunteer blood.

William Darling dates lis connection with the turf many
years back, from the same school with Peter Johnston, Ed
Brown, Jimmy Boyle and others of that class. In his
younger days Darling did not have the same opportu-
nity to make trotters that trainers do in these times owing
to the great difference in raw material, but that Darling

268 Lifh WiTH THE TRNOTTERS.

was a horse trainer and driver is proven by the success he
had with a great number of horses. At the present writing
he is trainer and manager of Mr. Mortimer McRoberts’
Rock River stock farm at Dixon, Ils., the only one in the
country I believe devoted entirely to tle breeding and rais-
ing of gentlemen’s road-horses.

Jack Haverly, one of the best-known men in this country,
whose large theatrical and other amusement interests have
made him a public character for years, was always a lover
of the turf, owned some good horses, and when they trotted
was willing to back them as long as there was anyone to bet
against him. It may be truly said that he is the only Jack
Haverly. Ihave known him from my schoolboy days, and
have seen him without a dollar in the world, and at other
times with a fortune at his command. Whether broke or
wealthy his manners and treatment of other people were the
same. The boy who blacked his boots in the street was
treated by him with the same courteousness and considera-
tion that a king would receive at his hands. Jack Haverly
may die poor or may die rich, but in either case he will leave
a monument behind him in the number and love of his
friends that I would rather have over my grave than a pillar
of granite that would reach to the clouds:

‘*Con’’ Sullivan, also one of the old guard, was con-
nected with the turf when Chicago was a village,and although
his time is now entirely taken up with his large breeding
interests, he enjoys a horse-race as well as ever. He made
his bow to the public in connection with Joseph Cairn Simp-
son, aman whose connection with the turf has been one of
long years and great activity; he having bred, owned, trained
and driven trotting horses all his life. He also owned some
of the best thoroughbred race-horses in this country, and
with all that found time to edit a newspaper devoted to the
turf and its interests, has written a number of very valuable
works on the same subject, and if the Society for the Pre-
vention of Cruelty to Animals wants to do a humane act to
horses, they should send a copy of his book entitled ‘‘ Tips

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 269

and Toe Weights’’ to every man who owns a horse in this
country. No man that owns a horse or takes an interest in
one, should be without this book. Iown one, and study
it every time I have a chance and always learn something
new.

Speaking of newspaper men, brings to my mind a few
other writers who have taken a prominent part on the turf.
H. D. McKinney who writes over the name of ‘‘ Mambrino,”’.
has given to the reading public a great many pleasant and
valuable newspaper articles; has been a trainer and driver
and owner, has invented several useful and practical appli-
ances for trotting horses; and one, his patent check-hook, is
the best thing of the kind I ever saw.

M. T. Grattan has proved himself by his works a capa-
ble breeder, a good trainer and driver, and one of the best
judges I ever saw in the stand, and as a writer I think if he
had taken to romance and described a scene between some
young lady and her sweetheart as well as he did the race
between Edwin Thorne and Clingstone, his book would have
had a greater sale than ‘‘The Quick or the Dead.”’

The next man, E. C. Walker, who writes over the name
of ‘‘Veritas’’ and has been connected for a long time with
the Chicago Horseman, has also served his time as a breeder,
owner, trainer and driver of trotting horses, and with a suc-
cess that any man might be proud of. Asa writer on all
subjects connected with the horse he has made himself a
trade-mark that many try to imitate, but none excel. There
is one thing in connection with his writings that I never saw
but one other man who could do anything like as well, and
that is, the fact that he can sit down in a chatty way and
without pen or paper interview you on any subject in the
world and write it up, and have his article contain the exact
language and meaning that you had used with him in your
conversation. This certainly must be a gift, as I never saw
but one or two men who could do it with anything like ac-
curacy. a

The newspaper business must be bred in the Walker

270 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

family as E. C. Walker has a brother James, that has the
same qualities as a newspaper man, and also the love of the
horse in his character, he being an owner and .breeder at
this time.

Some of the other noted characters that I have met on
the turf are the pool-sellers and book-makers. Ira Bride, of
the firm of Bride & Armstrongis one of the best known men
in the business, he having had the pool-selling at different.
times on all the prominent tracks in this country. He has
the dignity of a bank president and this, coupled with his
handsome appearance and gentlemanly manners, makes him
avery popular man.

Frank Herdicis a native of Pennsylvania and as a talker,
pool-seller, and a violin player, he cannot be excelled.

Charley Stiles is willing to talk anybody in the world a
race of mile heats three and five and is just as willing to bet
on his ability there as he is to guess the winner in a horse-
race.

Ed Morse, a Yankee pool-seller is a very steady man
about fifty years of age. His business methodsare first class,
his friends would make an army, and he would like to find
a rule so that every man who buys a pool-ticket might get
a winner.

In the West the pool-selling on trotting tracks has of late
years been pretty well monopolized by George Wild and Al
Swearinger, a couple of young men who are about as well
known and liked as any in their line. Wild is a Britisher
by birth, but for all that the trotter is his ideal horse, and
if it were a choice as to whether he should see the Epsom
Derby or a free-to-all pacing-race George would be with the
side-wheelers every time.

Jim McCrea, Herdic’s partner, deserves more than a pas-
sing mention, he having been for years connected with pool-
selling and perhaps has business relations in that way with
more men than anyone else in the business. Jimmy is nota
sport in any sense of the term, and never plunges, no matter
how good the tip. The price of a barrel of flour laid.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 271

straight and a ton of coal for a place, is as much as Jimmy
cares torisk. Jim and myself claim Cleveland for our home,
and in the winter mornings as we wait for our butcher to
cut off our steak or chops, we talk over the prospects for the
coming year and wish we might find a way to always win
when we bet.

Another character, and the only one in his class, is Lem
Ullman, the original and only American programme seller.
He made his bow to the public as an owner of trotters. He
and Herdic at this time own the celebrated bay gelding
Clothesline, but after one campaign, which was very dis-
astrous, Lem wended his way home sitting astride of Clothes-
line and looked about the same as a clothespin on a clothes-
line in the back yard. He, I believe, is the inventor of pro-
grammes on the trotting turf, and while he comes from the
race of people who they say lovemoney, Lem likes to make
it, but no man can spend it more freely or giveit toa friend
in need with a more generous hand. After the busy season
is over, Lem and his first lieutenant Master Fred Johnson,
hie themselves to some beautiful climate and there live in
clover until the bell rings again.

Harry Johnson and Johnny Green represent the French
pool interest on the turf, and while their age and general
appearance are very much different, their methods are about
the same.

CHAPTER XI.

Other drivers who have made a uame in connection with certain families of
horses—Morrill Higbee and the Sprague strain of blood—Frank Van Ness
with Harry and Rosaline Wilkes—Jock Bowen, and how he fooled some
people who imagined that he could not drive a pacer well—Horace Brown
comes from a family of practical horsemen—Billy Weeks an excellent
rider, as well as a good reinsman—Charles Marvin the man who has brought
out nearly all the fast sous and daughters of Electioneer—Some facts about.
Governor Stanford’s venture in the breeding of trotters—Pluck has a.
good deal more to do with success than luck—Governor Stanford in some:
respects like General Grant—A colt of his breeding sold for $50,000.

Another man who made his mark with one family is.
Morrill Higbee, he having given their records to the two
fastest representatives in the Sprague family. Governor
Sprague as a five-year-old obtained a record of 2:20 under
Higbee’s management and sold to Mr. J. I. Case for about
$30,000. A few years later he gave Kate Sprague her best.
record, 2:18. Morrill is a genial fellow, looks like a typical
Westerner, although born near Utica, N. Y.; and has plenty
of nerve, as I think Mr. Vail, ex-secretary of the National
Trotting Association could probably prove if necessary.
Higbee was always a fortunate man on the turf, having sold
several other high-priced horses besides Governor Sprague.

To Frank Van Ness is due the credit of giving to Harry
Wilkes the fastest record obtained by any horse of the
numerous Wilkes family. Healso drove Rosaline Wilkes
to her record, which is the next best one in the Wilkes fam-
ily. Jock Bowen is one of the representative Yankee driv-
ers of this country, he being a native of the East. Bowen
has been successful with the Knox family, Pilot Knox and.
Camors both having received their education at his hands.

(ied

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 273

There never was but one Jock Bowen and there will never
be another. He has probably seen as many years of active
service on the turf as any man in the business. He does not
care to call the whole world his friends, but those he likes
he will go as far for and make as great an effort to serve as
anyone. A rather amusing instance came under my notice
in connection with Bowen that might be told here. <A party
from the West went down to Boston to show the Yankees
how to race with pacers. The judges, not liking the com-
plexion of affairs, concluded to change drivers. They sent
for one of the owners, told him they thought they would like
to put Mr. Bowen behind his horse, to which he readily
consented, stating that nothing would please him better.
The judges asked Jock to take the seat. He declined, and
in a quiet way informed the owner that he was not in the
habit of going about and interfering in other people’s busi-
ness. The owner insisted that Jock drive the pacer and by
all means to win with him if he could. Jock took the mount.
and won the race, and all his friends realized well on it, and,
as it leaked out afterward, the owner of the pacer lost his
money, having bet against Jock after being told by some-
one that Jock had never driven a pacer and would not be
able to win with this one. I have always thought that
any man who could play one viclin well would be apt to
make some music with almost any one. I think the same
in this case. You find a man who can drive a trotter as
well as Jock Bowen, and he won’t be entirely lost when he
gets up behind a pacer.

Horace Brown is entitled to be classed with the free-for-
all drivers. His father before him was a trotting-horse
driver of reputation anda man ofability. Horace drives all
classes of horses well, and as a conditioner has always been
considered first class. William Weeks is also entitled to be
classed with the old brigade as he has been a horseman from
boyhood. He shines particularly in the saddle and when-
ever Billy rides the ladies have a treat. He has given any
number of horses their best records and as a manager in the

Q74 LIFE WITIL TILE TROTTERS.

stable he leads them all. This part of his education I think
he learned from his old friend Mr. William Van Cott, who
has been for years the stable-kKeeper in New York City
where gentlemen board their valuable horses. Van Cott’s
stable represents to the horses what the Murray Hill Hotel
does to the human race.

Charles Marvin has made his greatest reputation in con-
nection with the Electioneer family. He first made his bow
to the eastern public in connection with Smuggler, and he
handled that uncertain horse with so much skill that when
Governor Stanford asked Mr. Doble to name a man to take
charge of the training of his numerous stable, Budd, always
a conservative man, without any hesitation named Marvin.
The result proves that Budd knew his man, as in the years
in which Marvin has been connected with Governor Stan-
ford’s place he has accomplished more than has ever been done
by anyother man. Iam willing to concede that Marvin has
had good material to workon. Butif you givea man the best
piece of cloth in the world and he is not an artistic tailor he
will be unable to make from it a suit of clothes that looks
well on his customer. The winter of 1876 I spent in Califor-
nia and was one of a party who accepted Governor Stan-
ford’s invitation to spend a day at his farm, he having
purchased ita short time previously. I little thought what
relation it would ina few years occupy to the trotting world.
We spent a pleasant day and were greatly entertained by
Governor Stanford giving usasketch of his early life in con-
nection with California. He told us how he and his part-
ners had struggled along in the greatest railroad undertak-
ing that ever a few men were engaged in. At this time the
fruits of his labor had just commenced to return. I think
he was more pleased as it was about to be proven that in
building the railroad he was a benefactor to the State that he
loved so well. In appearance and manner he reminded me
very much of General Grant; was perhaps a little more of a
talker, but with that same magnetism that affected everv-
one with whom he came in contact. As Mr. Doble had Oc-

LIFE WITH TIIE TROTTERS. 275

cident in his stable that winter I had many a pleasant chat
with the Governor. I soon learned one thing, that he was
notanimitator. When he talked of breeding horses I found
that he had his own ideas of what would constitute a race-
horse and what would produce that animal. When it was
announced through the press that he had paid $44,000 to
Mr. Charles Backman for animals to found a breeding estab-
lishment people little thought that he would in a few years
produce one colt that would at public auction bring more
than that amount of money, which he did as Bell Boy, bred
at his place, brought $50,000.

An instance happened in connection with this colt which
gave a friend of mine an opportunity to laugh at me. In
my list of friends I had one, a character of the name of
Pollock. He was a native of Ohio and had the love fora
horse born in him. He was aself-made man, having fought
his own way up, therefore thought he had the right to use
his money in any way he thought fit, and for a man who
worked for his money was about as reckless with it as any-
one J ever saw, being always willing to loan it to me on my
word. It was suggested to him by a friend that it would be
a good plan to buy Bell Boy, then a yearling, for $5,000.
He interviewed me on the subject and asked me if I would
like to have an interest in him. I told him he might be able
to buy yearling colts at $5,000, but in the present state of
my finances I would not be able to pay for more than one
hair out of his tail at that price, and as I gave him no en-
couragement he let the matter drop. But I do not consider
we lost the $50,000 that Bell Boy brought, for he might not
have brought that much if we had owned him. Governor
Stanford has also sold a yearling for $12,500, and any num-
ber of other horses at very long prices, and it looks as if his
harvest had just commenced. Marvin's strong card, I think,
is his everlasting industry. He has probably ridden more
miles in the last ten years than any two horse trainers that
I know of. Some men imagine that a man gets to the top
of the ladder in his profession by pure luck. Iam a good

276 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

deal like Mr. Baldwin, known as ‘‘ Lucky Baldwin’’; he
says a man is more liable to get there by pluck. While
Marvin has had plenty of raw material of the best quality
to work on, to work out the result that he has I think proves.
that he must have been a man of great ability and industry.
That he has filled his position with satisfaction to his em-
ployer is proven by his being able to hold it for so long a.
time. Not only is Marvin capable of training and driving
acolt but I have seen him handle aged horses equally as.
well. His training and driving of Smuggler stamped him
as a mechanic of the first water.

I have spoken of Golden and Bowen as men who have:
made their mark in their profession, and between them they
have done more than any other men to bring into promi-
nence the Lambert family, which I consider to be in some
respects one of the very best strains of trotting blood. Itis.
true that extreme speed on the race-track is not a merit of
the Lamberts, but nevertheless Daniel Lambert has sired.
something like thirty horses that have made records of 2:30 or
better, and for road driving they are in my opinion unsur-
passed, being beautifully gaited, with as pleasant mouths
for the bit as one could imagine.

A breeder of whom the public will know more in the
future than it has in the past is Mortimer McRoberts of
Chicago. A few years since his physician advised that on
account of failing health Mr. McRoberts should purchase a
fine road-team. He took pains to secure a perfectly matched
pair that were fast, and at the same time pleasant to drive,
and the trouble he experienced in doing this resulted in his.
establishing the Rock River stock farm at Dixon, Ill. Mr.
McRoberts, who had been successful in business life, saw
that the breeding of trotters that were distinctly road-horses
had been overlooked, and it was with this in mind that his
breeding venture was begun. The premier sire, at this place,
McRoberts’ Venture, is a sixteen-hand dark-brown horse,
that hasaptly been called ‘‘The Lambert of Lamberts.’’ He
is by Aristos, son of Daniel Lambert who made a record of

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 277

better than 2:30, out of Fanny Jackson by Stonewall, her
dam being Betty Condon by North American. Venture’s.
dam was Kate by Abraham; and his second dam was Polly
Cook by Vermont Blackhawk. Abraham is a son of Daniel
Lambert, and as Vermont Blackhawk is of the same strain
of blood that produced Ethan Allen, sire of Daniel Lambert,
it will be seen that the pedigree is a phenomenally rich one
in Morgan blood, especially when it is added, also that the
second dam of Venture was a Morgan mare.

The Morgans are typical road-horses and the Lamberts.
are kings of the Morgan family, so that in Venture Mr.
McRoberts has the essence of blood that has amply proved
itself by far the best for the purpose for which he has used.
it. He does not claim that he is a breeder of race-horses,
believing that if they have any speed at the trot, they will
show it for themselves, but in the matter of gentlemen’s.
horses for road driving, he takes second place to nobody. An-
other wonderfully well-bred stallion on the McRoberts place
is Wanderer, ason of Grand Sentinel, which last-named horse
has been previously referred to in these pages. The first dam
of Wanderer was Agatha by Abdallah Mambrino, son of
Almont, and her dam was by Goldsmith, a son of Rysdyk’s.
Hambletonian. This is performing trotting blood on all
sides, as Grand Sentinel was by a full brother to Volunteer,
and out of a mare by Mambrino Pilot, one of the best sons.
of Pilot Jr., and that, in addition to being well bred was a
trotter himself, and sired two such famous ones as Mambrino
Gift, 2:20, and: Hannis, 2:173, Mambrino Gift being the first
stallion to trot in 2:20, while Hannis made a reputation that.
is natural. Looking in another direction, Mr. McRoberts
saw how potent had been the blood of Mambrino Patchen
in the production of 2:30 trotters, and with this in mind he.
purchased Mambrino Empire, by Empire, a son of Mam-
brino Patchen. Empire’s dam was the famous mare Favorite
by Alexander’s Abdallah, dam of Favorite Wilkes and other
well-known horses. Mambrino Empire is out of Casella, by
Mambrino Bashaw, grandson of Mambrino Pilot, Cunard.

278 LIFE WITIL THE TROTTERS.

is also on Mr. McRoberts’ farm. He is by Venture out of
Nannie Thorne, a well-bred daughter of Hamlet, her dam
being by Seeley’s American Star. To show the potency of
her blood, it is only necessary to say that she is the dam of
Thornless, whose record is better than 2:20, and who I saw
trot a mile in 2:16 last year, and of Little Thorn, that is
also standard by performance. Chelmsford, another son of
Venture is out of Gypsy, daughter of Mambrino Pilot Jr.,
her first dam being by Royal Revenge, her second dam by
Simpson's Blackbird, both horses of remarkable individu-
ality themselves, and with power to impart speed at the trot.

In brood-mares, Mr. McRoberts’ collection is a choice
one, Nannie Thorne being at the head, and from her he has
secured tivo fillies that are very fast. Josephine, another
brood-mare, is by Louis Napoleon, sire of Jerome Eddy,
2:164, and her four-year-old daughter Delphine by Venture
can already show a better than 2:30 gait. Bessie Rysdyk
is by William Rysdyk. One of her foals is a three-year-
old pacer called Pamela, whose speed is something phenom-
enal. Indian Queen is by Indian Chief, that has given us
Lady de Jarnette, and her dam is by Selim, sire of 8 ranger,
2:28. She has a four-year-old by Grand Sentinel that can
beat 2:30. Halca is a full sister to Theta, that has a record
better than 2:30, and that is best of the Almont Rattler
family. Heroine is full of Morgan blood, being by Leon
by Anthony Wayne, out of a mare by Vermont Hero, son
of Sherman's Blackhawk. ,

It will be seen that in the breeding of road-horses Mr.
McRoberts has not in his operations confined himself to one
family, but has selected his brood-mares from the most ap-
proved strains of trotting blood, that have been tested by
performance and not found wanting for the purpose of as-
certaining which strain was best to accomplish his purpose
in breeding. Te has bred six horses that can beat 2:30, and
the snecess of his operations has but just begun.

A. J. McKimmin is one of the ‘‘befoh the wah, sah”’
Southerners. His first appearance in the North was in con-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 27H

nection with Blackwood, Jr., and at the end of his first cam-
paign was the black stallion called ‘‘ The Iron Horse of Ten-
nessee,’’ a name he richly deserved from the great number
of hard contests he had taken partin. There was one thing
in McKimmin’s character very necessary in a horse driver,
and that was he was not afraid of anybody. While he was
not a quarrelsome man I have seen him on one or two occa-
sions with a look in hisseye which showed that he was not
to be trifled with. In appearance he is a little large for a.
driver and has the general air of a well-to-do farmer. Not.
only is he a successful horse driver, but ina newspaper war
with some of the trotting associations he made not a few
centre shots and showed his opponents that the whip was not
his only strong suit. At present he is the possessor of a.
breeding farm and confines his attention almost wholly to
that, leaving the excitement of driving to his friends. Rob-
ert Anderson, another Southern production, has made sev-
eral raids on the Northern country with his race-horses. His.
most notable charger was Argyle the pacer. This horse in
Bob’s hands went some good races and some bad ones, but
in the wreck Bob must have saved something as I under-
stand he is the flourishing proprietor of a first-class livery
stable. I want to say here that it was through no fault of
Bob’s that Argyle used to make those ‘‘ Jimtown”’ breaks,
as he has on several occasions done the same thing with me.
Dod Irwin is a Quaker and a representative driver of the
Quaker City. Tosay that he learned his trade with William
Doble is enough to convince anyone that he will do to go for
the money, and if he drives your horse and does not win
you can rest assured the horse is troubled with the slows.
Eugene Rood hails from Wisconsin. Years ago he showed
the boys a taste of his mettle by dragging off the pool-box
with Mazo-Manie, and would have dragged off the track if
it had not been fastened down. George W. Webber, another
native of Wisconsin, is noted for his easy manners, his
qualities as an all-round horseman and the size and brill-
iancy of his diamonds, he having more money invested in

280 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

gems than any other driver that I know of excepting Bobby
Stewart. George has made several successful campaigns,
the most notable one perhaps being with St. Albans who
acquired a record of 2:20 and at the same time made his
‘driver plenty of money.

Mr. William Doble, or ‘‘ Uncle Billy”’ as everyone loves
to call him, is, I think, the oldest driverin the country. He
commenced his career years ago when a horse that trotted
in three minutes was considered a veritable racer. He has
had a long and pleasant life, made many friends, his repu-
tation as a driver and manager of trotting horses has been
first class, and Orrin Hickok has often told me that to Uncle
Billy more than to any other man was he indebted for the
success of Lucy after the mare came to hisstable. Not only
has Uncle Billy a reputation as a great driver himself, but
he is the father of a family of drivers, having three sons
who have made reputations in thesulky. He has never lost
his interest in trotters, is just as willing to back his opinion
as when he was a boy, is not at all backward about going
out and driving for bis money against any of the present
generation of experts; and I will give the boys one word of
caution: Don’t make a race with Uncle Billy with the
expectation of being able to out-drive him, for I have seen
some good men try that and fail.

Bob Kneebs is one of the men who took Horace Greeley’s
advice and went West to grow up with the country. His
natural love of horses led him into the business and in the
first part of his career in racing horses with the Indians he
did not have the opportunity to show his talent that has since
made him famous through all the Western campaigns. Some
men say that good horses make good drivers. That may be
so to a certain extent, but I have seen Bob drive some bad
horses and do it well. I think the best breadwinner he ever
had was Elmwood Chief, who made a record of 2:18% and
has for years won a large percentage of his races. Of late
years Bob has devoted. a part of his time to the breeding and
raising of horses. In this line he hasalso been successful. If

Il TROTTERS. 281

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you go West expecting to get Bob’s scalp with a trotting
horse, take a good one or you may find yourself at a dis-
advantage. George Cook, the little man who on the turf
goes by the name of ‘‘Cooky,’”’? made his greatest reputa-
tion in connection with the Wilkes family, he having given
Rosa Wilkes and Joe Bunker records better than 2:20, and
won some well-contested battles with both of them. He is
at present the trainer at Hermitage farm, the home of
Wedgewood, and I expect to see him out with many a win-

ner by my old favorite.

To show that the trotting-horse owners of the future
will not be short of good drivers, I will give a few tips on
the younger generation of drivers now coming out. As this
book treats entirely of facts and records, Ed Bither is entitled
to first position in this class, he having done more by the
records than any man living or dead, that is to give two
trotters records better than 2:14, namely Jay-Eye-See, 2:10,
and Phallas, 2:132. I have heard people criticise Ed and his
methods of training and driving, and I do not wish to say
that no other man could have driven the horses as well, but
Ed did do it and I think he is entitled to all the glory
arising from the feat. There is one thing I am sure of, that
no horse, no matter how good, can make the public per-
formances that these two made for Bither without being
‘well trained and properly driven. In appearance Bither is
a young man of medium height, well behaved, with a com-
fortable bank account and I know it will be of interest to
my lady readers when I say that he is still a single man.

Next by the record comes Millard Sanders. His public
career on the turf has been very short but brilliant, he hav-
ing won some grand races with Clingstone, given Guy his
record of 2:12 in his first regular campaign, has the best
record for four-in-hand, and to have done all this in a short
time shows that his early education in the horse line was
not neglected. He has charge of Mr. W. J. Gordon’s breed-
ing and training establishment, and a visit to that place will
convince the most skeptical that he thoroughly understands

282 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

his business. Next we have Scott Quinton of New Jersey, who
is a very dressy young fellow. Scott has given Favonia a
record of 2:15, and the pacer Gossip Jr. a mark of 2:14. He
comes honestly by his love for horses, his father having been
afirst-class horseman. Mr. Quinton is a very genteel looking
young man and with his dress suit on at a swell dinner or
theatre party issimply immense. Next in line is Bob Stew-
art, he being entitled to fourth money, having given White
Stockings a record of 2:16. Bob comes under the head of a.
gentleman driver,—that is he owns and drives his own horses,
and in that class he leads the list. Whenever Bob’s horse
trots through the grand circuit it is considered ladies’ day, as
Bob always has a handsome horse, is well dressed himself
and his diamonds are the envy of more than one man. The
love of the horse in the Stewart family is not all centered in
Bob. John, his younger brother has never yet made his.
bow to the public as a professional driver, but as an enemy
of the book-makers and a plunger in the pool-box, he is only
equaled by their father, who makes occasional raids from
the far West and if he does not beat the pool-box he gives
it such a shaking up that it does not get back to its normal
condition before he is ready to take another fall out of it.

In the pacing-horse division Rody Patterson takes the
banner, he having given Bessemer, a four-year-old stallion,
a record of 2:15 which is the best up to date for an entire
horse of that age. In this Rody did more than many drivers.
have been able to accomplish in a lifetime. Two fifteen °
may not seem fast on paper, but there are few men who have
ever had the pleasure of riding that fast ina sulky. Budd
Doble, with all his experience, never rode a mile in the
sulky better than 2:14 until last year. For Rody Patterson
I predict a brilliant future. His business education and
moral training has been of the very best, as no boy was ever
more carefully reared. His father before him was a horse-
man and his grandfather followed the same vocation for a
living. Rody’s father as secretary, owner and driver was
always closely connected with the turf and his record was.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 283

that he was honest, kind and true, and treated everyone as
he wished to have them treat him. This was his religion,
and he lived up to it without a miss-score or a break. What
wonder then that young Rody with that example before him
should already have made for himselfa record as a man and
adriver? Ido not remember of having seen anything pleased
an audience more than it did when Rody won a race with
Bessemer and gave him his record of 2:15 the day he was
twenty-one years old. I know one handsome young lady
who was particularly happy. Besides being a trainer and
driver, Rody manages, together with his mother, one of
the handsomest breeding farms in Kentucky. Healso trains,
drives and keeps all kinds of animals for other people and.
he has my indorsement as being able and willing to fill the
position in a satisfactory manner to anyone wishing his
services.

M. E. McHenry is, I believe, a native of Illinois. In
size etc., he reminds me very much of Turner. My first
introduction to McHenry convinced me that size cut no
figure with him. We were both driving in a race on one of
the outside tracks where everyone takes the pole at once if
they can get it, and the first I knew I was having a battle
royal with some young man I:had never before seen. I
returned to the stand after the heat and asked a friend of
mine who he was. He replied, ‘‘ McHenry, from Illinois.”’
Ireplied that McHenry from Ilinois was about as indus-
trious a young man as I had ever seen out with a horse and
wagon trying to make alivingfor himself. I put him down
in my book as one of the young men not to be overlooked
any time he was in the ranks. In Shuler, Johnny Kelly
and a number of other young men whose names I do not at
present recall, the Western country has material to always
keep the rank of the trotting-horse drivers up to the stand-
ard. In the East, among the shining lights in the new divis-
ion is Mr, William Snyder. I think the first lessons he
ever took in connection with trotting horses he learned in
my stable. In the early part of my career I trained a horse

19

284 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

for Snyder’s father, and in that way made his acquaintance.
He is not only a good horse driver and a good trainer but has
proved himself a successful business man. By trade he is
a first-class civil engineer, and between heats has managed
as superintendent the building of a good many miles of
railroad.

Captain Boyce’s title is no empty one, as he was one of
the men who went to the front and was just as willing to
defend his country in times of trouble as he would be now
to win first money in the $10,000 purse. The Captain has
always had a more or less active life with trotting horses,
has given a great many of them their best records and is at
present manager and trainer for one of the largest stock
farms in this country, and if the produce of the farm do
not put their names on the roll of honor it will not be the
fault of the Captain. In Kentucky among the leaders in
in the business are the well-known Bowerman brothers,
Mike and George. Together, they are a strong team.
Each has in himself the elements that the other seems to
lack, George, I think, being the strongest in laying out the
plan of battle. But when it comes to the part where the
shooting takes place, with all due regard to George, I want
my money on Mike. Ihave had a great deal of respect for
Mike’s ability in matters pertaining to a trotting horse since
the day that J.Q.and Sparkle had their memorable con-
test over the Cleveland track. That the Bowermans have
not, in the hurry and bustle of the trotting-horse excite-
ment, neglected to look after their bank account is proven
by the fact that their checks are always honored. They
number among their patrons some of the leading breeders
and owners of the country who are always sure of fair
and honest treatment at their hands. Gus Wilson learned
his trade in what is considered the old legitimate way, that
is, went as a boy and served his time with Horace Jones,
one of the leading horse trainers of that day. As proof
that he did not waste his time or talent, he gave to Hattie
Woodard a record of 2:153, and had she not met withan

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 285

accident would without doubt have improved that. He also
won the $10,000 stallion race with the stallion Alexander
and gave him his best record. Gus is one of the sort of -
people a good deal like some horses, they have a little more
to them than you expect, and for that reason when he
starts in a race he never disappoints the public.

John Call, who dates his connection with the turf way
back when Belle Patterson and Annie Collins were young-
sters, devotes his time and attention more particularly to the
training and developing of young horses for people who do
not keep a private trainer of their own, and in this line he
has been particularly successful. He steps out occasionally
‘and makes a raid on the boys and shows them that he is
not afraid to go out in deep water. He makes his home at
Cleveland, and has the advantage there having the best
training ground that I know of for all kinds of horses.
Alta McDonald, of Albany, is entitled to be classed with
the youngsters, and a cute one at that. What Alta does
not know of the ins and outs of a plain everyday horse-
race isnot worth knowing. He is always willing to bar age
and size and take whatever the judges read out to him for
his share of the money, and up to the present time, I think,
he has been enabled to get all he was really entitled to,
As a trainer, he has shown from his boyhood his ability to
not only condition his horses, but what I consider a much
harder feat, to keep them in condition through a long cam-
paign. He always drives to win, which I think very
commendable ina young man in these times, where there is
often a temptation to do differently.

Tom Grady, another Albany trainer, is an Irishman by
birth and a gentleman in conduct. He has made a study of
trotting horses both in books and by actual experience the
greater part of his life. Heand Charlie Nolan have always
been great friends. Whenever I see them in consultation
on the race-track I make up my mind that the Fenians are
going to book a winning. Nolan has been one of the strongest
supporters of the trotting turf, a sportsman for pleasure,

286 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

a railroad contractor by occupation and while he does not
go around the country making bonfires of his money, he is
always willing to pay thé top price for a good horse, and
whenever General Turner says so he is ready to win, backs
his opinion till the books are closed. John Driscoll, a
young man whose name has long been before the public, he
having started in his public career as a boy under the tute-
lage of the world-renowned William Heywood, trains for
Mr. Shults of Brooklyn, a man who has expended as much
money of late years for horses as anyone I know of. For
Driscoll to be placed in charge of all these valuable horses
and property by a man of Mr. Shults’s business experience
is recomendation enough foranyone. John is a little under
the medium size, weighs about 135 or 140 pounds, has
plenty of determination, and his early education could not
have been better to fit him for a trainer and driver.

Hiram Howe, one of Hiram Woodruff’s scholars, made
his mark in connection with the American Girl. Of late
years he has given up training and trotting, is the pro-
prietor of one of the best hotels on Long Island, and in the
winter days more races have been trotted around Hiram’s
stove than on any other part of Long Island. The two
Perrin boys, George and Ed, trace the trotting-horse strain
in their pedigree back to the third generation. Not only
their father, but their grandfather was always a lover and
strong supporter of the trotting turf, and their father at one
time owned Flora Temple. The boys in their youthful
days brought up in luxury, did not like some other young
men when the storm came and swept their fortune away,
sit down and wait for someone to bring them another.
They took off their coats and went to work. While neither
one of them has ever been fortunate enough to have a star
performer, should they ever get one that can step a mile
in about 2:10 I will guarantee they will not have to be tied
in the sulky to keep from being blown out. Steve Phil-
lips sprung to the front with one bound as it were with
the celebrated pacing horse Sleepy Tom. Many people

s

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 287

imagine that this horse did not come honestly by his won-
derful speed, but such is not the case as he traced his ped-
igree back to one of the most wonderful performers the turf
has ever had. I speak now of his granddam Pocahontas,
who years ago made a record of 2:174 to a wagon, she being
in foal at that time, and the produce proved to be the sire
of Sleepy Tom. She was owned at the time by a mon of
the name of Woodmansee, a resident of Ohio, who after-
ward sold her to James D. McMann of Flora Temple fame.
That the horse interest did not die out in the Woodmansee
family is shown by his two sons Dan and Ben,who were in
his lifetime the managers and contidential advisers of Com-
modore Kittson. Being first-class judges of horses in all
their branches, good business men and strictly honest they
were of great value to Mr. Kittson in all his connection
with the turf.

Sleepy Tom was unfortunate in his younger days by
being very much neglected and ill-treated by his owner and
from this cause lost his eyesight. But after coming into
the hands of Phillips, who bought him for a small price,
under his better care and management he showed symp-
toms of speed which afterward made him famous. He beat
all the best pacers of his day and was the first horse to beat
Rarus’s record of 2:134. He was a horse of rare intelli-
gence, and, as in the case of Prince, the loss of his eye-
sight seemed to increase the acuteness of all his other facul-
ties. In driving him Phillips always talked to him a great
deal which I think is a good idea to do with any horse. I
once drove him ina race for Phillips, he having met with
an accident. In talking the race over he advised me to lay
him up the first heat, saying it would give me a chance to
Jearn the horse and we could put our money on at a better
advantage. At this time there used to be a great deal
written in the newspapers about Tom and his peculiarities
and how Phillips drove him, and some of these stories were
very much*exaggerated. After I drove in this race I was
interviewed by a reporter of a country newspaper who was

288 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

very anxious to have a scoop on all the rest of the boys.
He asked me if I had any difficulty in winning with Tom.
I told him no, that Mr. Phillips in driving the horse had set
speeches that he made to him at different parts of the track,
and for fear that I would get tangled up in it, he wrote
them out for me, I pinned the paper on my knee and when
the word was given kept Tom’s head steady and read the
instructions and in that manner won the money. The re-
porter published this and I received many letters of inquiry
asking me if such was the case; if I had driven Tom by the
paper. Phillips sold the horse at a long price, retired to
his rural home, bought himself a farm, was I believe elected
sheriff, a position I think he would have been well fitted
for as it would have taken a pretty hard prisoner to have
gotten away from Steve.

Joe Rea had the love of the trotting horse bred in him.
A native of Indiana, the home of the pacer, I have often
heard his father tell of races that had happened before Joe
was born. Joe made his greatest success in connection with
R. C. Pate’s stable when that gentleman occupied a promi-
nent position on the trotting turf. He also gave the boys
a general shaking up with Amy King, going through the
grand circuit with her and winning a majority of the races
in which she started. Charlie Forth, also a native of In-
diana, gave Rowdy Boy his reputation and record of 2:133,
driving him in many a well-contested race with Mattie
Hunter, Lucy and Blind Tom when they constituted what.
was called ‘The Big Four.’ Sam Keyes, of Pittsburgh, needs
no introduction from me. He is considered the father of
all pacing-horse men, as years ago, when no one but a
butcher cared to own a pacer, Sam was the only profes-
sional man who took an interest in them, and as the public
gradually became interested in that style of racing Sam
still continued his connection with the side-wheelers, and
he and his gray mare Lucy probably did more toward mak-
ing pacing races popular with the public than any other
pair. Sam isa character, true to his friends, had a deserved

LIFE WITH TUE TROTTERS. 289

reputation of being honest with the public, would bet his
money like a sailor on Lucy when it looked sometimes as
though she would not be able to win, and I think his horse
account has always been on the right side of the ledger, as
he is a good business man. He was always a great admirer
of Mace and whenever not able to drive his own horses
Mace was out behind them.

Moore Floyd, another Pittsburgh man, came prominently
to the front in connection with Slow Go and won some
grand races with him in the big circuit, making a record
of about 2:18. Of late years Moore has changed his busi-
ness and with the exception of an occasional visit to the
race-track, has severed his connection with the turf. The
name of Shank is familiar to all the people in Ohio, there.
being a large family of them and all horsemen from the
youngest to the oldest. Their name was brought prominently
to the front in connection with Oliver K. They had a horse
called Rutherford Hayes, which rumor said would some day
be a world-beater. These wonderful horse stories came to
the ears of Mr. Emery and he and a friend of his formed
a combination or trust, so to speak, and at a long price
bought of the Shank family this going-to-be beater of all
records. When Shank delivered the horse at Mr. Emery’s
place he said he would like to investa little of the money in a
colt, Mr. Emery at this time having begun to lay the
foundation of his now extensive breedingestablishment. In
looking over the list of colts which came under his standard
of price, etc., he picked out one, a large awkward-looking
yearling, and paid for him $150 and with the balance of his
money safely tucked in his boots started for the rural dis-
tricts. After Mr. Emery had given Hayes a thorough trial
and made up his mind that the horse he had bought from
Shank would never beat 2:08% he concluded to try and sell his
interest. After some correspondence he induced his partner
to accept his half of the horse as a present. Not so with
our friend Shank. He broke his colt and after a short term
of education started for the pumpkin fairs, where the ani-

290 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

mal performed in such a manner that again the story went
forth that Shank had a sure-enough world-beater. If Mr.
Emery ever heard the story he could not have paid much
attention to it as he didn’t buy this one.

The fall the colt was four years old Shank entered him
ina race at Cleveland under the name Oliver K., and with
the help of Davy Muckle bankrupted the whole northern
part of Ohio. What Mr. Emery’s feelings were when he
saw his $150 colt and thought of the animal he had bought
from Shank, I will not undertake to describe. Shank sold
his colt to George Forbes for $5,000 in money. Again loaded
down to the high-water mark with Government bonds he
returned to his rural home and built himself a brown stone
front where he passes his time in luxury and comfort re-
counting to his neighbors how he beat the city horsemen.
The following spring after Forbes bought Oliver K. he sent
him to me to train and drive. In his preparatory work the
horse showed some lameness, but not until I had seen
enough to convince me that he was another Rarus, which is
another instance of the argument that great horses are born,
and not made, for at this time Oliver K.’s training had been
very limited, but he showed me so much speed that I was
sure that he would bea star performer. After aconsultation
it was decided to let him up in his work, which was done.
Misfortunes, they say never come singly, and Forbes had
proof of this in the disasters that followed. He had always
been what the boys call a hustler, an all-around sport, ad-
mired everything from a hundred-yard foot-race to a four-
mile running race, was himself at one time champion sprinter
of Canada, and entirely by his own exertions had acquired
a comfortable fortune. He invested the most of it in busi-
ness in Cleveland and had the misfortune to stand by and
see his property, which represented years of toil and labor,
swept into the lake ; and after the flood had subsided found
himself thousands of dollars worse off than nothing on
the debit side, and on the credit side there was one
lame trotting horse and an interesting family of children.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 291

He stuck to the children and tried to sell his horse, butas it
had been reported that he had been lame no one took any
interestin him. I, knowing what a wonderful trotter he
was, tried to induce a wealthy friend of mine to buy him
and take the chances of his recovery. He thought that
would not be a good business scheme, so Forbes was com-
pelled to keep his horse, and has had occasion ever since to
thank his stars that he did, as the next year he trained and
drove Oliver K. himself, won all his races including the
$10,000 purse, and sold him for $17,500 to Mr. Charles
Schwartz, of Chicago. From that day until this fortune has
smiled on Forbes and it will take an old-time flood to carry
his property into Lake Erie again. A handsome painting of
Oliver K. adorns his parlor walls and his children look upon
it as though it was the pictureofahero. In Mr. Schwartz’s
hands Oliver K. has performed some handsome feats, having
beaten Harry Wilkes while in his prime and gone a mile
against the watch in 2:15. This horse is not considered gilt-
edged in breeding, but in my judgment, if he had been fortu-
nate enough to have staid sound, he would have compelled
the public to have said in his case that a gilt-edged pedigree
was not absolutely necessary in a race-horse. I donot wish
to say that I do not like pedigree in horses, as I do, but I
do not want all pedigree and no horse. If I have a good
horse that has a good pedigree, I have more confidence in
his improving, training on, and lasting than I would in a
horse without a pedigree.

One of the old-time drivers whose methods etc., made
a lasting impression on my mind was Simon James. He was
the pride of the Queen’s Own, being a native of Canada
and one of the Queen’s subjects. Canadians are a sport-
loving people and years ago had a breed of horses that
could all trot some, their particular forte being speed and
not staying qualities. In those days to win a race at Buf-
falo was considered of as much importance as to win now
the English Derby. Simon made occasional raids across the
American border, and, such high esteem and confidence was

292 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

“he held in, there always came with him a goodly share of
Canada money to back his chances. One of the best races
he ever drove where the Canucks carried Uncle Sam’s money
back by the bag full was with a gray horse called Milton,
that could trot a mile in about 2:30, but was credited with
staying qualities equal to ten or twenty miles. In this race
he was not the fastest but he staid the longest. It was looked
upon by the Canadians as a national victory, and he was
lionized by the natives accordingly. Among Simon’s pa-
trons were the two Ensigns, men of fine reputation in busi-
ness, great lovers of the horse, and who always owned a
good stable of trotters and race-horses. They are liberal
with their money, as I can bear testimony, as in the days
before I had ever won first money with a trotting horse,
when five dollars a month was about the legitimate size of
my income, they sent me to school and in other substantial
ways showed their kindness of heart toward me. James
always drove their horses and drove them well. He is retired
from the turf, but is considered authority on trotting horses
by every subject of Queen Victoria.

John Trout’s name is very appropriate, as in habits,
general disposition etc., he puts you in mind of a fish that
is hard to catch. There is nothing in the way of driving
a horse from the tow-path to the white house that John is
not prepared at all times to take a hand at. Ina field of
horses he is quick to see and take advantage of every weak-
ness on the part of his opponents and can do more toward
making a horse a good breaker than any man I ever saw.
That he is a first-class judge of pace is proven by his
having given Huntress her three-mile record, which is best
up to date, and he rated her along in that race as evenly as
old Father Time himself could have done. Sam Caton is a
gentleman whose long connection with the turf has given
him a world-wide reputation. His campaign in 1887 with
the Kalamazoo stock-farm stable was perhaps his most brill-
jant effort; in that year he won more races than any trainer
in the country; not only with old campaigners, but also with

LIFE WITII THE TROTTERS. 293

colts and green horses, and by so doing refuted the oft-
repeated story, that old trotting-horse trainers were not
good colt trainers. Sam not only won with his colts, but
kept them in such condition that they made long cam-
paigns—won a lot of races, and, what is more, they came
out the following year and trained on. He gave Bell Boy a
record of 2:194 as a three-year-old, and convinced me that
he is a wonderful horse from the fact that his training was
very limited; his owner using him almost entirely for
breeding purposes.

