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ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY
NEW YorK STATE COLLEGES OF AGRICULTURE AND HoME ECONOMICS
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AT
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
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Cornell University
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http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924000928782
How bo Me Sorcha [lpeoen lide y ta Hatin
Jrigecte ail
AMERICAN HORSES
AND
HORSE BREEDING.
A Complete Historp
OF THE
“HORSE FROM THE REMOTEST PERIOD IN HIS HISTORY TO DATE.
The Horseman’s Encyclopedia and Standard Authority on Horses,
BREEDS, FAMILIES, BREEDING, TRAINING, SHOEING, AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT. F
THE MODERN AND PRACTICAL HORSE DOCTOR
ON THE CAUSE, NATURE, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT OF Diszasses or Att Kinps.
Profusely Illustrated.
JOHN DIMON.
ee
HARTFORD, CONN.:
Publisbed by Fobn Dimon. 1895.
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1895, By JOHN DIMON, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
All Rights Reserved.
@I5999
THE CABE, LOCKWOOD & BRAINARO CO,, HARTFORD, CONN,
Dedication.
To Mr. ROBERT BONNER,
THE GREAT LOVER OF GOOD AND FAST HORSES, AND WHO, BY HIS LIBER- ALITY IN PURCHASING AT HIGH PRICES, HAS DONE MORE FOR THE EN- COURAGEMENT OF BREEDING THE ‘‘ AMERICAN TROTTER” THAN ANY OTHER MAN LIVING, THIS VOLUME (WITH HIS CONSENT AND APPROVAL) IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, AS A SLIGHT TOKEN OF RESPECT, BY THE AUTHOR,
JOHN DIMON.
(3)
CONTENTS.
PREFACE, IntTRODUCTION, AUTHOR’s REMARKS, PLAN oF THE Book,
CHAPTER I.
THE HORSE. Embracing his birthplace — Earliest history — Advent into America — Climatic influence and food — Greek mythology claiming immortal- ity — The first horse-dealer of the world, :
WILD HORSES OF AMERICA. Their origin, habits in a wild state — Males have frequent contests for su-
premacy — Their modes of warfare — Origin of the Indian Pony and:
Mustang — Breeds and what constitutes a breed — Skill required in forming new breeds — Names of eleven distinct breeds in America,
CHAPTER II.
THE ARABIAN HORSE.
Mahomet its founder and the first breeder of blood-horses of the world — Foundation mares for Mahomet’s stud — Beautiful points of the Ara- bian —The Arabian, the foundation of the English thoroughbred — Arabian blood in the Percheron, Morgan, and Narragansett Pacer. Six distinct breeds in Arabia — History of the Lindsey’s Arabian — Importation of Grand Bashaw in 1820. Importation of Ishmael Pacha in 1872— A. Keen Richards’ views on breeding the Arabian in Ken- tucky — Difficulty of obtaining good specimens in Arabia, .
CHAPTER III.
THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE. The oldest and best established breed of America and Europe— Breed built up on an Arabian and Barb foundation — The Darley Arabian — Definition of Thoroughbred — Imported Messenger — Imported Diomed —Imported Trustee — America’s greatest sire, Lexington — Value of thoroughbred stallions — Influence of the thoroughbred in
American-bred horses,
(5)
17 19 21 23
25
31
35
44
6 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
THE NARRAGANSETT PACER. The origin, rise, and progress of the breed — Daniel Pearce and his Stal- lion Rambler — Imported Rambler— Rambler as a Stock-horse — Great durability of the Narragansetts —Demand for export — Narra-
gansett blood in the Morgans — ‘‘ Little-neck Beach,” Narragansett,”
R. IL, as a race-course for the pacer in 1720— Mary Langworthy Southcote of York, England, as connected with the history of the Pacer, : 2 ‘ 3 5 4
CHAPTER V.
THE FRENCH CANADIAN HORSE. Early Imported into Canada from France — Climatic influence on the early horses of Canada — Hardiness and utility of the Canadian horse — Canadian blood in the American trotter and pacer — Noted Canada horses brought to the United States — Surry, the dam of Henry Clay, was a Canadian, i : .
CHAPTER VI.
THE MORGAN HORSE.
The Morgans strictly an American breed — Beauty and power of endur- ance — Justin Morgan the founder — Pedigree of Justin Morgan — Description of Justin Morgan — Sherman Morgan — Pedigree of Sher- man Morgan — Vermont Black Hawk, pedigree and history — Ethan Allen, his pedigree and history — Daniel Lambert, the great sire of beautiful roadsters and gentlemen’s driving-horses — Daniel Lam- bert’s table of honor as a sire of speed,
CHAPTER VII.
MORGAN HORSES — Continued.
Woodbury Morgan — Royal Morgan — Morgan Cesar — Green Mountain Morgan — Morgans for stage purposes — Morgan horses for cavalry service — Morgans adapted to rough and hilly roads of New England — Morgans as trotters — Ripton — Last Message of Ethan Allen,
CHAPTER VIII. RYSDYK’S HAMBLETONIAN. : History and pedigree—The Charles Kent Mare—Imp. Belfounder — Abdallah the sire of Hambletonian — Hambletonian’s Stud Career — Great Value of Horses sired by Hambletonian — Hambletonian’s sons of renown,
CHAPTER IX. ALEXANDER’S ABDALLAH. Pedigree and early history — Potency in speed for generations — Sprague’s Hambletonian one of his best sons —Sprague’s Hambletonian sire of Gov. Sprague — Alexander’s Abdallah in motion.
52
56
60
12
82
90
CONTENTS. v4
CHAPTER X. THE ELECTIONEERS.
Electioneer, the greatest trotting sire of the world — Superior to his sire in beauty of form and style of movement— Fully developed and natural trotter — Put to severe test by crossing on thoroughbreds — Marvin’s description of Electioneer — Ability to get early and extreme speed — Electioneer’s list of performers and dams of performers, . : . 93
CHAPTER XI. THE BASHAWS AND CLAYS.
Grand Bashaw, an Imp. Arabian, the founder of the families— Young Bashaw, the founder of the Bashaw family of American trotters — An- drew Jackson, founder of the Clay family —Green’s Bashaw — The Patchens, : : : , . 106
THE BLUE BULLS. Wilson’s Blue Bull— His great success in the stud — Great progenitor of harness speed — List of trotters and dams of trotters sired by Blue Bull, : ; ; ; : j . 106
CHAPTER XII. THE AMERICAN TROTTING HORSE.
As a breed—Component parts constituting the breed— Establish the American thoroughbred trotter— The American trotter as he should be bred — Breed for beauty, brains, and business — Breeding the trot- ter a progressive science— The American Trotter an American pro- duction — Chance trotters — Racing in early days— Connecticut the first State to produce the trotter— The trotting horse Yankee — The two-minute horses, Z ‘ Z ‘ : : . . 117
CHAPTER XIII. CLEVELAND BAY. Their origin and especial merits— As now bred—The demand in this country, : : ‘ 5 i ; . 125
FRENCH COACH HORSE. “The Government studs of France—The wonderful knee action of the French Coach horse — Color, 2 “ ‘ 7 ° . 128
CHAPTER XIV. THE PERCHERON HORSE. _ Breed divided into three classes— Percheron, son of the Arabian — As a
draft horse — Road qualities of the Percheron, . : i : . 185 ENGLISH DRAFT OR SHIRE HORSE. Origin and history — Disposition —Importers, . : 3: , P . 187
THE CLYDESDALE HORSE. Introduced into Scotland in the 13th century — ag Society of America —TImporters, . ; z i : . . 189
8 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XV. SHETLAND PONIES. The Shetland Isles — Sustained by the survival of the fittest — The ee of all breeds of ponies, 2 z :
CHAPTER XVI. HORSE BREEDING. Principles of Breeding — Breeding a scientific study — Nature’s great law — Breed for a purpose — Selection of the breed — Choice of the sire — Breed ‘best mares only — Intelligence, beauty, and disposition very essential elements, .
CHAPTER XVII. SELECTING BREEDING STOCK. Importance of starting right—Selecting the stallion — Influence of the dam on the foal — Stallion for stock purposes should be out of the best mares of the breed — Best age for stallions, . SELECTING THE BROOD MARE. Dams usually have more influence on foals than the sires— Unsound mares for breeders,
CHAPTER XVIII. CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE STALLION. Box Stall— Paddock — Treat kindly — Avoid undue familiarity — Feed regularly — Exercise— Avoid pampering — Grassing — Winter care — Carrots as food — Keep clear of worms — Controlling when in use,
CHAPTER XIX. CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF BROOD MARES. Getting doubtful mares in foal — Eternal vigilance price of success — The productive period — Period of gestation — Marking their foals — Use the brood mare—Stabling pregnant mares— Wheat middlings as food — Enlargement of the abdomen— Attention at foaling time — Jealous mothers,
CHAPTER XX. MANAGEMENT OF THE FOAL. Care of young foals — Getting to nurse — Evacuation of the bowels — In- jections — Feeding the foal—Injured by heated milk from the dam — Raising by hand — Weaning — Scant feeding deplored — Caring for weanlings — Halter breaking — Oats as food — Handling — daca Foals — Naming the Colt, ‘ ‘ :
CHAPTER XXI. BREEDING THE AMERICAN TROTTER. Speed one of the most attractive features— Only a small portion trot fast Breed for beauty, size, style, and action — Demand for first- class roadsters and gentlemen’s drivers always in advance of supply —
. 141
. 145
151
. 155
159
164
. 171
CONTENTS, 9
Easier to breed beauty than speed — The standard craze — The French ahead of Americans as regards general horse breeding — Selecting breeding stock— American Trotter the most modern breed — Color — Rysdyk’s Hambletonian and his best sons—Mambrino Chief — Blue Bull — Early foals preferable— Good care important, a LT
CHAPTER XXII. OLD-TIME TROTTERS.
Topgallant — Ripton—Lady Suffolk— Flora Temple— Ethan Allen— Geo. M. Patchen — Geo. Wilkes— Goldsmith Maid — American Girl —Betting on races— Dutchman — Americus — Columbus — Lady Suffolk, In Memoriam, . Z : : F : ‘ ‘ . 189
CHAPTER XXIII. FLORA TEMPLE.
Pedigree and place of breeding —Sale to Wm. H. Congdon for $13 at 4 years old — Her sale to Jonathan Vielee— Sale to Geo. E. Perrin of New York city — Her first race (in 1850) — Her peculiar race against Whitehall, Delaware Maid, Napoleon, and Hiram — Her races in 1852 —Her sale in 1852 for $1,000 — Her 21 races in 1853 — Flora’s great race against Lancet for $3,000 — Flora’s sale in 1858 for $8,000 — Her best race of her life was in 1860 against Geo. M. Patchen when she won three straight heats by a throatlatch— Flora’s last race was in 1861 — Flora was confiscated to the U. 8S. government in 1861 —Sold in 1864 for $8,000 when 19 years old, . F 5 . 199
CHAPTER XXIV. ETHAN ALLEN.
Color and description -- Breeding — A natural-born trotter — Eighteen years on the trotting turf — His great race against Dexter in 1867 — Crowned King of the Morgans — King of all trotting stallions of his day — His success in the stud— His death in 1876— Ethan Allen,
In Memoriam, a 3 & ‘ 209
GOLDSMITH MAID.
Her breeding and pedigree — Sold at 8 years for $350 — Her purchase by Alden Goldsmith —Sold in 1870, when 13 years old, for $35,000 — Her races in 1871—In 1874 she lowered the trotting record of the world to 2:14— Trotted in 2:14 at 20 years old — Retired to the breeding stud in 1876 — Goldsmith Maid, In Memoriam, . . . 211
CHAPTER XXV. GEORGE M. PATCHEN.
Foaled 1849— Pedigree —Distanced by Ethan Allen 1858— Unfinished race with Flora Temple in 1859— Defeated Ethan Allen in 1860— His last race 1860 with Flora Temple — Died in 1864 — Sire of the campaigners Geo. M. Patchen, Jr., and Lucy, . ‘ F . 215
10 CONTENTS.
GEORGE WILKES.
Founder of the Wilkes family — Pedigree — Raised by hand — First trotted under name of Robt. Fullingham — Defeated Ethan Allen, 1862, winning $10,000 — Defeated Lady Thorne in 1868 — His record 2:22 made 1868 — Died in sipiecaee in 1882, aged 26 years— Roll of honor, . P : 2 } . 216
CHAPTER XXVI. DEXTER.
Place of breeding and pedigree — Recognized ‘“‘ king of the trotting turf” — Commenced turf career in 1864 and ended in 1867— Timed a sep- arate mile in 2:16 in his great race with Ethan Allen — Gen. Grant's ride after Dexter — Died in 1888 at 30 years, z 5 ‘ ‘ . 221
AMERICAN GIRL.
Pedigree and birth — Her sale for $3,500 — Won many thousand dollars in races — Died in harness— Monument erected to hermemory, . » 223
CHAPTER XXVII. THE FIVE GREAT TROTTING BROOD MARES OF THE WORLD. GREEN MounraIn Marp: Dam of nine in 2:30 list — Two in 2:20 — One in 2:20 — Dam of the great Electioneer, with 155 trotters in the
list— Pedigree, . : : j 3 4 : ‘ 226 BeavutiFuL Beiys: Pedigree — Dam of seven in 2:30 list — Dam of six- teen foals, : Z : : : : , ‘ . 227
Miss RussELL: Pedigree— Dam of nineteen foals— Dam of Maud 6., 2:08%, etc. —Canadian blood mingled with thoroughbred in ped-
igree, . . 27 Doty : Pediores - — Dam ot three great sires — Daim of Czarina — Object
lesson for breeders, : 228 Atma Mater: Pedigree — Dam of eight 2: 30 trotters _ Data of ‘Atean:
tara — Threw trotters to six different stallions, . ‘ . 228
CHAPTER XXVIII. BREAKING AND TRAINING COLTS. Educate vs. breaking — First lessons to teach — Bitting — Teach ‘‘ whoa” — Give short lessons— Reward good behavior — Hitching double — Patience required — Kicking — Shying — Confidence — Training for draft— Trainin line, . : : “ : 5 . 229
CHAPTER XXIX. TRAINING FOR SPEED.
High-bred and high-mettled most easily educated — Give lessons on track, street, or road— Early development of speed— Watch temper and disposition — Short brushes recommended — Don’t overwork — Skel- eton wagon — The mouth — Pulling — The check, . 2 : 236
CONTENTS. 11
CHAPTER XXX. TRAINING VICIOUS HORSES. Old English method — Biting, kicking, and balking — Patience and firm- ness required — Causes of balking — The cord — Isolation for balkers — Kicking in harness — Checking — Biting, Rarey’s method of curing — War Bridle — Pulling on the halter — Shying — Pawing in stall, . 242
CHAPTER XXXI. TRAINING CIRCUS HORSES. Height of perfection in training — Skillful education — Mild treatment best — Sensible to applauds of the audience — High prices of well- trained ring-horses, , ‘ F ‘ a c F a r . 253
CHAPTER XXXII. FEEDING AND STABLE MANAGEMENT. Value of different foods — Neatness and cleanness—— Change of food nec- essary — Treat kindly —Indian corn — Watering — Overfeeding — Corn meal— Flax seed — Roots — Light and ventilation — Blankets, 256
CHAPTER XXXIII. MANAGEMENT OF TEAMS ON THE FARM AND ON THE ROAD. Don’t rush in the morning — Good vs. poor teamsters— Don’t yell — Don’t swear — Noon feed — Groom properly — Food — Blankets, etc , 262
CHAPTER XXXIV. .; MANAGEMENT OF ROAD AND DRIVING HORSES. Start out moderate — Long distance driving —Water frequently — Check- ing — Hitching to buggy — Whip — Feeding on the road — Short dis- tance driving — Have reins wellin hand, . j . 266
CHAPTER XXXV. HANDLING AND MANAGING TROTTERS. Author as a judge in races— The trainer — The driver— The swipe — Big-head — Early vs. Late Training — Toe weights — Jogging — The Mouth — Stabling — Treating a warm horse — Time to succeed, . 271
CHAPTER XXXVI. BUYING AND SELLING HORSES. Requisite qualification — Location — Suavity — Expert on horses — Buy- ing for the market — Showing sale horses — The coachman, . + 281
CHAPTER XXXVII. SWAPPING HORSES AND HORSE JOCKEY TRICKS. Author’s experience in trade — Brighton Market — Swapping with a minister — Putting off for slight faults — ” neighbor’s horse-trade — Getting a fitty one, . : : ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ . 289
12 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXVITI. DENTITION AND AGE AS SHOWN BY THE TEETH. Description of teeth at different ages — Number of a full set — Classes — Bishoping — Explanatory cuts — Shedding — Full mouth — General signs of old age — Comparative age of man and horse — Great age of horses — Zodlogists’ claim, . ; i | F . 800
CHAPTER XXXIX. THE LANGUAGE AND SAGACITY OF THE HORSE. Author’s experiences — Old Dobbin — Nellie Bly — Lady Barebones —. Fanny Fern — Cora Linn — Fanny Kenyon — Maggie Dimon — Bel- mont Maid — Golden Rule — Rufus Molburn’s Mare, ; . 308
CHAPTER XL. GRAY HORSES. The White Turk — Places White Turk — Imported Messenger — Harris’ Hambletonian — Gray Eagle — Crack regiment of the British army — On the American turf — Kitty Bayard — Emma-B, — Joe Brown — Miss Russell — Pilot Medium, ‘ : A : ‘ . 816
EXHIBITION OF HORSES. The first National in Springfield, Mass., in 1858, . 3 ‘ . . 819
CHAPTER XLI. THE HORSE’S FOOT. The Wall — The Sole — The Frog — The Bars — Coffin-bone — Pedal bone, : . 3 ‘ 7 ‘ . , 320
SHOEING HORSES.