‘“Tobe” Broderick is considered one of the shining lights
at the huckleberry shows, he having made the world’s record
of 2:074 over a half-mile track with-his celebrated pacer You
Bet, and running mate Gooseberry John. I think, taking
into consideration the difference between a mile and a half-
mile track, that this is as good a performance as.any team
ever made that way rigged. Hawley Cole, by the fashion
of his garments may ante-date the war, but his training,
driving and management of trotting horses is after the most
approved latter-day methods. He formerly devoted a part
of his time to his large railroad interests, but the interstate
law interfering with his usefulness, he now puts in all his
energy and talent to training a public stable. That he gives
his patrorts satisfaction is proven by the number of them.
John Holstein made his mark in connection with the
Wood’s Hambletonian family, having given many of them
their best records and campaigned them very successfully.
In connection with John I might relate rather a strange
accident, something that I never saw happen before, and
one of the many proofs of how uncertain horce-racing is.
In a race at Utica several years ago he was driving Nancy
Hackett in what would have been perhaps the deciding heat
had she not met with an accident. I had Wolford Z. in
the race, and after trotting for the first three-quarters of a
mile to beat John with Hackett, she, without any apparent
cause, plunged sidewise, and stopped almost instantly. So
sudden was it, that I pulled my horse up, thinking that

294 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

something terrible had happened, and sure enough she had
dislocated, as we afterward found out, the main bone in her
hip, and had to be destroyed. John had two heats won, and
every horse beaten sureat the three-quarter pole in the third
heat; his mare was well backed in the pool-box, and then all
his chances were destroyed by this inexplicable accident.

Johnny Grier comes under the head of the light weights.
I think he does not weigh over 120 pounds, but I don’t see
as that is a drawback to him, as he has made some as good
finishes as heavier men could have done in the same position.
Jim Boyd may surely be called an all-around horseman; he
is a horse trainer, driver, owner, breeder, livery-stable
keeper, secretary of a trotting track, and of a breeding as-
sociation—surely irons enough for one man to have in the
fire. With all this, he has plenty of time to be considerate
and polite to not only his numerous friends, but anyone
who may have a chance to meethim. He is one of the fixt-
ures of Milwaukee. Woodard & Brasfield, the founders of
what has grown to be a very large business, combination
sales, are both horsemen of rare ability. They are different
in disposition and character; together they madea successful
team, and since they have separated their interests, each one
has shown himself capable of filling a place in the business
world. Brasfield has been connected with some of the lead-
ing breeding farms in Kentucky, having trained for H. C.
McDowell and others, and in fact gave Trinket her colt
record of 2:193. Woodard & Brasfield once owned Harry
Wilkes and gave him a record of 2:234. Woodard is con-
sidered more of a plunger than Brasfield, and any time that
he is not engaged in his legitimate business, he is ready to
take a whirl at the pool-box and will try just as hard to
guess the winner as he will to get the top price for a man’s
horse that he is selling.

John KE. Madden, the boy turfman, has never aspired to
be a driver, and I believe has never made his bow in a
public race, although in private training he has shown
marked ability as a horseman. He has owned some very

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 295

promising animals and is willing at all times to pay the top
price for anything that looks as though it would be a world-
beater. James Boyle dates his connection with the Western
turf to before the Chicago fire, when such leading lights as
Harry Holmes, Al Gage, Charley Schwartz and a host of
others were out in force, and before they had settled down
to everyday business. At this time, George Mansur was
proprietor of Dexter Park and Billy Boyle (Jim’s brother)
was the leading secretary of the country. Since then he,
too, has settled down, and has proven himself to be as good
a business man as he was a secretary, which is proven by
the fact of his having made a fortune for himself with his
chop house in Chicago, an establishment that has attained
more fame than any other place of the kind in the country,
and to which horsemen gravitate as naturally when in Chi-
cago as they do to the quarter stretch when at a race track.
George Hayes, made his star performances as a driver in
connection with Colonel Pepper’s stables at Frankfort Ky.
In his management and driving of the celebrated mare
Catchfly Hayes stamped himself a trainer of rare judg-
ment and ability, Catchfly being amare that had baffled the
efforts of anumber of people to train and drive. But Hayes
soon gotthe hang of the mare, and in his hands she proved
herself one of the few first-class race-horses of the year, beat-
ing among other good ones Harry Wilkes in a race of five
heats. Hayes is rather a mild-mannered young man, but
with plenty of determination, as was proven in this case.
The Coates brothers come under the head of gentlemen
horsemen, and are, what 1 would call, two ofakind. In |
ways, looks, disposition and traits, they are as near alike as
a pair of aces. They have owned and raced some of the star
performers. Joe always does the driving and Arthur at-
tends to the finances of the concern, and in this manner
they have been able to give talent some pretty severe blows.
They also take an interest in breeding, and own a fine prop-
erty at Goshen, N. Y., where they spend their time when
not out on they road. They are both well-educated young

296 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

men, and might be taken for a couple of students. Joe
is particularly fond of music and has given to it a great
deal of attention.

George Robens, native of Michigan, has the distinction
of giving the record to the fastest Blue Bull, also the fastest
three heats inarace by the same horse, namely George-
town, the pacer, that was afterward sold to a foreign market.
George has been rather an active young man, and while he
has never had a real star performer, the horses he has
handled have always been used to the very best advantage.

Col. George Washington Dickey, a gentleman whose
connection with the turf dates back to the time that Dan
Mace was a boy, Mace being a great admirer and friend of
Dickey’s, is one of the heavy weights of the turf, he being
without doubt the best driver of his weight known. In re-
gard to his name, his parents christened him George Dickey,
but in later years, as his character was fully developed, his
friends made the additions. The title of colonel was given
to Mr. Dickey on account of his bravery, and the Washing-
ton part of his name was added to indicate his truthful-
ness. He was the son of a minister, and was educated with
the idea of his following in his father’s footsteps, but the
Colonel had other views, and struck boldly out for him-
self on the turf. He made his greatest reputation as a
trainer and driver of trotting teams and was the first man
to drive a team in 2:30 which he did with Jessie Wales and
Darkness. He has traveled in every country in the known
world where the trotting horse is mentioned, counts his
friends by the thousand, and is the man that, Jack Phil-
lips offered to bet, could borrow $25 from a lamp post in
any country in the world.

George Starr, although connected with the turf fora
number of years, has not yet made his bow as a public
trainer, having filled the position of second trainer to Budd
Doble for a number of years with the idea of fitting himself
thoroughly for the position of a public trainer and driver.
In doing this I think he has showed commendable wisdom,

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 297

that is, in first thoroughly learning his trade before he
hangs out his shingle. He has already to my knowledge
refused some very tempting offers to train and drive differ-
ent stables of horses, thinking it better to first completely
master every part of the business; I think this is a plan
that every young man should follow. After you have made
up your mind that you want to make training and driving
horses your business, consult with whoever you think is the
best trainer in the land, take his advice whether you are
fitted for the work, then place yourself under his charge
and every day try to learn all you can in regard to the
details of the business. In that way you will have a chance
to not only use your own judgment, but you will obtain the
benefit of your employer’s education and experience. All
the success that I have had in life in my business I thank
my early employers for. Mace took as much pains to teach
me how to train and drive a horse as any school teacher
would have taken with a boy if he had known he would
have lived to be President of the United States. It would
have been impossible for a man to have taken more interest
in a scholar than Mr. Simmons didin me, and when I drove
the first horse for him in public races, he seemed to take a
greater pleasure in making mea competent driver than he
did in having the horse win. When George Starr offers his
services to the public I shall be willing to indorse him, and
think he will prove that my theory about learning to be a
horse trainer is correct. In size, appearance and manners,
he looks and acts more like his employer, Mr. Doble, than
any man I ever saw. George perhaps has alittle the advan-
tage of Budd in years, being somewhat younger, but has
those same careful methods in his character that have made
Budd in my opinion the greatest horse trainer I ever saw.

CHAPTER XII.

How to train the trotter and keep him in good fettle—His mouth the first thing
to be looked after—An experience with Fanny Witherspoon—Don’t pulla
horse, and he will not pull you—Overfeeding and is consequences—Give
water at all times—The groom must be neat in appearance and not a drink-
ing man—Too many blankets a bad idea—Some points about boots—The
use of pads and sponges—Mambrino Sparkle’s bad fext, and the great races
she trotted—Why clipping is beneficial— Work in the early spring—Teach-
ing trotters to score well—Sulkies, road-carts, timing-watches, etc.

The first thing in training a horse is to make a careful
study of the animal, learning all his peculiarities, faults,
weaknesses, habits, etc. I think one vital mistake made by
men training horses is that they do not seem to think that
horses are made of flesh and blood, and very nearly human
in all their ways.

The first thing to be looked after in a horse, is his mouth,
for two reasons: In the first place, the mouth is used for a
double purpose, to drive the horse by, and to eat, two very
essential things in a race-horse. In a race, if you beat the
other man a head, you win the money; if he beats you a head,
he takes the money, so that your whole year’s work may be
decided for or against you by the length of a horse’s head.
if two horses are in a race, equal in every particular as to
speed, etc., and one of them is a disagreeable driver and
can not be entirely ccntrolled, and the other one perfectly
controllable to the will of his driver, easy to manage, and
quick to respond to every touch of the bit, that horse will
win the money every time. I simply state this to show that
in horse training it is the small things that make or unmake

the success of the horse and trainer. Some horses naturally
(298)

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 299

have a better mouth than others, but with time, care and
attention any horse’s mouth, no matter how bad, can be
improved. My idea is first to see that the horse’s teeth are
in proper condition. Unless you are a veterinary dentist
yourself do not undertake to fix his mouth. Get the best
veterinary dentist you know of, tell him if the horse has any
peculiarities about driving on one rein, lugging or pulling
in any disagreeable manner, and if the dentist understands
his business and the habits are caused by any trouble with
his teeth or mouth he will be able to remove the cause and
in time the horse will forget his bad habits. Horses area
good deal like men about that, it takes them a good bit
longer to forget a bad habit than it does to learn one, so
that it sometimes requires a great deal of patience to over-
come a slight fault.

Aitter the teeth and mouth are properly looked after, the
next thing in line are the bits. My experience has been that
no horse can be successfully driven with anything like a
severe bit. I never saw one that was even broken of the
habit of pulling in that way. If you put a severe bit ina
horse’s mouth and pull on it it makes the horse mad and
irritates him; the further you drive him and the harder you
pull him, the more he will pull against it. When Iwasa
boy almost every trotter I saw would pull in a disagreeable
manner when being driven at top speed. At the present
time I can not think of one horse that is anything like first
class, that pulls enough to make it disagreeable for a man
atany time. A great many people think that every horse
should be driven with an overcheck. I can remember when
I had the same opinion myself. I am now satisfied that it
is a serious mistake. There are a great many horses that
will not take kindly to an overcheck, and if you insist on
using it on them it will sooner or later spoil the horse's dis-
position to a great extent. The plainest case of the kind
that ever came intomy hands was Fanny Witherspoon. She
had been trained for a number of years and always with an

overcheck. I myself trained her for over a year in the same
20

300 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

manner, but with very little satisfaction, as she seemed to-
continually have trouble with her mouth. In talking the:
matter over with my friend Hickok, he advised that I try’
her with a check bit, side check, and nose-band attachment...
I did so, and had Mr. J. H. Fenton make me a bridle ac-
cording to Hickok’s suggestion, the same as the one he wore:
on St. Julien, and in the shortest time imaginable the mare.
showed a very marked improvementin hi r driving. Ithink-
a horse should never be checked on the bit you drive him.
with; always have an extra check bit in his mouth. For
bits, I find that most all horses drive well on an ordinary
size snafile bit covered with rubber. I do not mean what.
they call patent bits with guttapercha covering. I take a.
steel bit, have it nickel-plated to prevent it from rusting,
take a piece of white rubber hose, and have my harness-.
maker cover the bit with it. Manufacturers tell me there is.
nothing about the white hose that is disagreeable to the taste-
of the horse, while there is in the patent covering. Ialso.
cover the check bit in the same manner. A great many
peopie who break colts, I imagine, do not realize how inm-
portant a part this isin a horse’s education, as a majority of
them never drive a race in their lives. They seem to think.
that if the colt is broken so he won’t jump the fence or kick.
you out of the sulky that is all that is necessary. Years.
ago, when I was a boy and lived on a farm Isaw more pains.
taken with a hundred dollar colt in breaking him than I see.
now sometimes with a colt that the owner expects to get.
thousands of dollars for. Ihave found that with horses that
have disagreeable habits of pulling on one rein, etc., it is a.
grand idea to put a bitting harness on them, and turn them
loose in a large stall or paddock. Do not check them high
enough to make them fight the bit, nor leave it on long enough
to tire them. The oftener you put it on in that manner, the:
better. It is an easy matter in winter when they are not in
training to put it on them a couple of times a day.

We have now discussed the pulling question from the:
horse’s standpoint; the other side, the trainer and driver,

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 301

I often think, cuts a very important figure. I am sure that
not one man in a hundred driving a trotter ever realizes
how hard he pulls the horse. A good way to find that out
is for a man to step into some gymnasium where they
have a pulling machine and pull against it about as hard as
he does a horse in a race, and in that way, if he is in the
habit of pulling his horse hard, he may learn something
that will be to his advantage. I drive all my horses with
holders on the reins, and I think no man should ever drive
in a race without them. A great many say: ‘‘ Why, if your
horse doesn't pull, do you use holders?’’? For the reason
that I can drive a horse easier to myself and him also with
holders than I can without. If you drive the horse without
holders you will have to grasp your hands so closely about
the reins that it will stop the circulation so that before you
have gone a half-mile you will have to change the position
of your hands; then if the horse makes a break you are
obliged to take a wrap on the reins before you can catch
him. You do not have to pull a horse any harder with
holders than is necessary, and if it comes to a desperate
finish where he makes a break the advantage is all on
your side instead of his. In working your horse, always
try to see how little you’ can possibly pull him, as it will
help make him a better race-horse and you a much better
driver. .

In the training of a horse to bring him to his highest state
of condition what he eats and drinks cuts a very important
figure. There are some horses that from one cause or
another, will not eat enough to stand the severe prepara-
tion, but as a rule I think most horses eat too much. I
think eating gets to be a habit with some of them, and a
bad habit at that. If a horse is inclined to be ‘‘ washy,”’
sweat freely and lose his flesh, that horse, I think, needs
more feed than one of the opposite disposition. While
Rarus was a delicate-looking horse and people often asked
me if he was a good feeder, he was the greatest feeder for a
race-horse I ever saw. Through all his severe campaigns

302 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

with me I never saw him when he was not ready to eat, and.
in the hardest part of the season I fed him about fifteen
pounds of oats a day. In their stomachs horses differ more
from the human being than perhaps in any other part of
their physical structure. A man in the course of twenty-
four hours will take into his stomach more different kinds
and sorts of food than a horse would in a lifetime, and for
that reason, I think what a horse does take has more effect
on him than it otherwise would. Whatever a horse eats
should be of the cleanest and best. I think on an average
that ten pounds of oats a day with a fair amount of hay,
is enough for a horse to be trained on. I think that all
horses in the training season should have plenty of grass.
In winter, I like carrots in small quantities, and fora change
boiled oats have proved themselves a very satisfactory food
to me. Some people say: ‘‘ What about bran?”’ JI am a
good deal like Dr. Weldon about that; sawdust will answer
the purpose just as well, and it is a good deal cheaper.
After deciding what to feed the horse, next comes how
tofeed him, This depends a good deal upon the horse. If
he is a good feeder my idea is to feed him often, and a
small quantity ata time. In this way you get the greatest
amount of good out of the smallest amount of food. When
you take into consideration the size of the horse’s stomach
and extraordinary strain that is put on every part of a
horse in a race, you can plainly see that with an overloaded
stomach you are liable to meet with very serious consequen-
ces. I think a great many cases where horses drop dead
in harness are due to some derangement of the stomach.
In feeding a horse ten pounds of oats a day I would suggest
to have it divided in not less than four feeds of equal pro-
portion. Never give a horse his hay and oats at one
time, for if he is a free feeder he will be sure to gorge him-
self more or less. As to water, I think every horse should
have all he wants and at all times. A man says: ‘“‘ Why, will
you give your horse water before a race?’’ Yes, before
the race, in the race, and after the race and any other

LIFE WiTH THE TROTTERS. 303

time the horse wants to drink. I have been told by
people who have made a study of it that thirst in an
animal is one of the most cruel tortures that can be
applied. I once had a most interesting conversation with
a man who had made the taming of wild animals a lifetime
study, and he told me that the severest punishment that
could be applied to animals was to put them in a warm
room until they became thirsty, and that treatment would
subdue the animal when nothing else would. In my boy-
hood days I knew a man who was a rather strange character;
he was a crank, the neighbors said, on training horses.
His way of breaking a balky horse was, when he refused
to draw the load, take him out of the harness and tie him
up where he could get nothing to drink. When he thought
the prisoner was in condition to appreciate a good drink
of water he would take him out and put him to the load
again, give him a few swallows of water and ask him to
work. If he did so, he was given all he wanted to drink;
if he did not work he was allowed to go without, and I
have often heard the man say that he had never come across
a horse that could not be conquered in that way.

In training a horse, his system willbecome more or less
fevered or dry from constant sweating and scraping and he
will naturally take more fluid into his stomach than he
would under other conditions. WhenIsay give your horse
all the water he wants before the race I do not mean that
you shall tie him up where he can not geta drink for five or
six hours on a hot day ina warm stall, and then take him
to the pump and give him all he wants. What I mean is to
give him water often, and in that way he will take but a
small quantity ata time. I think it a bad idea to set a pail
of water in a horse’s stall and leave it there until he has
drank it up. Physicians tell me there is nothing that will
absorb bad odors and become unhealthy quicker than water.
Tam satisfied from my personal experience that good water
is absolutely necessary to train a horse to perfection. Some
of the best points that I ever got about horse training I

304 LIFE Wilii THE TROTTERS.

have learned from physicians and men who have trained
people for athletic feats where it required the highest
standard of physical development to succeed. They tell me
that the foundation to build on when training aman isto first
have his blood in perfect condition; then the stomach,
and if he is a well-bred and game man the rest will come
after. That is my idea about a race-horse. If, from any
symptoms you may seein your horse you think the blood
or stomach is out of order get the best vetelinary surgeon
you know of to take charge of the case. Do not undertake to
doctor him yourself unless you consider yourself a first-
class veterinary. Jam of the opinion that no man ever lived
who was an expert at more than one trade. We often see
a great many things advertised as being good for this and
that ailment of the horse. When I read them over I
always think of what my colored boy ‘‘Senator’’ once said
tome. Onreturning home from atrip he told me that one
of the horses had been slightly ill and he had given him
some medicine out of a certain bottle that he had found in the
chest. Iasked him why he had given the horse the medicine,
and he replied it was printed on the bottle that it was good
for a horse,and he didn’t suppose anybody would print a
lie; but as the horse died, Senator lost confidence in pub-
lished statements. No matter how smart a man is, no mat-
ter how well he may have learned his particular trade,
nothing but constant, every day practical experience will
make him ap expert in his chosen profession. That is why
I say never callin a blacksmith, no matter how well he can
make a horseshoe, if you want the horse doctored.

After having made a perfect study of the horse’s habits,
how to feed and manage him in the stable, etc., you should
by this time have some plan as to how you think he ought
to be worked or trained. Never start in to train a horse
without having some idea in your mind as to how you are
going to do it. That is, about how much work he ought to
have, what kind of work, whether fast or slow, on the track
orontheroad. When you commence training a horse, make

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 305

‘sure that you have a first-class man to groom him. This is
the part of the training to which all successful trainers have
given a great deal of attention. Ifa young man applies to
Mr. Doble for a position to rub a trotter he would have to
‘come as well recommended to gain the position as a man
would to get a place of trust in a gentleman’s banking house;
-and why should he not? When you place a trotter in
charge of a groom you not only have the value of the horse
at stake to a large extent, but you also have the money
that you may have invested in races, either in entrance
‘money or in wagers. No matter how well you train the
horse or how carefully you drive him, if the groom,
‘from ignorance or carelessness, neglects his part of the
business you can not hope to have more than a partial
“SUCCESS.

In selecting a groom, never under any circumstance take
-one addicted to drinking liquor. Their mode of life and
temptations about a race-track, will certainly make them
-drink more, and I have one absolute rule, and that is I will
not keep a man about me a moment after he has shown a
‘disposition to drink. The more intelligent, the better be-
haved, the better dressed the groom is just so much better
will he take care of your horse. People say: ‘‘ What has
‘the dress to do with it??? If a man is neat and tidy about
‘his own. personal appearance he will be correspondingly neat
about his horse and tools. Trainers and owners often make
va mistake by thinking to employ a man with all those traits,
honesty, industry, sobriety and brains enough to be a good
‘horse rubber, for small wages. That is impossible. I once
-knew a man who had a good horse and he told me with
rseeming pride that he only gave the boy fifteen dollars a
‘month for rubbing him. The horse caught cold one day from
‘being carelessly neglected by the groom, and the owner lost
the use of him for that season. In talking the matter over
-with me he said he thought the boy should have known
‘better. I told him he must not expect to hire a man to do
-much thinking for fifteen dollars a month. I have seen

306 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS,

owners trust an ignorant man with a $15,000 horse where
they would not trust the same man with a ten-dollar biil.
Few people realize how important apart the rubber occupies.
in training a horse, or how many hours he has to be on duty.
In the actial training season the rubber does not have one-
moment that he can call his own. A man that works by the
day at ordinary labor puts in eight or ten hours, the balance
of the twenty-four hoursishis own. Not so with the rubber;
he is on duty the whole of the twenty-four hours, sometimes.
having barely time to eat his meals. People say: ‘‘ What
has he to do all that time?’’ His duties are to take care of
his horse, stable, harness, boots, blankets, sulky, whips and
a thousand and one things that a man needs in training a
horse. Then when the night comes, instead of going off and
having a good time with the boys, he has to stay in the
stable and sleep in the stall with his horse for fear of fire
and other accidents which might happen if the horse was
left alone. Ithink such men as ‘‘Old Charlie,” who took
care of Goldsmith Maid; ‘‘ Lucy Jimmy’’; Little Dave, who.
took care of Rarus and Johnston for me; Bill, the rubber of
St. Julien, and a number of other men whom I could name,
deserve as much credit for the success of the horses they
cared for as the men who drove them. No one realized this.
fact more than Mace; he took better care of his rubbers,
gave them better wages and was kinder to his men than any
other trainer that I ever saw.

The next thing in order is the tools to train your horse:
' with. Here again the trainer wants to be more than careful.
Do not fill your stable up with worthless traps that you have
no use for, as the care of them will only take time and
trouble. In regard to blankets, I often think they are a
nuisance; not but that I think a horse wants a reasonable
amount of clothing, but I have seen horses in the hottest.
part of the year with blankets enough on them to make them
uncomfortable in winter. I have seen the same horse in
winter turned out in the coldest weather with nothing to.
protect him except his coat of hair—that’s what I call the.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 307

two extremes. My idea is to have a few blankets and have:
them made very light. Bandages are another thing which I
think are greatly abused. Whyaman will bind up a horse’s.
leg with a flannel bandage and leave it there all night is.
something which I could never find out. If you try the same
treatment on yourself and go to bed I guarantee you won’t
rest well. If your horse has a bad leg, attended with fever
and inflammation, a bandage saturated in some cooling lotion.
might have a beneficial effect in case it is not left on too
long. I think that between heats in a race, or after severe:
work, if some light, stimulating liniment or wash is applied
and the bandage is not put on too tight, it acts as a preveni-
ive against soreness in those particular parts.

In regard to harness, almost every trainer has different:
ideas. A great many use what is called the single-strap.
harness. I have tried them and do not like them, as they
are almost sure to chafe the horse. Whatever harness you
use be sure that there is none but the best of leather used in
the making of it. Don’t buy a ready-made harness for your
horse, as in that case nine times out of ten you will not be
able to make it fit him. If your harness-maker is amechanic.
he can measure your horse and make the harness fit him as.
well as Joe Day, the ‘‘swell’’ tailor of Chicago, could fit
Berry Wall with a suit of clothes. Besure and have a good
strong saddle and an extra wide soft girth, as there is where.
most of the strain comes on a track harness. Put some
secure fastening on the check hook so that your check can
not fly off; don’t trust to a cork, as that will be sure to give
way at the critical moment. The bridle, another very
essential part, if with blinds, wants to set close to the horse’s.
head. Have the holes punched in it close together, then you
can make it fit well without pinching the horse. Have the
reins made the right length, and don’t have three or four
yards of leather hanging down bebind the sulky. Have the
holders on the reins good length and wide, and be sure that.
you have them in exactly the right place, so thatif the horse-
from any cause, either from breaking or otherwise, should.

308 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

take an extra hold of the bit you are ready and in the right
position to handle him with ease.

Now we come to what I call the mechanical part of the
horse’s training, that is the boots and shoeing. Here again
I consider this a vital part of the outfit. A man to bea good
maker of horseboots has got to be a natural mechanic. It
takesa very much better mechanic to make a boot to fita horse
properly than it does to make boots for the human race.
There has been a great deal of time and skill expended by
people in trying to invent boots to improve the speed of
horses, and of course out of all this amount of exertion we
have a few really valuable articles. A greatmany men object
to boots upon a horse, say they are a nuisance, and that if
the horse can not trot without them, let him go. <A horse
may go fora month or a year and never hit himself, and
then some day he may step in a hole or some other accident
befall him, and for the want of a boot in the proper place
ruin him as a race-horse. A good deal can be determined in
regard to what boots a horse needs by his general gait and
formation. No horse should ever be driven without shin-
boots on the hind legs. Very few, if any, horses can go
without scalpers. I think it absolutely necessary that a
horse should have quarter boots. We often have a great
deal of trouble getting quarter boots to properly fit a horse.
Unless they do fit you are apt to get your horse chafed and
sore, and this will cause you no end of trouble. I find J.
H. Fenton's No. 202 quarter boot very satisfactory in most
-cases. Some horses wear knee and arm boots, a few wear
elbow boots, and still others have to wear what is called a
brisket pad, and if a horse shows a disposition to hit him-
self in any place the first thing to do isto have him properly
booted. After a horse has hurt himselfa few times he gets
timid and won’t try to extend himself. In having your boots
made, use nothing but the very best quality of leather and
work and be sure above all things, that they fit the horse
that you want them for. Never undertake to train several
different horses with one set of boots; if you do, it will prove

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 309

unsatisfactory; it will be sure to spoil the shape of the boots
so they won’t fit any of the animals. If you do not live in
a town where there is a first-class boot or harness maker
and want either one of those articles, or in fact anything
that appertains to a race-horse in the way of tools, you can
write to Fenton & Co., of Chicago, give them your order,
and you will be sure of getting the best goods in the market,
at a moderate price and with the least possible trouble.
Next we come to the shoeing. So many older, smarter, bet-
ter educated men than myself have written, lectured and said
so much about shoeing trotting horses that I approach the
subject with very little confidence in being able to give it any
new light. Theories I find to be all very well in books,
newspapers, lectures, etc., but when those same theories
are put into actual practice they develope some unlooked-
for weakness which lets the whole structure fall to the
ground. The same I think, can truthfully be said in regurd
to shoeing a trotter. Any knowledge that I have in the
matter I have gained from actual practice, together with hints
and pointers from men like Mr. Robert Bonner and a few
others I could name who have made a lifetime study of the
matter. The first thing to be decided upon is how little weight
you can possible use in the horse’s shoe to protect the foot
and at the same time balance the horse so he will be able to
go at his highest rate of speed on a trot. What makes it
more difficult than anything else to give rules to shoe a
horse by is the fact that no two horses can be shod alike.
All horses are formed differently, gaited differently, and
have different dispositions. In all the great number of
horses that I have had I can not now remember of any two
that I shod exactly alike. I hardly think that anyone out-
side of an expert ever realizes how much difference it makes
to a fast horse to make his shoesa couple of ounces heavier
or lighter, but I know plenty of horses with whom to take off
or put on two ounces on each forward foot would be enough to
change the result of the race. Nowif this is true, and Iam
sure that it is, the shoeing of the horse is of very great im-

310 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

portance. In this connection toe-weights come in play. I
would rather a horse would go without the weights than
withthem. The great trouble with toe-weights is that people
use them when there is no necessity, and nine times out of
ten have them heavier than they need to be. I use toe-
weights a great deal; if I have a horse that has to wear over
a fourteen-ounce shoe, unless he has an extremely large
foot, I put on a toe-weight. I think there is less strain on a
horse’s leg with a very light toe-weight and a light shoe than
there would be with the weight of shoe you would have to:
put on the horse without the toe-weight.

There has been of late years a good deal of attention
given to shoeing horses with a pad made of leather or some
other substance, and the practice has its opponents and
advocates. The first man that I ever saw use anything of
that kind was Dan Mace. One of the strong arguments.
against a pad on a horse's foot is thatit is unnatural to close
up the bottom of the foot and keep the air and moisture
from it. Granted this is so, it is not the only unnatural
thing that we do with horses or ourselves. When I first saw
a pad in use it struck me as being unnatural, too. I once
had a horse sent to me for training that seemed stiff and
sore, and at the first glance I thought he had been found-
ered. I showed him to Mace, and he said: ‘‘ Bring him
over to my shop in Broadway and [ll show you what ails.
him.”? Upon arriving there with the horse Mace ordered
his shoes taken off in front, told the blacksmith to cut out
the rough sole in the bottom of his feet, and there we found
what people term corns; the whole surface of this horse’s.
foot was bruised and congested until it was about the color
of a piece of liver. Upon examining his hind feet I dis-
covered, much to my surprise, the same state of affairs.
Mace ordered the horse sent to his stable, had his feet put
jn warm water for thirty minutes twice a day for three or
four days, and at night heapplied a poultice of boiled tur-
nips and bran, having the turnips put on warm. When I
asked him why he used turnips instead of oil-meal he

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 311

replied: ‘‘Oil-meal would be too drawing, what you want
in this case is something to cool the parts and not draw
them.’’ After a few days of this treatment he took the
horse to the shop and asked me how much weight I thought
he ought to have in his shoes. I told him sixteen ounces
each. He turned to Charley Huie, the blacksmith (a man
than whom no better friend the trotting horses of America
ever had), and told him to make a pair of -twelve-ounce
shoes, and shoe my horse with leather pads. I watched the
operation closely, and I think it has been of as much benefit
to me as any one thing [ever learned about training horses.
After the foot was properly prepared and the shoe fitted,
Huie took a piece of soleleather and riveted it to the heels
of the shoe and trimmed it off the exact size of the shoe.
Don’t cut your leather smaller than the shoe; have it flush
all the way around, then take a sponge about as thick as
your hand, and after covering the bottom of the foot with
tar lay the sponge on and nail your shoe over all. As near
as I can remember that is about the way Huie treated this
particular horse. He shod him behind in the same manner,
and the result was so satisfactory to me that from that time
on I tried it, and if there is any one thing about shoeing a
horse that I stand ready to recommend to the public and
horse trainers it is that mode of shoeing. You will find
that in shoeing a horse with leather pads the shoes can be
made from two to four eunces lighter than without. When
you take into consideration the fact that our race-tracks are
made very hard and smooth, and see a horse that weighs
ten or eleven hundred pounds going over them better than
a 2:20 gait you may be able to form some idea of what the
concussion to a horse’s foot is. Some people use oakum
instead of the sponge. I like the sponge best as itis more
easily applied and keepsits place better. I have been asked
how long I thought it could be used ona horse’s foot with-
out detriment. I have tried it on horses for years and never
yet have had one instance where I could find the least harm
arising from it. IfI havea horse whose feet trouble him

312 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

much I remove the shoes as often as twice a month and
sometimes even more frequently, and in that case try and
give the horse a day off from his training, and if there is any
fever or inflammation apply something either in the way of
a lotion or poultice to counteract the fever.

Among some of the notable instances where I have shod
horses in this manner and proved to my own satisfaction.
that it was a benefit, I can name Johnston the pacer, Minnie
R., Fanny Witherspoon, J. Q., and that reliable horse, the:
book-maker’s favorite, Protection. The most marked in-
stance that ever came under my hands was Mambrino
Sparkle. When I first saw this mare she had a record of
2:30. In watching her I noticed she showed a great deal of
speed and fora big mare went with a short, jerky gait. I
think that sometimes we are attracted toward horses the
same as we are toward people, without being able to tell
the reason why; I know I was in this case and took an
interest in Sparkle the first time I saw her. I watched her
that year in her work and races, and while she seemed to
improve in her record she was not, on the whole, a very satis-
factory horse, going a good many in-and-out heats. The
next year I had a better opportunity to watch her and I
noticed when the track was soft she would go fast and on a.
trot, and when she struck a hard track she shortened up
her gait and wanted to run a good deal. I made up my
mind from this that her feet certainly hurt her. The next
winter she was offered for sale and to the astonishment of
all I induced Mr. W. J. Gordon to buy her, not, however,
until I had explained to him all about her feet, etc. The
old heads were very much surprised that Mr. Gordon
should buy this mare, as it was known that he never wanted
to own anything but first-class animals. On taking Sparkle
to Mr. Gordon’s stable and having her feet examined I
found them very dry and hard, a good deal of fever and
inflammation, and she acted very sore on them, and on hav-
ing the blacksmith shape them, saw they were very much
worse than I had expected. I ordered her grain reduced to

LIFE WITILE THE TROTTERS. 313:

about one-half the usual quantity, and had Dr. Fair come
out and look her over for me; he gave her a couple of light.
doses of physic and a light blister for her feet, which treat-
ment we followed and after the effects of the blister had
worn off we poulticed her feet faithfully until the training
season opened. We then concluded to use tips on her, and
for the first two months of her training she was shod in
that way, and I think it was a very good thing for her. I
hardly believe that a horse can be shod in tips and trained
and trotted over our hard tracks successfully. At this.
particular time I was more anxious to improve the condi-
tion of Sparkle’s feet than I was to train her. Mr. Gordon
has on his place a very fine working track, and on this I
gave the mare most of her preparatory work. When I
took her to the mile track, I had the track especially pre-
pared so as not to hurt her feet. AIL this time I kept up a
constant course of treatment for her feet in the way of
poulticing and soaking in warm water. I have heard a.
great many people say that is a very wrong idea, constant.
poulticing and soaking, but I notice that physicians fre-
quently cut off a man’s arm to save his life.

I gave Sparkle a great deal of moderate work and.
occasionally brushed her through the stretch. I was sure
any horse that had trotted as well as I had seen her in the
condition her feet were in would certainly go much better
with her feet in an improved state. In working Sparkle I
gave her most of her exercise to a road-cart, as I did not want.
the weight on her back, prefering to have her drawit. In
this case I was very fortunate in having a good boy to take
care of her. His turf name was, I believe, ‘‘ Gladiator Bill.”
I don’t see why they called him this, as he was one of the
most harmless and peaceable men J ever met, never spoke un-
less he was spoken to, and his attention to Mambrino Sparkle
had a great deal to do with her subsequent success. Before
the grand circuit opened I took Sparkle to Pittsburgh and
trotted her in a race in the 2:19 class, where she was a favorite
over the field in the betting, but had to content herself with

‘B14 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

fourth money. After the race when I asked Mr. Gordon if
he was disappointed, he said no, that he had never had a
great deal of faith in her. J explained to him that I thought
that race would put the mare on edge, and when she started
at Detroit against the same field of horses I thought he
would see a far different result. My prophecies proved
true, as she won a well-contested race of six heats and
trotted in 2:19. In this race she wore a ten-ounce shoe and
two-ounce weight forward, with a leather pad and sponge,
and a seven-ounce shoe behind. The reason I used the toe-
weight on Sparkle was that without it she scalped a good
deal, with the toe-weight she carried her forward feet out
of the way, and I thought went easier to herself. Someone
must have given Captain DeMass a tip on this race, as it
was reported afterward that he won handsomely. I was
more than pleased with the mare, and felt sure that, barring
accident, I would win my share of the money through the
grand circuit.

From Detroit I took her to Cleveland, removed her shoes,
jogged her about on the working track barefooted, and the
day before her race had her re-shod, and drove her a couple
of miles in about three minutes. I never remember of seeing
a better field of horses face the starter than there was in this
race. I never saw a harder contest on the part of the horses
and drivers than here, and when I say that Mike Bowerman
was there with his coat off and his war paint on to drive J. Q.,
who had already shown a trial in 2:15, and half a dozen other
horses able to beat 2:20 also in the lists, you would naturally
expect a battle. I laid Sparkle up the first heat in which
Felix won in about 2:19. After this heat I stood Sparkle in
-a tub of water as hot as I could bear my hand in, and gave
her body a thorough fomenting with a bottle of George Per-
rin’s Body Wash, after having it heated blood warm. I did
this to get up a good circulation in her feet and legs. The
second heat I laid her up again, and followed the same treat-
ment after the heat. I don’t think there was a man on the
track that expected to see Sparkle do what she did in the

”

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 315

next heat. There was a great crowd of people there and I
asked Mr. Gordon to take a position where he could watch
the heat all through, as I knew he always enjoyed a good.
battle and I thought he would see one. Bessie had captured.
the second heat in about 2:17, and everybody, including the
plungers and talent, considered it asure thing for her to win
the race. In scoring for the third heat I changed my tactics:
a little and came upinthe front rank. For this Mr. Edwards:
reprimanded me, threatened me with the usual penalty, and.
T believe did fine mg once or twice. After scoring ten or
twelve times they got the word. Sparkle and Bessie rushed
away like two quarter-horses, and J. Q. broke in a wild
attempt to keep pace with them. From there to the head of
the stretch Bessie and Sparkle fought it out alone; Sparkle
staid the longest and won the heat in 2:17, which is the
fastest heat she ever trotted. Billy Button beat her the
next heat, and the race was postponed on account of dark-
ness until the next day, when it was fought out from end
‘toend, Sparkle winning the eighth and ninth heats. To show
that this was a more than ordinary contest, I will state that
the nine heats in this race average better than 2:20, which is
the fastest average in any one race of the same number of
heats ever paced or trotted. Some of the horses which took
part never were heard of afterward, and when you take into
consideration the distance they must have gone in scoring
from ten to fifteen times in each of those nine heats and the
rate of speed that they went a part of the way it is not to be
wondered at. After the race I took Sparkle’s shoes off,
turned her out in the paddock for two or three days, re-shod.
her and took her to Buffalo, where she won a five-heat race
in the same class. She was not as good a mare in this race,
the severe ordeal in Cleveland having taken the edge off her
to a great extent. The following week at Rochester J. Q.

beat her in four heats. I gave Sparkle scarcely any work
between her races, contenting myself with nursing and trying
to allay the soreness and inflammation in her feet. At Utica

the next week in the 2:19 class, the battle narrowed down
21

316 LIFE WITI TIE TROTTERS.

to her and J. Q.,.the rest of their opponents having gone to
the hospital. Neither one of them was atan edge, being sore,
stale and short of speed. The public made J. Q. favorite
over the field. He broke and acted badly in the first heat,
but after that they fought it out, and it took all the after-
noon to decide the race and in the last heat, after Sparkle
had been driven to the best of my ability from start to finish,
she did not beat the gelding over a head. This is the last
race Sparkle ever won forme. At Hartford Arab beat her
a five-heat race, and from there she was sent to winter quar-
ters. While this mare was not born in the purple, nor
fashionably bred, she proved to everyone by this campaign
that she had all the qualities that go to make up the first-
class race-horse. She was about sixteen hands high, a very
handsome upheaded mare, very steady, a first-class breaker,
and I drove her with an open bridle, long martingales and
an easy bit.

The best time to commence to get a horse ready for the
summer campaign is the previous fall. After a horse has
closed a long and tedious spell of training if you expect to
trot him the next year you do not want to neglect him
through the fall and winter. If you bring him home poor
in flesh, worn out in his nervous organization, more or less
sore and tired, pull the harness off him, get a cheap boy
who doesn’t know or care anything to take care of him, and
leave him in that condition until spring, and then havea
good horse I shall be mistaken. My idea is to give the
trotter a short run at grass through the pleasant days in
fall, take him up every night, give him just as good a bed
and just as much attention as you would through the sum-
mer, and give him what grain you think he ought to have.
If he has any weak or sore places call in the veterinary and
try and get them strong and well before spring. Now is
the time to look after his feet. In the winter a horse’s
feet will not grow as well as in summer, so you may have
to use some extra exertion in that direction. In regard to
the amount of flesh a horse should be allowed to put on in

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 317

winter, it all depends on the kind of a horse you have. «If
he is soft and washy and scrapes easily there is not much
danger so long as you do not allow the flesh to get baked
on him. If you give your horse a good field to run in and
he is in good health and spirits he will take a great deal of
exercise himself. As the weather grows colder leave him
in the field only as long as he wants to stir about. Give
him thirty minutes in the morning and the same in the
afternoon. Ifthe ground gets hard put tips on him so he
will not break his feet; weigh him about once in thirty
days and then you will not be deceived in his condition.

As to blankets in winter, [like a comfortable stall and the
less clothes the better. If it comes to a cold night and you
think you want an extra blanket on your own bed, see that
the horse has one. Keep everything about your horse and
stable in winter just as clean as you would in summer. A
horse is different from a hog, he never thrives in dirt. As
to when you will take your horse up in the spring and
commence to work him depends entirely upon what part of
the season you want to trot him. If you think he will not
be good enough to go through the grand circuit get ready
and take in Michigan and Indiana for a little early corn.
When you have made up your mind just what you want to
do with him, then you should decide on your training
ground—something very important in the Northern country,
where at the best we have a good deal of uncertain weather
in the spring. What you need now is good roads, early
grass, good water, good stabling and a track that dries off
quickly after the rain, and wherever that is take your horse
there and train him.