First introduced into England, A.D. 1060 — Public shoers should be re- quired by law to understand the business — Injuries by bad shoeing numerous — Leveling and balancing — No foot, no horse — Never ™ pare the sole or frog — Fit the shoe to the foot — The clip — Use of the rasp in shoeing — Fiber shoes, : i ‘ ‘ ‘ : . 824
CHAPTER XLII. THE CHECK REIN.
Taut checking injurious — The Over-draw check — Study the natural beauty of the horse — Stumbling, ee a ee eS
CHAPTER XLIII. A BRIEF HISTORY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE.
Necessity the mother of invention — First veterinary school of the world, Lyons, France, 1761 — First in England, 1795, . ooo 886
QUACK MEDICINES. Generally well advertised — Opinionated grooms— Veterinary quacks, . 340
CONTENTS. 13
CHAPTER XLIV. GIVING MEDICINE. Medicine best in balls — Dimon’s Spavin Cure — Dimon’s Colic Remedy — Dimon’s Black Oil — Liniments — Ointment — Salve — Dimon’s Liniments — Dimon’s Condition powders — Dimon’s Leg-wash, . . 845
SYMPTOMS OF DISEASES. The Pulse — The Ears — Membrane of the nose — Eyes — Mouth — Breathing — Skin — Flanks — Drooping of the head — Lying down — Pointing with nose and foot, . : : é . 348
CHAPTER XLY. HORSE AILMENTS AND HOW TO DOCTOR THEM.
Bone Spavin — Bronchitis — Brittle Hoof — Blindness — Blistering —~ Bots — Cataracts — Contraction of Hoof — Colic — Capped Hock — Curbs — Cough — Corns — Distemper — Diarrhoea — Drying the Sweat — Fever — Fistula — Founder — Fits — Galls— Glanders, . 351
CHAPTER XLVI. HORSE AILMENTS AND HOW TO DOCTOR THEM-— Continued. Heaves — Inflammations — Indigestion — Lameness — Lampas — Lung ; Fever — Lice — Locked Jaw — Mange — Proud Flesh — Pleuro Pneumonia — Poll Evil —Quitor —Roaring — Ringbone — Scratches— Stumbling -— Shoe Boil — Slavering — Seatons — Strains — Sprains — Surfeit — Splint — Stocking — String Halt — Sweeney— Thrush — Tumors — Tail Rubbing — Thick Water — ee _ eee — Wind Galls — Worms, . i % a . 875
CHAPTER XLVILI. MISCELLANEOUS. Gentlemen horsemen — To become famous — Castration — Conditioning — To administer chloroform — Significance of the Bay color — Dock- ing — Warranty — Runaway to stop — Trotting standard — Pacing standard — Rules for laying out tracks — Rules of admission, . . 400
CHAPTER XLVIII. The World’s Fastest Records — Fastest Records, All ways of going — Breeding of the fastest horses — Tables of fastest records, : . 411 APPENDIX. Giving names, description, characteristics, etc., of upwards of one hun-
dred of the author’s most noted horses — Author's concluding re- marks, etc., . 1 3 3 3 é : ‘ , ‘ : . 425
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.
AGE AS SHOWN BY TEETH, AGRICOLA,
AMERICAN TROTTER, ARABIAN HORsE,
AUTHOR, .
Bayarp,
Buiack Hawk,
Bivue Buuu,
CaNnaDIAN Horse,
CHECK REINS, .
CLAMPS FOR Cismarion, CLEVELAND Bay Horss, CLYDESDALE STALLION, CoNTRACTED Foot,
Corn ILLUSTRATED, DanrEL LAMBERT, -~ DENTITION AND AGE Theaememne, Dimon, Joun, Disease (Lilustrated “Cuts, Docxine (Three Cuts), Ene.isH SHrRE Horss, . EruHan ALLEN,
Fuiora TEMPLE,
Foot ContTRACTED,
Foot SHowine Corn,
Foot READY FOR SHOE, Frenco CoacH Horse, GENERAL,
GREEN MovUNTAIN Monon, GREEN Mountain Mar, Group or SHETLAND Ponrss, GoLpsmitH Mar, HAMBLETONIAN,
Horse ILLUSTRATED,
Hocss ILLustRATED, IMPORTED MESSENGER, InTAact,
IsHmMaEL Pacua,
Justin Morean,
" (15)
801-304
187
265
35 Frontispiece. 236
117
108
55
832-384, 406
402
125
139
823
364
177
801-304 Frontismere.
352, 344, 368
ANG
137
209
199
323
364
825
128
336, 368
16 INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.
La CANADIENNE, . ; ; P ‘ eo. Oy ’ 7 3 : 55
La FErts, 2 F “ 4 ; : . é 7 3 135 Lavy SuFrFoLx, . : é F i - F 3 195 _ Lea, SHOWING Ancien, ETC., . 2 2 : ‘ A : 353 Lee, SHowine PasTERN, ETC, . j ‘ 4 . 3 ; R 354 Marmion, . 3 : : 3 ‘ ‘ 125 MESSENGER, . ‘ ; : ‘ : 2 43 Motion, . F ‘ a , 2 271 OVERDRAW CHECK, ‘ F 332-334, 406 PasTERNS, ETC., . ‘ ‘ ; ‘i 354 PERCHERON, . 4 R 2 : . 256 PERCHERON STALLION, Iain, Dx Finers, . é m 135 Prince RUDOLPH, . : i . ‘ ‘ . A , . 1389 PROFILE OF HEAD AND FACE, ‘ : A § i ‘i 305 Rosr. McGRecor, . ‘ : : Ba Ne ; : F 141 Romu.vts, ‘ i : : ‘ . F F ‘ 25 Ryspyk’s FRouenoRrin. ‘ . ; 3 3 7 : ‘ 7 81 SATELLITE, . - : i : : : 2 2 : 151, 265 SHERMAN Morean, . , ‘ , ; : : 2 72 SHETLAND Pontss, . : ‘ ' ‘ P F 171 SHETLAND STALLION, . : : , : : % ; ; 141 SKELETON OF THE Horse, . 2 : i . j ‘ 336 Spavin (Illustrated), ‘ ‘ 7 ‘ : ‘ 351 Sounp Foot READY FoR SHOE, . i ‘ z 2 825 Stockton Kine, . , , : 5 é ‘ é . , 93 «TEETH SHOWING AGE, . . : ; F , 801-804 Tue AUTHOR, . 4 ‘ : ; ‘ : : Frontispiece. THE CHECK-REIN, . : : ‘ : , ; 332-334, 406 TypicaL Morcan Horse, : : : ‘ 7 : . 145 Unver Surrack or Foot, ‘ : : ‘ . , 5 323 VICTORIA, a : 163
VERMONT BLACK Haws. : : f 2 . ‘ F 5 117
is
PREFACE.
N presenting this book to the public, I wish to say that I
have no hobby or pet theory to advertise, but have striven
to give, in a condensed form, all that I know of this noble and
useful animal, the horse, after having made him a study for
more than half a century; embracing what I have learned of
him from history, both verbal and written, and from observa- tion and experience, as well.
This said experience embraces a period of nearly sixty years; during which time I have ridden, driven, worked, bred, handled, trained, bought, sold, traded, castrated, and doctored, perhaps no less than five thousand animals. I have owned and handled for stock purposes some quite good stallions, and in all cases of a quality to materially improve the horse stock of the .section in which they stood for service.
I have been personally acquainted with many of the most noted horsemen of America for the last forty years, and knew most of the old time notable trotters; but after all, as my friend, the late Dr. Levi Herr, once said: “The practical and experienced, as well as the aged horsemen and breeders, are under the tuition of professional lawyers, such as oo naming several of that time,—“‘who have learned more by studying law on horsemanship, breeding, training, etc., than we who have made a life study of the same. They have sud- denly jumped their professions and are now professors of breed- ing, training, and horsemanship in full.”
My own experience with horses, in both the United States and Canada, embraces castration, conditioning, and many years of general veterinary practice which has proven very success- ful, and I believe in all cases satisfactory to my patrons. Still, I am not a-professional veterinary surgeon, sporting a diploma; neither am I a professional driver in races. I have bred many
2 (17)
18 PREFACE.
good and fast roadsters with breeding good enough for fast records, yet I have never entered a horse in a trotting race for money or bet on the results of a horse race in my life.