There has been a great deal written and said for and
against clipping horses. I myself have clipped at some time
in their career all the best horses I ever trained. When
you take a horse up out of his winter quarters, he will
naturally have an excessive coat of hair, his flesh will be
soft, and with very moderate exercise he will sweat more
or less. If the weather is cold it is impossible to rub him

318 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

dry, and he may sweat off the flesh a good deal faster tham
you want him to. Under those conditions I invariably clip
a horse, and the result has always been perfectly satisfac-
tory to me. I clipped Johnston, Rarus, Fanny Wither-
spoon, Mambrino Sparkle and a host of other horses that:
have been successful on the turf. After locating your
training ground and getting your horses in shape to work,
you must be controlled entirely by the dispositions, physi-.
cal characteristics and other peculiarities of the animals.
which compose the string, and also what sort of races you
expect to trot them. If you are going to trot them races of
mile heats, three in five, or if you have a star performer
and are going to give some exhibition miles, you will natu-
rally treat them differently. A great many people give their
horses all their work to a sulky. I do not. Every man
should have in his stable two different weights of road-.
carts; one strong enough to give work on the road with,
and the other lighter to use on the track, for the reason
that it takes the weight off the horse’s shoulders and back,
and if his legs are weak or sore, it will naturally relieve
those parts. I have used various different carts in this
work, among them that manufactured by W. 8S. Frazier &
Co., of Aurora, Ill., and have found them the best, tl! ey
being durable, with good running action, and easy on the
horse. Other drivers have expressed the same views to me.

I do not believe it is necessary to give horses as much
walking and jogging as they often get. In preparing a horse.
for mile heats, speed is, I think, the element to be sought.
after. When you have hardened your horse’s legs and
body by road work you commence his work on the track.
Be sure that you have a good track to work him on, and
above all things do not work him at a high rate of speed in
the mud. I have seenmen take a horse out two days before
his race and work him in the mud, and when the day of the
race came and the horse had no speed they wondered what.
ailed him. As gooda man to copy after in this respect that
I know of, is Gen. John E. Turner. Some people, seeing

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 319

this title applied to Turner in the newspapers so frequently,
have come to regard it as an empty one, but such is not the
case, because if there ever was a Napoleon of the trotting
turf Turner isthe man. A leading characteristic of Tur-
ner’s methods in the conduct ofa trotting stable is his care
of the horses during every part of their preparation, and in
the matter of working fast on a deep or heavy track he is as
much horrified to see it done as the ordinary citizen would
be at meeting the devil, hornsand all. And to prove my
statements about him, I will say that Turner has taken part
in every campaign since trotting has become a National pas-
time, and judging from the taxes he pays he has at least
gotten his share of the money. When you see a man who
takes a horse and campaigns him for three or four years you
can rest assured that he has exercised a great deal of care
and attention in the matter.

If your track gets hard hire some man to harrow it, but
don’t work the horses on a hard track. In the spring, when
the horse is soft, you can do him more harm in five minutes
than you can undo in the balance of the year. Never be in
a hurry about speeding a trotter, give him. plenty of slow
heats. If he is any good when he gets in condition he will
show you the speed. If you have a horse that has any
peculiarities in the way of driving now is the time to over-
come them. If he is unsteady in company or a slow scorer,
get out your old runner, set a day, and go to the track and
give him a regularrace. I donot mean to drive him as fast
as he can go, but go down and score him up in company,
and keep repeating it. I scored Fanny Witherspoon a
hundred times in one day—in fact, for a month I gave her all
the work she had in scoring, and for my pains was repaid by
making her a fairly goodscorer. After seeing Orrin Hickok
train St. Julien, Iam sure that no horse lives that with plenty
of time and patience can not be conquered. I think Hickok’s
training of St. Julien was the best example I ever saw of the
persistent application of brains and bulldog tenacity in the
driver against willfulness and obstinacy ina horse that was

320 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

known to be worth all the trouble taken with him, if only
he could be made to obey the will of his trainer. And if
Hickok had never trained or driven another horse my ver-
dict would always have been that he was a first-class horse-
man. In training your horse, dont give him the best of it
all the time; try him in every position you think he might
be placed in during an actual race. Try and teach him at
all times to let you do all the driving. If he is afraid of
the runner and tries to rush away, bring the runner to him
carefully. The only thing I ever saw in the shape of a horse
that Rarus was afraid of was a runner. Hickok told me that.
St. Julien was the same, and for that reason Orrin always.
worked him with a pacer. If your horse is particularly
rank work him alone until you get the wire-edge off him,
then take your prompter and show him that he is not going
to be hurt.

Never try to do anything with a horse by main strength
and ignorance. You can not make a good hack-horse in
that way, letalone a race-horse. In training horses never
try to dotoo much. Ihave heard men talk about training
twenty horses, but that seems impossible tome. The minute
aman overworks himself he will get nervous, cross and irri-
table, and neglect some vital point and thereby lose his
money some day. In training a horse a man has to use his
brains as well as his hands, and he had better train one
horse well and have plenty of time to lay out his campaign,
than to train a large stable poorly, leave the door open
some day, and let the boys get in on him. After you have
given the horse his preparatory work and his body, legs and
wind are in condition to move him along faster, hitch him
to your sulky. I think that in this matter it is well to have
two weights of sulkies, one to work a horse to, and one to
trot him races in. Every driver has’ his own ideas about
which is the best sulky. I myself have no delicacy in stat-
ing that I think 8. Toomey & Co., of Canal Dover, Ohio,
make the best sulkies I ever saw. They sit the best, wear
the best, and it is almost impossible to hook a horse to one

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 321

of them in a manner to make them hit him. Toomey & Co.
made for me a forty-pound sulky strong enough to drive
any ordinary horse to. In orderingasulky tell your maker
the size of your horse, the peculiarities of his gait, if any,
how tall you are yourself, which will give him an oppor-
tunity to build you a sulky that will be comfortable for you
and the horse. In sitting in your sulky you want your
stirrups long enough to give you an easy position. If you
have your stirrups short it cramps your body and limbs in
such a manner as to make it hard work for you, and if the
horse pulls the least bit, you areat adisadvantage. Never
throw your weight on one side or the other of the vehicle;
distribute it as evenly as possible over the whole. Never
use a sulky after it gets old and worn out, as it draws hard
and you are liable to meet with an accident which will cost
you both your lifeand money.

In training horses, always have some fixed plans orrules
and train them according to those rules until you are satis-
fied you have found out some better ones. Never train him
in a haphazard way, as you will find that horses are like
men, creatures of habit to a large extent. The old-fashioned
idea of guessing how fast you are going has gone out of
date. I train my horses with a watch; it is a good thingsfor
the horse and the driver too. It teaches the driver to be a
good judge of pace, which is a very essential thing in a race
and a very vital point if you ever have Maud 8., and want
to beat the watch. Don’t be satisfied with any cheap watch
or timer; go to some first-class maker like Giles Bros., of
Chicago, tell them what you want and what you want to use
it for, and they will furnish you with something that will
help you train your horse right to the letter. When I decide
just what work I want my horse to have, I go about it with
just as much care and attention as if I was going to drive in
arace formoney. Never allow yourself under any circum-
stance to become careless. Remember that you not only
want to train your horse, but you also want to keep your-
self on edge. In these times when you have to contend with

322 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

ten or twelve horses in a race, driven by the same number of
active young men who are all looking for first money, you
will find it very necessary to keep your right foot forward
at all times.

In working your horse, be sure and teach him to go on a
trot, if that is the kind of horse you are training. At one
time there was an idea it was a good thing to teach a horse
to be a good breaker. Trotters always go best when they go
ona trot. If you seea man working his horse and he is
continually breaking in his work, you watch that same horse
in a race and you will notice him doing it there. If on the
contrary you see a man working his stable of horses and they
are always on a trot you will find him with his horses on a
trot in a race. It is a difficult thing nowadays for a horse to
make a break and win a heat. In the first place the judges
are very strict, and if there is any doubt about it the horses
which go on a trot generally get the benefit of the doubt.
I for one believe the time will come when no horse will be
entitled to a heat if he makes a break in it, and I would vote
for that now. In order to teach your horse to go on a trot
at all times be careful and never let him break. If he should
leave his feet don’t snatch him to one side as if you intended
to wncouple his neck, and never whip him under any cir-

-cumstance. I think a whip in the hands of an ordinary horse
trainer is far more dangerous than is a revolver in the hands
of a school boy. If a man looks over the list of his acquaint-
ances who have been successful as horse drivers, he will
find that asa rule they are men who are not much given to
whipping their horses. A man who loses his temper and
whips his horse in anger will never succeed. If you are not
able to control yourself you will not make much headway
in controlling your horses. With anintelligent man driving
a horse he seldom breaks. A horse may hit himself, step in
a hole or some uneven place and thus be made to leave his
feet, and to whip him for it will cause him to break all the
sooner the next time. After your horse has broken, take a
gentle hold of him, attract his attention by speaking to him

LIFE WITH TILE TROTTERS. 323

and almost instantly you will see he shows a disposition to
want to catch. Most horses will catch better by swinging
them slightly to one side. Find out which way you think
the horse catches the best and every time he breaks pull
him exactly the same way and use the same language to him,
and an ordinarily intelligent horse will soon learn to look
for it, and if there is any way for it and if there is any way
to teach him to make a good catch I think that is the way.
Always try to teach a horse to catch on the inside rein, for
if you were going round the turn in the lead and someone
trailing and he should break obliging you to pull your horse
on the outside rein your opponent might slip through be-
tween you and the fence and beat you the heat where he
would not be able to go round you and do it. Then too if
you are head-and-head with a man he might, when your
horse broke, crowd you in so close that you would be unable °
to pull him to the outside without running into him, whereas
if he caught on the left rein you would have no trouble. If
you are fortunate enough to have a horse that is a first-class
breaker never let him or make him break in a race unless it
is a case of life and death. If heis continually breaking the
public and judges will get down on him, and he will some-
times be punished when he does notreally deserve it. Mam-
brino Sparkle was as good a breaker as I ever saw. In her
campaign with me she made, I think, four breaks. One of
those I caused her to make, and it won her the deciding heat
of arace. I guess Van Ness remembers the circumstance.

CHAPTER XIII.

Work a horse with the watch, but don’t try to make him beat it—Doble and
Goldsmith Maid—The pacer Johnston never worked out at top speed—
One speeding each week is ordinarily sufficient—Preparations for a race—
Deportment on the track—How to talk to the judges—Laying up heats an
important matter—How to drive after the word is given—A case of bad
judgment in a postponed race—Shipping horses from point to point—The
training and management of trotting stallions.

In working your horse with the watch never try to make
the horse beat the watch; that is the hardest task ever set
for a horse—or in other words do not try to see how fast you
can drive him in hiswork. People imagine, when you have
had some very fast horse in your stable, that you must have
some day given him a wonderful trial. The best mile J ever
saw Doble drive Goldsmith Maid, was 2:16, and when he did
that he had her especially prepared forit. The best mile
ever I gave Johnston in his work was 2:132. I never saw
Hickok drive St. Julien in his exercise better than 2:15. I
never heard of such men as Golden, Jock Bowen, Turner and
that class of drivers giving their horses any wonderful trials.
You may ask: ‘‘ How do you know your horse is able to trot.
a good mile?’ A good baker ought to be able to tell
whether his bread is baked or not without having to cut it.
up and put butter on and eat it to find out. It is the same
with a horse trainer—he should know about how well his.
horse can go without stringing him out all the way. Every
time you drive a trotter a mile against the watch as fast as.
he can go you discourage the horse. If he is the least bit
out of condition you are liable to injure him permanently.
{f you keep repeatedly trying him and stringing him out to

(824)

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 825:

his utmost capacity, no matter how game he is, it will have
a tendency to discourage him, and when you want him he.
will fail to give you his best efforts. Keep a little speed.
bottled up in him, never let him know just how fast he can
go, and when it comes to a case where you need it he will.
make a better effort for you than he otherwise would.

After you have given your horse all the working miles.
you think it is necessary for him to have and you are think-
ing about getting him ready to enter in races, my idea is to.
give him all his fast work then in the form of a race—that is.
to set a day, have your track and everything put in order,
make up your mind about what you want to do with him,
how many miles he ought to have and how fast he ought to
go, whether you want to score him or not, etc. My advice
is to always score a horse; that is the first thing you have to
do when you go in a race, and if you do not teach him that
in his work, you are at a disadvantage when you start in a.
race. If you haveahorse that has any weakness in his legs,
instead of driving that animal at a high rate of speed to
condition him drive him slower and farther, or to explain
it, instead of driving him one mile in 2:30, drive him a two-
mile heat in 5:20, that would be each mile in 2:40, which
would condition his body and help to strengthen his weak.
legs, where a mile in 2:30 might strain the legs and retard.
his training. Itis not the distance that a horse goes that.
tires or strains him; it is the high rate of speed. When you
have decided how fast a mile to give your horse and how
fast he ought to be sent each quarter of it, then drive him
there and take pains to see how close to the mark you can
go each time. I have seen men go out and drive a horse
five or six seconds faster than they intended to. If Isenta
man out to drive one of my horses and he should make such
a mistake as that he would lose his position. I might for-
give him for driving his horse too slow, but never for going
too fast. In being careful in training your horse.not only
will the horse do well but you will make a very much better:
driver of yourself.

326 LIFE WITIL TUE TROTTERS.

After you give your horse his day’s work, you then
‘decide what work he needs and when he ought to have it
again. I think a day’s work like that given him oncea
week, with moderate jogging the balance of the time and a
little opening-out the day before you want to work him
again will be all that will be necessary for him to have. I
hate to have a horse continually worked without regard to
system or time, as in that way you never know just how
‘much work you do give him. The nearer you get to your
‘race, the shorter work the horse should have; that is, instead
of giving him four or five heats, give him two or three, with
occasional brushes at nearly the top of his speed. If you
have a horse that is dull and lazy, don’t be continually
-elucking and whipping him along. When you do speak to
him, give him to understand that you do mean just what
you say. When you work such a horse have plenty of com-
pany. Give him a little the best of it. Give him the lead
the most of the time, and don’t let the other horses out-trot
him. In that way you will encourage him and he will take
more interest in his work. If I have a horse that has a bad
leg, or in fact almost any other weakness, the day after his
work I give him absolute rest and put in the time doctoring
the weak place. In that way you will be able to keep the
inflammation and fever, if there is any, subdued until the
leg becomes strong again. If you have a horse that you
expect simply to trot exhibition miles, ne will not need
nearly as long and hard work as a horse that is going to trot
in races of mile heats, three in five. When I train a horse
for exhibition I train him for speed alone, as I have found
that an ordinarily game horse, if he is conditioned to goa
‘quarter of a mile at the top of his speed and properly rated,
ought to go a good mile.

I think there is no place where scientific driving counts
for more than in trotting a horse against the watch. The
watch néver makes a mistake, and if you have a close race
with it and you make one that costs youthemoney. Avery
good way for a beginner, I think, is to keep a memorandum

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 327

of all the work he does with his horse. I think the ten-.
dency of most people is to overwork their hoi ses—that is,
they give them too much work ata high rate of speed If
you confine yourself to a working gait it will be almost.
impossible to overwork a horse. I have often worked horses.
seven or eight heats in one day, but perhaps none of them
was within twenty seconds of where the horse could goat his.
best; in that way you will get him strong and not strain or:
sore him.

When you have arrived at the time to start your horse.
in the race there is a good deal to be thought of. The first:
thing to find out is what chance, if any, have you to win.
This you can only determine by a careful study of all the
other horses and drivers and having a correct line on your:
own. Itis nota bad idea to have some good man watch.
the other horses, if you can not doit yourself. If you con-
clude that you have a chance, I am not going to advise you
to bet on your horse, that’s entirely outside of training,
although I occasionally put a little money on my horses.
when I think well of them. When the bell rings for the
race, be sure that you are on hand to get the word.
Have your horse well harnessed and well shod, and itis not:
a bad idea to have his shoes examined the morning of the.
race to see that they are all in proper place. When you go
to the track take everything in the way of tools that you
think you can possibly need. Take plenty of good help to.
take care of the horse between heats.

Here is a very good time to pay a little attention to your:
own personal appearance. I believe that to be well dressed
is a duty every driver owes to the public, as the people pay
to be pleased and I think to see a man badly dressed cer-
tainly detracts from their pleasure. There is one other
thing that the driver will find of great importance, and that
is the judges’ stand. My plan is to see how well I can get.
on with the judges, for they often judge races that are so
close that a very little thing will decide for or against you.
I think no one understood this part of the business better:

328 LIFE WITii THE TROTTERS.

than Dan Mace. He never disobeyed orders unless it was
a case of life and death. Never make a complaint to the
judges unless you think it is going to do you some good.
If you have a complaint to make never do it when every-
body else is talking; be sure that you have the judges’
undivided attention, and then make your statement, and
always remember that, everything else being equal, the
driver who makes the last statement to the judges has the
best of it. I think it a very good idea to be on good terms
with the public. I mean that part of the public who pay
their money, take a seat in the grand stand and are there
for amusement alone. I myself, do not take much interest
in the few professional people who go to the race-track to
gamble. They generally squeeze in without paying a cent
and imagine that they are the only ones whose interest
ought to be looked after. They are willing to go to the
stable and avail themselves of information that they know
we do not want them to have. They, as a rule, have no
regard for the rights of trainers, owners or anybody else.
And the less a driver has to do with that class of people so
much the better he will be off, both financially and other-
wise. There are some men who go to a race-track and bet
their money in an honorable and straightforward manner.
Their word is as good as gold. You will never have any
trouble with this class because of their obtruding themselves
on your private affairs.

As arule I decide to lay my horse up the first heat or
two. Here is something that the rules say you have no
right todo. There has been a great deal written and said
on the subject, but I insist from my standpoint that every
man should have the right to lay his horse up, or drive him
in any manner that he sees fit, providing that at all times
he is driving at the best of his ability to win therace. I do
not think that any man should have the right to lay his
horse up for the sake of beating the pool-box or playing
the books, brit if in his opinion, he can win an easier and
safer race hy laying up, he should have the privilege

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 3829

of doing it. Ifa horse gets a bad send-off and you are com-
pelled to drive for the heat when you know you have no
chance to win it may cost you the race then and there. It
has for many years been the custom that a man always had
the right to lay up when he thought best. I can look back
and see where I have won some of the best races of my life
by laying up, where I know I would have lost had I gone
about it in any other manner. In driving a heat no rules
that a man could lay down can make you win. You may
get some hint that will do you good, and the best way todo
that is to carefully watch every good driver that you see
and learn his methods.

If you decide to lay your horse up the first heat, there is
some method in even that. You need not be particular
about rushing off in the lead, nor yet would I go off too far
behind, as in that case you would lose somuch ground in the
start that at some time in the nile you would have to drive
along much faster than you ought to save your distance.
Of course if the distance is 150 yards that gives you a long
leeway. Ihave seen men go out to lay up a heat and lay
it all up in the first half-mile and then have to drive the
last half as fast as they could, and in that way make the
heat as hard on the horse as though they had tried to
win the heat with him. The proper way, I think, is to
lay up so much in each quarter, and while you are laying
your own horse up, try and keep your eye on everybody
else in the race. There may be some other man doing the
same thing. By this time you have probably decided which
is the best horse in the race. If so, don’t waste your
powder shooting at lame birds but keep your eye on what
you really think is the best horse. If you fancy there is a
chance of anyone else giving him a corking heat don’t be
afraid to lay up and take the chance. After you have laid
up two or three heats and you can’t win then you may rest
assured you could not have won had you made a fight from
the start. Remember one thing always, that a general will
win more races than any man can by main strength and

t
330 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

ignorance. I never saw a man that could go ina heat and
drive against eight or ten people, handle his own horse well
and come back and tell you what all the others were doing
better than Mace could. He also had a way of making
everyone believe he was driving all he could sometimes
when such was not the case. In that way he found outa
great deal about the other horses and kept their drivers in
the dark about his own.

There is one thing a driver should always remember,
and that is that in driving a horse his first duty is to the
owner and his interests. After driving a heat if you have
any information that you think he would like to know let.
him be the first to knowit, and from you. In that way you
relieve yourself of a good deal of unnecessary responsibility
at certain times. After the heat is over take personal
charge of cooling out your horse. If you want any infor-
mation as regards the betting or anything else that may
arise get someone else to do all that for you and give your
undivided attention to the horse, as I consider this one of
the vital parts of success in racing. Not only see that.
your horse is properly cared for but also that your harness
and boots are properly cleaned, as in that way you may
often prevent a horse from being chafed and sore. The old-
fashioned method of rubbing a horse severely between heats
is entirely out of date. Never allow a man toruba horse in
a severe manner, as that hurts the horse more than you can
imagine. It will make his skin so sore that he will want to:
fight if you look at him, and the time that he should be.
resting he will spend in kicking and fighting the boy. The
better plan is to rub him but very little and then with soft.
cloths. Use just as few blankets as possible. I could
never see any reason why a horse after trotting a severe.
heat should be loaded down with heavy blankets and com-
pelled to perspire in a manner that will certainly make him
weak and dull. If you trot a horse five or six heats in one.
afternoon and force him to sweat very freely every time
you will have him very much weakened by night. If your

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 331

horse is inclined to be sore and stiff in any way and hard to
warm up you will find that warm applications of stimulat-
ing liquor to the body and legs will have a very beneficial
effect. Standing a horse’s feet in warm water I have found
a very good thing. A great many horses after a severe heat
will get corded in their muscles. After this has happened
once it comes on very much easier the next time. If you
have a horse subject to this the more you keep him moving
about on a walk the less liable he will be to be taken.
Blankets wrung out of warm water and laid across his back
and shoulders are very good at such times. The best thing
I ever tried for this is a quilt filled with hops. Have it
wrung out of hot water and laid across the horse’s shoul-
‘ders; this will often give relief when nothing else will.
Severe work at a high rate of speed when a horse is not
conditioned for it is almost sure to bring on this state of
affairs. If you know your horse has a weakness of any
kind the safest plan is to always use a preventive, as they
Say ‘‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,”’
and I think in this case it is true.

Be sure and be ready when the judges ring the bell for
the second heat. Don’t keep the people and judges wait-
ing for you as that gets everybody out of patience. If
anything should happen that you are obliged to have a shoe
removed or any other reason why you can not be there when
they ring the bell send word to the judges what the diffi-
culty is and ask them for time, which they will always
willingly grant. By this time you will have your mind
made up whether you are going to try to win the second
heat or not. If you decide to go for the heat and you
should get a bad send-off or your horse make a break under
no circumstance persist in trying to win theheat. You may
win it but the chances are that if you do you will so have
pumped your horse out that it will cost you the race. In
driving a heat never forget that a mile is a long way fora
horse to go at a high rate of speed. If you brush your

horse a quarter or half at anything like the top of his speed
22

332 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

that is as far as you can naturally expect him to go. If
you do not give him a breathing spell he will either break
or slow up, two things you want to avoid. I think the
safest plan is to keep a little power and reserve speed in
your horse until the last struggle, then drive him in aman-
ner to try and get his very best effort, and the chances are that.
by this time your opponents are pretty well trotted out, and
if you do not win you will have the satisfaction of knowing
you have made the very best effort under the circum-
stances. If after you win a heat or two in a race and.
find your horse distressed and no other horse that looks.
dangerous has two heats, be sure and lay your horse up for
one heat at least. You will be surprised what a relief it
will be to him, and if he is anything like a game horse he
will come back with renewed vigor and make a good fight.
for the money.

In scoring your horse you can save him a good deal by
keeping a sharp lookout for what the chances are for get-
ting the word. Never score him any more that is absolutely
necessary. If you score a horse fifteen or twenty times, as.
I have often seen done, it will distress him more and tax
his strength to a greater extent than it would to trot a
heat. Be very careful in a heat about going out wide on
the turns. If one man has the pole and the other is out in
the middle of the track and goes around both turns of a.
mile track in that position the pole horse would have five or
six yards the best of it, which would give him the heat toa
certainty, barring accident. I think it much safer to trail
around the turn and take the chance of getting through on
the straight side. Never run into an opponent willfully or
do anything to him that you would not be willing to have him
do to you under the same circumstances, but if anyone un-
dertakes to crowd or interfere with you ina wrongful manner
do not have any delicacy about trying to make him take his
place. I consider it a very bad thing for a driver to get a
reputation of allowing people to push him about, as there
are always plenty of men willing to take advantage of you

LIFE WITH THE TROITERS. 333

if they think you will stand it. Give them to understand
that you know what your rights are and that you are bound
to have them at any and all times. In that way you are
not liable to have much trouble with the boys building
fences to try and stop you from going through, etc.

If it comes to a long race and it is postponed from dark-
ness or any other catise you will find there is no time in your
experience where good care and attention will count for
more on your horse than right here. After having him
properly cooled out and in shape to feed after the race, if he
is a delicate feeder give him anything to eat or drink that
you think will stimulate his appetite. If he will not eat
get your veterinary to give you something for him in the
way of atonic. I have often seen horses given eggs and
milk in a case of this Kind, with a little stimulant added in
the way of whisky or wine. If the horse is a good feeder
give him what you consider a fair feed of oats and hay, and
plenty of water; the following morning have him led out at
the end of the halter in the grass and dew and let him have
some grass to eat. Thirty minutes before the time for the
race to be called take him out and jog him two or three miles
moderately and give him a slow working mile. The great
trouble with people going out to give a horse a slow
mile is that they drive some parts of it too fast and do not
rate the horse properly. I remember of seeing one of the
star performers in a postponed race badly handled in this
respect. The driver took her out and in warming her up:
drove her a quarter in thirty-two seconds on as hot a day
as I ever saw on arace-track. I concluded to watch her
closely in a race and see what the result would be. In the
first heat she led the first seven-eighths of a mile, then
stopped and was beaten out by all the other horses. As I
looked her over after the heat she was greatly distressed in
wind and limb and I was satisfied at the time that the quar-
ter she got in thirty-two seconds caused her to lose the heat.
If you start in a postponed race and none of your opponents
-has two heats you will find it a pretty safe plan to lay up a

834 LIFE

a

-iITH THE TROTTERS.

heat there. As ayrule most men rush out and try to win the
first heat in a postponed race. I have tried laying up a few
times, and always with good success. If you are in a race
and have no chance to win see how careful you can be with
your horse and how little use youcan makeof him. In that
way he may be good enough to win the next race where he
would not be if you gave him a bruising contest in which he
had no chance to win. Never take a chance of straining
your horse unless you are obliged to.

While trotting a race if the track has become muddy be
sure and have on your mud shoes, which you should
always have fitted to the horse before you start on your
campaign, and in that way when you need them you will
need only to have them nailed on, which any blacksmith
can do with little trouble. Always be sure to have in your
outfit blacksmith’s tools enough to take off or put on a
shoe at any time; and also have an assorted lot of Putnam
nails. They have been thoroughly tested and have proven
themselves without a doubt the best nails you can use.
You may think that the nails in a shoe do not amount to
much, but if you use one or two worthless nails they may
break off, and if the horse loses his shoe in the deciding
heat, you will be very apt to lose your money along with
the shoe.

Do not be afraid to give your horse plenty to eat during
along, hard race. I do not think that at such times hay
does a horse much good. He wants something more stim-
ulating. Tomy mind oatmeal gruel is one of the best things
Tever tried. A couple of hours before the race take your
oatmeal and pour boiling water on it; then let it stand until
it is thoroughly cooled, and in that way you will get all
the strength out of the oatmeal and secure a very pleasant
drink for your horse. I think a few oats between heats
very good for horses. The best thing in the way of a stim-
ulant I ever tried for a horse was champagne and Seltzer
water. Take a pint of champagne and half a pint of Seltzer
water; give that to your horse when he is tired and you

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 335

will be surprised what an effect it will have on him. I gave
this drink to Mambrino Sparkle very often in those long,
hard races she went. I think whisky and heavier liquors
given to a horse oftentimes have a bad effect. Some people
give a horse a shower bath of cold water in case he shows
extreme distress from heat or other causes. I do not like
this treatment, and think it is very dangerous. My plan in
case a horse is distressed in his wind or any other cause and
does not scrape out freely is to give him a sponge bath with
warm water of the same temperature you would use on
yourself for a similar purpose. After scraping the water
out of him as much as you can, have some stimulating
liquor warmed to the same degree of heat as the water and
give the horse a thorough bathing with it. In using washes
for a horse’s legs or body be very careful you know what
you are doing. I have seen a great deal of this so-called
wash used that Iam satisfied does more harm than good.
There are two things that I have used with perfect satisfac-
tion: Pond's Extract and Perrin’s Body and Leg Wash.
I find there is a great deal of counterfeit in the Pond’s
Extract which people peddle about and sell because it is
cheap. Don’t use it if it is given to you for nothing. After
your race is over I think it a good thing before you move
on to the next town to give your horse one day of absolute
rest if possible. Feed him moderately, have him either led
to the halter or turned eut into the paddock if you can, but
do not put the harness on and give him a day’s work.
What he wants more than anything after a race is a chance
to let his nervous organization get back to its normal con-
dition. While he is having this day’s rest if there are any
sores or weak places about him you will have an excellent.
opportunity to nurse and doctor them, and by so doing he
will not look at the end of the campaign as if he had come
from the Russian war instead of the hands ofa horse trainer.

And now in regard to shipping. Years ago this was
looked upon as a matter attended with a good deal of dan-
ger, but in these times with our improved railroads and

336 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

cars there are very few accidents considering the number of
horses being shipped about. Never ship a horse in an ordi-
nary freight or cattle car, for several reasons. First, if you
meet with an accident, the cars will break up like so many
dry-goods boxes. There is no way of ventilating them, and
to put half a dozen horses in an ordinary freight car on a
hot day will do them more harm than you can undo ina
month. Some of the wealthier owners have private cars
built expressly to ship their stables in. This is the mosi
convenient and comfortable way. The Arms Palace Car
Company of Chicago have met a long felt want with horse
shippers by constructing a line of cars on scientific princi-
ples expressly for that trade. Their new cars built solely
for trotting and race horses are a marvel of comfort and
strength. A trainer can hire from them a car by the month
at a very moderate price, and it is large enough to transport
his horses, wagons, sulkies, men and baggage and whatever
feed it is necessary for him to have. The ventilation is per-
fect and there is capacity for carrying plenty of water for
the horses, which I think is avery essential thing, as in
going from one part of the country to another, and using
different kinds of water is almost certain to have a bad
effect on the animals. Especially is this the case if they
have any chronic disease of the kidneys.

Always ship your horses by passenger train. The dif-
ference in expense does not amouné to anything in compar-
‘ison with the wear and tear there is on your horse in being,
jolted over the country inafreight train. In getting ready
to move take everything you actually need, and no more.
I think ita grand thing to take oats and hay enough to last
out the campaign. When you go toastrange town you
may have trouble in finding the best hay and oats, and if
you have to feed your horses something that is poor it will
be sure to have a bad effect on them. It is an easy matter
to have your hay put up in small bales so that it can be
handled without any trouble and a few of these will last
an ordinary stable of trotters some time. When it comes

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 337

to the oats I do not believe in feeding extra heavy ones.
I think oats weighing thirty-two pounds to the bushel are
more easily digested, and you are less liable to overfeed
the horse than you are with heavier ones. Never keep your
feed where it is liable to absorb any unpleasant odors, as
grain, hay and water will very easily become affected from
this cause. I think horses are often affected with malaria
and other kindred diseases the same as the human race and
from the same causes. You train a horse at a race-track
where the trainers and grooms all have the fever and ague
and you will find it impossible to bring him to anything
like perfect condition. In housing your oats keep them in
a clean, dry place. Be sure that no rats or other animals
get a chance to run over them, because if they do and your
horse is the least bit delicate it will get him off his feed.
I have attached to my granary one of Cleaves & Co.’s pa-
tent grain separators, which is an invention that I think no
stable should be without. If you want to find out how
much refuse matter will be stored in a hundred bushels of
oats, run the oats through this machine and I think you
will be surprised at the result. In loading your traps wrap
your sulkies with cloth so that they will not scratch or mar.
Have your stalls nicely bedded down with clean sawdust,
then back your horses into the stalls and tie them each way.
Have your stalls about five feet wide and seven or eight
feet in length, and store your baggage in the car where it
will be out of the way and not liable to cause harm should
your car meet with accident. Always havea car that has
two sets of doors on each side and never under any circum-
stances block up the doors, as if your car takes fire or if
you get tumbled down a bank you want to be able to get
everything out at a moment’s notice. In traveling keep
your car cool; at the same time do not let a horse stand in
a draft, as it does not take long to founder a horse if he is
in that position. Give the animals all the water they want,
and be careful and not overfeed them, particularly if you
are on along trip. The worst thing about shipping horses

338 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

is the want of exercise. A horse that is used to being ex-
ercised every day, if made to stand still for any great length
of time and overfed would be more or less liable to conges-
tion and other difficulties. Some horses are troubled with
swelling of the legs. Here I think the bandage is more
useful than in any other place. Have some mild, cooling
lotion, keep your bandages wet with ice water, and have
the legs moderately rubbed by hand. I think this treat-
ment will go as far toward keeping the legs ‘in a normal
condition as anything that can be done. If a horse is in
first-class condition and sound every way he can stand a.
heap of railroad travel. To show how little effect it will
have on some horses, I took Rarus to California the fall of
78 and in less than forty-eight hours after he arrived there.
trotted him an exhibition in which he went the first mile
in 2:14 and repeated in 2:144. I think you want to be care-
ful about giving your horse any rapid work shortly after
coming off the cars. I find there is more danger of their
becoming corded in the muscles after a railroad trip than at.
almost any other time. Remember also that a horse gets a.
certain amount of work in a car, the constant motion of the
train acting upon the muscles will sometimes key a horse.
up more than a severe day’s work. If you have your horse
in good condition, trot him a race once a week, ship him
from one town to another, you will find there is no possible
chance of his being short of work. The season I had J. Q.
I trotted him from Detroit to Hartford, and the fastest.
working mile he got in all that time was 2:35. I occasion-
ally brushed him through the stretch a 2:25 gait, and with
that kind of work he made the star performances of his.
life. In warming a horse up fora race and you find him
sore or tied up from any cause, don’t be afraid to give him
a couple of slow heats. If you have a horse that has a
habit of throwing his head in the air when he breaks, or at.
other times, do not make the mistake of putting short.
martingales on him, or, what some people use at times, a.
standing martingale. With his head checked up with an.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 339°

over-check and short martingales you have him in a position
to torture him without any relief. The best plan in this
case, I think, is to put what we call a standing halter
on him. Have a halter made to fit his head, and fasten
your standing martingale into that instead of into the bit.
Have your martingales, if you drive him with any, long
enough so they will not cause any friction on the rein or
bit when the horse has his head in a natural position. Never
check your horse with any patent springs in the check. He-
will be apt to get in the habit of teetering his head up and
down on the check in a disagreeable way. Always remem-
ber in training and driving a trotting horse that the horse
stands to you in the same position that a merchant’s bank
account does tohim. Every time your horse makes an effort
for you you make a draft on your bank account, so it stands.
you in hand to be very careful how you draw on the horse’s
strength, and use every effort at all times to protect him
in every way.

Trotting stallions have generally been considered rather
uncertain track performers. With few exceptions I think
this has been the case, especially where they have been
used for breeding purposes before their racing career began.
The only genuine race-stallions that I call to mind now are
Hannis, Wedgewood, Director, Jerome Eddy, Monroe Chief
and Phalias, these six having in their time gone through
the grand circuit and showed the ability to win a majority
of their races in some onecampaign. They were all notably
game horses, but as two of the lot are by one sire it may be
well to allude to them somewhat in detail. These two are
Director and Phallas, one with a record of 2:17, while the
other has 2:132 to his credit, that mark having been obtained
in the fourth heat of a race against other horses, while the
record of Director was made in one of the best contested
battles it was ever my good fortune to witness. These two
stallions I consider first-class race-horses, and I think I know
whereof I speak, as they both made their best records in
races where I was a contender. Both of them are by Dicta-

340 LIFE WITH TIE TROTTERS.

tor, a stallion that, both on account of his superlatively
good breeding and the remarkable performances of his full
brother Dexter should never have been neglected during the
best years of his life, as he certainly was during the seasons
che made in New York and the first part of his career in
Kentucky, this neglect being so marked that at the time he
was thirteen years old he had sired barely a dozen colts.
But when Director, Phallas and Jay-Eye-See came out in
-one season Dictator attained a fame equaled by that of no
-other trotting sire of the day, and the extreme speed, race-
horse qualities of his get were the theme of conversation
among horsemen and breeders. I think that Jay-Eye-See
is one of the best examples of intelligent breeding I have
-ever seen. As conservative a man as Mr. Doble told me,
after driving him a losing race that he was the only horse
he had ever seen that put him in mind of Dexter, and he
was very positive that sooner or later he would beat every
record that had been made by a trotting horse, which sub-
sequent events amply proved. His performances, as well
‘as those of Phallas and Director, greatly increased the
value of his sire, and Dictator has for several years stood
at the highest fee of any stallion in the land: $500. He is
the property of Maj. H. C. McDowell & Son, who also
have on their historic farm, ‘‘ Ashland,”’ the stallion King
Rene, a son of Belmont whose get are entering the 2:30 list
every year, while their beauty of form and elegance of car-
riage have gained for them and their sire the blue ribbons
on many occasions where the bluest blood in the land was
shown against them, and for several seasons, when the
McDowell farm made a specialty of these show-ring exhibi-
tions King Rene and his sons and daughters were easily
victorious over all competitors. In the race where Director
made his record of 2:17 I drove the bay gelding Wilson
against him, winning two heats and making a dead heat
with Director, giving Wilson that day a record of 2:16.
‘This horse was by George Wilkes, a horse that had been
owned during the major part of his life by my old-time’

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 341

friend and patron Z. E. Simmons, who.was, at the time of
which I write, enjoying the ease and comfort of a breeder’s
life at Lexington, Ky., where he has gathered about him
some of the most notable sons of the brown stallion that he
loved so well and that won so many races for him.

And while on the subject of trotting stallions I want to
say something about one that attracted my attention in a
marked degree the first time I ever saw him, and that I
then and there predicted would some day in the near future
prove himself one of the fastest and best in the country.
‘This horse is Jerome Eddy, and he is also another example
of the truth of my argument that great horses, like poets,
are born, and not made. The first time I saw Jerome Eddy
was at Jackson, Mich., where he took part in a race against
some of the best horses in their class of that day. As I sat
under a tree with my friend Don Robinson watching a heat
that I had no financial interest in in a lazy sort of a way, I
saw a large bay horse pull out of the ruck on the extreme
outside of the track and go by his field of horses in about
the same manner that Rarus would have done. Not know-
ing the horse I asked Mr. Robinson what his name was, and
he replied that it was Jerome Eddy, a horse that belonged
to a couple of farmers at Owosso. I remarked that the
Michigan farmers had what Bill Woodruff called ‘‘a sure
enough trotter.’’ Iwas so much interested in the animal
that after the heat I went to the stable to get a closer look
at him, and found a bay horse about sixteen hands high
with feet and legs that looked as though they had been
made to order, with a head shaped well enough to have
been the central figure of an oil painting. The following
week I saw him in another race, and his performance there
only served to increase my good opinion of him, and before the
season. was over I had the pleasure and satisfaction of hav-
ing my judgment verified by Jerome Eddy obtaining a
record of 2:164 in a contested race against one of the best
fields out that year, and it was the opinion of most people
who saw the race that he could easily have beaten the best

842 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

stallion record of that day, 2:154. To show breeders how
the fact of having a horse developed will increase his value,
I may say that when I first saw Jerome Eddy his owners.
asked for him, I think, about $5,000. After he obtained his.
record of 2:164 he was sold to H. C. Jewett & Co., of Buffalo,
N. Y., for $25,000, and is to-day at the head of their great
breeding establishment. The Messrs. Jewett are firm in the
belief that early maturity means early decay, and with this
idea in view they have not trained their colts while young,
thinking it better to give them an opportunity to be fully
developed in their physical structure before they are asked
to show their best speed. From the standpoint of a man
who makes his living by the racing of a trotting horse they
have adopted, I think, the surest plan to raise a family of
race horses. Of course if a man wants a fast colt the way
to secure this is to begin training him early, but all our
best campaigners have been horses that were not phenom-
enal as speedy youngsters.

Trotting or pacing horses with a running mate has never
taken a very strong hold on the public. It seems to have
been always rather spasmodic. About once in so often there
comes along a horse that proves himself to be able to go well
with arunner; then we have a few races of that sort and
then it dies out again. The first race of that kind that.
attracted anything like widespread attention was the one
between Ethan Allen and Dexter. At this time Dexter had
shown that no horse lived that could give him a race. He
had demonstrated his ability to beat all comers one, two and
three mile heats in harness, to wagon and under saddle, and
his owner was looking around for new worlds to conquer.
At this time Mr. E. Z. Simmons owned Ethan Allen, and
declared himself willing to match Ethan to go with a runner
against any horse in the world in harness. The race was
made with Dexter and the public said that Mr.Simmons had
overmatched his horse. For once the public was sadly mis-
taken. Mr. Simmons placed the horse in Mace’s hands to
train and drive and said: ‘‘ Dan, you train him and bring him

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 343

to the track in condition the day of the race, and I will make
it the best day’s work that you have ever done.’’ Ethan
had been used on the road for a long while and Mr. Simmons
had always said that he had never had a horse with him
that could run as fast as he could trot, and was sure that
with a good running mate he could go a mile close to two
minutes. Mace had for a running mate Charlotte F., a
thoroughbred bay mare about fifteen and one-half hands
high, that he bought from Dr. Weldon. In appearance she
did not have much of the thoroughbred about her, being
rather a strong mare on short legs with a good deal of bone;
went with her head rather low, could trot a three-and-a-half
gait and run a mile in harness close to two minutes. Her
disposition was perfect. She was without exception the best
horse of that kind I have ever seen. -I find that most run-
ners get rank and want to rush off after being driven a few
times. When this race was made I consider that Mace was
in his prime, and with a backer like Mr. Simmons he had
the nerve to try anything. In talking the matter over one
day with Mr. Simmons in my presence Mace made a remark
that I never forgot. Mr.Simmons was cautioning him about
training Ethan when Mace remarked: ‘‘ Never mind Ethan;
have the runner in good shape, as he is the one that has got
to do the work,’’ and went on to say that a man might as
well undertake to run an engine without paying any atten-
tion to making steam as to try to win a race of that kind
without having his runner in first-class condition, and I doubt
whether or no in all his active life he ever said anything
that contained more facts in the same number of words than
that.

I will describe as near as near as I can how Mace trained
and drove his team in the race. Ethan was a horse that did
not need a great deal of work, always seeming to have his
speed, and Mace worked him in single harness a great many
slow miles. After he had his legs and body thoroughly
hardened and in shape he would occasionally hitch Ethan
up with a runner and brush him a little better than a 2:20

344 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

gait. He gave Charlotte F. stronger work, and generally
after working her and Ethan together he would take her out.
to a sulky or skeleton wagon and drive her a good stiff mile,
say in about 2:15, and occasionally he put the saddle on
with a light boy and ran her through the stretch as fast as
she could go. I think that one day I saw her run a mile in
1:50 with a boy on her. There are a great many trotters.
that when you hitch them toarunning mate have to be shod.
heavier in order to be balanced, than they do driven any
other way. That arises from the fact of the runner taking all
the weight and dragging them too and going along at that tre-
mendous pace, and then again the driver does not have the
same chance to watch them he would driving one horse.
alone. Ethan Allen was a perfectly balanced horse and
needed no extra shoeing, and was the only one I ever saw
that was a first-class breaker going that way rigged. While:
Mace was conditioning Ethan Allen and Charlotte F., Mr.
Simmons was not idle. In those times such well-known
sporting men as John Morrissey, Harry Genet, John C.
Heenan, Ned and George Maynard, Barry Cornell, Louis.
Burrell and a host of others that I could name stood ready
to bet their last dollar ona horse-race that they thought well
of. They, together with the owners of Dexter, thought the
horse did not live that could beat their favorite. In the
betting Dexter was a favorite four to one. The public were
anxious to back Dexter at those odds and Mr. Simmons was.
just as willing to back his horse and announced publicly
that he would bet all comers, be they great or small.