We measure genius not merely by a man’s social status but by the “empire of his ideas,” the results which they enforce and the benefits which inure through them to the world. I have had a long-cherished wish to be in some way a benefactor to my country, and believe by giving to the breeding public my views founded on so many years of study, observation, and practical experience, I can best accomplish that end.
I virtually commenced this book in 1866 (some 28 years ago). I have been greatly assisted in this work, as to inform- ation, etc., and especially as to the true pedigree of Justin Morgan, by such gentlemen as the Messrs. McClellan of W'ood- stock, Conn. (father, uncle, and cousins of the late Gen. Geo. B. McClellan), and other gentlemen of Connecticut and Massa- chusetts.
Should I attempt to narrate one-half of what has been told me by such venerable horsemen, or to produce one-quarter of’ my correspondence with such persons, that matter would of itself make a book double the size of this; consequently, I con- fine myself to the facts gathered as being of more importance to my readers than to oblige them to wade through the waters that I have passed through in order to gather them.
As to the illustrations contained herein, I have endeavored to give the true likeness of a few of the most noted horses mentioned, and that of myself, the author, thinking that these may be both interesting and instructive to my readers; but have refrained from filling up the book with illustrations for- eign to the object of the work for the sake of making an unnecessarily large and high-priced book.
I have been too much of an investigator and too liberal in my views to get rich in this world, but have endeavored to so live that after my death my children might feel proud of being the sons and daughters of
JOHN DIMON.
INTRODUCTION.
NE of the first questions naturally asked by the would-
be purchaser and reader of this book will be: “Who
is Dimon, and what does he know about horses? Is he a prac-
tical horseman, or a mere theorist like so many others, who, in
their eagerness to teach, have so long attempted to teach that of which they knew so little?”
This country, for years past, has been literally flooded with “horse literature,” some of which has been of a character that will require years of careful teaching to unteach what it has taught.
“Well, who is Dimon, the author of this book?” It is John Dimon, born on Mount Hope Farm, Bristol, R. I, near the spot where that great Indian warrior, the chief of the Nar- ragansetts,— King Philip,— was captured. Born in 1828; his ancestors were natural horsemen, one of whom was the founder of a breed of horses in this country, known as the Narragan- sett Pacer. This ancestor was an Englishman, and belonged to one of the oldest horse-breeding and horse-loving families of England at the time of the improvement of the English horse by the introduction of the Arabian and Barb blood in the days of the reign of Queen Anne.
“Well, is John Dimon, the author of this book, capable of teaching the world as regards the horse?” From his earliest recollection the author was an ardent admirer of live stock in general, and the horse in particular. Memory recalls the time when but five years old his favorite child’s playthings were feathers of fowls and birds, which he, in his childish imagina- tion, designated as horses and cattle of different classes, accord- ing to their shape, etc. For picture books, those containing
(19)
20 INTRODUCTION.
the pictures of horses and other animals were the ones most desirable.
From that time on he has ever been a keen observer, a deep thinker, a practical caretaker, handler, breeder, dealer, trainer, and doctor, of this, to him, the most favorite animal of the world, the horse; and in giving to others this life-long experi- ence, it seems clearly evident that he must be capable of teach- ing, and that his teachings, as presented in this book, cannot be otherwise than instructive and profitable.
AUTHOR'S REMARKS.
S acknowledgments received of my knowledge of horses
and my ability to judge, care for, and give instructions
relative to, at different periods, I will mention a few, as perhaps not being out of place here.
In 1855, when a young man of twenty-seven years, I was unanimously appointed a judge of horses in the stallion class at the United States Agricultural Society’s Fair, held in Bos- ton, Mass., and where Ethan Allen and many other noted stal- lions of that day were exhibited.
At the outbreak of the civil:war in America, in 1861, I was offered a lieutenant’s commission to go out with the First Rhode Island Cavalry, as general superintendent of horses of that cavalry.
In 1870, on the occasion of acting as mounted escort to the President of the United States, Gen. Grant, on his memorable Fourth of July visit to Woodstock, Conn., as the guest of Henry ©. Bowen, of the Wew York Independent, at a halt on our line of march from Putnam to Woodstock, I was intro- duced to President Grant by Mr. Bowen, as being one of the enterprising young men of Windham county. The President remarked that I was mounted on a good animal which he would wager was a Morgan. Mr. Bowen’s reply was: “Mr. Dimon is considered one of the best horsemen in this State, and if he rides a poor horse it is not for want of judgment in selecting.”
In 1872, during the time of the great wide-spread epidemic among horses called “epizootic,” which for a time prostrated nearly all the horses in the country, and which proved fatal to
so many, I had under my charge no less than twenty good ones, (21)
22 AUTHOR’S REMARKS.
representing at that time not less than ten thousand dollars, among which was the imported thoroughbred stallion, Hamp- ton Court, and other notables of that period, which were all more or less affected by the disease. I was my own doctor and saved them all; and, what is more, they all recovered sound, while so many throughout the land that survived at all were more or less worthless ever after.
In 1880 I served on committee of stallions at the State Fair of Kentucky, going from Connecticut for the purpose, and at the greatest stallion exhibition Kentucky had ever made up to that time.
In 1881 I served the New England Agricultural Society as chairman of committee on mares and colts, and all geldings and fillies, at their greatest fair ever held in Worcester, Mass.
Another great compliment of my life was to be told in writing by the President of a Farmer’s Institute, in Canada, on the occasion of being invited by the Institute to read a paper on horses before them at their winter meeting of 1886, in the city of Hamilton, Ontario: “But few men in Canada are com- petent to handle this subject at all, and perhaps no man in Ontario as capable as yourself; and all the executive commit- tee would esteem it a personal favor if you could kindly grant. our request.”
Again, on the occasion of my reading a well-received paper before the Indiana Horse Breeder’s Convention in the city of Indianapolis, in 1893, the “horse papers” spoke of me as a “venerable horseman, well versed in ancient horse history.”
If not as well versed in modern as ancient horse history, it. is not for lack of study, observation, and a desire to keep up with the times. I know that proffered knowledge is often of- fensive, and in horses and horse breeding particularly so; and the man who dares advocate what he knows to be true, but unknown to others, must have strong moral courage with actual knowledge.
AUTHOR’S REMARKS. 23
THE PLAN OF THE BOOK.
The object of the author in planning this book was to have it so arranged that the breeder, farmer, teamster, liveryman, horse student, and, in fact, anyone desirous of obtaining inform- ation of any kind concerning the horse, whether in relation to his breeding and the different breeds, or to feeding, training, shoeing, doctoring, use, and general management, can readily find the information desired so arranged: under its proper head- ings as to be easily come-at-able.
In treating of diseases and their remedies, the author has endeavored to use the English language void of technicalities, and made as plain and easily understood as possible. Perhaps not so plain that “he who runs may read; and the wayfaring man, though a fool, may not err therein,” but so plain that the average farmer aid the average farmer’s son may find and readily understand the desired information sought in relation to any subject connected with the horse from long before his advent into the world on to the time of his death. A horse text-book, in fact, relating to all subjects connected with the horse, from his earliest history down ees all ages to the present time.
The horseman’s everyday book, which may be profitably consulted every day in the year. The standard authority on horses, embracing all knowledge necessary for the instruction of the breeder, owner, and student, but not entering into racing and race records, except in individual cases, as connected with breeding, and to give the world’s fastest records in all ways of going and the fastest trotting and pacing of animals of all ages from one to five years to January 1, 1895.
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CHAPTER I.
THE HORSE.
Embracing his birthplace — Earliest history — Advent into America— Cli- matic influence and food — Greek mythology claiming immortality — First horse dealer— Wild horses of America — Origin, habits, ete.— Origin of the Indian pony, bronco, and mustang — Breeds — Skill re- quired in breeding — Classification of breeds.
O write a history of the horse is like writing the history
of kings, and in many instances the history of kings
and rulers, in both ancient and modern times, is closely inter- woven with that of the horse.
As to the special country that can, by right, claim the proud honor of being the birthplace of this noble animal, we must accept some indirect—though quite reasonable —testi- mony, fixing Africa as his original home, Africa, alone, being the parent country of the Zebra and Quagga, in many respects his kin; although Egypt is the country in which mention is first made of him some 3,600 years ago.
The earliest monumental records of Egypt which give any clue to the use of the horse are about 1900 years B. C., where
“he is pictured as drawing chariots used in war. From the
writings of early Greek historians it is evident that horses ‘have been used in Greece since about that time, so that we have quite a connected history of the horse for about 3,800 years. :
The Bible, being the most ancient, and perhaps the most authentic, of all existing ancient histories, fails to mention the horse until the reign of Pharaoh as King of Egypt. Although in the history of Abraham we find frequent mention of the ass, the camel, of flocks and herds, of oxen and sheep, yet no
allusion to the horse is made until the time of Joseph, the (25)
26 THE HORSE.
Syrian, who, as Pharaoh’s manager in the time of the great Egyptian famine 1707 years B. C., exchanged bread-stuff for horses with the Egyptian cultivators and stock breeders, thus placing himself on record as the first horse dealer in history. At the death of Joseph’s father, Jacob, we read that his funeral was attended by both chariots and horsemen. Job’s description of the equine monarch upwards of 3,400 years ago is familiar to most of us.
Although man was given “dominion over all beasts of the field” it was only after long acquaintance and trial that the horse was subdued to his will. At first he was only driven before the war chariot; later, he was ridden in battle and ap- pears to have been speedily adopted for use in battle, and since which time, during all these 3,385 years, the war horse has been the right arm of a mighty power on hard contested bat- tle fields of nearly all nations and in nearly all climes. The first account we have of horses being used in war was by one of the Pharaohs, King of Egypt, when he pursued the children of Israel in their escape from Egyptian bondage, with
«« A thousand horse and men to ride, With flowing tail and flying mane ; A thousand horse, the wild, the free,
All buried in the deep, Red Sea.”
This chariot cavalry goes on record as the first in history and with very disastrous results, 1,491 years B.C., or 3,385 years ago.
The shepherd kings of Egypt, whose origin is unknown,. introduced him into Lower Egypt, which afterwards became his principal breeding district, from whence he gradually be- came introduced into Arabia and other Asiatic countries.
The first we know of his advent into the New World, and the first importation into America for stock purposes was by Columbus in 1493—some four hundred years ago—thus plac- ing Columbus on record as the first importer of this animal into this country.
The first horses ever landed in the United States were im-
THE HORSE. 27
ported to Florida in 1527 by Cabeza de Vaca, but of this im- portation — 42 in number — none survived.
The next importation was by De Soto from Spain, and to which importation is doubtless attributed the origin of the wild horse of Texas and the prairies,—a race of horse which are to this day strongly marked with the characteristics of the Spanish blood.
In 1608 the French introduced horses into Canada, where the present race of Canadian horses, though degenerated in size owing to climatic influences, still show sufficiently distinct. the blood of the Norman and Brittain breeds.
In 1609 there was a small importation of six horses and one stallion from England to Jamestown, Va., where in 1657 the importance of increasing the stock of this valuable animal became of such recognized importance that an act was passed prohibiting its exportation.
New York received its first importation of horses in 1625, imported from Holland by the Dutch West India Company. They were of the Flanders breed, from which descended the Conestoga horse of Pennsylvania.
In 1629 the plantations of Massachusetts Bay received its first importation of horses from England.
The wild horses of the plains of South America and of the great prairies of North America are undoubtedly descendants of parents turned loose by the Spanish at the abandonment of Buenos Ayres in 1775.
Another opportunity for such an origin was furnished in the “bloody wars” of Mexico and Peru, the issues of which, in many cases, were disastrous to the Spaniards. Consequently, the war horses whose riders were slain could have made a break for. liberty, and rapidly propagated their species on the vast, luxuriant plains, so well provided by Nature with food, ‘water, genial climate, and the absence of beasts of prey with power to contend with so formidable an enemy.
De Soto also had a large cavalry in his expedition in which he discovered the Mississippi River and found a grave in
28 THE HORSE.
its bosom; and when his men returned home in frail boats built by themselves, they undoubtedly left their horses behind them ; thus they too probably became a factor in the produc- tion of these once great and mighty herds of wild horses of the plains.
In a state of nature the same uniformity that now charac- terizes the buffalo, the elk, and the deer families belonged to the horse.
The ponderous English cart horse, the fleet runner, the fast trotter, and the diminutive pony are all descended from the same original type. Climatic influence and food have worked wonders in making the vast difference at present between the Shetland pony, occupying the bleak, barren, and tempestuous isles—lying in the latitude of 59 and 60 degrees— north of Scotland, scanty herbage, and long, cold winters have dwarfed the horses of that country to the most diminutive of all ponies, while from the same originals reared for centuries on the rich and nutritious herbage and grains of, and in the mild climate ten degrees further south on the European coast, we find the immense draft horses of Flanders and Normandy.
While climatic and other influences have done so much to cause the divergence which now exists in races once uniform, | selections by man have also been at work, in some cases co-op- erating with the influences of climate, thereby hastening the transformation in some cases and counteracting it in others.
We have an illustration of this in the horses of Canada. It is quite evident that if the causes that have given us the little, tough pony of the Province of Quebec were continued without interruption for a succession of generations, hastened on by selections of breeding stock with that object constantly in view, we would, in due course of time, have created a race as diminutive in size as the pony of the Shetland Isles.
As has been said: “ We find a very striking illustration of divergences from a type singularly uniform in the case of the . domestic pigeon, of which there are nearly three hundred
THE HORSE. 29
varieties, all more or less distinct, and all descended from one common ancestry, the common wild pigeon.”
As my friend Agassiz once remarked at a meeting in 1864:
“There is a tendency in all animal life to adapt itself to the conditions under which it must live, but a change may be so abrupt and complete as to overcome this tendency, and under such condition the race would speedily become extinct, or gradually die out with a few generations of feeble descend- ants; but under circumstances less sudden and unfavorable a few might survive, being those individuals that from peculi- arity of organism suffered less from the change. These, in their turn, would produce the peculiarities of their race modi- fied by the new surrounding conditions. These, again, would produce animals still better adapted to the new order of things, until, in course of time, we should have a race widely differing from the original type created — or evolved — by a ‘survival of the fittest,’ and remodeled and refashioned by these changed conditions of life.”
There is no class of domestic animals in which the effects of climate and food are more apparent than in the horse. Na- ture’s law. in the history of the world demonstrates that when- ever the horse has existed for centuries on rich and fertile plains and in temperate climates, he becomes distinguished for size and strength; whenever he has been the inhabitant of cold and mountainous regions he becomes diminutive and hardy, if left largely to care for himself. Man may do much by supply- ing warm stables and abundant food, as well as by selection, to counteract the influence of climate; but in spite of his inter- ference, the tendency will constantly be to adhere to Nature’s great law in this respect.
Mountainous regions and rigorous climate will produce the toughest and hardiest races of horses, as has been demonstrated in the New England Morgans and Canadian horses of our own country ; while our fertile prairies and luxuriant bottom lands. and valleys are by Nature adapted as the home of the heavy draft horse.
30 THE HORSE.
The lesson taught by these illustrations is obvious: none of our improved breeds of horses, or other animals, are adapted to all climates or all conditions of life. To be at their best they must each be kept and cared for as nearly as possible under the same conditions, as to food and climate, as when they attained their greatest excellence.
According to Greek mythology, the horse was the gift of gods to men when Neptune struck the earth with his tri- dent; and he was made immortal that he might bear his master company to that land beyond the dividing river.
Congressman John E. Russell of Massachusetts, when Sec- retary of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture in 1886, in a lecture before that body, goes on record as saying that the horse is the only beast that goes to Heaven.
No other animal is, or can be so thoroughly adapted to the wants of man as the horse. For work or for pleasure he is the quick, ready, willing, intelligent, and capable servant of the human race. He enters with cheerfulness into the hardest of labor, carries man’s heaviest burdens, hauls his huge loads, breaks up his tough lands, cultivates his crops, markets his produce, etc.; or in administering to our pleasures he is the same unfailing friend.
The business man, the sporting man, and the man of leisure alike go to the horse for their recreation. Entering with the keenest zest into the excitement of the speed ring, he furnishes by far the most popular sport of the age. In the shafts, at the pole, or under the saddle, he gladly rests and refreshes the worried brain-worker, the imprisoned merchant, and the wearied farmer. He is alike subservient to the child and the adult, to the gentler or to the sterner sex, refusing no service which his herculean strength will enable him to perform.
The horse stock of the United States has continued to increase in numbers and value, until now, according to the government tax returns for 1893, they amount to $769,224,799, which, no doubt, means to represent a purchasing power of not less than a cool $1,000,000,000.
WILD HORSES OF AMERICA. 31
WILD HORSES OF AMERICA.
The Wild Horses of America have probably no earlier an- cestry in this country than the dates of the Spanish explorers. There seems to have been no horses here before the discovery of Columbus in 1492. There is no evidence that the horse existed in America before Columbus’s time, although fossil remains of some early animal of the horse species have been found, but concerning which little appears to have been known. According to generally received authority, Columbus, on his second voyage to this country, brought over a number of horses in order that they might be bred here.
The Spaniards in their later incursions brought over a num- ber of war horses, and De Soto, in his exploits, wherein he discovered the Mississippi River, had a heavy force of cavalry, that, after their leader was drowned and when his followers returned home, were set loose and abandoned to their fate; many of which doubtless survived and were the origin of the ‘Wild Horse of Texas and the Prairies.