About ten days before the race Mace, in a rather open
way, told the boys that took care of the team to take them
to the blacksmith shop, as he wanted toe have them shod.
But as it came out after the race, instead of going to the
blacksmith shop with them they went to the old Union
track where Mr. Simmons was waiting for them, and gave
them a trial, and it was so satisfactory that Mr. Simmons
went back to New York that night and bet everybody toa
standstill. -The result of this race shows how near a man

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 345.

may come to winning a great deal of money and yet not.
doit. Twenty-four hours before the day of the race Char-
lotte F. got cast in the stall and lamed herself in the
shoulder and as the boys said ‘‘here was a pickle.’ At
this time Jim Dougrey who has since made himself famous
as a politician and a horse-driver and a good one at that,
was aboy. He had in his stable an old brown horse called.
Brown George that he had been working with a runner that.
belonged to Fred Pence, a black horse that had been ridden
in the war and had been carried North. But Dougrey rather:
condemned him saying that after going three-quarters of a
mile he would quit, but as he was the best one in sight they
were obliged to take him if any. The council of war
between Mace and Simmons, Mace insisted in paying for-
feit in the match and in that way having all the outside
money declared off, saying that he would not trust all that.
money on a horse he knew nothing about. Mr. Simmons.
was anxious to have the race stand and go for all the money,
but finally gave Mace his way and paid forfeit in the match.
and the outside bets were all declared off and they arranged.
to go for a purse given by the proprietor of the track.
Everybody in the vicinity of New York was present to see
the race, from Commodore Vanderbilt to the bootblacks,
and in the betting after the new race had been arranged
Dexter was the favorite at any odds, $1,100 to $10 being
offered by his backers. Regardless of Mace’s caution Mr.
Simmons bet everybody that the team would win, and was.
the only man in all that vast throng that had the slightest.
idea that Ethan would win. That he did soisa matter of
history, and one of the heats, done in 2:15, was the best.
mile gone by a trotter up to that time, any way rigged, and.
Dexter was timed separately in 2:16.

As Mace’s system of hitching a trotter and running mate
has never been altered much I will give it as I saw it that
day. In hooking the team Dan’s idea was to not only
hitch the runner so that he would draw all the weight but.
have him able to also help the trotter along. He hada

346 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

strong breeching for the trotter, covered with sheepskin.
He had a wide girth made of strong canvas to go around
the horse under the harness saddle; made it with buckles
and straps, so as to be able to girt the horse moderately
close with it; had the saddle of his harness fastened to this
girth, and in that way he was able to girt it tight enough
to keep the harness in place. From the breeching he had
side straps to run up and buckle into the tug buckles. He
also had straps from the breeching run up and fastened into
‘the choke-strap that ran to the neckyoke from the girth.
‘To keep the breeching from getting up under the horse’s
tail, which it will often do when the animal is rigged in
that manner, he had a steel shank made out of steel wire
inserted in the hip-strap, which went through the back-
strap over the horse’s hip, all the way, except a couple of
inches at each end where it buckled into the breeching.
This I find a very good invention to use on a single harness
for the same purpose. By hooking a horse in this way all
the trotter had to do was to lay in the harness and keep
his legs going, letting the runner do all work.

In later days we have had some phenomenally fast time
with pacers and running mates, as well as with trotters.
With the pacers that way hitched the two star performers
have been Westmont and Minnie R. I have already told
what the mare did while she was in my stable, and it only
remains to say of Westmont that Johnny Campbell, now on
the running turf,drove hima mile with running mate in 2:013,
Peter Johnston taking him a little later and doing the dis-
tance in 2:02. Johnston came naturally by his ability as a
driver of trotters, having been educated to it while a boy in
Michigan, and since then has made a great reputation as a
successful handler of stallions, while the good work he did
with Bodine has been alluded to elsewhere. "With trotters
and running mates John Murphy and James Golden have
been most successful of late years. For benefit of my read-
ers who do not know Jimmy Golden I wish to say that I
-consider him well up in everything appertaining to a trot-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 347

ting horse, from the rubbing cloth to the judges’ stand, as
he is one of the old-time drivers who had to serve an
apprenticeship at the business when a boy, and one of the
self-made men of the turf. John Murphy is perhaps the
most versatile man connected with the trotting turf,
and in the matter of riding a trotter or pacer is unquestion-
ably at the head of his profession. To begin with he was
the first man to ride a trotter a mile better.than 2:20, hav-
ing performed that feat when a mere boy, the occasion being
the match made for Dexter to beat the 2:192 of Flora Tem-
ple, then the best on record, and Hiram Woodruff, who
was training Dexter, paid Murphy the compliment of select-
ing him as the jocky on this most important occasion. In
a previous chapter I have told how Murphy rode the pacer
Billy Boyce to his record of 2:144, a mark that never was
beaten until last year.

When trotters and running mates were in fashion a joig
years ago, Murphy gave the bay gelding Frank, that, is a
member of the Ethan Allen family, a mark of 2:08 at that
way of going, and this was the best on record until Golden
came out with H. B. Winship, another member of the same
family, and went the distance in 2:06. Murphy has ridden.
and driven a great deal for Mr. Robert Bonner, and on two
occasions when I have seen him ride in a manner that made
a great impression on me. The first trotting race I ever saw,
Murphy rode the winner. I did not at that time consider
myself much of a judge of trotters, but there was one thing
I was sure of, that being that I would never see a better
rider than Murphy, and on that point I have never changed
my mind. The last time I saw him on a horse’s back was a
few years ago when I fell in one bright morning with Mr.
Robert Bonner while he was on his way to Fleetwood. Mr.
Bonner said to me that if I would accompany him I would
see a man do something better than I had ever seen the
same thing done before. Iaccepted the invitation, and when
we arrived at Fleetwood Mr. Bonner asked Murphy to put

the saddle on his mare Pocahontas and ride her a slow mile,
23

348 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

which he did, and after giving her a short breathing spell
Mr. Bonner told him that if he would ride the mare a mile
and then guess within two seconds of how well he had ridden
her he would make him a present. He rode her the mile,
and if I was sure of seeing a horse as well ridden again I
would go a long way to see the two perform. After riding
the mile Murphy came back and told Mr. Bonner within a
second of how well he had gone, which shows that he not only
rode the mare well, but was also a first-class judge of pace.
Murphy has one grand thing in his character that some other
good drivers lack, areputation for honesty that a king might
‘be proud of.

In training a pair of horses to goa race in dons harness,
do not think that you are obliged to give them all their work
together. You may have two horses whose disposition,
temper, etc., are wholly at variance. They may require
entirely different work to prepare them for the same race.
If that is the case and you give them all their work together
one or the other of them is bound to be out of condition on
the day of the race. The first thing to do is to decide how
you will drive them—that is which horse you will put on
the off side and which on the nigh side. Everything else
being equal, always put the fastest horse on the off side. In
hitching a pair of horses I would always use a breeching.
If they make a break you will find that you are in better
shape to catch them with the breeching than without. If
you have one horse in the team that you think from lack of
education or otherwise ought to be worked in double harness,
and his mate does not need that sort of work, get some extra
horse for a mate and work him in that way. if your tr otting
horse is of a mild disposition you will find that a running
horse is very good to use in this case. The only thing to be
careful of in using a runner is not to go too fast for the trotter.
‘Work them well within themselves at all times. I think it
is a good idea to jog the team often together and give them
all their slow work that way, provided they work without
friction. In getting a team ready for a race I would suggest

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 349

to have them warmed up in single harness first; in that way
you take the wire-edge off from them and they are less liable
to get to breaking in scoring in the first heat. Dun Walton
was considered by old-time judges to be one of the best
double-team men in the country. His name may be a little
strange to some of the new boys on the turf, but years ago
when the Fashion track was the head centre of trotting Dun
Walton was almost as much of a character as Dan Mace, and
a New York gentleman would hardly hitch up a team with-
out asking Dun’sadvice. I have heard him express a great
many good ideas that were original with himself, and I know
he often gave Mace advice, as in those days double-team
trotting was quite the rage.

CHAPTER XIV.

Calmar, a horse that needed only proper shoeing to improve his record eight
seconds and make him win good races—His gallant fight with Woodford
Chief at Cincinnati—A kind word for George A. Baker, once a promi-
nent figure on the trotting turf—How Lady DeJarnette was given a fast
record by changing her check-rein—Hints to owners of horses—Wilson’s
race in which he went a mile in 2:164, and the mistakes that caused him to
be defeated—Suflicient preparation is what makes good campaigners, while
Jack of work results disastrously—Fred Folger’s career an illustration of
this—Why Budd Doble put tips on Jack the day before the $10,000 race at
Rochester—The peculiar manner in which Wolford’s Z. was shod and how
it improved him—The pacer Argyle, and the trotter Colonel Lewis—Trot-
ters affected in a marked degree by changes of climate—Little Gypsy’s
great race at Cleveland—Pen sketckes of noted characters on the trotting
turf.

In 1878, Mr. George Baker of Cleveland, Ohio, owned a
bay gelding called Calmar, that he bought from Mr. Charles
Railley of Kentucky, a horseman whose reputation in his
particular line was world-wide, he being considered by good
judges the best ladies’ and gentlemen’s saddle and harness
horse trainer in the world. At this time Railley gave trot-
ting horses some attention and trained and drove Calmar to
a record of about 2:30. He was avery handsome bay horse
by Bourbon Chief, one of the strongest made fellows I ever
saw. It would have taken, to have fitted him, a collar as
large as for an ordinary carriage-horse. So well propor-
tioned and evenly made was he, that no one ever noticed
this peculiarity about him unless they looked him over
closely.

After leaving Mr. Railley’s stable Calmar passed through
the hands of two or three trainers and came to me with his

record of 2:30. The first time I drove him was at Utica,
(350)

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 351

where Mr. Baker came to me and asked me to get behind
him the last heat in a race, which I did, where he finished
last in a large field of horses, a place I had noticed he always
occupied in every race in which I had ever seen him started.
Although finishing last, Calmar showed me so much speed.
in this heat that he interested me, and after the race
was over I made an arrangement with Mr. Baker to train
and drive him the balance of the season. On examination
I found that he wore shin boots and scalpers behind, both
of which he hit very hard. His hind feet were long and
his ankles very much swollen. The first time I drove him
in his work I learned that he hit himselfvery hard, when he
did was sure to break, and the minute you took hold of the
bit to steady him, he would commence to buck. But when
he did trot he could step a good 2:20 gait without apparent
effort. As few people realize what it will do to a horse to
have him continually hitting himself, even though you have
boots on him, I will describe exactly how I shod this horse,
why I did so, and what effect it had on him.

At that time Mace had in his employ a man of the name
of George Staples as a blacksmith, whose turf name, I believe,
was ‘‘ Blacksmith George’’ and to whom Mace willed his
blacksmith shop and other property of that description at
the time of his death, and Staples is still, I believe, the pro-
prietor of the same in Fifty-eighth street, New York City. I
stated to Staples the facts about Calmar as I had learned
them,showed him the boots where the horse had hitthem, and
then we decided on the following plan of shoeing him. We
shortened his hind feet all that we possibly could, my idea
being that there would be less strain on his ankles if they
were made short than if weleftthem long. I had a calked
shoe made that weighed twelve ounces, made it the longest
on the outside so as to carry Calmar’s hind feet outside of
his forward ones when in motion, set his heels well up, as I
had learned by experience it was a good thing to do with a
horse that had ailing ankles. This idea I obtained from
Dr. Roberge, a man of unlimited resourses in shoeing a

352 LIFE Witt THE TROTTERS.

lame horse. I had the idea strengthened in me by seeing
Mr. Robert Bonner shoe his horses in the same manner.
We decided that in place of putting all the weight in shoe
on his forward feet we would put alight shoe on him and
toe-weights. Calmar wore at this time a sixteen-ounce shoe.
We made a ten-ounce shoe with a spur to carry the weight,
after a pattern that Andy Porter, the popular blacksmith
of Chicago had once made for me, which was to have the
spur long enough to reach up to the top of the horse’s hoof;
then have your weight fixed with a set-screw so that you
could raise and lower it on the horse’s foot at any point you
like.

I found that Calmar’s mouth was a good deal of trouble
tohim; he seemed dreadfully afraid of the bit, and was the
first horse I ever drove with a nose-band. In some of my
Western trips I had seen the Mexicans ride their horses
without bits and with the bridle arranged across the nose.
This gave me the notion of trying it on Calmar. I took off
his over-check, put on a side-check, arranged the nose-band
so that I could buckle my reins into the nose-band and bits
atthe same time and so that a good deal of the pressure
would come on the nose when I took hold of them. The
first day I arranged to work him in this way, George the
blacksmith came out to see the effect the shoeing would
have on him. I drove him the first mile in 2:35, and while
he did not break he seemed very uneasy and acted very
much as though he wanted to. In twenty minutes I drove
him another mile in 2:30, which he went without a break.
Before putting his boots on I had them rubbed over with
chalk so I could see just where he brushed them. I found
that he marked the shin boots a little above the ankle and
did not brush the scalpers at all, We decided that the next
time we worked him we would raise the weights higher
on the spur, which we did and I drove him several heats in
about 2:30, without a break or without his showing any dis-
position to want to break.

The following week at Hartford, where I had him

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 353

entered in a race, Calmar showed me so much speed in his
work that I concluded to give him a trial and if he suited
me back him and try and make a little money for myself.
In talking the matter over in a quiet way with General
Turner, he advised me not to put my money on him as he
had seen enough of him to know he was abad horse. How-
ever, I set a day and asked the General to come out in the
morning and time him for me, which he did. I drove him
a mile from a certain point in the back side of the track in
2:234, and in twenty minutes repeated him in 2:214. The
General reconsidered his decision, and we concluded as the
odds would be very long against him we would put a little
money on and try and win a good deal. We gotthe money
on all right but, as the General remarked after the race was
over, we cut our watermelon before it was ripe. The race
came off, Calmar was beaten and we lost our money. Still
I was not displeased or discouraged as he acted so much
better in the race than he ever did before. I was sure that
some day he would prove a winner. I concluded to start
in over again and be sure that the next time I put my money
on him to have him right. In this race I found that by
raising the weight well up on his hoof it changed his gait
so that he never touched his scalpers and rarely touched his
shin boots.

I worked him along very carefully for two or three
weeks, and every time I drove him he pleased me better.
Tentered him at the fall meeting at Fleetwood Park, where
he won a race of five heats against a bay mare called Rose-
wood that was sired by Blackwood, and that was driven ‘in
this race by James B. McMann of Flora Temple fanie, and
which was, I believe, the last race which that celebrated
driver took part in. In this race Calmar again sold very
cheap in the pools. The betters and the public, knowing
that I had backed Calmar at Hartford and had lost niy
money were not at all frightened when they learned that
I was doing the same thing again. In the first two heats
Calmar was unsteady and the mare beat him easily in about

354 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

2:30. He seemed very much unbalanced going down the hill.
Before the word was given in the third heat, I increased the
weight on him by putting on a six-ounce toe-weight instead
of afour-ounce. This seemed to steady him, and while my
friend McMann gave me a pretty hard race in the next heat,
Calmar beat the mare and then put the race to his credit.
I made a fair winning, and Calmar proved to me that he
would certainly be of benefit in tiding over the long winter
before us.

I went from New York to Cleveland where I had Calmar
entered in two races. When Il arrived there and told Mr.
Baker about Calmar’s success at Fleetwood, he did not
enthuse much about him as the time had been slow, and he
thought his winning the race was more of a scratch than a
proof of merit. Mr. Baker was a man who if you-gave him
a good deal of encouragement was apt to overbet every-
thing. The night before Calmar’s race at Cleveland, I told
him I thought I had a chance to win, and that we had bet-
ter have some money on him. I do not know what kind of
an order Mr. Baker gave Dempsey the pool-seller, but it
must have been unlimited for he played it from the green
cloth to the blue sky, as Jack Batcheldor says. The race
came off and Calmar won in straight heats lowering his
record, and thereby winning the money forus. In this race
he had two or three seconds to spare in each heat, but I
kept him well in hand and only won at the finish, and I
think the public did not realize we had anything more than
Ishowed. Two days afterward we started in another race
over the same track in a field of horses where it was known
we would have to trot in 2:23 or 2:24 to win. Again I sug-
gested to Mr. Baker he had better back his horse, and also
cautioned him that he was in with the best field he had
ever struck and he had a chance of being beaten. The last
part of my advice I hardly think Mr. Baker took as between
himself and his partner, Ira Holmes of Chicago, they bet
about all the money that was on Calmar. The race came
off and Calmar won in three heats easily, trotting. the last

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 355

mile in 2:234, and the last half in 1:09. This move set tal-
ent to thinking, and after that when Calmar started he was
not overlooked in the betting. The following week at Co-
lumbus he won another race and from there he went to Cin-
cinnati where over Chester Park, he made what I consider
the star performance of his life.

At this time Chester Park was under the management
of John Sullivan, a business man of Cincinnati, and Capt.
G. N. Stone, who afterward became famous as the owner
of Maud 8., and who sold her to Mr. William H. Vander-
bilt, and it is reported with the money that he got for her
has amassed a fortune. Chester Park was considered one
of the best betting places inthecountry. The Kentuckians
always came over there in full force, and are always as
willing to bet their money on their own horses as they are
to swear that they have the best whisky in the world. In
overnight betting before the race, Woodford Chief, a hand-
some stallion driven by Gus Macey, hadthecall. I learned
in a second-handed way that the horse had showed his
owner a great trial. By this time Mr. Baker, always enthu-
siastic, had made up his mind that no comparatively un-
known horse could beat Calmar, and on the strength of this
and not to have the Kentuckians out-bet him, put his money
on his horse without stint. The Kentuckians backed Wood-
ford Chief from start to finish. The public were about
evenly divided, and the result was long before the race was
called there was as much money on the contest as an
ordinary horse could have drawn if it had been in silver
dollars.

8. T. Harris, who has since made himself famous by the
brilliancy of his newspaper articles on turf subjects, was the
presiding judge. Deception, a horse by the way who did
not fool the public half as often as his owner did, won the
first heat. From that time on the race lay between Wood-
ford Chief and Calmar, and proved one of the most deter-
mined struggles I ever saw between two game horses. In
the last heat at night, it being nearly dark, a large field of

356 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

horses and a good deal of tedious scoring, Calmar sometimes
not being a good horse to get off, caused a great deal of fric-
tion. When they did get the word, Calmar was at the dis-
tance stand, he being entirely overlooked by the judges, as
they never saw him until after the word was given. I set
sail with the intention of doing nothing but saving my dis-
tance if I could, which I was successful in doing and Wood-
ford Chief won the heat. After the heat Calmar’s backers
made a great noise and disturbance, accused the judges of
all sorts of dishonest things, and made themselves generally
disagreeable. Being dark the judges postponed the race
until the following day, and that night about the hotel
nothing was talked about except the race, the betting on it,
and censuring the judges. The only calm man I saw about
the place by the way, was the owner of Woodford Chief, to
whom I was introduced that evening for the first time, and
while we have had some severe battles on the race-track
since then, the Colonel’s friendship and acquaintance I prize
as one of the pleasant spots in my life.

Mr. Baker came to me and wanted I should insist on the
association changing the judges. I reasoned with him, told
him while I had no personal acquaintance with any of the
judges, that if I was a judge of human nature they were
honest, had simply made a serious mistake, a thing I had
often done in my own profession, and something that any
man is liabletodo. The judges hearing Mr. Baker’s wishes,
declined to act in the deciding heat in the morning and with-
drew from the stand. I insisted on their judging the race
for two reasons: First, I did not want to be a party to
accusing aman of something I was sure he had not done,
that was to act in a dishonest manner; and second, they
were as capable men as the association could get. They
finally accepted the situation and rung the bell for horses.
Thad given my horse a thorough warming up and time to
cool out, and while all this argument was going on with the
judges, the plungers and talent surrounded Ira Bride’ s pool-
box as though they intended to tear it asunder. The Ken-

LIFE WITIET THE TROTTERS. 357

tuckians never for one moment losing their faith in Wood-
ford Chief's ability to win, staid by him to a man. Ira
Holmes, whatever he might have lacked in size, made it up
in game, and he called the Kentuckians and went them one
better every hand they showed. In scoring for the word
Woodford Chief had the pole and Calmar the extreme out-
side, having finished last the night before. When they got
the word, they were as near even as possible for two horses
to be and both on a trot and there commenced one of the
most determined struggles that one could imagine.

I trailed around the turn, Woodford Chief in the lead,
and in this position we struck the back stretch, where I
pulled Calmar out to give him a brush. Still Woodford
kept the lead, and.so we rounded the upper turn I again
trailing. I made up my mind by this time that Calmar
could not out-trot him to take the pole from him, so con-
cluded to lay on his wheel and force the pace all I could and
take the chance of beating him at the finish, knowing that
Calmar was a grand finisher. Woodford Chief seemed to
have the speed of him and two or three times Calmar was on
the point of breaking. They turned into the stretch in that
position, and for the first two or three lengths the Chief
out-trotted Calmar; from there Calmar gradually gained,
and when they came to the stand I could not tell which was
in the lead. The judges decided that Calmar had won the
heat and race, and of course our party was correspondingly
happy. Woodford Chief died the following winter. Had
he lived and met with no accident I am sure he would have
been one of the star performers of his day, and I consider
the loss of such a horse greatly to be regretted by all breed-
ers. Macey, who drove him, has developed from a boy into
aman, and while his interests are all with horses, and he
has often had good ones since, he told me that he had never
had one that quite took Woodford’s place.

Inever think over my career in connection with horse
racing but this race comes to my mind. The courage and
determination shown by both these animals impressed me

358 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

so that I shall never forget it. I think if the public knew
and could appreciate how a game horse will struggle, strive
and strain every muscle to win under unfavorable circum-
stances, they would treat them in a very much more humane
manner than they sometimes do. It seems so strange to me
that the noblest, truest, kindest and bravest animals in all
the Lord’s creation should be placed in a position where to
say the least 50 per cent. of them are badly if not cruelly
treated. I often hear people say that the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has too much power. I
think not. If I were a judge on the bench and a man was
proven guilty before me of beating his wife or abusing his
horse in any manner, I should certainly want to give him a
life sentence.

Writing about this race recalls to my mind the sad end-
ing of.Mr. Baker’s career. At the time he owned Calmar
he was wealthy, prosperous and the world was his friend.
He lost his fortune, and as is very often the case, his friends
with it; lived some years in next to actual poverty and died
aviolentdeath. Mr. Baker may have had his faults ; [never
saw aman who did not. I have heard him severely criti-
cised and by those whom I think should have befriended
instead, as I know he had befriended them. I believe in the
old adage of speaking well of a bridge which carries you safely
over. Tome Mr. Baker was a true friend, a kind employer ;
helped me in every way it is possible for one man to help
another, and I always pitied him in his trouble and misfor-
tune.

I have often heard people remark that they wondered at
blacksmiths and horseshoers being such an ignorant class
of men. I know this is the reputation they have among
some people. I perhaps have as large a personal acquaint-
ance among that class of mechanics as anyone in the world,
and I wish to deny emphatically that such is the case. I
know any number of blacksmiths who in their own business
are first-class artizans, and with brains and intelligence
enough to fill almost any position in life with success. I

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 359

myself am indebted to this class of men for very many valu-
able points in the way of shoeing atrotter. IfI havea horse
with any peculiarities in the way of shoeing that I can not
master, 1 do as I did with Calmar : find a good blacksmith,
state the case to him, tell him what I know and think about
it, and nineteen times out of twenty I find this method a
success. As I have said before, it is the little things in
_ horse-racing that make or unmake the success of the affair.
With Calmar it was simply a matter of having him properly
shod and his mouth rigged right. He was not a hard horse
to drive. My foreman, Walter Dwyer, could have driven
him anywhere. I often had George Perrin work him for
me and he used to say that instead of being a bad horse to
drive he was one of the easiest he ever saw. He not only
got to be a very steady horse after he stopped hitting him-
self, butalso became a first-class breaker and a good scorer.
Lady De Jarnette was one of the handsomest and high-
est-styled mares I ever saw. Herowner, Mr. W. H. Wilson,
showed her at many fairs and horse-races, where she invari-
ably took the first premium. She went with her head high
naturally, and I also noticed that Mr. Wilson seemed to
have a short over-check on her. I often saw Lady De Jar-
nette go miles close to 2:30, and while she went square and
level, she acted to me as though she clawed the air a good
deal, and I was positive that Mr. Wilson had her checked
too short. One day at Lexington he asked me to drive her
for him to obtain a faster record. When I went to the
stable I found the mare harnessed and her head high in
air. I suggested to the young man who had her in charge
that her head was a little high, I thought, but he answered
that it was allright ; she would not go with it any other way.
I went out and scored her down a few times, drove her
down to the half-mile pole at about a 2:30 gait where she
commenced to hitch and hobble, and by the time she had got
into the head of the stretch acted as if she was choking, and
for fear she would I pulled her up and let her jog home easy
in about 2:35. Mr. Wilson was very anxious to know what

860 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

I thought ailed her. I told him I was sure she was checked
in a manner that caused her to choke, and suggested that he
rest her twenty minutes and try again, which we did, when
I gave her a long check, made one or two other slight
changes in the harness, went out and drove her a mile in
about 2:24, and as she had never before beaten 2:293, the
audience and Mr. Wilson were very much surprised. Some
of them were disposed to give me a great deal of credit for
my driving. Anyone could have driven the mare the same
mile, as she was very steady and it required no particular
skill to manage her. She simply wanted to be properly
harnessed. It is just as easy to choke a horse by checking
them too high and forcing the tongue back into the entrance
of the throat, as it would be in any other way. I have seen
one or two horses die in harness that Iam sure were choked
to death.

The bay gelding Wilson, owned by Mr. Z. E. Simmons,
sired by George Wilkes dam Miss Coons by Clarke Chief,
was a horse that took all his education at the hands of Gus
Glidden, who won a good many races with him and gave
him a record of 2:22. He was differentin shape, disposition,
ete., from any other Wilkes I ever saw. The first race I
ever drove Wilson was in Chicago, and as there was a good
deal of talking and betting about this race, I will give a
slight sketch of it.

At that time Mr. William Dunn of Cincinnati, a man
famous as having bred and owned Guy Wilkes and several
other valuable trotters, owned the gray gelding Joe Bunker,
another horse he bred, and had been trotting him with a
good deal of success. This year Bunker started in at Louis-
ville in the spring, making an early campaign and winning
all his races, beating among others the stallion Director,
that at that time Johnny Goldsmith did not have keyed up
to a winning point, he having just brought him from Cali-
fornia. Bunker also defeated Overman, a horse owned at
one time by Orrin Hickok, and sired by St. Elmo, one of
Hickok’s early performers. Joe Bunker came to the Chicago

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 361

summer meeting with a great deal of reputation and with as
much money to back him as often goes on one horse. Mr.
Dunn, his owner, always trots his horses to win. This the
public knew, and as Bunker had not lost a race that season
they made up their minds he never would. In the work I
saw Bunker get before his race, I was satisfied he had trained
off, lacked speed and condition, and I was sure under those
circumstances the more he was worked the worse it would
be for him.

It was known that Bunker would be the favorite over the
field in the betting, and Glidden suggested to me that I take
his place behind Wilson in the race on account of the dif-
ference in our weight, Glidden being much the heaviest man,
and that we should play our money on the field against Joe
Bunker and take the chances that if Wilson did not beat
him some other horse would.

Before the race came off I found that Hickok thought
well of Overman. In the betting Bunker was favorite $100
to $60 over the field, and the public and Mr. Dunn’s friends
put their money on as though they would never get enough.
While the public often gets the talent’s money, here was a
race where I think the talent had the best of it, as Overman
won in three straight heats, thereby landing the fielder’s
money for them.

The next race that I drove Wilson was at Cleveland
against Director, where Wilson made his best record, and
although beaten he again proved that he was a fast race-
horse. I have often heard people say that a trotter does not
need much work to trot a race of mile heats, three in five;
also that old trainers work their horses altogether too much.
Owners frequently say: ‘‘ Don’t work my horse, he doesn’t
need any work.” I have often found that those horses are
bad feeders, with a delicate constitution and can not stand a
preparation for a campaign. That kind of a horse often
wins a race or two, but there never yet was one of them that
made anything like a successful campaign. And whenever

_you have a trotter that does not need any work, do not enter

362 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

him for a long campaign, as before you get to the end of it,
you will not only have to pay his expenses, but his entrance
money too.

In the Cleveland race I made two mistakes with Wilson,
and one of them I consider a very serious one and am sure
that it cost him his chances of beating a first-class horse,
which I have no doubt that he would have done had he
been fortunate enough to have been managed differently.
At this time the best mile Wilson had ever gone was 2:20,
either in his races or work, and as I found out afterward,
he had been given a very short preparation and a very
little work of any kind. I supposed that he had plenty of
work, and as he showed me unlimited speed before the race,
advised Mr. Simmons to back him and we would try to win.
This was the tirst mistake, inasmuch as we were wrong as
to the condition of the horse. A second mistake was that
we underrated Director. Johnny Goldsmith brought him
from California in the spring and trotted him a number of
races, had won some of them and given the horse a record of
about 2:20. That rate of speed was supposed by most
people to be his limit. The Cleveland race'was a great
struggle of six heats between these two, Director and
Wilson, each getting two heats apiece and making a
dead heat, and Director winning the deciding heat.
Wilson that day made his record of 2:164, which is
his best. Director also made his best record, 2:17, in the
same race. The public showered their money into the pool-
box and were pleased to think they had seen a grand bat-
tle, and Wilson being a game and ambitious horse and out
of condition from being short of work was ruined, as his
career after that was short. He never went anything like
as good arace again ; he struck his hind leg in this race and
was always more or less troubled by it and this was his last
year on the turf although a young horse.

If Wilson had received along and careful preparation,
such as Goldsmith had given Director, I am sure that he
would have won the race and not only that race, but a good

—

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 363

many more. Anyone else might have made the same mis-
take which I did, whether they would or not I do not
know. I simply state the facts in the case and what my
opinion is as a word of caution to other people who are in
the same position, and that is; before you give your horse
-a hard race be sure that he is in condition to take it. The
strongest proof that my argument is right is this: If
Turner, Doble, Hickok, W. H. Crawford, Jimmy Golden,
Jock Bowen and many others of that class of men whom I
could name start a horse at the beginning of the circuit and
he shows himself a good race-horse, you may expect to
have trouble with those people all along the line, for instead.
of the first race doing the horses harm, if they are in condi-
tion to take it it will do them good and they will steadily
improve to the end of the journey, as is proven in many
cases by a horse’s beginning at the first part of the circuit
and trotting a race a week and going their last races best.
On the other hand, you watch the man who comes to the
circuit with his horse that does not need any work, says he
hasn’t given him any, goes one good race and wins, and the
next week he can’t understand why he doesn’t get better
than third or fourth in the race, The reason is, that from
lack of condition the first race has done the horse harm.

‘As plain a case as ever I saw of the kind came into my
hands last year in the bay gelding Fred Folger. He be-
longed to a friend and old-time patron of mine, and a man
who from long experience and associations with Mace,
Doble and Jack Phillips (they all having driven for him at
different times ), has ideas about the training and manage-
ment of the trotter that I think makes him a very useful
man during a campaign. As the financier of a stable of
trotting horses he will come as near having the account on
the right sideas any man I ever saw. Mr. D. B. Herring-
ton, the gentleman who trained Fred Folger in his early
career, deserves a great deal credit, as he bought him at
auction when he was an undeveloped horse, and if. he had

shown any great speed no one seems to have known it, as
24

364 LIFE WITIL THE TROTTERS.

he was only considered worth about $600, which was the
price he brought. As the horse came into my hands after-
ward and Mr. Herrington criticised my treatment of him
it may not be out of place for me to give my opinion of the
horse here. The first race in which Herrington started
Folger in was early in the spring in a climate which at its
best, is cold and disagreeable, and over a track that has been
notoriously bad ever since the day it was built. And while
I did not see Mr. Herrington work this horse nor drive him
in his race, from evidence which I consider thoroughly reli-
able Iam satisfied he made the same mistake that.I did
with Wilson, that is, started his horse in a race when he
was short of work, and while he won:it in three straight
heats, he went three-quarters of a mile I am toldin one heat
at a clip that would have strained any horse in the
world unless he was thoroughly seasoned for an effort
of that kind. The strongest proof I have that Folger was
out of condition when he started in this race is his
race of the following week, which he also won, but was so
badly out of condition that he lost one heat in 2:294 after
having made a record of 2:204 the previous week. In his
second race Folger was unsteady, short of speed, and that
he won it was no credit toa fast horse. The following week
he won a race at Hartford after another struggle of five
heats where the best mile was about 2:23. In his Pough-
keepsie race he showed a record of three-quarters of a mile
in about 1:40, and to havea horse with that wonderful speed
get off so that he could not go better than 2:23 or 2:24
there must have been some cause for it.

Wilson, I think, wore the lightest shoes of any Wilkes
horse I ever saw, they weighing not over eight ounces in
front and about five behind. I have since often thought
that he would have gone well in tips. I believe that if our
trotting tracks were not quite so hard there are a great many
horses that would go better if shod in that manner. I do
not think it possible for horses to be shod in tips and trot-
ted successfully while our trotting tracks are so hard. I

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 365

have watched this matter at every opportunity which pre-
sented itself to me, have tried tips on a number of horses,
and am satisfied that for a horse to go well in them the
‘track must be especially prepared. .I presume the gray
gelding Jack is the most celebrated horse that ever trotted
a race in tips. Fortunately for me I was in a position to
observe this horse closely while he was being shod in this
manner, as he was in the stable of Mr. Doble. In fact, if I
remember rightly, Budd talked the matter over with me
before he changed the shoes.

Jack is an instance of from what a humble beginning
a great horse sometimes springs. While he has in his pedi-
gree grand strains of blood that have proven themselves in
breeding and on the turf first class, his dam being by
Magna Charta, the family that gave us the dam of Belle F.,
2:154, and several others that went in 2:20 or better, she
was never considered of any great value, having been sold
at one time for $60. Coming into the world from sucha
cheap parent, Jack was not looked upon as a coming world-
beater,.and his early education, etc., was not above the
ordinary, and while a colt was offered for sale at very
moderate prices. In his early training he did not showany
very remarkable speed, but always made a better showing
in his races than he did in his work, which I consider a first-
class symptom of arace-horse. As a five-year-old, he was
sold with his mate to Mr. George Middleton of Chicago for
a road-team, Mr. Middleton giving for them $6,000. I
hardly think he realized when he bought the team that the
following year he would have the pleasure of seeing one of
them win more money than any other trotting horse in
America would, which he did, as Jack in capturing a
majority of the big stakes last year put to his credit that
feat.

There are some things about Jack which remind me of
Rarus. In gait he is very easy and smooth, goes without a
particle of friction, and when at histop speed does not seem
to be making any effort. I have noticed, as with Rarus, that

366 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

a great many horses beat him to the three-quarter pole, but
from there to the stand he steals along and at the finish
seems to out-trot them with something to spare. The first.
race Mr. Doble drove Jack in tips was at Rochester, where
he trotted and won the $10,000 stake, beating the best field
of 2:30 horses that ever faced the starter. The week of the
race there had been more or less rain, which left the track
soft, and with his shoes on Jack seemed to have hard work
to get through the footing. The day before the race Mr.
Doble decided to put tips on him and try them, which
' carries out my argument of never being afraid to make any
change on the horse no matter how close it may be to a.
race, or what people may say about it, if in your judgment
it is the proper thing todo. I don’t mean that you shall
change a horse’s shoes from an impulse or whim, but after
careful consideration, if you think that is the best thing to
do, make the change by all means. I haveseen Mace change
a horse’s shoes between heats of a race, and with good re-
sults. He always said: ‘“‘If you can’t win with one plan,
try another; never give up trying.”’

In putting on the tips on Jack, Mr. Doble followed the
rules as laid down in Joseph Cairn Simpson’s book entitled
‘*Tips and Toe-weights,’’ and in working him to see what
effect the change would have, Doble was very much pleased
with him and told me he was sure he would go the best race
he had ever trotted, all of which he did, proving that Mr.
Doble’s treatment of the case was right. If I had a horse
on which it was necessary to wear toe-weights in training,
I would certainly drive him in tips the balance of the
season, as I am sure that in that manner you would teach
him to go with lighter weights than you would by driving
him in heavy shoes all the time. You will at the same
time, if the footing is not too hard, get the pressure on the
horse’s frog, and if he is inclined to contraction from bad
shoeing or other causes have a chance to counteract that
effect. The great trouble I find with people who have
theories about shoeing horses is that they want to shoe.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 3867

every horse alike, which is utterly impossible to do with
Satisfactory results.

Wolford’s Z., was another horse that I had in connec-
tion with whom my blacksmith was a great deal of benefit
to me, as he was a horse that hit himself on his front legs and
every other place, I think, it was possible for a horse to do
so. He wore arm and knee boots and shin and quarter
boots when he came into my stable, and could not be moved
without his hitting his boots very severely. Jim Brayton,
of Elkhart, Ind., shod him for me after a plan which I have
found very satisfactory in cases of this kind. In shoeing a
horse to prevent his hitting his knee, many blacksmiths file
off the inside of the foot, and by so doing bring the foot to
a point, or asit were, try to make the horse toe out.
Others have ideas about putting most of the weight on one
side or the other of the shoe. I have tried all these plans
but with poor result. Brayton leveled the horse’s foot per-
fectly, shortened up the toe moderately, then made his shoe
fit the foot with the weight evenly distributed and after it
was ready to nail on, he heated the toe, placed the shoe in
his vice, and with a rasp cut off the toe of the shoe square
across so it would look about like the box-toe of an English-
man’s shoe. After nailing it on the foot, with his rasp he
cut of the toe of the foot back even with the shoe. After
Wolford's Z., was shod in this manner he looked rather
peculiar, as I had never seen a horse’s feet so treated, but
the result was perfectly satisfactory, as he stopped hitting
himself and was a much faster and better race-horse, im-
‘proved his record and won some very satisfactory races. I
tried this same plan on Argyle the pacer to my entire satis-
faction.

In a trotting or pacing horse I object very much to hav-
ing their feet allowed to grow out very long. I am sure
that they are very much more apt to hit themselves and
sooner or later strain their tendons. Argyle was a rather
peculiar horse, his gait being different from that of any other
pacer I ever saw, it being very much like that of a trotter.

368 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

I believe Anderson told me he had driven him a mile in 2:30
on atrot. I divide the honor of having driven him to his
best record with Joe Coates, he having done likewise with
him. Inaraceat Kansas City against Mike Wilkes and.
others, I took the second heat with Argyle in 2:14%. Mike
Wilkes, driven by his owner Abe Rorhbach of Stillwater,
Minn., often called ‘‘the Dan Mace of the Northwest”’ from:
his generalappearance and style of driving, won the race
and also making his best record that day of 2:153. Mike
Wilkes is one of the few I have seen that can both trot and.
pace fast. In his younger days he was rather unreliable,
passed through the hands of several trainers, and was driven.
by George Voorhies on a trot a mile in 2:20. He was after-
ward sold to Rohrbach at avery moderate price, and in the:
hands of Spencer made quite a reputation asa pacer. But.
his owner put the finishing touches to his reputation when.
he beat Argyle and heand his friends from the lumber dis-:
trict won all the money and left my partner Frank Herdic:
and myself to hold the sack. In my opinion there is not as
much difference between pacers and trotters as most people
imagine. Iam sure that Johnston could be driven fast on
a trot with but little trouble. When I first got him, I often
saw him step off better than a three-minute gait at that way
of going, and with light shoes on. In fact would often try
to score up with me on a trot in his work.
Colonel Lewis, a gray gelding with a record of 2:18 that.
I brought from California in 1879, was a very peculiarly
formed horse and had rather a strange history. He was not.
a trotting-bred horse, and in bis younger days was harshly
treated and given no chance to show or develop the speed
‘which afterward made him quite famous. Before bringing
* him to this country from California, he showed me a good
deal of speec with ability to stay the route. On this side of
the Rockies he did not do as well. The climate seemed to
effect him wonderfully, he lost his speed and his ability to
stay a mile out. This I believe has been the case with a
number of other horses brought from California, and the,

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 369

peculiarity is something that many trainers have to contend
with in shipping horses long distances. My experience has
been that in taking horses from here to California, they in-
variably do better. They can go faster and stay longer at a
high rate of speed in that climate than they can here. A
horse will take more work with a very much less feed and
still keep plenty of flesh. These are matters of a great deal
of importance, particularly with a delicate horse. In bring-
ing a horse from the Pacific coast to the East, I think that
the hot nights we experience here affect them more than
any one thing. :

In California, no matter how warm the day, when night
comes a horse is always comfortable with a blanket on, and
you could not if you tried reduce the flesh on him there as
fast as it will sometimes come off here in spite of all you do
to preventit. This I think brings on a weakened condition
of the animal and he loses all chance of being anything like
successful. Doble brought Occident to this country with
the reputation of being a very fast horse, and he never was
able to make any use of him, so badly did he lose his form.
‘On returning to California, he again regained it, appar-
ently from no other cause than the effects of the climate.
In high countries we have another condition of affairs. In
Denver, my horses never seemed to lose their flesh or their
appetites, and always felt well and ate well. They would
have plenty of speed, but after going a short distance at a
high rate would seem to swell up, act very much dis-
tressed in their wind, and some of them would bleed at the
nose. Some horses never get used to the rarified air of a
mountainous country, and others it does not seem to dis-
tress so badly. When I had Sweetser in Denver he could
not pace a mile in 2:35, while Rarus seemed to be affected
less by the climate than any other horse I ever saw, as he
made considering the circumstances and surroundings, a
first-class performance.

Doty, another native of California that I brought to this
country, was a horse with a good deal of speed but not very

370 LIFE WIT TUE TROTTERS.

reliable. The climate did not seem to affect him very much
as he went about as well here as he could there. Harry, a,
brown gelding with a record of 2:244, being a horse of very
delicate constitution and a poor feeder, was never able to show
anything like his Californiaform. In taking a trotting horse
to California after a long and severe campaign here, the great-
est advantage derived is, not only the mild climate, which
I think is a grand thing for a horse’s nervous organization
in the reduced condition which it certainly must be after
his arduous work of the season, but in the fact that here
you have a chance to give him a-run at grass if you wish,
which beats anything I ever saw in the way of tonics to
build up a horse's reduced system. One other benefit I
found was that you could at all times keep your horse par-
tially conditioned. That is, you did not have to let up on
him entirely. Ifa horse has any weak places about him
and you throw him entirely out of training, when you com-
mence to train him again you will find that you may have a
great deal of trouble to get him back to his original form.
I have seen many horses laid up in the fall with bright pros-
pects for the following season. But from one cause or an-
other their trainers would be unable to get them back after
their winter’s rest, and they never performed as well as
they were expected to. A horse kept up through the win-
ter, even in a cold climate, with moderate jogging and an
occasional brush at a working gait, can be conditioned much
easier to himself in the spring than one that is let up all
winter, and I think it much the best plan. This was proven
to me by the manner in which Mr. Simmons trained Kansas
Chief the first winter he owned him.

The nervous organization of the horse is something
which I think is often overlooked. Years ago, in a conver-
sation with that celebrated horseman, trainer and veterina-
riau, Dr. Herr, of Lexington, Ky., he advanced some ideas
about this matter that I never heard from anyone else, and
gave me points on the subject that have been of a great deal
of benefit tome. Nomatter how sound your horse’s feet and

LIFE WiTH TIE TROTTERS. 871

Jegs are, how good his wind is, how well you train and care
for him, you may rest assured of one thing, and that is: If
his nervous organization is weak or impaired from any cause,
‘you will be unable to get him in the pink of condition or to
get anything like his best efforts in the race. Ifsuchis the
fact, and I am positive it is, then the nervous organization
of the horse is one of the principal points to be looked after
in training him. One other point I want to thank Dr. Herr
for, and that was the advice he gave me in regard to the
horse’sstomach. His plan was that if the horse was suffer-
ing from any disorder of the stomach or bowels, instead of
continually overloading his stomach with bran mash and
feed of that kind, to give him something in the way of med-
icine to counteract or cure the disease. Someone might ask
Would I give a horse medicine while in course of training?
I certainly would. In these times of intelligent and edu-
‘cated veterinarians where all diseases of the horse are treated
with perhaps as much intelligence as diseases in the human
race, there is no more danger of giving a horse medicine
while in training than in taking medicine yourself if you
need it. In talking with men who have trained some of the
most celebrated athletes in this country, I find that the
medical treatment of a man in training is one of great im-
portance, and as I claim that horses are like human beings
in more ways than one the same treatment I think should be
followed with them.

Governor Hill, a bay gelding with a record of 2:18%, that
was owned by Mr. Simon McMillan of New York City, a
self-made man, and sold by him toa party in South Amer-
ica for $10,000, made his debut to the public in the hands
of Jesse Yearance of New York City, who I think deserves
a good deal of credit for the manner in which he trained and
drove him his races. He came to Yearance’s stables in the
spring, not fairly broken, with some bad habits of unstead-
iness, etc., in company, which had to be overcome, and to
have a man start in with that kind of a horse and in one
season train and drive and win a majority of his races and

372 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

give him a record of about 2:20, is a performance I think
any trainer might be proud of. Hill, in breeding is a de-
scendant of the American Star family and one of the hand-
somest-gaited and speediest horses I ever saw. I think he
could trot a hundred yards at a 2:10 gait. In disposition,
etc., he was rather inclined to be nervous, a delicate feeder,
and for those causes more than for his having beena natural
coward, I lay the fact of his not having been a first-class race-
horse, as he certainly had speed and gait enough to make
him one. He obtainedin my hands a record of 2:183, forced
a horse to trot a mile in 2:174 to beat him, and the other
horse had to have the judges on his side in order to win at.
that. Hill is a horse that I think could, in California,
certainly have gone a mile in 2:14.

One of the best evidences that ever I saw that waiting
and taking plenty of time to condition a horse is the surest.
way to get money with him was in the mare Little Gypsy.
I had seen her passed around from one trainer to another
and handled and worked in rather a slipshod fashion, She
finally came into the stable of Mr. William H. Crawford,
who had never, on account of his poor health, considered
himself a star driver, but who asa trainer and financier in
the business, had made himself a reputation equal to that of
Jay Gould in railroad circles. The manner in which Craw-
ford trained Gypsy. must have been a surprise to her, as I
noticed he had her well harnessed, well booted, had a good
boy to care for her, and in training her gave her his entire
personal attention. Through the Michigan circuit in the
spring she did not cut much of a figure, but in a race at.
Dexter Park, the commencement of the circuit in which I
drove Planter, I found that Mr. Crawford had a pretty fair
mare. In talking the matter over with him after the race,
he acknowledged to me that such was the case, and further
said that when he got her to what he considered a feather
edge and was prepared to back her he would like very much
to have me take his place behind her, as he lacked confi-
dence in himself in that kind of an engagement. The follow-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS 3873:

ing week at Cleveland Gypsy was entered in a race where
if the betting fraternity and the public had ever heard of
her they must have entirely forgotten the fact, as she sold
for $30 in $600 pools the evening before the race, and in fact.
kept at the same odds until the race started. Some people
took part in this race who are celebrated not only in connec-
tion with the turf, but also in other walks of life. Foster:
Dewey, who perhaps was the closest friend that William H.

Vanderbilt ever had, at that time owned Richard, had him
entered in the same race, and came on from New York with

a number of his friends to see him trot, his party including
such well-known men as Sheridan Shook, Ed Gilmore of
theatrical fame, Charlie Reed, the owner of Midnight, and.
a host of others who always helped to make it lively around.
the pool-boxes whenever they appeared on the scene.

Mr. Crawford, Terry Barden, Charlie Harvey and Al
Carlile formed atrust and at the odds placed money enough
on Gypsy to win $12,000. So well were all the details ar-
ranged and the money put on, that the unsuspecting public.
never thought they were being led to the slaughter. In
fact, I myself never mistrusted there was going to be a.
‘killing,’ Mr. Crawford not having said any further to me-
after our conversation in Chicago, and for that reason I
supposed that he did not expect to back his mare. He-
drove her the first heat himself, which he won in 2:234. The.
next heat Mace beat him with an unreliable horse called
Banquo, owned at that time by a Boston gentleman. The:
finish was very close between Mace and Crawford, and I
thought at the time Gypsy ought to have wonit. After
this heat Crawford asked me to take his place, which I did,
and Gypsy won the race in the next two heats, but not until
after she had had a fight from start to finish in the fourth.
mile with a bay gelding of the name of Jack, and he forced.
ner out to her, at that time, best record of 2:22. Here is
where it is reported of Crawford that he made his famous.
remark. The finish of this heat was so close that many
people did not know which horse had won. The judges,

‘B74 LIFE WITI TIIE TROTTERS.

were some time figuring the position of the third and fourth
horses. Crawford became impatient and asked me what I
thought about it. Itold him his mare had won the heat
sure. He wondered why the judges did not hang out their
decision. J told him they would in a minute, whereupon he
remarked that would be too late for him, as he would be
dead in a minute, meaning that the strain would be too
great, he could not wait that long. I think he was mis-
taken.

No matter what the decision might have been I am sure
from what I saw of the man at other times, it would have
‘taken more than that to kill him. Once afterward when he
was very ill and I stood at his bedside, he told his physician
that he wanted to know just what chance there was of his
living or dying. The physician answered that he had just
an even chance for his life. Crawford replied to him that
that was as good a thing as he had ever had in this
world, and was willing to take an even chance and try and
live, which convinced me that it would take more than an
adverse decision from the judges’ stand to make him surren-
der. In appearance, disposition, etc., the four men who won
the money on this race, besides being connected in business,
were great social friends. The public, I think, are greatly
mistaken about the character and habits of men connected
with the turf. Asin other walks of life, there are a great
many different kinds of people interested in trotters, some
for pleasure, and some asa means of livelihood. TerryBarden
. was aman of very delicate health and mildness of manner,
and whether he was buying the first choice in the pool-box,
or speaking to a lady, had the same polite manners and low
tone of voice, always pleasant to meet with. He often lost
hismoney, but neverafriend. He is one of the few men who
lived and died and left behind him no word of censure.
Crawford, a man of more nervous temperament, is the de-
scendant of a well-bred family, received a good business
education, served his time in the war, and proved by his
conduct that whatever else was in his character fear was no

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 375.

part of it. After the war he engaged in some business ven-
tures, bought a trotter for the love of the horse, and after-
ward bloomed out as professional trainer and driver, and in
that connection has owned and driven some of the most cele-
brated horses in this country. Charlie Harvey is an English-
man by birth, an American by adoption, the proprietor of a
hotel by occupation, and an owner of trotters for pleasure.
He is always ready to trot his horses for the money, will

back his opinion at all times, and as a neighbor and friend
and a jolly companion rates first class. Al "Carlile i is always
considered Ira Bride’s running mate, a position which he is.
amply able to fill, not only from his size, as he and Ira are
considered the heavy weights of the turf, but from other
traits of their characters. They have both often lost their
money on a horse-race, but when it comes to ordering and
eating a good dinner, their speed and staying qualities are
acknowledged by everyone who knows them. As a mer-
chant, Carlile has proved himself a man of rare ability,
very temperate in habits, never having smoked a cigar or
taken a drink of liquor under any circumstances, always
ready to back his opinion with his money on anything from
the Presidential election toa hundred-yard foot-race. Asa
friend he is true blue, as many a man on the turf to-day has
reason to know from the fact that at some time in his career
Carlile has bridged him over a financial difficulty.

In this respect I think sporting men are much more
liberal and charitable than business men. On the turf, no
matter how poor a man may get, how bad his luck may be,
or what misfortune may overtake him by loss of health or
otherwise, you may rest assured of one thing, he will find
plenty of people in his own line willing to help him in his
time of distress, and if I were ever to have the plate passed
for my benefit, with all due respect for the churches, of
which Iam a great admirer, I would sooner have it sent.
around on the race-track than in the wealthiest church in
the world. As a rule, I think the conduct of men con-
nected with the turf will compare favorably with that of

376 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

the same number of people in other walks in life. For
instance, the pool-sellers and book-makers have and hold at
different times a great deal of money which belongs to other
people and that, too, without giving the slightest security
for it. Weoften hear of bank presidents, treasurers and
‘cashiers and other men holding positions of trust going
off to Canada with other people’s money, but who has ever
heard of a pool-seller doing so?

T once hAd a horse-trade with a banker who told me he
did not have much confidence in horsemen, but when I told
him there were more bank presidents than horse jockeys in
Canada, he changed the topic. There are other men who
love a trotting horse for the pleasure it gives them. While
they do not from inclination or need trot their horses in
public, they derive a great deal of pleasure from them, and
add very much to the interest of the sport. Such men as
Mr. Robert Bonner and William and John Rockefeller have
made it possible by their example for a man although he be
a minister of the gospel to own and drive a trotter without
causing any unpleasant remarks. I once trained a horse for
a Catholic priest named Father Barry, who lived on Staten
Island, and if charity toward the faults and weaknesses of
‘others as well as their bodily ailments, a life of unceasing
toil in behalf of needy creatures, and a love for all that was
good and true, for humanity’s sake and not for what anyone
might have said of him, are the characteristics of a Christian,
my patron, Father Barry, was surely one.

CHAPTER XV.

The trotting interest one that extends throughout the land and is growing every
year—Famous road riders of New York City and elsewhere—Commodore
Vanderbilt’s present to his spiritual adviser—Robert Bonner and his sons,
the Rockefellers, Mr. Frank Work, and others—Men in other cities whe
love the trotter for the pleasure and health they derive from driving—Some.
hints about the purchase and care of a road horse—Decide just what you
want the animal for, and then use him for that purpose only—Don’t expect
your gardener to also be capable of taking good care of your road horses—A.
few practical suggestions that will commend themselves to all owners of
horses.

T have often heard it said that the interests in thorough-
bred horses in America would gradually overshadow trotting
interests, but I hardly think so, as in the first place a thor-
oughbred horse is only useful for two purposes—for breeding
and racing. As a road horse, a thoroughbred has never been
considered a success. Ican buy a better road horse for $250,
trotting bred, than the best race-horse in America would
make. The love of a trotter is born with the American. It
is not an acquired taste in any way; as soon as a boy is able
to walk he wants a horse, and for awhile he has to content
himself with a hobby horse. When he grows to manhood,
if he is in position to do so, he gets himself a trotter, either
to drive on the road, or for turf purposes.

The best reason why the people never lose interest in trot-
ters is not the fact of their being used on the turf, as the
percentage of men who own the trotting horse for turf pur-
poses is very small in comparison with a large number of
people who use him for pleasure. In most every city and
village of this country there are people who own trotting

horses for private use; horses that are able to go all the way
x (877)

378 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

from three minutes to 2:08%, and a first-class road horse
to-day will command a greater price for that use than he
will for track purposes. Another reason why the trotter is
bound to succeed is that foreign countries are commencing to.
buy from our market, and as there is no other country in the
world that can at present compete with America it looks as
though in the matter of trotting horses we should certainly
have the call foralong time tocome. One can hardly realize
the amount of money that has been paid for trotting horses.
that are used by gentlemen on the road. In a great many
cities and towns there are either tracks or roadways arranged
‘expressly for this kind of travel. In New York City there
are whole families from the father to the youngest son each
of whom has his own private turnout of trotters and light
wagons, and drives them with as much regularity as he
looks after his business.

In Commodore Vanderbilt's day that gentleman drove
his trotters with as much regularity as it was possible for a
man to look after any department of his business life. He
had good ones, and occasionally sent them out to take a
whirl on the turf, but as a rule confined himself entirely to
road driving. He thought a great deal of trotters as a.
medium of amusement, so much so, that he gave his minis-
ter, the Rev. Dr. Corry, a man whom he was very fond
of, a pair, and I have often seen the Commodore and the.
preacher having a brush together down the road, and they
appeared to enjoy it wonderfully. His sons had the same
love for the trotter, and William H. was considered a good
judge of a trotting horse, and a first-class road driver.
When he owned Maud §., he was not averse to having her
appear in public, which she often did, and he must have
enjoyed it, as I have known him to take very long trips to.
see her perform. The Bonner family, father and sons, have
been regular road riders as long as I can remember, and
while the boys are not quite as well known to the public as
their father, they love a horse just as well, are good judges
of them, and I never saw one of them that could not drive a

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 379

trotter like a Hiram Woodruff. Years ago, I was out fora
drive myself one day, and was overtaken by whatappeared.
to me to be a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years of age,
with a small, smooth bay horse. I had a pretty fair animal
myself, a regular 2:30 horse, and when the youngster chal-
lenged me for a trot, expected to have a walkover. I was
very much disappointed however, not only in the speed that.
the bay horse showed, but also in the masterly manner in
which the youngster handled him. On inquiring who the
young man was, I was not so much surprised at his ability
when I was told that he was the youngest son of Robert
Bonner, and that the horse he drove was a colt that had
for its dam the celebrated mare Flora Temple, the first trot-
ter to beat 2:20. Jafterward spent a day at Mr. Bonner’s
farm, and while the style and speed of the numerous horses
he showed me pleased me very much, the greatest enjoyment
I had was in seeing his boys drive them. They drove them
against the watch, against each other, and at last they
invited me to get behind a horse and take a shy at them,
which I did, and the masterly manner in which they handled
the animals under ali circumstances gave me as much
pleasure as it would a musician to hear an artist play a
violin or piano.

The Rockefellers, of whom there are three, John, Will-
jam and Frank, each own first-class private establishments.
They buy any horse that strikes their fancy and are always
willing to pay the top prices. John Rockefeller has in his
stable a pair of horses, that before they came into his pos-
session made records better than 2:20 on the turf, and he
has others that have shown that rate of speed in private.
He keeps a first-class trainer in Alex. McCrea, who looks
after all the details of the establishment, and the horses are
given as much attention with the idea of developing their
speed and to keep them in the pink of condition as a man
would devote to a stable that he intended for turf pur-
poses.

William Rockefeller owns a pair of horses that I drove
25

380 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

together in public a mile in about 2:18; one of them has a
record of 2:18 in a public race, and he paid for her about
$12,000. He has any number of horses that have cost him
up in the thousands, and on his private farm he has a fine
track. Mr. Geo. Saunders has the training and manage-
ment of Mr. Rockefeller’s stables, which is proof enough
that the horses will always have the best of attention and
care. The stables, horses, and outfit of these gentlemen
must have cost $100.000.

Mr. Frank Work, I think, is perhaps one of the oldest
road riders in New York. He was for years the bosom
friend of Commodore Vanderbilt, and has one of the hand-
somest stables I ever saw. Among his horsesare a pair, Dick
Swiveller and Edward, that not only made for themselves
an enviable reputation on the turf but a world-wide fame,
having, while owned by Mr. Work, trotted a mile in a
double harness to a gentleman’s wagon in 2:164. Mr. Work
has numerous other horses with records between 2:30 and
2:20, and although he is past the meridian of life, his inter-
est in trotters is just as strong as in his younger days.

Capt. Jake Vanderbilt, the late. Commodore’s brother,
is a genuine horseman, and I am sure if he had not been
born with large business interests, he would have been a
professional horseman with a love for the trotter, and he
can, to this day, drive one right to the mark. Capt. John
Dawson, or as his friends all call him, ‘“‘ Jack’? Dawson,
trots his horses in public, and backs them when he thinks
they can win; keeps a stable of trotters to drive on the
road, and if you should ever have a brush with him, I am
sure at the finish you will not have it to say that you out-
drove him.

Col. Lawrence Kip in his stable of fine horses has as
much pleasure as it is possible fora man to obtain, and at
the horse-shows he generally manages to take away his
share of the premiums, for his extreme taste in the beauty
and finish of all his rigs.

Mr. J. B. Houston, president of the Union Pacific Mail

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 881

‘Line, not only drives horses on the road, but has also hada
stable on the turf fora number of years. Mr. Houston, Jr.,
is perhaps the youngest road rider in New York. From the
manner in which I have seen him handle his trotters I
believe I would be willing to match him to drive against any
one of his age in the country. While his father has much
the advantage of him in years, I doubt very much whether
the young man asks any odds of his sire when it comes to
driving a trotter.

Major Dickinson, one of the old school, and one of the few
men that are left now who are willing to match their horses
for five or ten thousand dollars a side, keeps a very hand-
some establishment for road driving and also another for
turf purposes. He enjoys driving his horses and also see-
ing them trot, which is attested by the fact that when they
perform the Major with his pleasant ways is always on
hand.

Nathan Straus also keeps two establishments, and in
Majolica,record of 2:15, he has a horse that he has had a great
deal of pleasure with. Majolica has quite a history, hav-
ing been bred by Mr. Robert Bonner and sold for a very
small price. It has always seemed strange to me that asa
rule the men who breed horses do not derive the full bene-
fit from them. Naming over the list of our celebrated
horses commencing with Maud 8., who was sold by her
breeder for about $500, Jay-Eye-See, whom Colonel West
disposed of for a small consideration, St. Julien, Goldsmith
Maid, and so on down through a long list I find that most
of them have been bred for trotters and by men who under-
stood their business and then sold for comparatively small
sums of money. Rarus was the only horse of the kind
from whom his breeder realized the full benefit.

In Boston the two representative gentleman horsemen
are John Shepard and Mr. Geo. Hall. Jn appearance Mr.
Shepard is a tall, gentlemanly looking man, one of
the most prominent dry-goods merchants in the Eastern
country, and no Yankee ever loved a horse better. He has

*

382 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

trotted his horses in public, and his road establishment has
been for a number of years one of the most prominent feat-
ures of Boston. Mr. George Hall may surely be called a
self-made man, as from a clerk he has, by his own deter-
mination and close attention to business, made himself pro-
prietor of one of the handsomest hotels in this country.
His attention to business and his methodical ways are sel-
dom equaled. In appearance he is a handsome man of
medium size with the appearance of an Englishman. His
ability as a driver would certainly make him a success in
the professional line. The speeding ground of Boston has
a reputation nearly as great as the Bunker Hill Monument.

In Providence, Messrs. Barnabee & Winship, the lead-
ing clothing-house proprietors of that city, are perhaps the
largest owners of road horses. They have also owned many
that have made their mark on the turf, among them H. B.
Winship, that has made the best record, 2:06, with a run-
ning mate, and several others of greater or less fame.

In Chicago, we have Mr. H. V. Bemis, proprietor of the
Richelieu Hotel, who has owned driving horses and trotted
them fora long while, and has in his time had a fortune
invested in that way. Mr. Chas. Schwartz has everything
from a four-in-hazd to a road horse with a record of 2:20 in
the shape of a gentleman’s turnout. John Dupee, Jr.,
while he has not taken as active a part on the turf as his
partner Mr. Schwartz, has always been as near the front
with road trotters as it was possible for him to get.

In Rochester, N. Y., Mr. George Archer, one of the
leading merchants, and president of the trotting associa-
tion, has proven his taste for the trotter by the numbers
that he has owned and driven. Mr. Jas. Whitney of the
same city is never without one or more first-class road per-
formers and occasionally takes a fly on the turf.

In Buffalo, W. I. Mills, a man who trotted horses in
Flora Temple’s time, who at that time owned Belle of Sara-
toga, and has ever since been connected with the turf, has
a small but select stable of first-class performers. Mr.

®

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 883

H. C. Jewett is before the public more prominently as a
breeder, but takes as much pleasure and interest with his
road horses as he does in his stock farm. Mr.C. J. Hamlin
must have had the love of the trotter born with him, for as
long ago as I can remember he owned something in the way
of a speedy horse. Of late years he has had the pleasure of
driving a pair of horses bred by himself, a mile better than
2:20, a feat that I believe has never been performed by any
other man.

In Cleveland, Mr. William Edwards, the president of the
trotting association and a wholesale grocery merchant,
always feels lost if he does not have one or two road horses.
Mr. W. J. Gordon often takes a spin behind Clingstone,
and with his mate, William H., they make a very pleasant
team and represent in cash $35,000, which was the price he
paid for them. Frank Rockefeller, the youngest member
of the Rockefeller family, is a breeder who is not averse to
trotting his horses on the turf and driving them on the
road, all of which he does with as much enthusiam as a
professional.

In Philadelphia, the Bower Bros. are perhaps the repre-
sentative men of that city in the number and quality of
their road establishment. They both occasionally take a
flyer at the turf, and in his palmy days Uncle Billy Doble
was their leading driver, he always having the mount be-
hind their trotters. The ‘‘ Bower Boys,”’ as they are called,
enjoy racing thoroughly, and for their vacation from busi-
ness in summer, take a trip down the grand circuit. Colo-
nel Snowden, a politician, and vice-president of the National
Trotting Association, manager of one of the largest insur-
ance companies in the world, and with many other irons in
the fire, finds time and has the interest to always own some
first-class driving animals.

In Washington City, the Naylor Bros. and F. M. Draney
are the representative horsemen both on the track and road,
as they are men who take an interest in everything pertain-
ing to trotting horses.

o

384 LIFE WiTii THE TROTTERS.

Mr. E. H. Brodhead of Milwaukee, a banker, has always
taken such a lively interest in trotting horses that he might
almost be rated with the professionals, and when he drives on
the road he seems as contented in that class as he does with
the amateurs. C. C. White, manager of the Plankinton
House, is just as good a judge of a road horse as he is man-
ager of a hotel. W.R. Armstrong is another one of Mil-
waukee’s citizens who invests his money in road horses with
a view to pleasure solely.

In St. Paul, Mr. E. C. Long perhaps leads the way in the
quality of his road horses, he having in his stable such tried.
turf performers as Fanny Witherspoon, with a public rec-
ord of 2:164 at a mile, and 4:43 at two miles, which is the
best in the world for that distance. Governor Merriam leads
off with Belle F., that has a record of 2:154, and besides her
he has Adelaide, 2:18, and any number of others that have
proved themselves first class in genuine battles.

In Louisville, the well-known Steve Maxwell and George
Linderberger appear to carry the banner with the number
and quality of their fast roadsters. These are only a very
small part of the great number of people who interest them-
selves in owning trotters and if it could be greater compu-
ted, the amount of money that is yearly invested in horses
for this purpose it would, I think, appear wonderful, even
to people who are used to large transactions.

Mr. Nathaniel Wheeler of Bridgeport, Conn., who has
proven by his works that he admires everything that is
good and true, is a great lover of the trotter, and not only
keeps and drives them himself but has also brought his
children up to believe it is perfectly proper for a gentleman
to own and drive a trotter. He gave his boys a 2:40 trotter
to drive at a time in their lives when most boys were amus-
ing themselres with a top. That their education in this
matter has not done them any harm is proven by their after
life, as they have developed into first-class business men
and citizens that any country might be proud of. Mr.
Charles Clark of Pittsburgh, Pa., a pillar in the chu-ch,

LIFE WITH TH TROTTERS. 385

not only owns trotters, but as an amateur driver of the
same ranks among the first in the land.

Mr. Albert Post of Chicago had the love of the trotter
born in him, as he is a native of Orange County, the birth-
place of Dexter and George Wilkes, two horses whose
names will mark a mile-stone in the history of trotting no
matter how long the world lasts. It was on Mr. Post’s
father’s farm, that under the tuition of Mr. William Sargent,
St. Julien learned his alphabet in the school of trotting.
Mr. Post uses his stable of trotters not only for road pur-
poses, but is willing at all times to have them appear in
public in actual contests, and thereby get a correct estimate
of their merits.

I often hear gentlemen complain that it is impossible for
them to get a first-class road horse, and that they have all
sorts of misfortunes with them after they do secure one. I
think this is easily accounted for from the following reasons:
In the first place it requires a combination of qualities rarely
met with in any animal to make a perfect road horse. I find:
it much easier to select and buy a first-class race-horse than
a road horse which would please the ordinary road driver.
In getting a road horse a gentleman should know just
what he wants to use him for. It will be impossible to find
one that will be perfect in three or four different posi-
tions, or in other words you can not expect to use your horse
in the ordinary family carriage five days in a week and then
have him able to go at a high rate of speed the other two.
The simple fact of a horse having a record of 2:20, got under
the management of an expert, drawing not over two hun-
dred pounds, having the benefits of all the mechanical in-
ventions known to man in the way of boots, toe-weights,
etc., will not make him a first-class roadster. In picking
out a road horse, always be sure and buy one that is per-
fectly sound. Don’t buy an unsound horse any sooner
than you would a second-hand wagon. Test the horse
thoroughly as to kindness and ability to draw weight at a
high rate of speed, and if you wish to buy him for use in

386 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

double harness have hin thoroughly tried in that manner.
I find that many horses that are pleasant to manage in sin-
gle harness do notalways act as well when hitched double.

In buying a horse for present use, do not make the mis-
take of getting one that has been a fast horse, or one whose
owner says willin some future day be able to beat Maud 8.,
as in that case you are simply paying for his opinion and
not for the fact. The safest way is, I find, after thoroughly
trying the horse on theroad as to his weight-pulling ability,
kindness, etc., to have the seller take him to some good
mile track, let him drive him as fast as he can and you hold
your watch on him. Then pay for just what you have seen.
If you can not buy the horse on those terms you will be
better off without him, and will have the privilege of look-
ing farther. Ihave had some strange experiences in buying
horses, and this calls to mind an instance where an owner
of a trotter made a mistake of nearly a minute in the speed
of his horse, and when I proved.it to him, he didn’t seem
to think that it made any great difference.

I was one day approached by a gentleman who asked me
if I would like to buy what was probably one of the greatest
trotters in the land. I told him I would. He went on to
say that he had a horse at his farm that was sound and all
right in every way, went without any boots or weights, and
thut he would guarantee to show me with this horse a mile
in 2:20 bythe watch. I had heard so many ghost stories
about horses that I generally divide the time stated by two,
but in this case the man’s appearance and manners made
such a good impression on me that I arranged to go to his
country home, time the world-beater, and should he go in
2:20 and fill all the conditions, I was to give him for the
horse $7,500 in money. I had on my list of acquaintances
a very wealthy gentleman who was very anxious to owna
first-class trotter. When Itold him the arrangement I had
made he was as much pleased as I was with my first drum,
and together we took a tedious railroad trip to the home of
this going-to-be conqueror of Maud 8., and on walking

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 3887

around the track where he was to be shown, I told my friend
that one of two things was the case, and either the track
was nota mile, or the man was crazy, as Rarus in his
palmy days could not have trotted a mile overas poor a
track as that in 2:20. The gentleman brought his horse to
the track, warmed him up with as much flourish as though
the best record in the world was in danger, and came up
and got the word. We started our watches on him and he
‘finished the mile in 2:39. As Ido not want to jar the
feelings of my readers I will not record in this book the
sentiments I expressed at that time.

Tremember a man who in my younger days brought a
horse to New York to sell on a contract to show 2:45 with
him, and for every second he beat it, he was to receive one
hundred dollars over a stated price, and for every second he
fell short of that time he was to take off a hundred dollars
from the same price. When he showed the horse he went
a mile in three minutes, which, if the man had been com-
pelled to live up to the letter of the contract, would have
cost him five hundred dollars in money.

After a gentleman has bought a horse the next thing is
the management of him. When you buy a piano and pay
four or five hundred dollars for it you carefully house it,
no one is allowed to play on it unless they are known to be
experts; you have it carefully examined at stated intervals
to see if it is in tune, etc., and under such careful manage-
ment it lasts along while. Horses, as a rule, are treated
very differently. A gentleman of wealth buys himself a
horse for which he pays a large price. Having perhaps
never having had the time or inclination, and never having
made any study of the horse family, he places him in charge
of some of the many men servants aronnd the house, most
of whom are not employed on account of their ability as
first-class grooms, but for their usefulness in taking care of
the lawn and other dutiesabout a gentleman’s place. With
this combination of driver and groom one would hardly ex-
pect any wonderful results in the way of speed. Taking it

388 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

for granted that you have bought a horse thatin disposition,
formation, breed, natural gait, etc., is calculated for a road
horse, one that does not need boots or toe-weights and has
no peculiarities about shoeing, with a little good horse
sense brought to bear, you will be surprised how long a
horse will last.

In proof of this, look at the length of time that Dexter
lived and was useful. Mr. Work’s team, Swiveller and Ed-
ward, the last time I saw them, looked like colts. They
have not only had a long career on the road, but before he
bought them were used as turf horses for some time. No
type of horses that I know of live any longer or are able to
do any more work of their kind, if properly cared for, than
trotters. In the management of your horse in the stable,
the first thing absolutely necessary is a man of intelligence.
Thave read a great many books on the ventilation of stables,
ete., but seldom see anything said in regard to the man who
is going to manage the ventilation. Don’t expect to find a
first-class groom that will be capable of growing roses in
your greenhouse, as with their limited chance for education
they will not have time tolearn both trades well. I think
that the same attention should be paid the ventilation and
drainage of your stable that you would pay to your own
house. I think artificial heat in a stable unnatural and
detrimental to horses. What they want is plenty of fresh
air, to be comfortably clothed, and to have a good bed at all
times. No matter how well you feed or care for a man, if
you put him in a bad bed at night he will be very apt to find
fault in the morning, and I think it is the same with a
horse.

In the matter of feeding the horse the attendant has to
be governed entirely by the disposition of the animal and
the amount of work he is expected to do. These things
come to aman by natural observation and tact. When it
comes to driving, if you want to realize the greatest pleasure
there is in the ownership of a horse learn to drive him well,
I think there is just as much pleasure in the knowledge of

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 3889

being aple to drive a trotter well as there is in the sensation
of his drawing you over the ground at a high rate of speed.
Be just as careful in driving him down the road for fun as you
would if you were driving him onarace-track before a large
audience for money, and remember atall times that to drive
a horse ata high rate of speed with the weight of an ordinary
driver and wagon, you have the animal under a greater strain
than you would driving him at his top speed to a lighter ve-
hicle. And if you persist in this sort of thing you will be
very apt to spoil your horse’s gait, get him to hitching and
hobbling, and in other ways make him unsteady. My idea
is to protect your horse in every way that you can. Don’t
overload him; don’t speed him where the footing is bad and
deep. When youdospeed hiin be sure that everything is fa-
vorable for the horse and that he is in proper condition to
stand that sort of exercise. Most men who have valuable
horses for road purposes and are successful with them keep a
first-class man who trains and looks after them with as much
care and attention as I would a stable of race-horses. If a
man should hire a hod-carrier to run the engine in. his
pleasure yacht, and in that way get blown up, people would
say: ‘‘ What could you expect?”’ Then what can you ex-
pect if you hire a man who is no more fit to take care of
your horses than a hod-carrier is to run the engine, if your
horses get lame, take sick and die ?

Not only in the Eastern country, but all through the
Western country gentlemen are greatly interested in trotters.
In Cheyenne, Phil Dater, who used to be one of the pillars
of trotting about New York, has been located for a number
of years and took with him his love for the trotter as is
shown by the large number which he owns, many of which
he has bred. In Denver, Mr. William Bush, proprietor of
the Windsor Hotel, keeps a fine stable of road horses, as
well bred and perfect in every way asmoney could buy. His
brother Jim, proprietor of one of the leading stables, keeps his
horses both for turf and road purposes. Is willing to take
a flyer at the turf at any time, and is always ready to pro-

390 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

tect his money at the pool-box in a way which has kept his
bank account in good order.

Driving trotters on the snow has come to be a great
amusement with gentlemen, and a horse that can go well in
that manner will command a larger price as a gentleman’s
road horse than one that can not. I find a great difference
in horses about going in the snow. Some very fast horses
from their gait, etc., seem entirely helpless when hitched to
asleigh, while others take to it very kindly. One of the
best snow horses I ever saw, perhaps, was Ethan Allen. He
was my ideal of a gentleman’s road horse. I think I have
- seen Mr. Simmons drive him and his son Honest Allen on
the road to a sleigh faster than ever I saw a team go that
way hitched. For a perfect sleigh horse you want one that
does not pull, that is square gaited and will go without
boots. If he is obliged to wear boots in the snow and they
become wet they will be heavy, and I also find that the
water seeping through the boots often poisons the horse’s
legs and in that way you are liable to have a great deal of
trouble. Boots often chafe a horse in the snow from being
wet, etc., while they would not at any other time. Speak-
ing of a horse chafing, I find that a great many are
troubled that way even in summer. Ifa horse pulls in har-
ness, he is almost sure to chafe under the breeching, and
there are some that chafe under the breast collar. If I have
a horse that chafes from the breast collar, I always use an
old-fashioned collar and hames on him. He will trot just
as well, although it may not be quite as handy or look as
well. The best remedy I ever tried for chafing is a solution
of white-oak bark. Any druggist can make it for you.
This recipe was given to me by an army officer, who told me
that he learned it from a groom in the army and he consid-
ered it one of the most valuable remedies he ever met.

In selecting the double team fora gentleman’s use, if
you expect to drive them at a high rate of speed with ease
and comfort, there is a great deal to be thought of. First
and foremost, you must have two horses the same disposi-

LIFE WITIL THE TROTTERS. 391

tion and temperament. Then you want them gaited as near
alike as possible, and you will find that no horse that has
to wear weights and a great number of boots can by any
possibility be a first-class road horse. What you want isa
horse gaited so that he will balance himself. If either one
of them pulls at all, they will be both disagreeable and use-
less asa team. I find that most horses when being used in
double harness need to be shod a little heavier than the
same horse would in single harness. This arises I think from
the fact that you do not have the same chance to balance
him and steady him with the bit that you would in single
harness. J think that as a rule road horses are checked
entirely too high. To place a horse’s head in that position
and then ask him to pull 500 pounds in weight at a high
rate of speed is wrong. The horse is not only uncomfort-
able but at a great disadvantage. I notice that in drawing
weight most horses hold their heads in a medium position.
I can not remember a horse now that carried his head ex-
tremely high and had to be checked in that manner, that I
ever considered a first-class road horse. I think that weight
has something to do with a road horse. Hopeful was not a
racy-looking horse. He is what we would call a ‘‘chunk,”’
had a short, thick neck, strong shoulders, plenty of body,
short, strong back, very stout legs, and here too he was
short. By the record he was the best weight puller we ever
had, he having made the best record to wagon. I don’t
wish to say by this that I think there was no other horse
could have done the same thing or gone better, for [am sure
that there was. Dexter was a wonderful horse for his size to
draw weight, which is not only proven by his races to wagon,
but also by his being driven to a road wagon in 2:21 by his
owner, which is a performance I think never equaled by any
other horse.

In shoeing a horse to drive in the snow, you will find
that at all times he wants to be shod sharp. If the calks
get dull and he slips a little, he soon becomes discouraged
and will not try. It is just as hard for a horse to go in dull

.

392 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

shoes as it is for a boy to skate with dull skates. A horse
should always be shod with leather in winter, or some other
arrangement made to keep him from balling in the snow. I
have tried two plans with satisfaction. First, the leather
pads, and if you use patent leather you can oil it a little
and the snow can not possibly stick to it in the least. My
other plan is, buy some sheets of guttapercha at the rubber
factory, take asmall quantity of it and put it in boiling
water and in that way soften it, and while in that condition
press it into the bottom of the horse’s foot the same as you
would putty. It will harden very quickly and can be left
in as long as you like without injury. One thing to rec-
ommend this plan is that it can be done without removing
his shoes. In driving your horse on the snow, always remem-
ber to have him in good condition before you commence to
work him, as one hard drive when out of condition in the
deep footing is liable to sore his muscles and body so that
you will not have any pleasure with him the balance of the
winter.

I think most of the people who interest themselves in
the thoroughbred horse do so not so much from a matter of
sentiment and love for the horse, as they do for gain. I
notice that when it comes to a matter of pleasure a great
many of them keepatrotter ortwo. McLaughlin, the crack
jockey, and Garrison, both keep private road establishments,
and while they are both small men they drive extremely
well, thus proving to me that it is not a matter of strength
in driving a trotter, but of talent. Some of the most noted
men now connected with the running turf have at some
time in their lives been connected with the trotting turf.
For instance, the Dwyer brothers long before they interested
themselves in runners had trotters on the turf. John
Campbell made himself famous with pacers and trotters
before running reached anything like the proportions it has
reached now. Ed. Corrigan, who has taken a very active
part in running the last few years, used to train and own
trotters, and was one of the first men I ever saw drive Rob-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 893

ert McGregor in a race, and some of the qualities that made
him successful on the running track were just as useful to
him with thetrotter. Jack Batchelor trained and drove his
own trotters for a number of years with success, and when
he went into the running-horse business, he was able to
train them and get his share of the money. Col. William
McGuigan, who at one time made his mark on the trotting
turf, a longer one perhaps than any other man ever did, has
connected himself with the runners and is just as success-
ful. L. C. Chase, who in his lifetime owned some of the
best trotters in this country and managed them success-
fully, proved himself just as handy with the runners as he
ever had been with the trotters, and before the talent about
the pool-box realized it, he had given them some blows from
which they have never recovered.

I think a man that is a first-class rider of thoroughbred
race-horses can certainly be taught to drive a trotter well.
Ihave watched William Hayward ride some of his long-
distance races and I have always felt sure that if he had
taken an interest in it, could have made himselfa first-class
driver. Speaking of light men driving a trotter well, we
have a number of feather weights in the business who get
along all right. In Bennie Mace’s lifetime, while he was
overshadowed by Dan’s greatness to a certain extent with
the public, I always gave him credit for being an artist. I
think he never weighed over 115 or 120 pounds, and was
rather a delicate man in health, etc., yet I have seen him
drive all kinds of horses, and it seemed to me extremely
well. Isawhimride Panic for Mr. De Noyelles once, when
he could not have weighed over a hundred pounds. Ben-
nie drove American Girl some of the best races she ever
trotted, and he must have impressed her owner Mr. Lovell
as being a good driver, as he had been connected with the
turf long enough to know that talent is a very necessary
thing to have in that position. Danand Bennie were great
friends. Dan looked upon him more I think as a son than
a brother, and Bennie always deferred everything to him

394 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

the same as he would have to his father. Bennie lost his
health and Dan in making his will left the bulk of his
property to be held in trust for Bennie’s use. But as Ben-
nie only outlived Dan about three months he had no use
for it.

Dan had another brother that the public never heard
much about, Joe Mace. He was by long odds the handsom-
est one of the family; very much the best educated one,
and had other advantages over Dan and Bennie that would
have helped to make him a successin the world. But he
did not have the determination and will to apply himself
to business that they did, and while he was very fond of
horses and had some very good ideas about them, he seemed
more willing to sit down and talk and read about them than
he was to try to make a living with them. He always left
that part of his affairs entirely to Dan. I have seen him
drive a few races, but if it came to anything like a close
finish he would send for ‘‘the old man,” as he and Bennie
always called Dan. I think*that oftentimes one very
bright man in his business in a family is liable to over-
shadow the other members in such a manner that they do
not appear to the best advantage. J am sure this was the
case in the Mace family and also in Hiram Woodruft's fam-
ily. He had two brothers, William and Isaac, who in their
prime were horsemen of ability way above the average. In
those days trotting horses were very scarce in numbers and
those that were anything like good ones could be
counted on the fingers of your hands. And Hiram with
his great reputation of ability, coupled with his honesty
which always gives any man an advantage in his business,
asarule had the pick of the world. Isaac and William
drove all kinds of races well, and both were experts in the
saddle and could ride a horse any distance. Isaac is still in
the land of the living and it has never yet been proven that
any of the new generation of drivers and trainers have out-
managed or out-driven him for the money. Budd Doble is
about the only example I ever saw of a man following in

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 395:

the footsteps and same profession as his father did, who
did not labor under the disadvantage I speak of, and I
think he has his father to thank for that. Boys are very
apt to defer everything to their fathers if they are in the
same business which I think is very wrong. If you expect.
to succeed in any business in life you must make up your
mind to one thing, and that is to dosome thinking for your--
self. Don’t expect your father or your brother to do your:
thinking, as if they do and you lose them in any way and.
you have never taught yourself to think, you will be very
helpless. Uncle Billy Doble told all his boysif they were
going to be horse-trainers they must work out their own
salvation, as his experience had taught him that was the
only way they could hope to besuccessful. My experience:
has taught me that people who have made a great success.
of anything have done their own thinking. This matter
was greatly impressed on my mind by a short conversation.
I once had with General Grant. In our talk the subject:
turned on the criticism of the public, and I remarked that.
I thought the public had often criticised me rather severely.
General Grant asked me if I had ever read the papers:
through the war times and if so, what I thought of some of
the criticisms which had been made on him. He said he
read them all carefully and if he saw anything he consid-
ered good in them he jotted it down in his memory, but as
he being at the seat of war, and the critics located thou-
sands of miles away in their peaceful homes, from his ad-
vantage of position better capable of judging what was the
best thing to do at the critical time, fought the battles on
his own plansand as he won, of course had the satisfaction
of being credited with having done right.