Horses thus abandoned by the early discoverers and settlers were, in time, used by the Indians, and to such may be traced the Mustang of to-day, whose habits, in the wild ‘state, were well worth studying, for in some particulars they possessed almost human intelligence.
They chose their own chief, which ruled and governed them in an intelligent manner, giving the signal for change of pasture and of danger from any source. When they find a pasture dried up they take up a line of march for “greener fields and pastures new,” the chief taking the lead of the column, and who is the first to throw himself into a ravine, a river, or an unknown wood. If any extraordinary object appears, the chief commands a halt. He then goes to discover what it is, and on his return gives by neigh the signal of confi- dence, of flight, or of combat. If a fierce enemy presents itself, that cannot be escaped by flight, the herd unite themselves into a circular cluster, all heads turned towards the center where the young animals take refuge. It is seldom that such a
382 WILD HORSES OF AMERICA.
maneuver does not force the bears, tigers, or mountain lions to make a precipitate retreat.
The large herds generally composed of several thousand individuals, divide themselves into many families, each of which is formed of a male and a certain number of mares and foals that follow and obey the male with docility. The chief horse is exclusive sultan, all the mares belong to him by right of force, and woe to the foolhardy one that disputes with him his seraglio and authority; he defies him, fights him, makes him retire, and sometimes makes him pay for his audacity by the loss of his life.
Often the conqueror pardons his foe but might not be so generous could he foresee that his vanquished enemy was only going to wait until age had given him greater force and courage to renew the combat.
. Males frequently have fierce contest for the supremacy, and males that have contended unsuccessfully are often driven off to a solitary life. On the appearance of danger, the chief stallion of a small herd seems to direct the movements of all, and even the larger herds— numbering in some instances thou- sands —seem instinctively to move in concert, so that when they are assailed the stronger animals oppose the enemy and protect the younger and weaker. Even hungry wolves when in packs attack with success only weakened stragglers, and even the jaguar is repelled.
In fighting, horses either raise themselves on their hind feet. and bring down their fore feet with great force on the enemy, or, wheeling about, kick violently with the hind feet. The teeth are also used as powerful weapons of warfare.
When the chief becomes old and loses his vigor he then succumbs under the kicks and blows of his rival or dies from misery and shame; and thus, “the survival of the fittest” is continually perpetuated.
Those American Wild Horses known by the name of Mus- tangs, Bronchos, and Indian Ponies, as has been stated, are direct descendants of the Spanish breed of horses and, un-
BREEDS. 33
doubtedly, of the best horses of Spain at the time of their importation. They have been perpetuated until recently without the intermixture of foreign or new blood. Being left wholly to themselves in a state of nature without. the inter- ference of man, they have, despite of all enemies and hardships, held their own as a breed or race, relying wholly on nature’s great law of “the survival of the fittest”; and to this day they still retain the color, style; and general character- istics of the Spanish horse, as found in Spain at the present time; although, perhaps, in some instances, and especially so with those occupying the more northern and colder portions of our great West, they are, as a whole, somewhat smaller than the original type of the Spanish horse.
These ponies, as we call them, are, when taken in their wild state, and especially when somewhat up in years, rather hard to break or train for the uses of man, but when properly broken, are, as a rule, willing and faithful servants, and are generally as tough as whitleather.
These ponies have occasionally been crossed with the im- proved breeds of our American horses with quite satisfactory results.
BREEDS.
What constitutes a breed? A family of animals having a general resemblance in form, size, color or colors, a close affinity in quality of products, a similarity of disposition and habits, and the power to transmit all these so as to reduce the varia- tions to a very narrow minimum.
In the successive steps required to produce a breed the gra- dations toward perfection are slow and very gradual; there will be many instances of the peculiar qualities of the element- ary materials cropping out that are objectionable, and only after the most labored and painstaking selection of the fittest material for further production will the ideal, be obtained. Consequently, the work of originating a useful breed is one of time, requiring more patience than most men are willing to bestow upon it; but when they succeed in giving to the world
8
34 BREEDS. *
a new breed in any line that is useful, they are worthy of im- perishable remembrance, as large numbers of mankind partici- pate in the advantages derived from their painstaking efforts.
When a fixity of type is obtained, with the corresponding peculiarities, the breed may be said to be established. There are stages when the promoters of a breed are liable to be assailed owing to the incompleteness of their work,*and yet they may be on the highway to completion and success.
It requires skill almost amounting to genius to build up any new breed of animals that shall have only the characteristics that are desired. It was said of Bakewell, one of the first great improvers of live stock in Great Britain, that he regarded the animals under his care as wax in his hands, out of which, in due time, he could mould any form he desired to create.
Utility is the grand ultimatum by which the general public will judge of the merits of a breed. The science of horse breeding has developed special horses for special work, and no one breed or class can fill the requirement of the market de- mands for draft horses, coachers, saddlers, and racing or sporting horses. Hence, all breeds have their own special adaptation of usefulness.
The different breeds of horses recognized and treated of in this book are as follows: Arabian, Thoroughbred, Narragan- sett Pacer, French Canadian, the American Trotter (composed of several families),— Morgans, Hambletonians, Bashaws, Clays, etc., — French, Coach, Cleveland Bay, Shetland Pony.
Of draft breeds: Percheron, English Draft, and Clydes- dale. Making eleven distinct breeds in all.
"SLOT Ul ydASq wory pozrodwuy ‘NOITIVLS NVICVUV ‘VHOVd THVWHSI
CHAPTER IL. : THE ARABIAN HORSE.
Mahomet its founder— Foundation mares for Mahomet’s stud — Beautiful points of the Arabian — The Arabian the foundation of the Thorough- bred horse — Arabian blood in the Percheron, Morgan, and Narragan- sett pacer — Six distinct breeds in Arabia — History of the Lindsey’s Arabian — Imported Grand Bashaw — Imported Ishmael Pasha — The Arabian in Kentucky — Difficulty of obtaining good specimens in Arabia.
HE greater portion of Arabia is illy adapted to the rais- ing of good horses, and previous to the days of Mahomet horses were scarcely recognized as a part of the possessions of the Arab, their riches consisting chiefly in camels, oxen, sheep, and goats; but Mahomet was an enthusiastic lover of the horse, and it appears a thorough horseman, and while he succeeded in engrafting upon so large a portion of the Eastern world his own peculiar religious tenets, he also imbued his fol- lowers in a great degree with his enthusiastic admiration of the | horse. Kindness to and love for this noble animal was made a part of the religious duty of all true followers of this great Oriental prophet.
Mahomet, it appears, was not only a sanguine lover, but a great improver as well, of the horse, thus placing himself on record as the first successful breeder of blood horses in history. From the days of Mahomet down to the present time the Arab has held his stud, and especially his mares, in a sort of superstitious reverence. Mahomet, during his life, had accumulated for himself, by careful selection and breeding, the most magnificent stud in the whole known world; and to this day his followers seek to trace the genealogy of their choicest stock to the mares that were his favorites. There isa tradition
(35)
36 THE ARABIAN HORSE.
that the prophet, being desirous of selecting mares as a founda- tion for his stud, had a number of the best of them, which had been used as chargers in battle, kept two days without water. At the end of that time, when mad with thirst, they were set at liberty, and at the moment when they were close to the coveted water his trumpets sounded a war charge, which had such an effect on five of them that they abandoned the water and galloped to the spot where they expected to meet with the still greater excitement of war. These five were therefore selected to form the foundation of his stud, and from them sprang the race called “ Kochlani”.
The Arabian horse of to-day is endowed with beautiful points and with an accomplished figure and superlative action, surpassing in graceful movement the finest specimens of the equine race. His broad head and massive brain implies intelli- gence; the eye is full and mild, yet sparkling with excitement when aroused to action. The great hereditary excellence of this fleet and wiry horse is sound feet and legs and the won- derful claims of ability to withstand rest and hunger which surpass the accredited limit of animal endurance. This enables him to endure long journeys across the sandy deserts, where food and water are scarce, sustained alone by his invincible courage.
History points to the Arabian horse as the foundation of the English Thoroughbred race horse, which traces to the Darley Arabian, Godolphin Arabian, etc. To the Arabian horse is also justly accredited the foundation of that most valu- able of all breeds for draft purposes where activity and speed in its work is valued, the Percheron. We also find his blood at the fountain-head of what is destined to become the most popular of all breeds of the world — for light harness purposes —the trotting horse of America, which is descended from three great sources or families, and divided and subdivided into several other different families, all branches of which point to the Arabian as their fountain-head ; and now when we visit the most noted and celebrated stock farms of the
THE ARABIAN HORSE. 37
Western States, and in some sections of Canada, as well, and they have led out for our inspection their beautiful gray Percheron stallions, with their good hard feet and sinewy legs, their broad and intelligent heads, their fine ears and beautiful flowing tails and wavy manes, can we for a moment doubt that they trace their origin directly to this beautiful horse of the desert?