In training a trotting horse never take anything for
granted. If he wins a race or goes a good trial do not close
the account and sit down and think to yourself that he
could not have been better trained or better driven. After
your horse has made a performance, while the matter is
fresh in your mind, study it over carefully and see whether

26 -

396 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

there was not some place where you could have improved
the training or driving of him. In driving against other
people, study their methods and plans as much as possible.
I do not wish to be understood as advising you to imitate
them at all times. What I mean is, to learn all you can by
close observation, pick out what you consider the best
points, and use them to make a trade-mark for yourself.
If you expect to shine in the profession to any great extent,
you will have to have methods that are recognized as purely
your own. In Mace’s style of driving, people often thought
that his success was not the result of well-laid plans, but
a sort of inspiration of the moment as it were. Such, I am
sure, was not the case. While he had all the brilliancy and
dash of what would be termed in army circles a ‘‘raider,”
he also appreciated the advantage obtained by having cor-
rect information as to the strength of the enemy, and a plan
of battle to attack him from. At the last critical moment
when a little thing would decide the battle, Mace would
come with a wild rush that loqked as though it did not con-
tain much in its elements in the way of plans. This was
only the finish of his plan of attack, as I have had proven
to me without a doubt. He has often told me in talking
over some coming event, just what he would do, where he
would make his drive, and what the result would be. The
best driver in the world, with his nicely laid plans may make
mistakes. But the driver who is the best lawyer and does
everything after a plan, looks after the details the closest,
and is naturally a reinsman, will with the same quality of
horses obtain better results than any driver can who goes
about itin a haphazard manner. In my younger days I
made the acquaintance of William Hayward, the celebrated
jockey, and in him was demonstrated the correctness of this
rule more than any man J ever saw. I have seen him ride
all-distance races and that he rode them extremely well has
been proven over and over again without any doubt. His
judgment of pace is something wonderful. If he was to
ride a horse a mile, he conld tell you before he started how

LIFE WITIT THE TROITERS. 397

well the horse ought to go, each fractional part of it, in
order to make his best possible record. I have often seen
men in running and trotting races both make a very serious
mistake, particularly in riding or driving what we call a
waiting race. They would simply be governed by how
slow the other man went. I saw Turner once win a race of
this kind through a mistake of his opponent. In a race
that came off in 1876 one of the starters was a horse noted
for speed, and also lack of ability to stay, the other one
with not as much speed but plenty of game. The speedy
horse won the first two heats, the game one then came to
the front and won the next two. As a forlorn hope, some
one suggested putting Turner up behind the what looked to
be at this time the beaten animal, and here is where Turner
made an impression on some people that his title was not
anempty one. In scoring for the fifth heat, Turner's ani-
mal seemed to be entirely without speed. They scored
several times, finally got the word both horses going at a very
moderate gait, Turner apparently clucking and switching
his horse along for all there was in him and the other gen-
tleman with his horse in front, driving him with as much
eonfidence apparently as though the race was over. In fact,
everybody who looked at the performance gave it up as a
settled fact, and were very much surprised when the horses
straightened into the stretch, Turner pulled his mare out
and went at her about the same as Garrison would at a
quarter horse, brushed the other man’s horse off his feet,
he being taken unawares, and thereby losing the race. If
Hayward had been driving this horse from his knowledge
of pace and his horse having the ability to go, he wouldn’t
have paid any attention to General Turner, but would have
set the pace fast enough to bave insured the General’s
defeat, orin other words would have driven his own horse in
the manner he thought best calculated to win.

Always remember one thing, that you are not the only
man that, as the boys say, is doing a little cheating. You
may have your own horse under cover, know that he is

398 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

in proper condition, and that you can drive him well.
Always remember that some other man may have the tools.
to do just as well with. I have often heard people say that.
a still tongue indicates a wise head. I think that to a cer-
tain extent this isso. There was one trait about Mace which
resembles a point in the character of ‘‘ Veritas,’ who was a
warm friend of Mace, and that was this: If Mace hada race
against you and was anxious to find out what you thought.
about your horse he would interview you on a plan of his
own. He would not take you by the arm and walk you
away into some secluded spot in a mysterious manner and
cross-question you as a lawyer would, but if he happened
to meet you witha party of friends, would in a laughing,
jolly manner turn the conversation on the matter of the
race, and while he told you how well his horse was going:
and what he expected to do with him, would listen very
carefully to any remark that you might drop about your
horse. After you got through talking you would go away
with the feeling that you knew all about Mace’s business
and that he had been unable to get any pointers from you.
But if you would take the trouble to think it over carefully,
you would find that while Mace had done a good deal of
talking and said some wise and good things the information
on a particular point would be very vague. I have found
that in interviewing aman ‘‘ Veritas’’ invariably follows the:
same tactics. If there is any subject that he wishes to get.
your opinion of for publication or otherwise, he does not
approach you with his pencil and book in hand, but on the
contrary strolls in as though he had come for a social chat.
Does not even start the conversation off on the subject he
wishes to interview you on but leads up to it gradually and
before the man fairly knows it he is interviewed and has.
unbosomed himself to the fullest extent. If you want to,
as the boys say, throw the public off and keep them from
watching and touting your horse, find out how well they
think he can go and whenever you are going to work him
invite them out to time him. If he shouldn’t happen to go

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 399

‘as well as they imagine he ought to in his work after the
trouble they have taken to time him, they will be more than
likely to conclude they had lim overrated and will not
take as much pains to watch him as they would if you had
not asked them to time him. If, on the contrary, you act
in a mysterious manner with your horse, they will be sure
to watch you all the closer. Never tell a man an untruth
-about your horse or business inany way. If you are asked
any questions which you think you can not afford to give a
truthful answer to, tell the gentleman in a polite and pleas-
ant manner that you would be glad to give him a tip but on
this particular occasion for reasons which you can not
explain, you are in a position where you will be unable to
furnish the information he desires and the chances are that
by so doing you will make the man your friend instead of
your enemy by telling him an untruth.

Many a man has labored under a disadvantage from the
simple fact of his not being a good talker. Oftentimes points
arise in races where the manner in which the facts are placed
before the judges count for as muchas it would in a lawyer
making a plea before a judge and jury. I once had an
acquaintance of the name of John Hornbeck, and with cer-
tain classes of horses in training and driving he was an
expert, and the simple fact of his being unable to express
himself in proper language, I am sure often worked to his
disadvantage. The smartest lawyer in the world would not
-do as well before a jury were he unable to express himself
in a pleasant and intelligent manner as another man with
less ability, who had more of the Daniel O’Connell style
about him. Never feel that because you are a beginner that
you will never make a reputation for yourself equal to that
of Hiram Woodruff or Budd Doble. Start out with the
determination of not only making a reputation equal to
theirs but of excelling it, and if you are born with the same
natural ability that they had, it ought to be an easy matter
for you to excel them from the fact of you having their
experience to study from, something that I think of very

400 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

great advantage. If I had my life to lead over, there are a.
few things in connection with my business which I would
do differently. First, if I wished to learn to be a horse-
trainer, I would take as much pains to educate myself in
every detail pertaining to horses as I would if I was going
to fit myself for any other business in life. I would also by
my acts make for myself a reputation for honesty, etc., that.
would never be questioned. The latter part of it not only
from a feeling that it is right but also as a matter of busi-
ness. Take two men with equal ability as horse drivers,

one with the reputation of being strictly honest and the.
other perhaps with the disposition to cheat the public just
alittle, you will find that the man with the honest reputation.
will invariably have the best of it. Time and again have I
seen this when it comes to a close decision and Murphy or
Doble are interested, they never get the worst of it and are
almost sure to get a shade the best of it. This is perfectly
natural in human nature, as if you are called upon to decide
anything between two men in thesame position, you would
be almost sure to do the same thing. My advice is to not be.
only strictly honest in all your dealings but take pains to
make that reputation for yourself. Do not be satisfied by
saying that you are honest and you don’t care what people-
think about you. Remember your reputation, to a certain
extent, is to you what a bank account is to a business man.

This I think was one of Mace’s weak points. People often
accused him of doing shady things which he never did, but:
he from carelessness or other causes did not take the trouble
to deny it, always saying to me that so long as the people:
that he drove for were satisfied he never cared. Truthful-

ness to his employer was Mace’s religion, and had he given
me his word in regard to anything connected with a horse-.
race, it would have been worth just the same to mesas a

Government bond, that is I would have given a premium for
it. Iam sure that men are born with certain characteristics.

It is not very hard work for an honest man to remain honest.

He will not have to watch or educate himself on that point,

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 401

but should he find a little weakness in his. character in that
respect, by a little education he may be able to overcome it
the same as he would any other fault. I do not wish to be
understood by this that I am a reformer, as I always look
upon that class of people with a good deal of suspicion. As
this book is intended to a large extent to be matter-of-fact,
and I hope it may be of some benefit to young beginners,
I record my opinion after thirty years of study.

CHAPTER XVI.

Budd Doble writes in a chatty and interesting manner of Goldsmith Maid and
Dexter—How the famous brown gelding was placed in his stable by Hiram
Woodruff—The young man’s doubts and fears over the responsibility he
had assumed—Lowering Dexter’s record in the first race he drove him, and
becoming more confident—The season ends with a mile in 2:18 under
saddle—Trotting in 2:17 at Buffalo the following year and beating the
world’s record—How the young reinsman felt on that momentous occa-
sion—Dexter is purchased by Mr. Robert Bonner and retired from the
turf—The story of Goldsmith Maid, the champion trotter of her day, and
that for many years was Queen of the Turf—She was rough-gaited when
Mz. Doble got her, and could not beat 2:30—Her first race a disappointment
to him—A. new system of training adopted the following spring with good
results—The wonderful intelligence displayed by the Maid both in the
stable and on the track—She knew when a race was coming off and
became terribly excited—Figuring to get the best of her opponents—-Her
wonderful affection for Old Charlie—A happy family of three that was
finally broken up.

In fulltilment of a promise made some time ago to the

editor and publisher of this book I have consented to give,

in a sketchy and desultory manner, some facts concerning
two horses that in their day had the fastest records of any
animals on the trotting turf, both of them having been
driven to those records by me.

I refer of course to Dexter and Goldsmith Maid, two
trotters whose names to-day are as well known as those of
other animals that have come upon the scene later and
trotted even faster than they did, and whose performances
are looked back to by horsemen with unabated interest.

It was in July, 1866, that Dexter went into my stable,
the circumstances of my taking charge of the brown gelding,

that even then was the most famous horse in the country,
(402)

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 408

being as follows: I was at that time a resident of Philadel-
phia and had gone to New York at the request of my friend
Sam Keyes (still alive and hearty and as fond as ever of ©
pacers) to arrange if possible for a race between the pacer
Magoozler and Dexter, both to go to saddle. Mr. Keyes
had told me to make the match for $5,000 if I could, and
the reason I was selecte] to conduct the negotiations look-
ing toward the race was because it was intended that I
should ride the pacer, and the further fact that I was well
acquainted with Hiram Woodruff and somewhat a favorite
of his made it natural that I should be sent on the mission.
After reaching New York I made my way to the Fashion
course on Long Island, it being the day that Dexter was to
trot against General Butler and Vanderbilt. When I
reached the track I met Mr. Woodruff and almost the first
thing he said to me was: ‘‘Come over here, my son, and I
will show you a horse that is in condition.’’ He referred
of course to Dexter, and we went together to the gelding's
stall, and I can remember perfectly well with what boyish
admiration for the skill of Woodruff I gazed on the hand-
some animalas he moved about the box-stall with that lithe,
sinuous motion that was peculiarly his own. Having looked
the horse over from all ponts I thought it time to
broach the subject of my visit, and accordingly said: ‘I
have a proposition to make to you, Mr. Woodruff,”’ and
was going to state the terms when he interrupted me by
saying: ‘‘ Well, I have got one for you.’ Of course that
stopped my tongue at once and I waited for what was to come
next. Said Mr. Woodruff: ‘‘Dexter has been sold to go
west. I cannot accompany him, and the man to whom he
now belongs wants someone that can train, ride and drive
him, and I am going to recommend you for the place.”’

I was practically speechless with a mingled feeling of
astonishment, pride and gratification when the most famous
driver in the world said this to me, but without giving me
time to express myself in the matter at all he walked with
me from the stables to the track and as we stepped on the

404. LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

quarter stretch in front of the grand stand said to me:
‘You stay here until I find the man who owns Dexter.”
In alittle while he came with George Trussell and said to him:
‘‘Here is a young man that I can recommend.”’ That night
Tarranged with Mr. Trussell to take temporary charge of
Dexter and drive him in his race at Suffolk Park against
George M. Patchen, Jr., of California, that event being fixed
for the 9th of July, and also to ride him a week later in a
race at the Fashion track against General Butler and To-
ronto Chief. Mr. Trussell said that he would send the horse
to me at Philadelphia the following day and with this un-
derstanding I started for home.

It was only after boarding the railroad train that I fully
realized the experience I had gone through with during the
afternoon, and my first conclusion was that I had made a
big mistake. I reasoned that for a boy like me to take such.
anoted horse as Dexter from the hands of Hiram Woodruff,
the foremost trainer and driver in the country, was assum-
ing too much, and all that night I could not get this notion
out of my head. The following day passed, Dexter did not.
come, and I felt immensely relieved, but that night I re-
ceived word that the delay was caused by the fact that Mr.
Trussell did not like to send the horse through the streets.
of New York on the Fourth of July, and that he would
reach my stable the following morning, which he did. Of
course I had been able to think of little else, and after
learning ‘that Dexter was surely coming to me, I began to.
reflect about his management. The more I pondered over
the matter the more it seemed certain to me that he was
not in need of much training. I knew that he had been
given plenty of work, and the five-heat race that week had
certainly supplied any possible deficiency in that direction,
so that my notion was that the best plan to pursue would
be to give the horse as little work as possible, devoting all
my energies to getting him free from soreness and toning
him up generally for the race that was to come.

Naturally enough all this responsibility made me anx-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 405.

ious, and another thing that added to my nervousness was.
the fact that the newspapers warned the public against bet-.
ting on Dexter. They said he had just changed hands,
going from the stable of the best driver in the country to
that of a young man who had had little experience, and that.
it was not reasonable to expect that he would be in his best.
form. At that time Dexter’s record was 2:244. My plan
of training, luckily for me, proved the proper one, and
when the day of the Suffolk Park race came Dexter was in.
fine fettle, beating Patchen easily and trotting one of his.
heats in 2:233, which was three-quarters of a second faster:
than his previous best record. This put me in high feather
with the public, and, not unnaturally, I had more confi-
dence in myself, so that when we went to the Fashion track.
to trot the saddle race against Butler and Toronto Chief I
had my wits about me and won rather easily. These two.
races at two ways of going seemed to satisfy Messrs. Trussell
& Fawcett, the owners of Dexter, that I was competent to
take charge of the horse and we then made a contract for:
the balance of the season.

‘Dexter was the most nervous horse I ever handled when.
he was in the stable or while being rigged up, and he was.
not a pleasant horse to drive unless going at the top of his.
speed or nearly so. He was an irritable horse by nature,
peevish in disposition, and an annoying one to handle at all.
times except in his races. This was the only time, as a.
matter of fact, that I enjoyed driving Dexter, but a safer
horse or a more reliable one in a race I never sat behind.
There were only two places in a mile where he needed watch-
ing, and these were at the first and third turns. He was a.
very resolute horse on the track, had a bold way of going,
and was so ambitious that in rounding the turns he was.
liable to overtrot himself and break. In those days trotters.
were trained to take hold of the bit pretty strongly, the idea.
being that they could not be controlled and balanced as well
by the driver under any other circumstances, although of
course since then that idea has been exploded and horses.

406 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

are now taught to drive with a very light pressure of the bit.
Dexter was in no sense a puller, although he would take
hold well and it was from this habit that he was so liable
to sore mouth, which was one of the things that troubled
him more or less during his entire trotting career.

As to how we rigged him, it should be remembered that
in those days the manufacture of horseboots was in its
infancy. All that Dexter wore in that line were invented
and for the most part manufactured by his rubber, Peter
Conover, a man to whom a great deal of the credit of Dex-
ter’s excellent condition was always due. He wore a knee
boot on Dexter's near forward leg, a pair of speedy cut boots
behind, anda pair of old-fashioned bell-pattern quarter boots.
‘These boots Dexter wore in his races and work, but of the
latter it was necessary to give him very little. Although a
horse of fine physical organization and a good feeder, he did
not make flesh fast, being so nervous and irritable that he
was constantly on the move when nobody was about and
seemed by this means to keep himself from getting gross.
During the trotting season all the work Dexter received
besides his races was a light repeat every week, and these
miles were generally in from 2:28 to 2:30—that being as
slow in fact as I could make him to go without getting him
to pulling and fretting. When it came to his jogging I
always let Conover do that for the reason that Dexter, who
was a horse of a great deal of intelligence, scon learned to
know me and his idea was that when I got into the sulky
it meant for work, and whenever I would try to jog him he
would pull, and lug and fret somuch that it was hard work
on me and did him more harm than good.

Omitting any detailed mention of the races which Dexter
trotted for me during the season of 1866, it may be said that
I was successful and at the close of the year I had reduced
his record in harness to 2:21 and ridden him a mile in 2:18,
which was the fastest that a trotter had gone, any way
rigged. As to the famous trial against the watch at Buffalo
in 1867, when he showed himself, by trotting a mile in 2:174,

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 407

to be the greatest horse in the world, I can only say that
before starting on that journey I had every confidence that
the horse would do all that was asked of him. Just previous
to this he had been going some very good races against ,
Brown George and running mate, trotting at Troy, N. Y.,
on the 16th of July in 2:22, 2:204, 2:204, and at Provi-
dence, doing a mile in 2:202. Then we went to Boston where
Dexter trotted the second heat over a half-mile track in 2:19,
that being the first time that he had gone a mile better than
2:20 in harness, the first time that Flora Temple’s record of
2:192, made in 1859, had been lowered by a horse trotting
in harness, and also the best time to that date over a half-
mile track. The Boston race took place July 30, and the
trial against time at Buffalo was set for August 14. The
conditions were that the horse was to trot to beat 2:192.

I remember that the day was a very fine one, the track
first class, and that a great crowd of people were present.
After giving Dexter a warming-up mile in 2:214 I cooled
him out and came back in twenty minutes for the grand
effort. Of course I was anxious that the horse should do
the best work that he was capable of and at the same time
confident that unless some mistake was made he would trot
a mile in 2:18 or better. At that time the practice of drivers
carrying watches and timing their own miles was not in
vogue, we being obliged to judge of the pace as best we could
and figure on how near to the limit of our horse’s speed we
were going. My idea was to get Dexter safely around the
first turn, at which point as I have said he was a little apt
to overtrot himself, and then let him rate along about as he
saw fit. I knew that he was a horse of so much courage and
ambition that he would do pretty nearly his best without
any urging at all, and it was my calculation to follow this
programme until three-quarters of a mile had been trotted
and then drive him through the stretch as well as I could.
This plan was strictly adhered to. I knew the horse was
going well all the time and as we finished the mile made up
my mind that it had been done in 2:18 or a little better. Of

408 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

course when 2:17} was hung out there was tremendous ex-
citement and a crowd of my friends rushed out to congratu-
late me on what I had done. Mr. Fawcett, who owned
Dexter, was a very quiet man, not given to exhibiting his
emotions in a marked degree, but all the same I saw that
he wasvery much pleased. As soon as the excitement had
-in some measure abated it was announced from the judges’
stand that Dexter had been sold to Mr. Robert Bonner for
-$33,000 and after filling a few more engagements which had
previously been made for him he was delivered to that gen-
‘tleman and remained his property until the day of his death,
which occurred during the last year.

A good deal has been said at various times to the effect
that Dexter was a vicious horse, and people who saw him
in his stable generally went away with that idea firmly
impressed on their minds. As a matter of fact Dexter was
not nearly as bad as he pretended to be. It is true that if
a person went into his stall he would run at them and if
they retreated would follow them, although I do not think
that even then he would have injured anybody. It was
simply a bluff on his part, that trick of rushing at people,
and he would stop quickly enough if a man stood his ground
and threw up his hand at him. He was certainly not a
pleasant-tempered horse, but I should not class him asa
‘vicious animal. Like a great many other horses he had his
favorites among men, and while to most people he was
cross, he conceived strong affection for Peter Conover, his
groom, and would pay not the slightest attention to him
when he was in the stall. In fact Conover slept in the stall,
which is pretty good evidence that Dexter never had any
intention of harming him. Ihavesaid that Dexter was an in-
telligent horse, and he was also a fanciful fellow, one notion
of his that comes to my mind illustrating this very well.
Whenever we wanted to take Dexter through the streets of
a town or city we would put a boy on his back and then he
would lead along as soberly asany horse you ever saw, but
if you tried to take him over the same route without the boy

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 409

astride of him he would cavort about in such a manner as
to be in constant danger of seriously injuring himself.

So far as Goldsmith Maid is concerned a book could be
written about that wonderful mare, and for that very reason
it follows that what appears in these pages must necessarily
be of a sketchy character. Even now, a dozen years after
she was retired from the turf, the public is perfectly famil-
iar with Goldsmith Maid and her wonderful performances
on the trotting turf, so that I shall not attempt inany man-
ner to consider that phase of her career.

When I got Goldsmith Maid she was eight years old and
hada record of about 2:32. Her early history was a romantic
one, viewed from the standpoint of subsequent events, and it
seems strange that amare that for years was regarded as too
willful for harness purposes on the farm where she was bred,
and whose speed as a racer was put to the test by the
farmer’s boys on moonlight nights when there were quarter-
mile running races to be decided in a lane not far from
where they lived, should ina few years not only become
famous as a trotter, but do a mile so much faster than any
other horse that from that time on there was never any
question as to her supremacy; and that when she retired
from the turf was just as much the queen as she was five
years before that when she had first trotted in 2:14. In
those years she had fought her way step by step to the very
front of the trotting turf, and once arrived there had held
undisputed sway, not only in the matter of winning races
against other horses, but also in trotting against the watch,
a far harder sort of race, and had successively lowered the
trotting record of the world from 2:174, the time made by
Dexter at Buffalo in 1866 when I drove him, to 2:14, which
figures were the best when Goldsmith Maid retired in 1877.
But 2:14 was not destined for a very great length of time to
be the limit of speed in the trotting horse, for the next
season after the Maid went out of the harness for good
Rarus trotted in 2:18}, and then in rapid succession came
St. Julien, Maud 8., and Jay-Eye-See.

410 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

I have said that when Goldsmith Maid came into my
stable she was about eight years old, and at that time
she could trot a mile in about 2:30. This was in the latter
part of October, 1867, and it might be well to state here
how the mare came to be driven by me. It will be remem-
bered that after the sale of Dexter to Mr. Robert Bonner the
horse still had several engagements to fill, and as he was.
transferred subject to these he remained in my charge for a.
month after the sale was made. Going from Buffalo to
Hamilton, Canada, I drove him a race against Bolly Lewis,
who went under saddle, and from there we shipped west to-
Chicago, where a couple of races had been arranged, tle
first being against Silas Rich, Bashaw, Jr., Tackey and Gen-
eral Butler, in which Dexter went to wagon, the others in
harness; and the second against Brown George and running
mate. Dexter won both these races, the fastest mile he was.
called upon to trot being 2:22, and they ended my connec-
tion with the horse.

While I was at Chicago with Dexter I received a letter
from Mr. Alden Goldsmith, proposing that I train and drive
Goldsmith Maid and asking me what I thought of the propo-
sition. Another letter that reached me at the same time
was from the owner of Lucy, a mare that at that time had a
record of 2:28, was considered to be one of the best trotters
on the turf, and that subsequently made a mark of 2:183.
T had seen both of these mares trot, and while Lucy had a.
good deal the best record of the two and could unquestion-
ably go a mile faster than Goldsmith Maid, still I had
noticed the latter particularly in a race that summer, and
had seen her at that time strike a clip that made me think
she would be a first-class race-mare if only she could be
taught to stay on a clean trot and not go back to the rough
and hitching gait that she was at that time inclined to favor.
So after giving the matter considerable thought, I finally
decided to decline the proposition from Lucy’s owner and
accept that of Mr. Goldsmith, but subsequently Lucy was
also in my stable, and I gave her a record of 2:224. Conse-

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 411

quently on my return to New York I met Mr. Goldsmith
and arranged to take the mare, the first race in which I
drove her being at Providence, R.I., in the latter part of
October. The other starters in this event were May Queen,
Confidence, Colonel Maynard, Crazy Jane, Old Put and
Bruno. Goldsmith Maid won the first heat in 2:31}, the
second in 2:284, and the fourth in 2:31, May Queen beating
her the third heat in 2:31. Now, although this was my first
effort with Goldsmith Maid and she won for me, I did not
feel particularly proud of the result, as she was unsteady,
far from good-gaited, and more than all, by her getting a
record of 2:294 I had barred her out of the big purse at Buf-
falo for 2:30 horses that was already announced for the fol-
lowing season, and all these things put together made me
rather disgruntled over the matter, but I had not at all lost
faith in the ability of the mare after she had been properly
trained.

That was her last race in 1867, and while I-was having
her looked after the following winter I gave the subject of
her training considerable thought, as I felt that to make a
success of her as a race-mare would require a good deal of
study. It may seem strange to many people who afterward
saw Goldsmith Maid when she could trot five or six heats in
one afternoon better than 2:20 and could go a mile almost
any day from 2:16 to 2:14, that there could have been a time
in her life when she was not a good-gaited trotter. Of course
I know that she was, even after she became a very fast mare,
what we call a handy one—that is, could recover quickly
from a break, but at the time Iam now writing of she was
absolutely rough and broken gaited and would only occa-
sionally strike a square, pure trot, but when she would do
this she went faster than at any other time. I knew that at
no gait except a square trot would she ever make much
speed or attain prominence on the turf and so resolved that
when spring came I would keep her on a square trot, no
matter if she could not go better than a four-minute gait.
With this plan in mind I began jogging the Maid in

27

412 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

the spring of 1868 and carried out my system to the
letter.

I looked after the matter personally, and the only point
I had in view was to keep her ona trot. Of course this
meant that I must go slow with her, just asit does with any
horse that is inclined to be rough-gaited, because the instant
they are driven a little faster than they can trot easily they
will begin to roll in their gait and eventually hitch and adopt
that scrambling motion behind that is so distasteful to the
admirers of a pure trotting gait. I continued this for some
time, and after awhile I could see that the Maid began to go
a little faster. She was not a mare that at any time in her
eareer made speed early in the spring, or in fact had much
speed at any time when she was out of condition, and of
course at this time when her best gait was only a little better
than 2:30 she was going very slowly indeed under the system
Tadopted. But, as I said before, there was finally an im-
provement and when the warm weather came and I could
send her along some I was greatly pleased to find that she
had lost much of the disposition to become rough in her gait
and hitch when askecl to go as well as she could. I shall
not attempt at this time to give any detailed account of the
work done that season, contenting myself by saying that [won
eight good races with her against American Girl, General
Butler, Rhode Island, George Wilkes, George Palmer, and
other famous horses of that day, reducing her record to
2:224, and demonstrating that she was not out-classed at all
when going against the best ones in the land.

I have been explicit in what [had to say about this matter
of Goldsmith Maid’s gait because it seems to me to contain
a valuable lesson to any man who is learning the business of
training horses, or who may at any time have occasion to
look after a fast trotter. Everybody atall posted in matters
pertaining to the trotting turf knows that in these days a
rough-gaited horse stands very little chance of winning in
his class, and although there are a good many men who will
contend that no animal can be broken of this habit, I think

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 413

T have shown that in the case of Goldsmith Maid patient
and careful handling accomplished the desired result.

In regard to the actual training of Goldsmith Maid after
she became a first-class trotter, I can write but very little
because no trotter I ever had needed less training than this
mare. Asa matter of fact she did not want any training at
all in the ordinary sense of the word so long as she trotted
a race every week, for the excitement and exertion of these
contests served to keep her in excellent physical condition,
so that she was always ready to go at her best rate of speed
and continued doing it as long asshe possibly could. Ihave
said above that she was a mare whose speed came to her
only after she was in training, and as long as I had her I
found this to be the case. Every spring she would show no
speed at all until the season was pretty well advanced and
then her old form would return and in a very short time
she would be in racing trim. After that there was very little
work needed. All she wanted was the jogging that would
ordinarily be given to trotters in training and between her
races a repeat in about 2:40. An easier horse to train than
Goldsmith Maid, onceI got the hang of her, was never under
my care. She was a great feeder though, and I gave her
plenty to eat, her specialty in that line being hay. I never
saw a horse of her size that would eat anything like the
amount of hay that Goldsmith Maid would. Of course she
got plenty of it at all times, and on the evening before the
day on which she was to trot a race I would have a big pile
of it put in her stall—half as much again as you would give
a sixteen-hand horse that was a hearty feeder—and in the
morning every wisp of it would be gone. On the morning
of the day that she was to trot in a race I would jog her
three miles and at the finish let her move through the
stretch for a ways, and when she struck a gait that pleased
me I would pull her up. She would get a light feed of hay
after her work, and that was all the ‘‘drawing’’ that I found
necessary in her case.

Of course so intelligent a mare as Goldsmith Maid and

414 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

one that had been on the turf for somany years got to know
a great many things, the recognition of which would appear
strange in an ordinary horse. She was just as well aware
when a race was coming off as was the secretary of the track
over which it was to take place, and the way she found it
out was by the change in her food and other treatment that
T have indicated. Of course in order to keep her from eat-
ing hay on the day of a race it was necessary to halter
her in the stable and as this was never done at any other
time she knew, the minute that halter went on what it
meant. After Old Charlie had tied her head up she would
stand there contented enough until the fore part of the
afternoon. She seemed to know that by this time her race
ought to be called, and she would become nervous, jump,
kick, rear, and plunge about the stall in a manner that left not
the slightest doubtin the minds of those who saw her that she
knew exactly what was coming off and was anxious for the
battle to begin. Even after we would put her harness on
and take her out of the stall there was no diminution in the
excitement she showed. She would stand quietly enough
while being hitched to the sulky, but she would shake and
tremble until [have heard her feet make the same noise
against the hard ground that a person’s teeth will when the
body is suddenly chilled—that is her feet actually chattered
on the ground. The instant I would get into the sulky all
this would pass away and she would start in a walk for the
track as sober as any old horse you ever saw.

This faculty of remembering things and of actually seem-
ing to draw conclusions for herself, which Goldsmith Maid
possessed in a greater degree than any other horse I ever
saw, was brought into full play when she went on the
track to trot a race against other horses. She was always
trying to get the best of her opponents and from the time
we left the barn until the race was over there was never an
instant that she was not figuring on some part of the race.
For instance, when we would turn to score the Maid would
measure the distance between herself and the other horses,

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 415

would seemingly ca'culate the chances of getting to the wire
on even terms or ahead of them, and if she concluded that
they would have the best of it there was no use of my try-
ing to get her there first, because she simply would not go.
I do not mean to say that she would stop, or anything of
that sort, but she would not get into her best rate of speed,
nor would she try to do so, and the result would be that
the judges, seeing that the start would be an unfair one,
would ring the recall bell. On the contrary, if she had a
good chance to beat the other horses in scoring she would
go along gradually with them until pretty close to the wire
and then of her own accord come with a terrible rush of
speed so that when the word was given she would almost.
invariably be going the best clip of any horse of the party.
Once the word was given she knew it as well as any of the
drivers and there was no trouble with her from that time on
so far as her behavior was concerned. Ifshe had the pole
she would make it a point to see that no horse beat her
around the first turn, seeming to be perfectly well aware
that the animal that trotted on the outside had a good deal
the worst of it, and she had no intention of losing her posi-
tion next the rail unless she was fairly out-trotted.

And now in regard to Goldsmith Maid’s habit of occa-
sionally making a short break while trotting a heat. <A
good many people who of course had not given the matter
close attention imagined that she gained by these breaks
and this idea became prevalent with the public. Of course
it came about from the evident fact that after making a
break the Maid could catch again without losing any
ground, and this was as far as people looked at the matter.
It is true that she was a very handy catcher, and perhaps
did not lose anything in point of position by her breaks,
but she did lose very materially by not being able to get
into her stride again at once, and to show that this is the
case I have only to say that when she trotted, on three dif-
ferent occasions, a mile for me in 2:14, and another time in
2:144, she never made a break in either mile and in none of

416 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

her fast miles did she ever leave her feet. The first time
she ever trotted in 2:14, by the way, she went every quarter
in exactly 334 seconds, which shows what a wonderful mare
she was to rate her speed. I could go on and write a long
chapter about what a grand race-mare Goldsmith Maid was,
but the public is wellaware of that already. In this respect I
think she was the greatest trotter that the world has ever
seen and there are some very good judges on this point who
agree with me perfectly.

I have told how intelligent the Maid was, and she was.
also human in other respects, being very fond of certain
people and not taking at all to others. Old Charlie, who
took care of her for so long a time, and who for one period
of five years passed only two nights away from her stall,
was the one of whom she seemed to think the most and
next to him came the little dog that was always with her.
But Old Charlie had the first place in the Maid’s affections
and this was very plainly shown on more than one occasion,
when he would be petting the dog and the old mare would
notice it. It made her jealous right away and she would
turn and run the dog out of the stall, although when
Charlie was not around or when he did not pay any partic-
ular attention to the dog the Maid seemed to think a great
deal of it. They were a great family, that old mare, Old
Charlie and the dog, apparently interested in nothing else
in the world but themselves and getting along together as
well as you could wish. When it was bedtime Charlie
would lie down on his cot in one corner of the stall, his pil-
low being a bag containing the mare’s morning feed of oats.
The Maid would ensconse herself in another corner and
somewhere else in the stall the dog would stretch herself
out. About five o’clock in the morning the Maid would
get a little restless and hungry. She knew well enough
where the oats were and would come over to where Charlie
lay sleeping and stick her nose under his head and in this
manner wake him and give notice that she wanted to be
fed. I never saw any other horse that displayed half her

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 417

intelligence on so many points, and I doubt if for
many years there will be another one before the public with
the same amount of brains and the ability to employ them
that Goldsmith Maid had. How I. trotted her all over the
country, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, was told at length
in the daily papers and turf journals of those days. She
was in my stable continuously from 1866 until the summer
of 1877, at which time she was in her twenty-first year.

The previous season, that of 1876, there was no purse
offered through the central circuit for an exhibition of
speed by her and I was forced to trot her in the free-to-alk
race. For a number of years previous to this she had not
taken part in races against other horses, and the result was
that I had trained her simply for a mile dash, so to speak,
once a week at her best rate of speed, generally going the
other two heats in the exhibition in a manner that
did not fully extend her in any part of the mile.
After several successive seasons in this sort of training
and racing it was’ very evident that, especially in the
case of so old a mare, she could not at once return to the
old-style system of racing, particularly against a field of
horses all of whom made her the target, and expect to beat
them easily. It was this fact more than anything else that.
contributed to her defeat at Cleveland in 1876 by the stal-
lion Smuggler. Lucille Golddust, Judge Fullerton, and
Bodine were also in the race and after the Maid had won
the first two heats in 2:154, 2:174, the stallion beat her in
2:164, 2:192, and 2:174, but after that he was never able to
defeat her, although they trotted clear through the circuit
together, winding up at Hartford with the famous six-heat
race in which the average of the half-dozen miles trotted
that afternoon was 2:17%. It was wonderful to see a mare
twenty years old going this sort of a race, and it should be
remembered that in addition to this she had been winning
all the way down the line, having trotted at Buffalo in 2:16,
9:154, 2:15; at Utica three heats better than 2:19, and at
Poughkeepsie three heats that averaged 2:18. She trotted.

418 LIFE WITH THE. TROTTERS.

a lot of other races that summer and fall, went to Califor-
nia with me in the winter, and came across the continent
again in the spring of 1877. At this time she had as much
speed as ever, having shown this by her mile over the track
in Chico, Cal, in 2:144 in May of that year. After
‘getting East I trotted her at Cincinnati, Ohio, and Spring-
field, Mass., going from there to Chicago, where she went
a couple of exhibition heats on the 20th of July. Then we
shipped to Rochester and trotted an exhibition, doing the
second mile in 2:164. Two weeks later we were at Cynthi-
ana, Ky., where the mare went a mile in 2:21. At Kansas
City, Mo., the following week over a half-mile track she
trotted in 2:20%, and was from there shipped to Toledo,
Ohio, where over another half-mile track she went three
heats in 2:234, 2:214, 2:22. I saw by this time that it was
best to retire her, which was accordingly done, and she was
sent to the farm of her owner, Mr. H. N. Smith, at
Trenton, N. J.

Of course when the Maid left the turf it necessitated a dis-
solution of the partnership between herself and Old Charlie,
who had been her companion and groom for so many years,
and I am sure that both of them were very sorry when the
daycame. Ihave told how intelligent Goldsmith Maid was
and how much she thought of Old Charlie. Both of these
traits of her character were well illustrated two years after
she had quit trotting. By this time she had by her side at
the Fashion farm a fine colt, and was very cross when any
one came near her—in fact inclined to be vicious—and as
she was always a willful mare when her temper was aroused,
the attendants at the farm kept a respectful distance from
her. About this time Old Charlie was in the East and went
down to Trenton to see the Maid and her colt. The boys at
the farm told him that she was very vicious and that it was
not safe to go near her, but Charlie only smiled and told
them to watch him. He went to a point near where the
mare stood and placing himself in a position where she could
not possibly see him, he began calling her, using the name

LIFE WiTH THE TROTTERS. 419

of “Mamie.” by which she was always known in the
stable.

The change that came over the Maid when she heard the
familiar voice was an astonishing one. She whinnied with
delight and began pacing restlessly up and down to discover
where Old Charlie was. When he came in sight she ran up
to him and was just as pleased to meet him as one human
being who had a strong affection for another would have
been. She was not only not at all cross, but seemed to call
his attention to her colt and when he went away the old
mare stood in the paddock and looked after him with as
much sorrow in her eyes as could be imagined. After he
had gone a distance she seemed to think that perhaps he
was going to leave her for good, and so after a moment’s
hesitation the old mare started after him, leaving her colt
behind, and it was only when she was caught and haltered
that she would return.

It is my intention to at some future time describe in de-
tail the experiences that have come from a career of more
than a quarter of a century on the trotting turf. At that
time I shall write, not only about Goldsmith Maid and Dex-
ter, but also have much to say concerning the many other
horses trained and driven by me, and in that connection to
give at length my views on the subject of how trotters should
be trained and driven, as well as to recount the various inci-
dents of interest and value to horsemen and the general
public that have come under my observation. When the
time for this shall arrive the book will in all probability be
published and edited by Mr. H. T. Wurrs, the editor of this

Vicedtet Grrl

Chicago, January 21, 1889.

CHAPTER XVII.

The education of trotting-bred colts—Early development, and the reasons there-
for—Fast youngsters the ones that sell weil—Colt handling now a distinct
branch of the trainer’s art—The man who handles a colt must learn to con-
trol his temper—Hints about the best time to have foals dropped—Treat-
ment of the mare at this season—Teach the suckling colt that man is a
friend, not an enemy—The story of a veterinarian, and what one experience
taught Dunbar—Putting on the halter—Handle the colt frequently, but do
not lead him much—How to put mares and their foals in a field—Accidents
ona stock farm generally due to carelessness—Management of the mare
and foal in the stable—Turning out the youngsters during their first sum-
mer—Preparations for weaning time that will be found very valuable—
Looking after the appetites of the colts when they have been weaned—
When the work of leading colts alongside of a horse should begin—The
proper method of doing this explained in detail—A straight, covered track
better than a circular one—Colts differ as much in disposition, etc., as
matured horses, and must be treated accordingly—No absolute rule by
which to train can be laid down.

“« As the twig is bent the tree inclines.”

This very trite saying is applicable to the title of this
chapter.

The rearing, breaking and training of the trotting-bred
youngsters is a subject which opens up a wide field for
thought and discussion; and the future pleasure or profit from
them depends very much upon how well they are reared and
handled in their young days. It has become a fact at this
stage of our progress in the development of the American
trotter, that he must not only trot young, fast and steadily,
but stay the route as well, to warrant the breeder a safe and
profitable investment for his capital and labor. A tendency
to the early development of speed has caught the masses,

has become fashionable, and no doubt has come to stay,
(420)

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 421

although it remains to be seen if the early-developed and
speed-forced colt will prove the better horse.

With such bright stars before us as Patron, two-year-old
record 2:424, three-year-old record 2:194, five-year-old record
2:144, and this made after a season in the stud, there is a
grand argument for the advocates of early training. I will
speak of another which has attracted my attention a good
deal, and that is Bermuda, yearling exhibition 2:393,
two-year-old record 2:29%, three-year-old record 2:244, four-
year-old record 2:22, and five-year-old record 2:204.

There are other matters of importance to think of, one
of which is this: If it is possible to raise horses as well
developed in speed at five years old, and that will stand the-
campaign and fight out long, closely contested races (as
Jack and Geneva 8. have done), will it not be more of an
incentive for men looking for a place to enjoy their surplus
capital to invest where they will get such speedy returns
and not have to wait eight or ten years, or until changes in
business or tastes force them to deny themselves the privi-
lege? The best time to catch fish is when they bite well;
then with a tempting bait throw your hook. Showa buyer
(whether he be breeder or speculator) a fast young one, and
he will pay more, and buy much quicker, than for one as
well bred that does not perform as well. How to do this is
the theme which engrosses the mind of the breeder of trot-
ting horses. The breeder who does not believe in early
speed development, and practice it, will in time sink out of
sight, just as surely as railways have superseded stage
coaches. His capital may enable him to bear the expense
and to sell at a low figure, until such time as the colts are
developed by other people and demonstrate their ability to
trot young, or a breeder may be so well stocked in speed-
producing, fashionable strains, that the current may carry
him along with it, but in the nature of things the boom will
change. ‘‘ Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” Colt
raising, as well as handling, has become an art of its own,
and apart from the training and handling of aged horses.

422 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

There are personally known to me several noted drivers, who
have no taste, desire or pride to handle a youngster. They
can not bear with them, and have no confidence they will not
cut up a “‘dido”’ at any time. It can be safely set down as
arule that holds good in any land or clime, or under any
circumstances, ‘‘to do a thing well and’ succeed in it,’’ one
must have a desire and interest to accomplish the object in
view.

Anyone who can not control his temper should never be
allowed to have anything to do with a colt. Ido not mean
by this only the groom, but the driveras well. Never allow
either of them to have charge ofanimals they will not devote
their time and attention to. The groom.and assistants should
be watched closely, and when there are any indications that
they are petulant and cross, do not like their calling, and do
not become devoted to and proud of the animals under their
charge, their services should at once be dispensed with.

It is an object to have the foals come as early as possible
in the spring, always being governed by the climate where
you reside. The foals in this latitude are generally dropped
from the middle of April to June 1 and earlier than this
is not considered to be to their advantage. At that time the
young and tender grasses give the dams plenty of milk
and are soon learned to be cropped by the foal. In this
way a good start in life is effected, which is of great benefit,
for if the foal is stinted and does not thrive the chance for
early speed is lost. An unthrifty, weak colt will not make
a fast yearling, and the breeder needs wait another year to
get a smaller price for his two-year-old, than his promising
yearling, which had lost its chance by mismanagement.
Two weeks before the mare is supposed to be due to foal,
have the man in charge keep a watchful eye on her, and as
the time draws near he must visit her often to assist in the
event of any mishap or to help the foal nurse in case it
comes weak or the mare is crossand mean. In this way the
mare and foal become attached to the man and you begin
to impress the colt from its earliest life that man is his

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 423

friend, and the foundation of his education is laid. During
the first few days in the life of foals much depends upon
strict attention to their bowels, as they are apt to become
stopped, and in this event an injection of soap and warm
water invariably has the required effect, and the first danger |
is past. I had a little experience in an early day, which is
not forgotten. A mare which I prized highly dropped a
fine large colt, and in afew days after it was foaled it seemed
in distress. I started post haste for a full-fledged veteri-
narian, not wanting to leave anything undone to save the
foal. We hurried back as soon as possible, the veterinarian
felt of its pulse, he put his ear to its side, then went on with
a long lingo about its internal structure, and the obstruction
of its abdominal channel, and commenced asking me if it
had passed the meconium. This was a new one to me, and
before I recovered from the shock the poor little colt was
out of his misery. I felt the loss deeply, buried my first
venture in trotting stock, paid the bill, and have used soap
and water since.

When the colt is about ten days old, put on an easy-
fitting halter, being careful to have it fit just right, and let
him wear it until you turn out to pasture for the summer.
It is handy to have it on to manage him. It may be neces-
sary to look at his feet, which ought to be handled often,
the attendant holding him by the head, but not forcing him
to lead much, as at this age we think it too early to trouble
them. What we most desire at this time is thrift and pros-
perity. When the season has advanced enough to turn the
foals out, take one mare and foal to the field at a time and
let them loose, and they will soon have their play out; then
another, and so on until you get outas many as you desire.
In this way you will avoid having the mares fretting and
kicking one another, and lessen the chance of an accident.
Let me say right here that the majority of accidents on a
stock farm can be traced directly to mismanagement and
carelessness. The first week or two, when night comes, the
mare and foal are taken up and put in a box-stall, well

424 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

littered down, which is kept as sweet and clean as possible,
with plenty of ventilation without direct draft, and the mare
liberally fed, having the feed-box low enough for the colt
to muss with the feed, and watch its mother eat. After the
weather has become settled and warm enough to leave them
out nights, take the halters from the foals and let them go.
Experience has taught me that halters left on will some-
times get caught in the pasture, and often colts will get to
chewing each other's halter, and it is better to have them off.
I can think of no advantage gained by leaving them on, for
if the colt needs attention the proper way is to lead the mare
to her stall, where it can be attended to better and more
safely than in pasture.

With the colts all out to grass and doing well it is time
to separate the oldest of them from the younger and com-
mence feeding them grain, which is done in this way:
Build a pen in some suitable place which is the most conven-
ient, making it high enough so the mare will not try to
jump it and have the space from the ground to the bot-
tom rail or board sufficient to allow the foal to pass
under. Putin a handy gate or bars, then an ample feed
trough. Lead your mares and foals singly into this inclo-
sure and let them eat together two or three times and they
will soon learn where the food is. Take out the mares, shut
up the gate, leave the colts in, keep a good supply of oats
there, and you will find the foals there regularly running
in and out getting their rations. To induce the dam to
loiter about this place keep a large lump of rock salt near
it and occasionally a mess of oats, and there is no further
trouble. In this way at weaning time, which is at the age
of five months, the colts have learned to eat and the result
is that when they are taken away from their dams‘they do
not miss them so much, nor does it stop their growing. Now
we put on the halters and keep them on, leading the foals
more or less while weaning them. Leave them in their
boxes, two or three together, several days, and have the
boxes open into a nice grass paddock. Let them run out

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 425

and in, give them oats mixed with bran and sorghum cut
up fine, and in a few days more turn them out in fields away
from the dams, where there is plenty of grass and water,
and a large trough with feed in it constantly. They have
been in the habit of taking milk a great many timesa day,
and they need food just as often. The best way is to keep
plenty of mixed food for them, using cracked corn and oats
also unthrashed oats run through acutting-box, then mixed
with bran and water enough to moisten it to make the bran
adhere to the oats. As the nights getcold take the foals in
and shelter them from all cold storms. They can not get
too much exercise or be out too early, and it is well toleave
them out as lateas possible. Lead them to and from pas-
ture regularly and if not too far one at a time to keep the
man in charge from letting two or three hitched together
(as is often done), jam each other going through gates and
into stalls. Handle their legs and feet a good deal, and in
this way they are gradually receiving an important part of
their education.

On the first of January we are done with the weanlings;
they have now become yearlings although but about eight
months old. It is now time to commence leading them
beside a horse. We have a covered track something over
one hundred yardslong, perfectly smooth and covered with
tan-bark, which in my opinion is better than a ring, as it
makes all straight work and no chance to speed around a
turn, which must necessarily be sharp if under any ordinary
cover. Beside this, on a straight track, you have to come
toa walk at each end, and there is butlittle danger of over
working. Now that we are to commence our leading beside
a horse, the halter breaking (which has been gradually
going on until the present time) finds our colts thoroughly
accomplished in this, and ready for the next lesson. Put
asmall open bridle on them, using a perfect-fitting snaffle bit,
but do not lead-from the bit but from the halter, as one of the’
most important things for a trotter to have is a good mouth.
There is no trouble in restraining or handling a colt by the

426 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

halter. If you have the lines attached to the bit, and the
colt gets frightened and plunges ahead, of course he will
receive the whole pull upon his tender mouth, and not only
teach him bad habits, but probably sore his mouth so he
will not eat well. The consequence is you are doing more
harm than good. I amanxious to impress upon the novice,
if possible, the great importance of doing these things well
and so kindly that the colt will get no set-back, nothing to
trouble or interfere with his growing.

If this leading and training can not be accomplished
without harassing and bothering the colt, your time is worse
than lost, and it is much better tolet the colts alone. The
attendant brings the colt out, leads him up to the off side
of the horse, lets him smell of the horse, saddle and rider,
and size them up; he then hands the halter stale to the
rider with the lines hanging over tle colt’s neck; the man
steps back, the rider starts up, the man follows along
behind the colt for a few rods, the colt finds nothing to hurt
him, and in his first lesson, which should not exceed thirty
minutes, he is broken to lead beside ahorse. In two or
three days he will lead up and down before a crowd of
people as proud now as he will be when he goes in 2:20.
Judgment must be used as to how much or little exercise
in the way of leading, a colt needs. Like horses in train-
ing, one will require much more than another; some will
thrive and grow, while others will fall away on the same
amount of work. Noabsolute rule can be laid down to train
by. Be governed by the condition of the animal trained.
Do not do enough of it to stop their growing; they very
soon learn to enjoy it, and with us, they commence to im-
prove in looks, and seem to take a new start.

After the colt becomes accustomed to leading, put on a
surcingle with the back-strap taken up short enough to
keep the girth from chafing his fore legs. Have side-straps
that buckle into the surcingle about half way down on the
side and snaps to attach them to the bridle, being sure the
side-straps are long enough to not hamper the colt too

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 427

much. Check him up lightly and in this way you are be-
ginning to make a mouth, as well as teaching the colt to
keep his head straight while leading, and in training to
move his body as wellas neck. Do not forget that we are
still leading the colt from the halter and not from the
bridle. As the colt progresses the side reins and check can
be taken up, but of all things avoid being severe. It is not
necessary to get the colt mad or sour. Our object is to have
the colt become accustomed to the crupper, surcingle, and
bit as easily and gradually as he was halter-broken. Some
colts are more timid than others about staying up even
with or abreast of the riding horse and will often stop
suddenly. In this case I use a small rope, one end being
fastened to the ring of the girth, on the opposite side of the
colt from which you are leading him, running back behind
him and about as low down as the breeching of a harness
comes, and kept from falling any lower by a small strap,
which is kept in its place like a hip-strap to a double har-
ness with loops on each end of the strap, and the rope
running through these loops to the leader’s hand. A
sudden pull upon the rope acts like magic to keep the colt
to his place and does not need to be used but a few times,
for the horse family never forgets anything. Their greatest
stock in trade is memory.

The colt having been led long enough to thoroughly
understand it, do not jog him tiil tired. Give him quick,
active work, spurting him and encouraging him to do his
best, always being ready to correct him by voice and line if
he makes a mistake, and the natural result is that he soon
learns that the proper thing to do is to trot and not run.
When the thoroughbred runner is bred so fine that he never
trots, fifty years from that date I look to see the trotter
never run or gallop, and if he loses his balance in any way
he will have to fall and probably break his neck. It is
necessary to have tips or light shoes put on soon after the
leading commences, so as to use scalpers and protect them
from speedy cutting. It is well to use a light quarter boot

28

428 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

for fear of an accident. Ample protection must be afforded
the colts wherever needed, or they will lose confidence in
themselves. Avoid any boots or girths or, in fact, any
harness that chafes. Follow the above hints to the letter
and the colts will not fail to improve and please you for the
‘pains taken.

CHAPTER XVIII.

‘The training of colts gone into in detail—How the breaking harness should be
put on and made use of—Proper adjustment of the lines an important feat-
ure—Teaching the pupil-to obey the word of command—The first hitch
to the breaking cart—Don’t have visitors around at this time—Preparing
for the stakes in which the young trotters are entered—Accustom the colt
to other horses, and then speed him a littlh—Keep your own counsel as to
what is being done—Don’t be alarmed at what you read concerning other
people’s colts—June a good month in which to test your material a little—
The prompting horse should not be allowed to beat the pupil or carry him
too fast—Keep a record of what each animal does and how he does it—No
two colts can be trained exactly alike—The first trial of the most promising
youngsters—A surprise often in store for the trainer at this time—Drivivg
on the road occasionally a good plan—The earnest work to be done in August
—Shipping the colts to the place where they are to trot— What to do when
you reach the track—All ready for the first race with the young trotter.

The colt has now been led and driven about in the lead-
ing shed for about three months and is ready to be driven
with harness on. Put on your regular breaking harness
complete, tie the tugs or traces into the breeching, fasten
the outside girth into the thill or shaft holders, run the lines
through the shaft holders or lugs, using a long pair, so the
driver will not be too near the colt.

Drive him about the place, always carrying a whip.
Teach him to guide and drive wherever you wish; drive
him forward and back past objects that he is shy of. Avoid
letting him turn around to face you, which he can not very
well do with the driving lines run through the shaft holders,
or if they come directly from the bit to your hand. If the
lines are put through the turrets of the harness he can turn
around at any time, as you can get no purchase on him such

as you have when the lines run along by his side. Drive
(429)

430 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

him in this way until he will guide to suit you, stop at the
command ‘“‘ Whoa,”’ start when told, and back up at the
word. Be sure he will turn or guide freely in all directions.
To teach a colt this may take one day or one week, accord-
ing to his attention to business, but when you commence a
lesson Keep at it until he learns it.

When this preliminary work is done properly the colt is
ready to hitch to the breaking cart, with but little fear of
his doing anything wrong. [If the frost is out of the ground
and you are ready to commence driving him have the break-
ing cart drawn out into some large open space or field of at
least three or four acres. Have your breaking harness good
and stout, with a kick-strap attached. Drive the colt out
to the field, let him see the cart, pull it around behind him
and about him for a few moments, then let the assistant hold
him by the head while he is being hitched to it, and never
have more than two men with you. Get on the seat, let the
men lead the colt for a few rods, then step to one side and
let him go.

If he wants to indulge in a few jumps do not pull and
saw away on his mouth and tear it to pieces. Let him go;
he will not do any harm, and will soon settle down and jog
or walk around as you desire, and in thirty minutes you
can drive out and around the track, then to the stable all
right ; being very careful in unhitching him not to let him
get frightened. Repeat the same thing daily, hitching up
out in the tield for several days, until you have perfect con-
fidence in him, finishing your drive on the track or road.
I first break colts with a blind bridle on and finish up the
job with an open bridle. Be very particular not to check
the colt up at all until he is thoroughly broken, as it only
serves tomakehimmad. Do not have alotof fellows about
to see the colt handled ; itis apt to make trouble and bother.
A man wants his whole attention strictly on what he is doing
and can not be entertaining visitors. It is not necessary to
have a great heavy break cart, nor is it best to have anyone
in with you. Remember you are only breaking a yearling,

LIFE WITIL THE TROTTERS. 431

not an old horse. Get the colt into a small cart or sulky.as
soon as safe to do so and do not let up on his work until he
drives perfectly kind and gentle.

The colt is now about a year old; has been well raised
and well broken; was entered in the ‘‘ Maturity Stakes,”’
‘‘Grand National,’ and the ‘State Breeders’,’? and must
start in August, to maintain the reputation and prestige of
the farm, as well as to get back the money laid out for
developmentand entrance. Besides all this there is a great
deal of pride at stake. There have been many arguments
pro and con about the various strains of blood, the differ-
ent methods of handling, and the races of years past have
been brought up and discussed, in which one colt’s grand-
dam had beaten the other, and the taik has finally wound
up with the invincible argument, ‘‘ Blood will tell.” The
stimulation of the argument is beginning to act, and as the
colt has had a nice run at grass through April, he must be
taken up and commenced with. He showed splendidly in
leading, acted well when broken, but no one has held the
watch on him yet, and as he has been running out the last
month, those fast starts and sudden rushes he would make
to beat the pony while leading, are sort of forgotten. And
then perhaps he wont like the track as well as the leading-
shed, und possibly he may get lame. All these things will
begin to arise and here is where the trouble comes. If you
are not careful you will get in too big a hurry. Keep quiet,
go slow, take the colt up, put on his light shoes, drive him
around some before hitching him up, then hitch to the
break-cart first, go around the track slowly and carefully ;
it will look differently to him now the leaves are out.

Get the colt accustomed to the changes and to having
horses meet and pass him; jog him slowly for a few days,
and you will be ready to let him go along some. Be sure
you have the proper boots on, such as scalpers and quarter
boots, and the girth well back so as not to chafe him where
the forward legs work back and forth. Let him spurt in
places, about forty rods at a time, turning him around

432 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

often, giving him sharp, quick work and not too much of
it. Take just as good care of him as any trotter that can
beat 2:30. If heis warm walk him out slowly, have his
legs bandaged, and if he is very heavy coated, have him
clipped. In the afternoon give him an hour's run in the
grass paddock, or if it is not convenient to do this have
him led out at grass with a short evening walk.

Keep this up fora month, and don’t let anyone know
how fast he is going, not even the grooms about the stable,
and there will be an air of mysteriousness about it that will
astonish the natives. The nods and sly winks will be many.
Privately perhaps you may think the colt is not as promising
as you at first imagined, and you really do not like to tell that
he could only go a quarter in fifty-five seconds, when you
have been talking about a two-forty gait all winter, and
telling that the leading horse could not run fast enough to
keep up with him. Well, you are excusable; there is no
telling what may be said in the winter about speed, and
2:10 is a very common clip around the stove. If your colt.
can trot a quarter the first month’s handling in fifty-five
seconds he is a fair stepper but not fast. You must recol-
lect itis now only one month that you have been handling
him in harness, anda good many wet days have intervened
when you could not brush him along, and probably he has
not yet come to the same speed that he showed you in the
leading shed. The fact is he is not quite up to the game.
The run through April, the not very regular work through
the dreamy month of May, brings you to the first of June
guessing about the August races. You also have been
driving older horses with fast records that whirl off their
quarters in thirty-five seconds, and colt training is tame
business.

I am afraid you are getting impatient all for nothing,
and it requires patience to train colts. The first week in
June. The sporting papers have come; you run them over
for news, especially colt items. The regular old stereotyped
item is there fished up for use again—had been thrown in the

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 433

early summer department. Itruns about like this: ‘‘ Your
correspondent made a flying trip to and found track.
matters lively. In talking with one of the prominent drivers,
he said Geo. Leavitt's yearling had shown a half in 1:20,
and no doubt would wipe out all colt records this fall.’”
More trouble in camp again, for that same colt is entered.
in the August meeting, and will no doubt have a sure thing
of winning. Do not get nervous over this old chestnut. If
there is any truth in the report, he is already overworked;
and it is dollars to doughnuts that he will not start. When
you are trotting in August he will be out in pasture nursing
a sore finger or gaining strength to winter on. If you area
novice in the business, or even quite an old hand, but in-
clined to be nervous, such items will set you on edge a little,
or serve to discourage you somewhat for no good reason,
because your colt has only been handled enough to fairly
know the way around the track.

You have June and July to prepare in yet, and if you
are training seven or eight yearlings the one you work the
most moderately and the one that keeps coming a little allt
the time,. will be the best one you will havetostart. If you
have your colt keyed up to a high pitch now, he will have
nothing left in August. It is important to understand how
to get an animal up to the highest state of condition and.
perfect form, to accomplish a great feat. It is notdoneina
week or a month, and can not be done properly with too
much haste. Todo it well requires more than guess work,
but also needs strict attention to all the details connected
with it, and those with a natural tact for the business suc-
ceed the best.*

June is a good month to commence sending the colt
along. He is now in fair fettle, his muscles are hard, and
he is beginning to get control of his legs, is not afraid if he
makes a misstep, and has not been forced to trot very much
faster than he has felt like going. It is a good plan to now
get him into company occasionally, something a shade
slower than he is. Teach him to score up and start away

434 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

within himself, but with a resolute air, going the first quar-
ter slow, letting him out the second quarter, close up to his
clip. Uontinue this right along, but not always in the same
place on the track. Be careful not to have the colt learn to
speed in certain places on the track, but teach him that one
place is as much a speeding ground as another and that his
duty is to go when called upon. Keep the prompter a little
back, as a rule, but near enough to encourage the colt. If
the prompter is too fast or is allowed to goahead too much,
it soon discourages the pupil from doing his best. Recol-
lect that you are now training and do it with a will and
determination. When you speed push it with vigor, don’t
go droning along—that doesn’t amount to shucks. Becare-
ful to know just how far you drive, and if you have
not learned to carry your watch in hand all the time with-
out its being any bother or trouble, or so that you even think
of it (except when you want to look at it) you are at a
great disadvantage, for it is necessary to know how fast you
go, to put it down when you are through in a book kept for
that purpose, which will be a great help to you in training.

If you are handling many horses, both old and young,
this book is convenient to refer to from day to day or from
week to week to learn what they have previously done, and
under what circumstances, what weight of shoes used, in
fact noting all the changes, such as bits, boots, bearing-
reins, etc. You may be able to carry all this in your head,
if so all the better, and the book will verify it for you; sort
of double entry you know.

How far to work a colt, I can not tell you any more than I
can how big a lump of chalk is. Colts differ in size, stam-
ina, disposition, and strength. Some have got to indulge
in a little foolishness before they are ready to do right—play
with the birds along the fence, or the shadows of the poles,
while others are strict business all the time. It is safe
enough to figure not to exceed four miles with any colt and
not less than two and one-half. With the proper care, such
as walking and turning out, colts do not need much jogging.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 435

They are ready to speed very soon after getting to the
track. :

July is now close at hand and gréat reports of speed.
coming in from all sides—and as we have had no repeats
yet, except those made on the track without unhitching
(that is, speeding a quarter and then a little walk and back
again), we will set apart the last week in June for a regular
repeat, in company with two or three others if possible.
The day comes und is favorable, the track good, weather
warm, and there are a few friends in the stand, which enliv-
ens the occasion. Out of the three or four colts entered, or
perhaps more, it is necessary to get a line on which are the
best ones to keep up the payments. It is of no use to pay
out more entrance than the stake is worth. Of course you
know which is the fastest by three or four seconds, and out
you come with him. After a little warming up he steps off
his first quarter in fifty-three seconds and repeats back in
fifty. Take him into the stable, give him good care, and in
thirty minutes bring him out again and he shows youa
quarter in forty-nine seconds, and no better. You then get
out the others which you think can not do quite,as well, and
to your surprise one of them goes a quarter in forty-eight and
a half seconds.

You were quite sure he could not go as fast as the other
one into two or three seconds. Now you conclude there is
something wrong. You have been holding the watch on
them and have timed all of them faster than this fellow
when the track and conditions were less favorable. Now
this goes to show you that it is best to have a little leeway
or margin of a few seconds when you go into races. Horses
are not always up to their best form. You are probably
worried about the Breeders’ Meeting in August and ataloss .
to know which colt to keep in the stakes, as the slowest one
did the best and acted the most like a race-horse. You dis-
like to throw him overboard, so without any more ado will
keep two of them inanyway. If you had analyzed the trial
carefully, perhaps you would have done differently. Had

436 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

you noticed that the first colt, which did not go the quarter
quite as fast as the other, did the last forty rods of that
quarter in twenty seconds easily, and was full of trot when
you pulled up, you would feel differently. For some unac-
countable reason you started off very slowly with the first
colt and with a watch in your hand did not take notice that
when you passed the furlong pole it was thirty seconds,
while your slower colt had got there in twenty-four seconds.

This will teach you a lesson. To succeed in this line of
business as well as any other everything must be carefully
gone over, looked into and digested. This very instance will
illustrate it quite plainly. You are wondering which is the
fastest colt; and one of them is showing a forty clip any day
while the other one is about eight seconds slower. If the
colts are growing and doing first rate, don’t act stale, are
gaining in speed a little all the time, and are square in their
gait, it is well enough to keep them going; but if they are
getting unsteady and mixed, let up on them for a couple of
weeks, by turning them out to grass, continuing their oat
rations, but in less quantity. You need a fresh colt not a
stale one for August, and there is nothing gained by work-
ing them so much as to get them disgusted. Drive them out
on the road occasionally, which affords a change. You will
find a smooth piece somewhere; turn them around and let
them start for home at their best clip. They will enjoy it
and learn to go fast from their own inclination, and you get
at the object sought for better than by urging them. The
colts use their own way and go with a free, open stride,
which is so much admired when they are turned loose. They
are young things yet and want fun, and it is recreation for
them to have a change of drives.

If possible keep the colts where they can see one an-
other; they will be more cheerful and brighter, thrive better
and make better horses, from the fact they do not get lone-
some and sour, and of course a cheerful, contented horse
drives better and is safer than a gloomy, morose one. Bear
in mind that some day you may want to sell this animal to

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 487

Mr. Bonner and he will not want it unless it is the best one
on earth; and you surely will be proud to have him speak
well of the colt’s intelligence. And in a very great measure
the intelligence which the driving or track horse displays,
is imparted to him by the man who rears and brings him
out. I mean by this the driver who takes a colt as a wean-
ling, breaks him, drives him in races and gives him his first
starts and records.

August has come; the races both with runners and trot-
ters are occupying the attention of vast audiences all over
the land. Daily reports are eagerly looked for and each
item scanned with interest to find out all the news pertain-
ing to our great American sport. It really has fastened
its enchanting and seductive grip upon the people of this
country. From one end of our broad domain to the other,
in almost every village or town, there is a speeding place, if
not a race-track. There is no doubt in my mind that trotting
races in this country are now but in their infancy. Trot-
ting is the fashion, and will be, and will surely become the
popular sport in other countries as well as this. Why should
it not be so? For trotting is truly a gentleman’s sport, with
less demoralizing influences than almost any other, and can
not be dragged down to the level of a college foot-ball slug-
ging match. The trotting horse does not lose his value or
usefulness. His proper education on the track fits him for
a perfect road horse for ladies and gentlemen to drive. It is
a grand school, and the best driving horses graduate from it.

Our colt has had a run to grass for five or six days, but
is taken up nights, groomed and fed, and is looking the
picture of health. He jogs fresh and elastic and acts like
a trotter. (Only fifteen days more and we must try his
mettle in an actual contest. No fcolishness now; the best
colts in the State are entered against you, and it will bea
matter of pride to win, and chagrin to lose. Now go on
with the colt’s work vigorously. He has not run out long
enough to become soft, and the distances you speed him are
short. The races for yearlings at the ‘‘State Breeders’

438 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

Meeting’? were made for half-mile heats, and you have
trained accordingly. Repeat the colt quarters at nearly his
best speed, starting from the wire. In this way you teach
him to go away well, without excitement, and in short races
with coltsa good start is a winning point. Endeavor now
to give him such education as will help him in his race.
Do not have your colt get a notion of hesitating and want-
ing to turn around to come back after leaving the wire,
which they will do if you are not careful. To avoid this
do not turn around twice in the same place. Be careful
not to let the colt get so he knows better what is to be done
than you do yourself. Arrange matters with him in a satis-
factory manner, with the exception always that the driver
is the head. The colt very soon learns to know if you are
in earnest, and does not need much encouragement to have
his own way, and will try to hold an argument with you.

Drive him in company a good deal, taking different
positions. He will not get the pole except when entitled to
it, and if accustomed to always having it at home, he will
feel awkward without it when away. Teach him to drive
close to the wheel of another sulky, use your whip around
him in a noisy but gentle way, but never stinging him. Let
it rattle in the wheel until he gets accustomed to the noise
without frightening him. If you don’t, some ‘‘ Smart Aleck”’
with a dull, spiritless dung-hill of a colt that has no possi-
ble chance of winning will make it his particular business
to have his whip in the wheel all the time except right
under the judges’ stand. In fact get the colt as nearly as
possible accustomed to what may happen on a race-track in
Jersey.

With this learned and the last payment made in the
stake, it is best to ship the colt two or three days before the
meeting commences. Put him in the car with a companion
he is acquainted with if possible. Avoid making any
change of the groom who takes care of him, because you
are going to the races; keep the same man with him. If
you do not the colt will miss his attendant and perhaps get

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 439

nervous and not eat well. Do not be one of these fellows who
are always complaining that in some most unaccountable
way their horse is ‘‘dead off,’’ vaguely hinting that there
must be something wrong, declaring ‘‘they’ll never come
to this track again,”’ and all for no reason except their own
neglectand inattention to business. Besure you have a man
who will stay in the car all the time with the colt; if not you
had better go yourself. It is time and money well spent to
make the acquaintance of the engineer, which can readily
be done with a few good cigars, and a nice talk, politely
asking him if he will be careful in stopping and switching
the car as you have valuable stock going to the races.
When you get to your destination take time and unload
carefully; have no excitement and ‘‘hurrah boys”’ about
it. Get your baggage drawn outand have the colt led along
with the outfit. If you have several animals with you keep
them together and not strung out all along the route, fret-
ting and neighing because they are separated. Arriving at
the track, if you have not had a man in advance to fix up
the stall and have it ready, find the secretary who has as-
signed stalls for your entries, get the numbers, and if the
stalls are not thoroughly cleaned and fit to occupy, have it
done, and done well, being careful about nails, broken glass
and narrow doors. Get the colt in as soon as possible, have
his legs bandaged, have him brushed off, his feet washed,
and put him where he can smell of the other horses. Shut
him up and let him rest, for riding in a car is tiresome work
for a green colt. When evening comes walk him, give
him a little grass, and let the man in charge sleep in his
stall; the colt will rest better and be more contented.

CHAPTER XIX.

Preparing the colt for the yearling race—Accustoming him to objects about the
track—No training necessary at this stage—Be on time when the race is
called, and don’t keep people waiting—Scoring half a dozen yearling
colts a tedious job— What to do after the word is given—No occasion to be
in a hurry to get the pole—Do your best work on the straight side—How to
drive when you look like a winner in the home stretch—The secret of your
success is in careful and intelligent methods of training—Shipping the
colt home again and preparing him for another race in October—*A mile
once in awhile well within his speed—The quality of sulkiness—Some
inside history about the famous trotter Guy—How he went a mile to pole
in 2:17—An exciting experience with Guy when he ran away on a trot,
and stopped only from force of habit—A terrible accident prevented by
the horse’s intelligence—What the writer accomplished in one season by
the methods of training described.

Tuesday morning opens bright and pleasant. The colt
eats well, is contented, and acts like an old campaigner.
He appreciates the fact of his friends being with him, that
is, having the same man to take care of him, and precisely
the same attention he received at home, besides, a horse to
see and smell of that he has known athome. Give hima walk
about the grounds, hitch him up and drive him on the
track. Get him accustomed to groups of men, standing
here and there, also to the horses hitched to the fences
inside and outside of the track, which is done by walking
and driving past them slowly. Notice any particular object
that he is shy of, and manage to get him acquainted with it
if possible; you have plenty of time. The yearling race

will not be called until Thursday, and I think more of get-
(440)

LIFE WITIL TILE TROTTERS. 441

ting a colt acquainted with the surroundings than anything
else at present.

If you can use what speed you had at home you will do
well, and need not expect to gain much by training while
here. You must get the colt thoroughly acquainted with
the track. It is of different soil, the turns are much sharper
and itis only a half-mile. All these things make a great
difference with a youngster, and not so much with an old
one. On Wednesday work him out following the same
general directions, being governed by your colt’s disposi-
tion, regarding how much sharp work you give him. Have
him led out in the afternoon while the races are in progress,
that he may see the crowd and know where all the noise
comes from. In this way by Thursday afternoon you will
be astonished at how well he will act. Thursday morning
give him his usual jog, also scoring up a little in company.
Have him fed a little earlier at noon, look his boots over
carefully, see that they are soft and pliable, and if any
stitches are needed. Examine the shoes and clinches, as it
may be necessary to have a nail taken out and a new one
in. Have everything ready to come out promptly when the
bell rings. Keep it uppermost in your mind that a little
delay on your part may destroy the pleasure of a great
many people, and is annoying to the judges and subjects
you to a penalty, which in justice to the people who pay to
see the entertainment should be strictly enforced. This
meeting has been advertised, the people have been solicited
to attend and are asked to pay admission fees; in this way
they become partners in the business, and it is due them
that the programme shall be fulfilled promptly, honestly
and expeditiously. A few minutes after the bell rings, we
find that out of the fourteen entries made in March only
five make the last payment and come out for the word, and
five starters in a yearling race isa good many. As a rule
I would rather start in a field of ten with an old cam-
paigner.

The judges draw for position, and assign you next to the

442 LIFE WiitH THE TROTTERS.

outside. Everything is now ready to commence the race.
You drive back to the distance stand, and turn around to
scoreup. You getalittle way, when you have to pull upsud-
denly as some fellow has a colt which will not turn around.
You go back again, and try hard to get a start, but some of
them will not come down a four-minute gait, and some
will run and act badly. After several attempts in this way
the judges call you back, warning you not to come so fast,
and wishing to obey them, your colt gets impatient under
the restraint. Itis almost impossible to get a good even
start with five yearlings so early in the season, especially
when several of them have never scored up before. If you
think you have the most speed it is better for you to go
well back and come down behind nodding for the word,
even if pretty well back, provided you have not found out
while scoring ahard one to beat. Inthis case do not throw
away a chance to win by trailing; but keep an eye out for
the one that is likely to make trouble and get off even with
him. But if none seem to be dangerous, by scoring down
behind you do not madden your colt by pulling him back,
and if you win you will probably give the other colts the go
by onthe home stretch, which looks well and captivates
the audience.

After seven or eight attempts the word is finally given
to a straggling start with your colt fairly well up and trotting
well. Some are running and breaking and some partly com-
ing to a standstill, expecting to turn around and go back.
Keep your whole attention on your own colt; do not be in
too much haste to get around them on the first turn, it is bet-
ter to drive a little wide than too close, to avoid accident.
When you get on the straight side of the track let the colt
go along to take advantage of the distance. It is much
easier to drive by then than to wait until you get to the
turn. You have disposed or them all but one as you enter
the home stretch, and are right on the leader’s wheel. Lie
right there until fairly squared away for home, then make
your drive and do it with determination. You started away

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 443.

next to the outside, the colt ahead of you had the pole, you
have overtaken him ata disadvantage, which convinces you
that you have the most speed. It is not best to overdo
things and make a break. Gradually draw ahead and you
will win easily. Turnaround carefully, avoiding a collision
with the other colts who come straggling along, dismount
only by permission from the judges, have the colt unhitched
from the sulky to avoid accident and attend strictly to his
care for the next heat.

You look at the time-board and see you have won the
heat in one minute and twenty-seven seconds (1:27), a good
performance for a Northern-bred yearling in August in a
field of five starters. They all come out to start for the
next heat, as there is no distance recognized in half-mile
heats, which is wrong, as there should never be any such
race given, otherwise there should be a distance to prevent
collusion in a close race.

The second heat you start away with the pole, and go
through the regular scoring again, as the boys, if they can
not win, are bound to try hard. Keep well up in your posi-
tion at the pole, for it leaves you in an awkward place to lose
your place going around the first turn. The judges will
claim to protect you, but will often overlook it, when the
others are well in line, and it is best for you to look out for
your own interest a little in this respect. Do not get care-
less and think you have a sure thing because you won the
first heat, for a very little mismanagement will lose a race.
With a fair start you get away and have no trouble to win,
holding your position easily all the way. This heat is 1:26
and the colt was not pushed hard to win. All admire him
and can see wonderful possibilities in his future. You are
proud of him, as are all of the fellows from your section.
Now you feel amply paid for your perseverance and close
attention to all the little details of rearing and breaking.
Several colts in the race had as much speed as your colt,
showed faster in places, and would have won but for some

cause which ought not to have existed.
29

A444 LIFE WIT TiJE TROTTERS.

The secret is all in a nutshell: You have trained more
systematically, more humanely and more consistently with
all rules that govern health and strength. Your colt has
never been whipped into obedience, and made sulky; has
never been overdriven, and left to cool out too suddenly,
and is willing to do his best, and tries to without being
afraid. The old farmers that had colts in the same race and
were beaten ten or fifteen seconds, gather around and look
your colt over, and declare: ‘‘ He must be overtrained, as he
acted just like an old trotter,’’ and they will beat him sure
another year. They forget to look at his breeding, but not
his make-up; and some old deacon with a good deal of sense
takes out his tape line and finds that the colt’s mechanical
‘proportions measure exactly to bis notion of the correct
form. Had he looked in the catalogue and noticed that the
colt is standard under Rule 6, he might have known he
would have measured right, for he las been bred for sev-
eral generations in a way that begets trotting conform-
ation.

You ship the colt home in the same careful way, and it
will not need many instructions to the rvbber to look after
him carefully, for if you do not look out now, he will pay
his entire attention to this colt and neglect everything else.
It is best not to overdo the attention; keep on in an
even way, recollecting that the colt has no mark that is
admitted upon the records. To get a record he will have to
trot a mile. In this locality there will be no opportunity to
start in a race for yearlings, except the ‘‘ Midway Breeders’
Meeting,”’ which is now a fixed yearly event, takes place in
October, and is open to all. It draws largely from New
York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and is the only one
outside of a ‘‘State Breeders’’’? meeting, held in this por-
tion of the country, to enable breeders to give their young
things records, in actual contest; and its first meeting was
liberally patronized.

The colt arrives home safely, and is at once made the
pet of the farm and due respect is paid him which of course

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 44s

he is entitled to. He is but little over one year old, and has
had his first engagement, and stood the fire well. You may
have others as fast, but the people will not be as anxious to
see them as this one, for his laurels were won in actual con-
test, not in the show ring. Continue his education about
the same as before. A half-mile in 1:26 was about the rate
of the Northern yearling record, until 1888. As you have
never been a mile yet with him, you must have him in good
condition. Keep up his work in company as much as is
convenient when you speed him, but never take a colt out
on the track or road, to have a visit with some friend or
neighbor. They learn very quickly how to gossip, and
rather enjoy it. It is better to teach them when along-
side of other horses to be ready for business. Many a
race has been lost that could have been won had the
leading horse not fooled away his time by waiting for com-
pany.

In the latter part of August and through September the
flies and mosquitoes are very annoying and worry the colts
greatly, and much can be done to save them by nets and
bars. A short, light leather net, to protect a colt behind the
saddle of the harness, is sufficient, and will help to keep
him in good humor, and when turned out to grass, a sheet
well put on and fastened properly will save more in the colt
_ than the wear and tear of a sheet. Through September give

the colt a slow mile about once a week. I mean by a slow
mile, a mile always well within his rule of speed. For in-
stance, if the colt can trot a mile pushed to his utmost limit
in 2:50, drive him a mile in 3:00 and the last quarter a 2:50
gait. In this way you do not take out of the colt all of his
life and ambition, neither do you let him know that the mile
is too long for him or get him discouraged.

You will find there is a grain of sulk in the makeup of
many good race-horses. It requires a good deal of tact and
ingenuity to get out of such animals their full measure of
speed. Take the case of the black gelding Guy that was
handled by me in 1885, when five years old. He would do

446 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

anything it was fair to ask a horse to do, if he could arrange:
to do it exactly his own way, and I was happily situated to.
handle him. IJ also had the time to humor him, as the owner.
did not want him to start in races until the next year. Guy
had a great aversion to going ona track, and acted disgusted
at the sight of one; still I never could learn he had been
overworked or overdriven. On the contrary it was said his:
work had always been short; fast quarters and sometimes a.
half. Iused him on the road all through the month of May,
both single and double. When he was hitched: to road cart.
and having driven five or six miles about the country, I
would then drive in onto the track, and around once or:
twice, being careful to keep him from speeding; although
it was always the uppermost thing in his mind, when he got.
to the track, to grab the bit and go. He seemed to have
learned that was the game. Somehow or other he had.
got a wrong impression of what was wanted of him.
He never acted badly with me, for the same reason that.
‘‘Jack did not eat his supper’; I would not give him a.
chance.

I had no engagements for Guy so I worked him with the
sole object of getting him over his idiosyncrasy (more com-
monly called by horsemen ‘‘bees in his bonnet’’). I think
my plan would have succeeded, as he constantly improved.
But thinking he would go well to pole with Clingstone I
trained them for a double team, giving them a pole record
of 2:17, which mile could have been done in 2:15 with the-
circumstances all favorable. The second heat was 2:17} and
while cooling out for the last heat a slight shower of rain
fell, which moistened the track enough to make the mud
fly, causing Guy to take too much hold of the bit, and trot
overfast for Clingstone in places. I never had a good
opportunity to beat 2:17 with them again, as after this per-
formance we had offers to exhibit them at different points.
in the grand circuit, the first place being at Hartford.
Arrangements were deferred until the time to show them
was so Close at hand that the team was not shipped from

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 444

Cleveland until the 16th of August, arriving at Hartford on
the 18th. In driving out to the track, Guy was so leg
weary, from long standing in the car, that he stumbled and
fell, bruising and cutting his knee severely, consequently
the 19th was spent in nursing him, when he ought to have
been exercised. On the 20th, with the track full of horses
scoring up with him and annoying him, the team trotted in
2:19, the last quarter a 2:13 gait. This for a five-year-old
with no record to harness, was, under the circumstances, a
‘wonderfully good performance. Iam not surprised that with
three years more age Guy trotted in 2:12.

While the colt is resting I will tell you a little story
about Guy which has not been in print. One fine morning
in June, just after a nice warm shower, Guy was hitched to
the light cart and I started to give him his work on a straight
‘piece of road about a mile long, partly shaded by large maple
‘trees, with their long low branches overhanging the whole
roadway. Atthe end of this drive there is an old railroad
track graded up much higher than the road, and very steep
down on the other side. I seldom crossed this track, as my
usual drive was to thjs railroad, then forward and back, until
the amount of work necessary to be done was finished. The
horses under my charge had the route well learned, and ex-
‘pected a little brush occasionally before returning to the
stable. The morning I speak of, as I passed through the
little town of Glenville my youngest boy was waiting there
‘with the mail for me. He looked so entreatingly at me for
aride that I thought it best to take himin. We jogged
along down to the speeding ground, Guy as full of play as
a spring lamb, and as buoyant as the boy behind him, who
thought he was driving him, as he had hold of the lines
with me. The rain which had fallen was not quite enough
to make mud under the trees, and it seemed to be about the
‘proper thing to treat the boy and horse toa little spin. They
were both anxious for it, and when the boy laughed the horse
would follow suit by shaking his head and trying to get the
bit. To please them was only to please myself, and I had

448 ; LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

no sooner thought of it than Guy knew it and was off.
Great Ceesar how he went! And how the sand and dirt did.
fly; Charlie crying ‘‘Let him go, pa!” and I suddenly
finding out there were three jobs on hand needing immedi-
ate attention. First, to keep my eyes open; second, to:
keep the boy still andin the cart; and third, to stop the
horse.

My mind was occupied also with the fact the cart might.
break, and also in figuring whether I could stop Guy be-
fore we got to the railroad. To say I was getting nervous.
puts it mildly—I was really becoming frightened. With a.
good grip on the boy with my knees, a hold on Guy with.
all my might, and with eyes almost closed with the mud,
matters were getting desperate. Guy was now fairly run-
ning away, was beyond control, but true to his breeding
still on the trot. As we were nearing the railroad at.
every step the tension was getting stronger; something
must be done. He had the bit—in fact he had me. It
was Guy ‘cutting up that hog,” not me. I yelled
‘*Whoa!’’ I tried to saw him to a stop. Ipulled so hard the
cart springs settled down until Guy lgoked like a seven-
teen-hand horse. But it was of no use; he was ‘‘out’’ in
earnest.

As we emerged from the shade of the trees the mud was.
thin, and it was flying over the cart like shavings from a.
planer. There was only one more chance; would he stop.
from force of habit or would he go on over the track? If he.
goes over we are gone. Weare almost there. I must try
something. I begin carefully to let up on him; he hesitates.
a trifle, slows down gradually, comes to a walk, stretches.
out his neck asking to let go the bit, and we turn around to-
go back. We were much in the condition of the boy whom
the mule had kicked—we were not as handsome as before,
but knew a good deal more. You may safely guess I did
not encourage Guy to speed any more that morning. We-
walked back and took a rest for the balance of. the day.
And that was Charlie’s last ride behind Guy. He often.

LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS. 44>

said after that ‘‘If Mr. Gordon had seen Guy go he guessed.
he would have been proud of him.” °

To return to our colt, who has had a few slow miles in
September, sandwiched in with his short, sharp work, he
will be fit and fine for a good fast mile in October. And if
you land him a winner he will be deserving of a vacation. The
Northern yearling record is 2:412, and isa good perform-
ance. It is a hard mark to beat, but with the start you
have, and plenty of perseverance, you can reach it. The
colt’s work should never be severe enough to get him stale;
and always keep near the shore in this respect; that is: Bet-
ter do too little than too much. For if you do too little you
can remedy it, but if too much the trouble can not be re-
paired the same season. I have seen you through the first
race and about ready to start at the fall meeting. Now as.
you are in good shape, and feel so conficlent of winning, I
will let you go and wait to hear the result; which I trust
will be to suit you. Your colt has so far been handled with
good judgment and the smallest details looked after with
care. You feel well paid now, but if you can beat the rec-
ord you may be proud. The successful training of two and
three year olds is conducted very much upon the same gen-
eral principles. More strong work perhaps will be needed;
but avoid too much slow and tedious jogging. Too much
slow work is monotonous, and does not quickly reach the
point you are after, which is speed. Recollect that 2:30 is
as fast as it ever was; and it is more satisfaction to break,
handle and drive one from the paddock, and put him in the
2:20 list, than one that five or six other fellows have handled
and brought out. To do this quickly is an important feat-
ure, adding much to the profit as well as the pleasure.
Take the case of the bay mare Beulah, broken in her four-year-
old form, at five years started in seven races, winning five of
them, and getting a record of 2:294. At six years old
started in ten races, winning seven and getting a record of
2:194.° This was not done by long, severe work, but on the
principle of short, quick, fast work, muc’ after the manner

450 LIFE WITH THE TROTTERS.

of working colts. The above way of working young things
has developed from one farm, the past season, eight three-
year-olds with speed enough to beat 2:30, almost the same
number at two years that could beat 2:40, and a yearling
with a record of 2:412. ‘‘There would not be great ones if
there were no little.”’