We also find a trace of his blood in the French Canadian horse of to-day, transmitted through his son, the Percheron horse of France. The Arabian horse also stood at the very head of the original pacing family of America, the Narra- gansett Pacer. (See Narragansett Pacer, Chapter IV.)
It has been proven and established for ages in the old world that the best results have been obtained from Arabian ancestry. The great stronghold of the Arabian stallion is to improve any race or breed of horses with which he comes in contact; and yet we have a breed of runners descended from him that can surpass him in speed over our courses and in our climate. We also have a breed of trotters whose qualities descend from the Arabian, that, with our American breeding and training, can far surpass him in speed at that gait; and, also, the Percherons can out-draw him, yet, I claim that the best qualities of all of these came directly from the Arabian horse.
The first Arabian stallion that gave the oriental character to the English horse was the Darley Arabian, so called from the fact of his having been purchased at Aleppo by an English merchant by the name of Darley. He was said to be of the desert breed although his precise lineage was never determined. He sired Flying Childers, a celebrated race horse so far superior
-to anything that had appeared in England that he created a great sensation and his exploits passed into history and gained a world renown and crowned his sire as monarch of the stud, by his wonderful speed and endurance.
The pure Arabian is celebrated less for unrivalled swiftness than for extraordinary powers of endurance. Its usual paces, as used in Arabia, are but two —a quick walk, often averaging
38 THE ARABIAN HORSE.
four or five miles an hour, and a half running canter; for only when pursued does a Bedouin put his horse to full speed. It is the distance they will travel in emergency, the weight they will carry, and the comparative trifle of food they require, which renders the Arabian horse so valuable, especially so to the Arabs, in their land of stony mountains and sandy deserts.
The rocky mountains and sunny valleys that temper the dry air of the deserts are supposed to have an influence upon the quality of bone and muscle, giving sound feet and legs to stand great speed and endurance. The Arabian horse, as im- proved and perfected by this first great artist in that line, Ma- homet, at the time of his death, was justly considered the primi- tive blood horse and the type horse of the world. There are in Arabia to-day, according to Ali Bey (an Arabian writer, who has had opportunities beyond the reach of ordinary writers), six distinct breeds of Arabs.
“The first,” he says, “named the Dgelfe, is found in Arabia Felix; they are rare in Damascus but pretty common in the neighborhood of Anaze. They are remarkable for speed and fire, yet mild as lambs; they support hunger and thirst for a long time, and are of lofty stature, etc. A colt of this breed, at two years old, will cost in his own country 2,000 piasters.
“The second breed, called ‘ Seclaoni,’ comes from the eastern part of the desert and resembles the Dgelfe of Anaze in appearance, but is not quite so highly valued.
“Next comes the ‘ Mefki,’ handsome, but not so swift as the two former-named breeds, and more resembling the Andalusian in figure. They are very common about Damascus.
“Then the ‘Sabi’ resembles the Mefki; and the fifth breed, called ‘Fridi,’ is very common but it is necessary to try them well for they are often vicious and do not possess the excellent qualities of the other breeds.
“Sixth, comes ‘Nejdi, from the neighborhood of Bussorah, and if they do not surpass they at least equal the Degelfe of Anaze and Seclaoni. Horses of this breed are little known at
THE ARABIAN HORSE. 39
Damascus, and connoisseurs assert that they are incomparable ; thus, their value is arbitrary and always exceeds 2,000 piasters.”
This writer fails to make mention of “ Kochlani,” descended from the stud of Mahomet, who laid the foundation of Ara- bian pedigrees, but he undoubtedly used Seclaoni instead of Kochlani in his description of the different families of this breed.
It is asserted by oriental travelers that pedigrees exist that can be traced 500 years back and in the highest breeds there is no doubt of that; at present great care is taken and many ceremonies are performed at the covering of the mare. After the birth of the foal a certificate is always made out by the local authority and this must be done within seven days of its being dropped.
The Arabian horse-breeder estimates the value of a horse by its breeding, and is very particular in his choice of a stallion, preferring to leave his mares unproductive rather than breed them to a common horse, and often travels many miles to find his ideal of a stallion; the owners of the best stallions, on the other hand, being quite as particular regarding the quality of the mare presented for service.
It is said that the Bedouins, when a. horse is born, never allow it to drop to the ground, but receive and keep it for several hours upon their arms, washing it, stretching and strengthening its limbs, and hugging it like a baby.
One of the most important of the earlier importations of the Arabian to America was that of the Lindsey Arabian im- ported to Connecticut about 1768. He has a remarkable history, as follows:
In about 1767, for some important service rendered by the commander of a British frigate to a son of the Emperor of Morocco, the emperor presented this horse (the most valuable of his stud), to this captain, who shipped him on board the frigate with the sanguine expectation of obtaining a great price for him if safely landed in England; but on the return voyage the frigate called at one of the West India Islands, where, being obliged to
40 THE ARABIAN HORSE.
remain some time, the captain, in compassion to the horse, landed him for the purpose of exercise. No convenient, securely enclosed place could be found but a large lumber yard, into which the horse was turned loose; but, being young and as playful as a kitten, he clambered to the top of a huge pile of lumber, from which, and with it, he fell, breaking three of his legs.
At this time, in the same port, the English captain met an old acquaintance from New London, Conn., U.S. A. To him he offered the horse as an animal of estimable value could he but be cured. This Connecticut captain gladly accepted the horse and knowing that he must be detained for some time at the Island before he could dispose of his assorted cargo, got the horse on board his vessel, secured him in a sling, very care- fully set and bound up his broken legs, and, when he landed at his Connecticut port, the horse was able to walk from New London to Pomfret, Conn., which place became his home for several years; and such was the character and value of his colts that his service became in great demand, and during the War of the Revolution the Connecticut cavalry of beautiful, active horses attracted the attention of Generals Washington and Lee to such an extent that they enquired into their breed- ing, and found them to be the sons and daughters of this Ara- bian horse “ Ranger,” as he was called.
After the close of the War of the Revolution, and about the year 1784 or 1785, Generals Washington and Lee sent Captain Linsley to Pomfret, Conn., to see this wonderful sire of cavalry horses, and, if as represented (and if he could be purchased), to bring him back with him to Virginia. Captain Linsley found this horse in Pomfret to be owned by a man named Sabin, who consented to sell him for $1,000; consequently he was taken to Virginia and his name changed from “ Ranger” to “ Linsley’s Arabian.” He was then about twenty years old. He stood for several years in Virginia, covering mares at high prices and sired some very good ones there, among which were Tulip and many other noted runners of that day.
THE ARABIAN HORSE. 41
I have dwelt more on the history of this Arabian horse than I should have done did I not feel assured beyond a doubt that he was the maternal grandsire of that most celebrated of all American horses of his day, Justin Morgan.
When news came to General Putnam of Pomfret, Conn., that the British had fired upon Concord and that his immedi- ate presence was needed at Boston, the messenger found the “old hero” plowing with an ox team, but in his barn was stabled a beautiful daughter of this great sire of cavalry horses, which “old Put” saddled and rode to Boston that same after- noon, some 65 miles, and which rendered him such signal ser- vice during that great and memorable battle of Bunker Hill on the 17th day’of June, 1775.
An important importation to America of an Arabian sire was in 1820, when “Grand Bashaw” was imported from Trip- oli by Joseph C. Morgan, of Philadelphia. Some of our fastest trotters have descended from him, and much in the improve- ment and merit of our American-bred horses of the present time may, perhaps, be justly attributed to him, as he was in stud service here for more than twenty years. He was the founder of the Bashaw family and the fountain head of the Clay branch of the Bashaw family of the American trotter of to-day.
One of the most beautiful horses I ever saw was an Ara- bian stallion imported from Egypt by Col. Wm. H. Jenifer, in 1872, “Ishmael Pacha,” but more generally known as the “ Jenifer Arabian.”
I saw several of his half-blood colts and fillies, which were all very thrifty and large for their age. In color, this horse was a beautiful gray and stood rather less than fifteen hands high, but his progeny, as I saw them, were mostly chestnuts and some of the two-year-olds were taller than their sire.
I had much correspondence with the importer concerning this horse, and traveled from Connecticut to Pennsylvania to see him; and after the death of Col. Jenifer I came very near
42 THE ARABIAN HORSE.
purchasing him of his administrator, for my stock farm, at that time in Pomfret, Conn., for $1,000.
All who have raised colts from common mares sired by Arabian stallions, are, I believe, unanimous in opinion that their get is generally even tempered, of a mild, willing, and quiet disposition, easily and cheaply raised, early maturing and ‘fit for service at three years old.
The prevailing color of the best-bred families of Arabian horses is gray.