TLC bor

Fasuion Stup Farm, Trenton, N. J.
January 21, 1889.

2:08% and 2:15.

NUTBOURNE «# ELDRIDGE

NUTBOURNE, out of the dam of Maud S., record
2:08%. ELDRIDGE, out of the dam of
Majolica, record 2:15.

THE FASHIONABLY-BRED STALLIONS,

NUTBOURNE and ELDRIDCE,

Will make the season of 1889 at my farm, three miles east of Tarrytown, Westchester Co., N. Y.,
and twenty-five miles from New York city. Several prominent Kentucky breeders have urged
me to let Nutbourne go to that State, but I have concluded to keep him at home. His full
brother, Nutwood, is the only horse, living or dead, with a record under 2:20 having five of hia
produce with records under 2:20, thus showing his capacity to get a high rate of speed. Be-
sides, he is the sire of 24 in the 2:30 list, eight of which were added last year.

Terms: For Vutbourne, $150 for the season; for Hidridge, $100 the season. Mares not
proving with foal to either horse may be returned the following season free of charge.

NUTBOURNE,

g. h., 16 hands high, foaled 1877, by Belmont (sire of Nutwood, record 2:1834), dam Miss Russell,
the dam of Maud S., record 2:08%, by Pilot, Jr., second dam Sallie Russell, by Boston (thor-
oughbred), etc. As will be seen, Nutbourne is not only out of the dam of Maud §., but he isa
full brother to Nutwood, record 2:18%4, and Cora Belmont, record 2:2414. Asa five-year-old,
Nutbourne trotted, with very little handling, in 2:26, last quarter in 35 seconds; but since then
has not been trained, as he has been used exclusively for the stud. Nutbourne’s full brother,
Nutwood, is so popular that his services have been raised to $500. The editor of the Turf,
Field and Farm, in speaking of the foals at my farm by Nutbourne, says of one, “It is a trottin
gem of the first water,’’ and of another, ‘“‘There is no disposition to do anything but trot.
never saw so rapid a colt of its age.”’

ELDRIDCE,

‘b. h., 1534 hands high, foaled 1877, by Edward Everett (sire of Judge Fullerton, record 2:18),
dam Jessie Kirk, dam of Majolica, record 2:15. Jessie Kirk is by Clark Chief, son of Mambrino
Chief. Edward Everett, the sire of Eldridge, is the sire of twelve trotters in the
2:30 list, among them the late Commodore Vanderbilt’s favorite road horse Mountain Boy.
record 2:203%4. Eldridge is a grandly formed ‘horse, a rich bay, with black points, and has trotted
atrial on my track at Tarrytown in 2:204%. Hisdam being the dam of Majolica, heshould make
agreat sire. He has sired only four foals,and I sold one of them—the two-year-old colt Cart-
ridge,—for $4,000, One of the best judges in the country says of him: ‘‘ Eldridge has a
splendid hock, and a good, flat leg—in fact, the best set of legs I have ever seen; and his re-
markably loose, easy way of going shows that he has an elasticity that he can ee Tt.?”

Mares sent to be bred to Nuthourne or Eldridge can be kept on Mr. George W. Campbell's
‘farm, just on the opposite side of the road from my place, on reasonable terms. Mr. Campbell
amakes a specialty of taking care of trotting stock.

Address

ROBERT BONNER,
TARRYTOWN, N. Y.

(e Mares can be sent to Tarrytown by boat from foot of Franklin Street,
New Vork, or by railto Tarrytown, by Hudson River Railroad, from depot foot
of 33d Street and 11th Avenue.

ALLEN FARM.

PITTSFIELD, BERKSHIRE COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

WILLIAM RUSSELL ALLEN, - es

- + Proprietor.
——1889.—_

STALLIONS IN SERVICE.

LANCELOT.

Bay, by Messenger Duroc, dam GREEN MOUNTAIN MAID, the dam of
Elaine, record....... oo eatsterenuees 2:20

Prospero, record
Dame Trot, “ .. 2:22 | Manstield, ‘“
Antonis, Oe ag -2:2814 | Miranda, “.. aa
Storm ssciwewesiew eves aecoces ice foais it cisces ngisd shorinemioste ah ven seastite ao eee 226%,

Electioneer (sire of Hinda Rose, yearling record, 2:26%; Sunol, 2-year-old record, 2:18;
Hinda Rose, 8-year-old record, 2:193¢; Manzanita, 4-year-old record, 2:16; Anteco, 2:16%;
Adair, 2:1744; Bonita, 2:183{, and many others in the 2:30 list.

YARROW.

Bay, by Lord Russell, dam YOLANDE (dam of Yuba, 2:2414, and Yazoo, 2:344%), by Belmont.
LORD RUSSELL by Harold, and out of MISS RUSSELL, the dam of

Maud 8.........4. Eisen aisleisisgepieieyricatabecoie’s SR Biatnetgirinicte Das aria et giegreia 5 He a eae biacs 2:0834
Nutwood .........ceeeeeeee wee ee 821854
Cora Belmont... .. sarstesieners SREREGE ReDRpERE leelntestseles 2:24,
Nutbourne (trial) ‘ 2:264%
Mambrino Russell (sire of Haldane). 2:26%
Happy RUssellsiess, seserweda cs seipasieeee santas Hswte Aas 84 64 twee hiecatecrad 2:293¢
YOLANDE’S dam, YOUNG PORTIA, dam of
VOlBIRG , 5 o.cis cia sieitap cies Bardia beget Metis ese ge tates 2:2014 (sire of Bessemer, 2:15)
Portion.... a ee etd atavehsad diese atee 2:35 (sire of Minnesota, 2:2734)
is cide aemsiowa swan nasa (dam of Connaught, #2: 24)
racginie Beistate eeccaieisles HinOnsresties GAS teinin aM naa Nese en: vel (4-year-old record, 2:3
Gh iide] Harold ..

(2mile record in England, 5:04
“eConnaught’i is the sire of Clonmore, 22294,

AMERICA.

asa ee! by Kentucky Prince (trial 2: #8) , dam ALMA, a 2834, the sister to.
exter

ABCOVIA 5 50 nner nd.
Dictator (sire of J Phuilas., See) .

“

Second dam, Clara, by Seely’s American Star; 3d dam, the McKinstry mare, dam of Shark.

Kentucky Prince, by Clark Chief, son of Mambrino Chief and first dam Kentucky Queen,
by Morgan Eagle; 2d dam by Blythe's Whip; 3d dam, by Martin's Brimmer; 4th dam, by
Quicksilver, son of imp. Medley.

Kentucky Prince is the sire of Guy, 2:12; Spofford, 2:18%; Bayonne Prince, 2:21%; Com-
pany, 2:1934; Compeer, 2:2514; Problem, 2:244%4 Sweepstakes, 2:2434, t al

ALLEN FARM.

BROOD MARES

Are the immediate descendants of the greatest ot producing Sires and DAMS.

RUSINA, by Belmont, out of MISS RUSSELL, the dam of MAUD S§., 2:08%.

MAUDLEN, 2:25%, by Harold, out of NUTULA, the sister of NUTWOOD, 2:18%.

ELISTA, by Messenger Duroc, out of GREEN MOUNTAIN MAID, the dam of ELEC-.
TIONEER.

MALVASIA, by Lord Russell, out of MALMAISON, the dam of MANETTE, trial 2:161¢..
ASHIMA, by Lord Russell, out of ALICE WEST, 2:26, the dam of ALTAMURA, 2:30.
SALVE, by Lord Russell, out of NOONDAY, 2d dam Midnight, dam of JAY-EYE-SEE, 2:10,
RUBRA, by Lord Russell, out of PRIMROSE, dam of Princeps, sire of TRINKET, 2:14.
ESPERENCE, by Harold, out of ENGLEWOOD, the sister of WEDGEWOOD, 2:19.

SUN MAID, by Belmont, out of SONNET, 2d dam LITTLE IDA, dam of SO SO, 2:1744.

WATERLEARF, by Belmont, out of WATER LILY, 3d dam WATERWITCH, dam of”
Viking, 2: 1914.

EDITA, by Kentucky Prince, out of ELISE, sister to ELAINE, 2:20.
MIRELLA, by Kentucky Prince, out of MIRANDA, 2:31, the sister to PROSPERO, 2:20.

BRENDA, PY Beomeny Prince, out of MISS BRUNETTE, the dam of BLACK
PRINCE, 2:25.

FEDORA, by Kentucky Prince, out of CASSANDRA, the sister of HOGARTH, 2:26.
NYDIA, by Kentucky Prince, out of CAMILLE, the dam of STEVIE, 2:29.

ALFARETTA, by Kentucky Prince, out of BETTY, 2d dam LADY FALLIS, dam of
KISBER, 2:27 744

GUYDA, by Messenger Duroc, out of LESLIE, the sister of GUY, 2:12.

PHALLAMONT GIRL, 2:30, by Phallamont, out of POCAHONTAS GIRL, the sister-
of HIGHLAND MAID, 2:2944.

POKIE PHALMONT, by Phallamont, out of POCAHONTAS GIRL, the sister of-
HIGHLAND MAID, 2:29%4.

LAURA PHALMONT, by Phallamont, out of LADY ELDREDGE, trial 2:26.
LIZZIE PHALMONT, by Phallamont, out of DAISY McK., trial 2:341%4.
REPOSE, by Conway, 2:18% (pace), out of TULIP, dam of ULVA, 2:27.
PRINCESS ROYAL, by Phallas, 2:13%, out of HERMIA, 2d dam HAIDEE.

MARIANA, by Sorrento (son of Woodford Mambrino, 2:21%), out ofp MARY WHITMAN,,
@d dam NANCY WHITMAN, the dam of ROBT. McGREGOR, 2:17.

EARLY DAY, by Erelong, by Belmont, out of LOTTIE MORGAN.

LOUISE, by Merchant, by Belmont, out of Pansy, by ason of. HAMBLETONIAN, 10.

CLOISTER, by Chichester, 2:25%4, out of CRACOVIENNE, gr. dam of KENILWORTH,
318%.

MICA, by Chichester, 2:254, out of MARY BELLE, dam of PUELLA, 2:29.

MIN'TAKA, by Chichester, 2:254, out of MINNA WILKES, sister of KENTUCKY
WILKES, 2:214.

VENEZUELA, by Chichester, 2:2514, out of VASSAR, gr. dam of ED ROSEWATER.
(pace), 2:20%4.

MARIOLA, by Chichester, 2:2514, out of MARA, 2d dam Mary, dam of DICK MOORE,,
22214.

THE HERMITAGE STUD

STALLIONS IN USE:

WEDGEWOOD 692. Service Fee, $150.00.

The Great Race Horse and Sire—Record 2:19 Fourth Heat.

Sire of Favonia 2:15 fifth heat, Conway 2:183, Connaught 2:24 (sire of Clonmore (3) 2:29%),
Nugget 2:2634 (sire of Nettleleaf (4) 2:233/, Goldleaf 2:2314, and Newton (4) 2:28), Ulva 2:27,
Jesuit 2:3244, Pagan 2:37, Mersburg 2:40, Mayenne (dam of Crescendo 2:24), Pluto (sire of Blue-
wing (4) 2:27), and Abbess (dam of Brandoline (2) 2:30%). This showing from not more than
fourteen living foals in Kentucky.

BONNIE WOopD, 733° Service Fee, $75.00.

Brother to Nutbreaker (8) 2:2434.

Bay, foaled in '85, by Nutwood, first dam Bonnie Doon by Aberdeen, gr. dam Ariel by
‘Ethel Allen.

CANDIDATE, 23° Service Fee, $75.00.

Black, foaled in 85, by Electioneer, first dam Nora by Messenger Duroc, gr. dam Mary
Hulse by American Star.

PONCE DE LEON, Private Stallion.

Black, foaled in ’87, by Pancoast, first dam Elvira (4) 2:18%4, sister to Beatrice dam of
Patron, gr. dam Mary Mambrino by Mambrino Patchen.

BOW BELLS

(Brother to Bell Boy).

Bay, foaled in 1887 by Electioneer, dam Beautiful Bells. Bow Bells is being handled this
year in California, but will be brought over and placed in the stud in 1890.

Well-bred daughters of Harold, Geo. Wilkes, Electioneer, Mambrino Patchen, and other
sons of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian and Mambrino Chief are to be found among our brood mares,

TERMS.—The usual privilege of return the next year if mare proves not in foal. Grase
‘and attention during season at $3.00 per month. Grain fed at $8.00 per month.

Catalogues will be issued in the early Spring, when we will be glad to furnish applicants.

The farm is five miles south of Nashville, and can be reached either by Franklin Pike,
Nashville & Decatur Railroad, or by the Overland Dummy Line.

Address MAY OVERTOR, Manager,

Box 8, Nashville, Tenn.

ROCK RIVER
STOCK FARM

DIXON, ILL.

Western Home of the Morgans,

MORTIMER McROBERTS, Proprietor.

GENTLEMAN'S

FINE ROAD AND DRIVING HORSES

Horses Bred from Mares of Different Trotting
Families by Stallions of the Morgan,
Hambletonian, and Mambrino
Chief Strains.

SINGLE HORSES AND MATCHED TEAMS ALWAYS ON HAND.

Chicago Office, {15 Lake Street,

WHERE ALL COMMUNICATIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

ESTABLISHED 1854.

Ss. TOOMEY «& CoO.,

CANAL DOVER, OHIO.

erotic TRACK VEHICLE BUILDERS un:ctstaces

REFERENGES.
Truss Axle Sulky. j ss
7 i John Splan, a
io.
This Sulky holds an j W. H. McCarthy,
renvious position, and } 0. A Hike ne
is already so favorably : California.
known, that we ‘deem | Ed. F. Geers.
1 Tennessee.
‘comment unnecessary. Peter V. Johnson.
For a Contested Race, } Michigan.
fo: a Match Race, or for A.J. Feek, New York.
aLow Record the TRUSS J. H. Goldsmith, .
t New York.
AXLE SULKY has no Patent April 5, 1881. 8. L. Caton,
uperior. Made in five ie California.
-sizes, from 38 to 58 Ibs. jf 12, 1886. Geo. J. Fuller, mnie
Send for full descrip- « hCSuly = 12, 188%. W. H. Crawford é
‘tion of Truss Axle and q:Wealse hold all patents on ! Kentucky.
Training Sulkies. either trussed or diagonally Millard Sanders. *
rounded, also trussed-raised Aor

Cross-bars,, and other im- And many others.

provements.

OUR IMPROVED SKELETON WACON

as

PATENT APPLIED FOR.

We beg to call the attention of Breeders, Trainers, and Drivers to the above cut, which represente
‘our latest improved Skeleton Wagon.

For a number of years past tae ROAD Cart has been used as the principle vehicle for speeding
and cogging the trotter, and upon its introduction was considered avery good thing for that purpose,
put its use has failed to verify this fact,astue cartis being discarded and is fast growing into dis:
favor on account of its absolute tendency to ruin the pureness of gait of the trotter, which tendency
is due to that peculiar bobbing motion and weight on the horse’s back, which is wholy unavoidable

‘in the road cart, no matter who makes it; therefore, the SKELETON WAGON, which was laid aside
upon the introduction of the cart, has again become (with more favor than ever), the rinciple
vehicle for jogging, training, speeding, and gaiting the trotting horse. The principle objection to
all other Skeleton Wagons is the low side bar, which prevents a short turn, and. is the cause of bend-
ing or breaking spindles and severe accidents. It will beseen by the above cut, with our high arch
bar, a very short turn can be made, which is very essential, as it obviates the breaking of wheels and
spindles,and avoids accidents. The general construction of this wagon is such asto prevent the
‘spreading of wheels when under full speed. Can also be made much lighter than on any other con-
traction heres ore _ jogeing, for speeding, or for getting a conspleucus view of the gait of your
-norse, the ay now improved by us, wi a long-felt want,
from 65 lbs up. SEND FOR FULL DESCRIPTION, . ats Mage tn allislzes,

S. TOOMEY & CO.,
Canal Dover, Ohio, U.S.A.

WOODBURN FARM.

TROTTING STALLIONS.

BELMONT,

Sire of NUTWOOD, 2:18%; WEDGEWOOD, 2:19, etc.

HAROLD,

Sire of MAUD §., 2:08%; NOONTIDE, 2:2034, etc.

LORD RUSSELL,

Brother to Maud S., 2:0834.

KING WILKES,

Record 2:22% (sire of Oliver K., record 2:164), by GEORGE WILKES, 2:22.

PISTACHIO,

Brother to Nutwood, 2:18%.

RE-ELECTION,
(Foaled 1888)
By ELECTIONEER, dam LADY RUSSELL, sister to MAUD S., 2:0894.

Woodburn Farm is the birthplace of Maud S., 2:0834; Nutwood, 2:18%; Wedgewood, 2:19;
Favonia, 2:15; Conway, 2:1834; Viking, 2:1914; Mambrino Dudley, 2:19%; Miss Russell (dam
of Maud S., 2:0834); Midnight (dam of Jay-Eye-See, 2:10), and many other great horses,

THE THOROUGHBRED DEPARTMENT

EMBRACES THE STALLIONS,

KING ALFONSO, FALSETTO,

LISBON, PAT MALOY,
POWHATTAN,

AND EICHTY-THREE BROOD MARES.

For Catalogues address
A. J. ALEXANDER,
L. BRODHEAD, Agent. Spring Station, Woodford Co., Ky.

Season 1889. Season 18898:

JEWETT STOCK FARM.

HOME OF

JEROME EDDY 1260.

Record, 2:16%.
Bay horse, black points, 15.3 hands high; weight, 1,175 pounds.
Sired by Louis Napoleon 207.
Son of Volunteer 55 (sire of St. Julien, 2:1114) and Hattie Wood (dam of Gazelle, 2:21).
Sire of Jerome Eddy, 2:16; Chas. Hilton, 2:17; Spinnella, 2:21%;
and five others in 2:30 or better.
1st dam Fanny Mapes, dam of Jerome Faay, By Alexander's Abdallah 15, sire of the dams
2:164¢; Geo. Milo, 2: 33; Hattie Maj 28, 233336; of Favonia, 2:15, and twenty-three others
Joe Gavin (sire of Cora ae? 2:50)3 3 Larry in 2:80 or better.
(sire of J. I. R., 2:2484); and Frank
Novle (sire of Harry "yobs 2:26).

dam. By parr s Napoleon, sire of Rhode Island, 2:35
8d dam. By Lon Island Black Hawk 24, sire of Prince,
4th dam. By imp. Trustee.

Terms, $200, due at time of service, with the usual privilege of return.

SHERMAN (506.
Record, 2:25%.
Brown horse, 16 hands in height; weight, 1,200 pounds.

Sire George Wilkes 519, sire of 1st dam by Belmont 64, sire of

party Wilkes: Nutwood..

Guy Wilkes Wedgewoo

And sixty-two "

Terms, $100, payable April 1st, 1890, with the usual privilege of return.

CORONET 1035.

Brother in blood to Ambassador, 2:21.
Bay horse, 15.2 hands in height; weight, 1,100 pounds.

Sire georee Wilkes 519, sire of 1st dam, by American Clay 84, sire of the
Thirty-two sons that have produced dams of sixteen in 2:30, or better.
performers with records of.......... 2:30 2d dam, by Mambrino Chief 11, dam of
And the dams of twelve in 2:30, or better. Allie West .........0005 geiseve steremeslanaias 2325,

Terms, $50, payable April 1st, 1890, with the usual privilege of return.

HOMER (235.

Sire of Lelah H. (at 4 years) 2:24%,.
Own brother to the dam of Baron Wilkes, 2:18,
Brown horse, 15.2% hands in height; weight, 1,200 pounds.

Sire Mambrino Patchen 58, sire of 1st dam Sally Chorister, dam of
London 3 ‘Broteine sinks len Selo aint SaeiNVECeGNN te 218
elle Brassfield (dam of Hole +.
Admiration aida nebresaae iat 2 vein). 7: 38

Belle eistehen (dam of Baron Wilkes, bes
PRGRIGE TG baie eneseae ccien 2:301¢.
Terms, $100, payable April 1st, 1890, with ihe usual privilege of return. 3

FIELDMONT 5050.

Own brother to Almont, Jr., 2:26.
Bay horse, 15.3 hands in helght; weight, 1,175 pounds.

Sire Almont 83, sire of 1st dam Maggie Gaines, dam o
Fanny Witherspoon.......... wees 251614 | Almont, Jr. (sire of eight fate 380). 2:26
And thirty-four others in.. . 2:80 ‘Allie Gaines (sire of two in 2: 30). serene

Terms, $50, payable April ‘1st, 13890, with the usual privilege of return,
The Jewett Stock Farm is situated two and one-quarter miles west of East Aurora Station.
sixteen miles trom Buffalo, N. Y., on the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad. F

HENRY C. JEWETT & CO.,
Post Office address, Buffalo or Willink, Erle Co., N. Y.

J.H. FENTON,

MANUFACTURER OF

Fine Track and Road Harness

SWEAT, COOLING, WORKING, and WALKING SUITS.

THE BEST AND ONLY PRACTICAL

TOE WEICHTS, HORSE BOOTS

IN THE MARKBT,
And appliances of every description used in

EDUCATING THE TROTTING HORSE.

THIS LEADING

HORSE GOODS EMPORIUM

Has facilities for manufacturing unequaled by any other house in

AMBRICA,

And makes intricate and practical HORSH APPLIANCES A SPECIALTY.

WE ARE AGENTS FOR THE CELEBRATED

TOOMEY AND CAFFREY SULKIES

ALSO
JOGGING AND BREAKING OARTS.,

Send for Catalogue to
J. H. FENTON,

2ii &213 Wabash Avenue, CHICAGO, ILL.

DR. ROBERGE’S PATENT HOOF EXPANDER

It is the best invention for expanding a contracted foot or keeping a sound foot in its
natural shape. .

It is used and approved by the leading horse owners of the New York Driving Club, such
as ROBERT BONNER, FRANK WORK, and hundreds of other gentlemen of repute.

‘* AKRON, O., Jan, 24, 1887.
“T received your Patent Hoof Expander, placing it in the worst hoof, and watched results,
I must say I never saw such a change in a hoof in six weeks. Please send another Expander
for the other foot by return of mail. Iwill send an order for an assortment. I want a dozen
pairs for my own horses as soon as I can make diagrams of their feet. Further experimenting
Dy me is unnecessary, as I am convinced your Expander knocks them all out.

“Yours, J. W.McCUE.”

“OrricE or Dr. H. D. Brown,

“Dn. F. P. Roperas, 1,741 Broapway, N. Y.: “Potspaw, N. Y., March 14, 1887.

‘Dear Sir: Inclosed find $2, for which send one pair of your Hoof Expanders for the
inclosed diagrams, No. 1 and No. 2. No. 3I send you to show you the improvement madein
my other colt by using the Expanders I ordered of yon some three months since. I shall order
more in a short time for a friend of mine, who has seen the improvement. I think they are the
greatest boon for contracted feet I ever saw; in fact the only one. If horses could only talk
you would be made a hero at once.

“Yours respectfully, H. D. BROWN.”
One Pair, $2. - Three Pairs, $5.

F. P. ROBERCE, Veterinary Surgeon,
1,741 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY.

(@ Liberal discount to the trade. They are kept by all first-class Iorseshoers, Saddle
and Hardware Merchants.

Kalamazoo Farm Stallions

AMBASSADOR 1496

Record 2:21%4, trial 2:18.

By GEORGE WILKES, dam Lady Carr
(the dam of Alcandre, 2:2644, and three
more that can beat 2:30), by American
Clay 34. :

SIRE OF RECORD
Tia y Willi .cccio is sioasniee aiiine athe arhinle 231514
Hy Wilkes, trial 2:124%...........08. 2:20
Embassador, trial 2:21..........00-54 2225
Black Ambassador............2008.. 2:25
Sciota Girl, four-year-old trial 2:21... 2:29%4
Napoleon Belle, trial 2:25............ 228216
Keokee, four-year-old trial 2:26.. 238214

Wyandotte, two years and eleven

Months O1d 22.6006 cccesse8 ceieawans
Embassy, three years old........ aise
Nellie, three years old............-.--
Pontoosuc, trial 2:31. .........06..05
Raphael Wilkes, two-year-old trial

RIAL eesimccisanss :
Lucy W., trial 2:29 .... 0... eee eee 2:50
Joe Wilkes, to wagon, fourth heat.. 2:40

And nine more with trials this year of
Trom 2:41% to 2:25.

Limited to Thirty Mares at
$150 the Season.

WARLOCK 3378

Trial, a mile in 2:38 on half-mile track;
quarter in 86 seconds, the seventeenth
time in harness.

By BELMONT 64, dam Waterwitch by
Pilot, Jr. 12, the

DAM OF RECORD.

Viking, brother to Warlock......... 211914
Mambrino Gift, sire of six in 2:30 or

Waterloo, brother to Warlock....... 2:28
Warder, brother to Warlock, trial
QOD nt ox aaclag nase Moana 237%

Tairy Belle (dam of Nymphia, 2:26;
Elf King, 2:30%, and Fairy Gift,
2:2934), sister to Warlock.... .....

Peri (dam of Alice Tyler, 2:30, and
General Hancock) ..........-.. ...

Sprite (dam of Sphinx, 2:23; Spry,
trial 2:20, four-year-old record
2:2834), sister to Warlock... ..-...

Naiad (sister to Warlock), trial 2:3014%

Undine, trial 2:27.......... i Nessoioratbstvea 2:85%

Limited to Twenty Mares at
$100 the Season.

EMPIRE 2378

(Matinee record 2:35), by MAMBRINO PATCHEN 58, dam Favorite, record 2:34, the
dam of Favorite Wilkes, 2:25%{, and three more, including Bourbon Wilkes, that could beat
2:30. Sire of Eminence, four-year-old record 2:2114, and others quite promising.

Stands at $25 the Season.

Our brood mares all trace to producing dams; are speed producers, or have records of 2:80
to 2:1914, or have a dam or grand dam that have produced one or more 2:30 or better trotters,
and are by fashionable and speed-producing sires of a high order. We are breeding REAL.
trotters and campaigners, and our stable of young trotters won more races, and we put more in
the 2:30 list in 1887, than any other stock farm ever did in one season.

Young Stock for Sale, and at Reasonable Prices, considering
the High Standard of breeding and individual excellence.

For Catalogues, Prices, or other information, address

S. A. BROWNE & CQ.,

Kalamazoo, Mich.

GORDON GLEN STOCK FARM

W. J. GORDON, PROPRIETOR,
CLEVELAND, OHIO.

STALLIONS IN STUD:

CLINGSTONE 2D
RYSDYK 653,

Sire of Clingstone, 2:14, and fou athe 2:30 list.

“THOMAS RYSDYK,

By Rysdyk, dam Largesse, 2:25.

JOSIAH A.,

By Clingstone 2d, dam Miss Wilkes, 2:29, by Geo. Wilkes.

BROOD MARES

MAMBRINO SPARBLE,
2:17.

LEONTIN[E, LARGESSE, ETC.
2:23 1-4. 2:25.

SEND FOR CATALOGUE.

ASHLAND

STALLIONS IN USE:

DICTATOR: KING RENE:

Sire of Jay-Eye-See, 2:10, Sire of Fugue, 2:19,
Phallas, 2:1334, Prince Edward, 2:24,
Director, 2:17, etc. Sarcenet, 2:2514, etc.

Colts and Fillies by DICTATOR and KING RENE out of
superbly bred mares by George Wilkes, Volunteer, Belmont,
Harold, Mambrino Patchen, Princeps, Cuyler, etc., for sale.

Catalogues sent on application.

H. C. McDOWELL & SON,
Lexington, Ky.

JOHN E. MADDEN

Breeder of and Dealer in

HiGH-BRED

TROTTING
STOCK.

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY.

STONY FORD STUD

MESSENCER DUROC 106.

Bay, 16 hands, sire of fifteen trotters with records ranging from 2:20 to 2:30; also sire of the:
dams of ten with records ranging from 2:20 to 2:30.

KENTUCKY PRINCE 2470.

Bay, 15.3 hands; sire of eleven with records ranging from 2:12 to 2:30; also sire of the dams:
of Saxon, 2:28; A. A. Bonner’s horse, trial 2:20144; and C, A. Pond’s horse, trial 2:22.

LELAND (300.

Brown, 16 hands; sire of Miss Leland, 2:25%; and Haides, 2:27%; out of the first five foals:
he sired. The vext year he sired Clara, 2:21.

MANSFIELD 1358.

Chestnut, 15.3 hands; record 2:26; sire of Foxie, 2:28%4; and out of Green Mountain Maid,
dum of six in the 2:30 list. Mansfield is a brother of Elaine, dam of Norlaine, that has the.

fastest yearling record, 2:311%.
ANTONIO 2823.
Bay, 15.1 hands; record 2:28%4; full brother of Mansficld and Elaine.

HOWLAND 2832.

Brown, 15.3 hands; brother in blood to Guy, 2:12, and Fred. Folger, 2:20%.

PRINCE CEORCE 2948.

Bay, 15.2 hands; by Kentucky Prince, out of Lady Dexter, sister of Dexter, 2:174.

NEWBOLD 5080.

Black, 15.3 hands; by Kentucky Prince, dam Alma, 2:28%, sister of Dexter, 2:1714.

MELVILLE 5079,

Chestnut, 16 hands; by Kentucky Prince, out of a sister of Leland.

CHARLES BACKMAN,
Stony Ford P. O., Orange Co., N. Y.

HARRISON ARMS, H. G. ALLEN, W. A. YAGER,
President. Manager. Sec’y and Treas...

The Arms Palace Horse Gar Go.

General Offices, “The Rookery,”
CHICAGO, - = = ILLINOIS.

The above is a cut of our new Special Car, built expressly for the came
paigning of racing stables, and to which we desire to call attention.

This car is vastly different from our regular line cars, and is only leased
for the season. Send for descript ve an‘ fully illustrated pamphlet.

WATERS STOCK FARM.

TROTTING STOCK. GENOA JUNCTION, WIS.
STAIJLLIONS IN SERVICE:

RY SULTAN 1513; DAM MINNEHAHA. He

CALI FORNIA 4 { 32 was never trained, but in his jogging shows promise of great

B black pat - speed. His oldest colts, foaled in 1887, are promising. He

1 eet ace oints, 16 hands, | js full brother to Alcazar, 2:23; Sweetheart, 2:2214; Eva,
’ 8. Foaled, 1882. 2:23%, and half brother to ‘Beautiful Bells.

NUTMEG 2459

.
Three-year-old record. 233334
Five-year-old record...

Chestnut, foaled i

if
|
4
ERELONG 114. | BY BELMONT 64; dams Woodford, Mambrino,

BY NUTWOOD 600; dams American Clay 34; Carr's
Lexington, and thoroughbred. One of the very best sons
of Nutwood, His colts ure individually excellent and speed-
promising.

A Hambletonian (Rysdyks), and American Star. His tirst
Bay, black points. Foaled. + three dams are producing dams. He is full brother to
1878; sire of Solong, 2:274, Fan- | serin, 2:27%4; half brother to Evermond, 2:243.
nette, 3 yrs., 2:32.

There are also: SPRAGUE PILOT 2458; Record, 2:24; by Gov. Sprague 444, dam by
Pilot Temple, son of Pilot, Jr., 12; 24 dam by Ole Bull, 3d Imp. Glencoe, and to 18th dam
thoroughbred.

TACKS 4664; Record, 3 yrs., 2:47; by Egbert 1136, dam by Howard's Mambrino, son ot
Mambrino Chief 11; 2d by John Innis, pacer.

THE BROOD MARES on the Farm are richly and fashionably bred, mostly young,
all vigorous and sound, and o° great individual merit. Young Stock, and Mares in Foal,
for sale. Send for Catalogue giving description and pedigrees, and arranged
go as to be valuable as a book of reference. Address

WATERS STOCK FARM, Genoa Junction, Wis.

WILKES LODGE,

Near Lexington, Ky.

ITvTS FOUNDATION STONES:

BREEDING,
SOUNDNESS,
SPEED, SENSE,
and COURACE.

The Hambletonian Family - and - George Wilkes Branch

ITs PILLARS.

Young trotting stock, out of standard-bred mares, and by Lord Russell, Pan-
coast, Florida, Jay Gould, Jay Bird, Ferguson, Monte Cristo,
Sultan, Robert McCregor, Socrates, Director, and Dictator

FOR SALE AT REASONABLE PRICKS.

For catalogues or information address

(191) . Z. E. SIMMONS, Lexington, Ky.

R Breaking Carts.
F RAZ f E. Speeding Carts.

Physicians’ Carts.

ROAD=CARTS. : Pole Carts.

Business Carts.

25 STYLES OF CARTS. Ladies’ Carts.
Pony Carts.

THE ORIGINAL
ROAD-CART.

THE LEADING
ROAD-CART.

FRAZIER

ROAD WAGONS.
SKELETON WACONS.

WRITE FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE.

Chicago Repository, 373 Wabash Avenue.
Address

W. S. FRAZIER & CO.,
‘ AURORA, - - - - ILLINOIS.

| TRACK SULKY //\
Price, $100.

Perfect Mechanism,
i High Finish.
“" Stiffest Axle of any. —

THE LEADING

HORSE OWNERS, DRIVERS, AND BREEDERS

IN THE COUNTRY ENDORSE

CAMIPBELL'S FORDE FOOT REMEDY

As the best and only preparation that will do all that is claimed for it
in preventing and curing ailments of the feet, such as

Corns, Quarter Cracks, Brittle, Contracted, Sore, Tender Feet, eto,

IT SAVES ALL PACKING AND SOAKING.

Keeps the feet in better condition with less time, labor and
money, and gives better results than can be
obtained in any other way.

Sold by all dealers, with a guarantee to give satisfaction or money
refunded. TRY IT. Send for testimonials, etc.

JAS. B. CAMPBELL & CO.

Proprietors and Manufacturers,
426 Fifth Avenue, = = = CHICAGO, ILL.

HOW THE WINNERS ARE BRED!

If you wish to study the question of

The Successful Breeding of the Trotting Horse,
You can not afford to be without

THE BREEDER’S GAZETTE

The Great “All ’round” Live-Stock Journal of the day.

IMPARTIAL, THOROUGH, AND RELIABLE.

ha discussions of blood lines, as applied to the production of speed, are
conceded to be the clearest and most valuable now
appearing in the American Press,

Turf Department in Charge of Mr. H. T. White,

The editor of this volume— Life Among the Trotters.”

(= TERMS: Single Subscription, $3.00 per annum; Two Subscriptions,
remitted together, $%.00 each. 24 to 28 pages weekly. Send stamp for specimen copy.

Address, J. H. SANDERS PUBLISHING CO.,
226 La Salle Street, Chicago, Ill.

GILES BRO. & CO.

Wate Makers

AND

Jewelers.

Sporting Watches
A SPECIALTY.

Acomplete assortment of fine and com-

piested watches, such as CHRUNOGRAPHS,
EPEATERS, QUARTER-SECOND FLY-

BACKS, ETC., constantly on hand.

Giles’ Anti- Magnetic
Shield for Watches.

Every fine watch should be protected
with one of these shields if absolutely cor-
rect time is required.

State and Washington Streets,

CHICACO, ILL.

HORSEMEN’S HEADQUARTERS
The English Chop House,

No. 5 CALHOUN PLACE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

WILLIAM M. BOYLE,

PROPRIETOR,
Ex-Secretary DEXTER PARK and CHICAGO DRIVING PARK.

Horsemen Welcome Twenty-four Hours in the Day.

A Coterie of kindred spirits always there, telling stories about.
the trotting turf.

CHICAGO
VETERINARY @OLLEGE

(Chartered by the State of Illinois, 1883.)

2537 and 2539 State St.,
CHICAGO, ILL.

TRUSTEES:
R. J. WITHERS, - - - - - - President
A. H. BAKER, - - - Treasurer and Registrar
JOSEPH HUGHES, - = = = = Secretary

For prospectus and further information,
write to the Secretary.

A GREAT BOOK FOR HORSE
BREEDERS.

No book upon any branch of live-stock breeding ever published in the United
States has met with so favorable a reception as has been accorded to ‘‘Horse-
Breeding,” by J. H. Sanders, senior editor of ‘The Breeders’ Gazette.” Since
this book was issued, a little over three years ago, eight large editions have been
printed and a sposed of. Since the first editions were printed the work has been.
thoroughly revised, considerable new matter added, and the demand for it in
Soreign countries has been so great that it has been translated and published in the:
German language, a compliment, we believe, which has never before been accorded
to any book upon any branch of live-stock breeding written in the United States.
Hi. D. McKinney (‘‘Mambrino”), of Janesville, Wis., says of it: “I consider it
almost invaluable, and could I not procure another copy would not take twenty
times the price of it.” Hon. John Landrigan, ex-President of the Illinois State:
Board of Agriculture, says: ‘I have no hesitancy in saying that it is the very best
book on the subject read by me, and should be in the hands of every person interested:
in horses.” 0. A. DeGraff, of Minnesota, says: ‘‘It is by long odds the most
thoroughly practical book upon the breeding and management of horses ever
written. The chapters devoted to the management of stallions, brood mares, and
young foals are especially valuable.” The price ts $2 by matl, prepaid. Address-

J. H. SANDERS PUBLISHING CO.,
226 La Salle Street, CHICAGO.

Look well to your horse’s feet

7
We
>a For un’ess you_know what Nai! has.
ey been used in Shoeing him, you are
3 liable at apy moment to have him
(eh at lamed by a Sent Nail which has pe..e-
co trated the walt of the foot, resulting in

lockjaw or death. as has been frequently
the case since the introduction of cold--
rolled nails.

THE PUTNAM NAIL

Is the only Hot-Forged and Hamimer-Pointed
Horseshoe Mail in the World

Nails made by the Cold Rolling, Punching,

i that is not CUT, CLIPPED or SHEARED upon the.
and Shearing Process. point, and will not split in driving. In cnting
as well as making, these Nails the OLD HAND.

:
From a Horse’s Foot, Providence, R. I. EROCESS Las been followed as near
ONLY GE:

y as possible,
ete success thai they are the
R-POINTED NAILS

IN THE W

DUCTIBILITY have been maintained without.

injuring the FIBRE of the iron; hence it is im-

pos niin find a PUTNAM Nail which slivers
ving.

SEE THAT YOUR HORSE IS SHOD WITH

OUR NAIL, and avoid all risk. For sale by all |

dealers in Horse Nails. Sample sent free by
mail by addressing

PUTNAM NAIL CO., - BOSTON, MASS.
P. 0. Address, NEPONSET, MASS.

Pa

ORLD in which the STIFFNESS and -

FEED ALL HORSES CLEAN OATS

Patent June 8th, 1886.

NY

y

Wm. S. Kimball.

BY USING

KASPERS SELF-ACTING
OATS CLEANER.

Thisis the most perfect Grain Purifier known.
Can not get out of order and will last for years.
No power necessary. Itsaves sickness among
horses, money, time and trouble. All private,
livery, boarding and teaming stablesand stock
farms should haveone. The oats are cleaned
as they pass through the spout.

FOREST HILL, Sept. 10, 1886.. To Whom it May Concern—
The Vat Cleaner putin my stable by C. Kasper is a perfect
success as an Oats Purifier. J.D. ROCKEFELLER,

Per H. M. Sinclair.

CLEVELAND, O., Sept. 29, 1886.—Kasper’s Oats Cleaner is
the best and most effective device that I have ever scen or

used for the purpose. .J. GORDON,
Of the Cleveland Driving Park Ass’n.

CLEVELAND, OQ, Sept. 21, 1886.—I would advise anyone
keeping horses and desiring to feed clean oats, to purchase
one of your Oats Cleaners. It certainly does all you claim
for it, and works to my entire satisfaction.

Yours truly, WM. EDWARDS,
Of the Cleveland Driving Park Ass’n.

ST. LOUIS, MO., Dec. 20, 1886.—Mr. Chris. Kasper—in refer-
ence to your Kasper Oats Cleaner, it is one of the best ar-
Tangements that [have everseen, and I would not be without
itif it cost three times the price. And no stable shou!d be
without one, as itis necessary for the health of the animals
that they be fed clean food. A. MURRAY,

Supt. American Express Co.’s Stable.

CHICAGO, April 18th, 1887.—_Mr. O.C. Cleave—Dear Sir:—
You may say that the Chicago Fire Department has placed
Kasper’s Oats Cleaner into general use, and that I am full:
satisfied that it is a grand article for all stables, anc
es eclaly. where horses are urged to speed and need good

nd. Clean oats should always be fed to all horses, and by
using your Cleaner it can easily be done.
Yours respectfully, D, J. SWENIE,
Chief of Chicago Fire Dept.

CHICAGO, April 1, 1887.—_Mr. O. C. Cleave—Dear Sir: Tho
two Kasper’s Oats Cleaners which you placed in the stables
of J, V. Farwell &Co. are giving the very best of satis-
faction. Ihave used fans and other contrivances for clean-
ing oats, but have never before found any way to clean the
oats as perfectly as with your cleaners. They remove all
impurities that should not be fed to horses, and as all oats
should be cleaned before feeding, I strongly recommend the
Kasper’sSelf-Acting Oats Cleaner as the best device made
for this purpose. Yours truly.

CAPT. PHILLIPS,
Supt. J. V. Farwell & Co.’s Stables.
Used in their stables and endorsed by
STOCK FARMS.
M. W. Dunham. Wayne, Ill. T.W. Harvey, Turlington.Neb.
T. P. Phillips, Naperville, Il]. Clairview, Grosse Point, Mich.
Galbraith Bros., Jayesville, Hamlin’s, East Aurora, N.Y.

Wis. Jewett’s, Bast Aurora, N. Y.
Waters. Genoa Junction, Wis. Miller & Sibley, Franklin, Pa.
J._©. Wolcott, Hutchinson, Forest City Farm, Cleveland.

Kan. W.H. Wilson, Cynthiana, Ky.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
White House Stable. Government Printing Office.
War Department Stable. W. C. Whitney, Secretary
U. 8. Senate Stable. Navy.

BUFFALO, N. Y.

Dr. Hinckley, Veterinary. Harry Hamlin.
Dr. D. B. Stumpf, Veterinary. 8. 8. Jewett.

C.J. Hamlin. enry C. Jewett.
OHICAGO, ILL.

Mayor John A. Roche. Marshall Field.

Hon. C. B. Farwell. Henry Field.

J.V. Farwell. Potter Palmer.

ROCHESTER, N. Y.
Hon. Frederick Cook. Jos, Cunningham.
D. W. Wri Jas. Wart.

Send for Descriptive Circular and Price List, containing names and testimonials

-of prominent horse-owners.

0.C.CLEAVE &CO., Owners and Manufacturers,

Office, 21! Wabash Ave., CHICACO.

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