I know of but one attempt to breed the Arabian horse in its purity in this country, as Arabians, and that was made by A. Keen Richards of Kentucky, who visited the Arabian deserts himself several times for the purpose of studying the Arabian horse at home, and brought out to Kentucky, at different times, several of as good specimens as was possible for him to secure in Arabia. The Arabs are very loth to part with their best ones, and especially so of their mares. War and misfortune interfered with Mr. Richards’ plans to that ex- tent that he could not or did not accomplish his long-cherished and desired object.
In a personal interview with Mr. Richards on this subject at Lexington, Ky., in 1880, I found him still sanguine in the belief that the Arabs could not only be bred in central Ken- tucky without deteriorating in any particular from those bred in Arabia, but that in many points, with generous food and good care, they would improve. And he also believed that the thoroughbred race horse of that time could be improved by judiciously crossing with the Arabs; and the trotting bred horses of Kentucky as well. His faith in the Arabian horse as the improver of other breeds was stronger than that of any other gentleman with whom I have ever conversed on this subject ; in fact, he knew more about them than any one else I ever met. He had been there.
In this interview with Mr. Richards, in speaking of General Grant’s then late present of the two stallions—Lepold and Linden Tree — presented by the Sultan of Turkey, Mr. Rich-
(| Q *808T Pep Se6LT powodut !eg_T Ul payvoy ‘ volloury UL S1a}}01} JO royueSoid yvois oy L ‘UADNASSAN GHLYUOdNI
THE ARABIAN HORSE. 43
ards said he considered them both inferior specimens, coming far short in style and quality of the best specimens of this breed as he found them at home.
It is exceedingly difficult and expensive to obtain good specimens; it is with great difficulty that the Sultan, even, obtains pure Arabs of the best families.
In 1891, Thomas W. Palmer, a Detroit, Mich., capitalist, conceived the idea of importing Arabian horses for the purpose of infusing new blood in his Percheron stud; consequently he sent a trusted agent to Damascus for the purpose of obtaining some of the best specimens of that country for this purpose, but the difficulty, amounting, it is said, to impossibility of ob- taining what he desired, compelled him to abandon his project.
And now, when it is announced through our daily papers that the Arab horses shown at the Midway Plaisance, con- nected with the World’s Fair of 1893, were an exhibit of the Turkish government, and by that government permitted to be sold by the sheriff, it is too ridiculous; yet it may be believed by the masses, “because in the papers.” In after years some of the descendants of this motley collection may lay claim to royalty.
CHAPTER III.
THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE.
The oldest and best established breed in America and Europe — Breed built on an Arabian and Barb foundation — The Darley Arabian — Imported Messenger — Imported Diomed — Imported Trustee — Lexington — In- fluence of the blood in America.
HIS is the oldest and best established of all the breeds of America and Europe. The Thoroughbred horse is peculiarly a British production. At a very early period the attention of the rulers of Great Britain was earnestly directed to the work of improving the breeds of horses in that kingdom.
It appears from history that their foundation stock was notoriously deficient in size, and that their earliest efforts were directed to remedy this defect by the importation of heavy horses from Normandy, Flanders, and Germany. Then, to give gracefulness of motion and beauty of form, they intro- duced* what was known as Oriental blood, that of the Arab, the Tyrk, and the Barb.
For several years preceding the reign of Charles II, horse- racing appears to have been rapidly gaining in favor as an amusement and recreation among the English people, and from that time until the present, contests for supremacy upon the turf have stirred the British heart as no other amusement has ever done. To the constant growth and great popularity of this sport, which for nearly 200 years has been regarded as the national amusement of that country, are we indebted for a persistence in a course of breeding that has given us the thoroughbred race horse of to-day,so prominently distinguished throughout the world for speed and endurance upon the race- course; and which, on account of the great care in breeding,
(44)
THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE. 45
and its consequent purity of lineage, were the first race of ani- mals to which the term “thoroughbred” was applied.
In the later years of the reign of Queen Anne an Arabian horse was brought to England, purchased at Aleppo by a Yorkshire merchant named Darley, and was supposed to be of the Kochlani breed, although his precise lineage was never established. He was called The Darley Arabian. He sired Flying Childers in 1714, who proved to be the fastest horse that had ever been on the English turf, and was of noble form and matchless courage.
Another descendant of The Darley Arabian was Eclipse, foaled 1764, during the eclipse of that year, hence his name. He was thick-winded and a blower, but never met his match on the turf, and after racing seventeen months and winning £25,000, was retired to the stud, as no horse in the known world dared race with him. He sired 334 winners that won in races £160,000, besides numerous cups and plates. He died in 1789, aged twenty-five years, and was buried at Whitechurch, between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Ware, in Hertfordshire, and it is added that at his interment ale and cakes were given to those present.
Another great factor in the improvement of the English blood-horse was the Godolphin Arabian, foaled about the year 1724. He was presented to Lord Godolphin, from whom he took his name. He sired Laih, who proved to be the fastest horse (Childers excepted) ever on the English turf at that time. The Godolphin was one of the sources of great im- provement to the English race-horse of that period.
The “Royal” mares of that time were mostly imported Barbs.
Of all Oriental sires it is generally admitted that the Godolphin Arabian—imported 110 years ago—is the last importation of foreign blood that has proven of any benefit to the thoroughbred horse of England, and while this blending of the Oriental blood with the old races of England furnished the foundation, there can be no doubt that the care and skill of the
46 THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE.
English breeder in selecting and coupling with the best and fastest for generations on generations, have accomplished more in establishing this breed as it now exists, than could possibly have been done by continuing the out-crosses of foreign blood, and that the time is long since past when the intermingling of any other blood would not prove a detriment.
The thoroughbred horse, as now bred, is generally consid- ered far superior to any branch of the Oriental horse of to-day in speed, size, and substance. Our American horses are largely composed of the blood of the thoroughbred; many of the best stallions and mares of England have been imported to this country, and their influence is seen on every hand. It enters largely into the groundwork of all our trotting strains, and it is doubtful if a single great road horse or trotter has been produced in this country that did not possess a share of this royal blood (or its source, the Arabian) as a foundation upon which the trotting superstructure has been built. There exists great ignorance, even among many who are considered intelligent and well-informed horsemen, as to what constitutes a thoroughbred horse.
The compiler of the “Thoroughbred Stud Book” in this country admits to registry as thoroughbred all animals that show an unmixed descent of five generations of pure blood.
Among the most noted early importations of thoroughbred horses from England to this country, and contributing mostly to the quality and speed of American horses, may be found the names of Janus, foaled in 1746, a grandson of the Godolphin, the good qualities of whose stock are said to be perpetuated to this day. ;
Imported Traveler, foaled in 1747, and tracing in an un- broken line to the White Turk and to Layton’s Barb mare, was also considered second to none in his time. He belongs to the earlier importations, and is still one of the most valuable landmarks in old pedigrees, and especially so as the founder of that once most popular of all breeds in America for all pur- poses,— the Morgan.
THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE. 47
Wild Air, foaled in 1753, imported to New York by Mr. DeLancy, and on account of the great value of his stock was taken back to England, was undoubtedly a great improver of American horses, and one of the paternal ancestors of Justin Morgan, founder of that greatest of American general purpose horse, the Morgan. (See Morgan Horses, Chapter VI.)
Fearnaught, imported in 1764, a great-grandson of the Darley Arabian, stood for service in this country for twelve years and left a numerous progeny of highly distinguished horses of that time.
Messenger, foaled in 1785, was imported to Pennsylvania in 1792, and died in New York State in 1808. He distin- guished himself as being the progenitor of horses from half- bred and cold-blooded mares of good trotting action and stay- ing qualities, and whose influence in the trotting horse of America is still highly recognized, and from whose loins on the paternal side, descended Rysdyk’s Hambletonian.
We find an old advertisement of this horse,—the last,— dated April, 1807 (eighty-eight years ago and one year before his death), which reads as follows:
“THE CELEBRATED HORSE MESSENGER.
‘‘Old Messenger (commonly so called) is allowed by the best judges to be in as good order, feel as well, and to retain his faculties in as much vigor as at any time since he was imported.
‘Messenger is a full-blood racer, fifteen hands three inches high, and well proportioned. He was bred by John Pratt, Esq., of Newmarket, and was got by Mambrino, who covered at twenty-six guineas a mare in the year 1784. Mambrino was got by Engineer, who was got by Sampson, who was the sire of Bay Moulton and several other capital racers; his dam by Turf, his grand- dam by Regulus.
‘“‘The mare was sister to Figurante and was dam of Leviathan, an excel. lent racer. He is a sure foal-getter and his stock equal, if not superior, to that of any horse in the States, some of whom are selling from $500 to $2,000 each.
“« The horse will stand at Bishop Underhill’s in the County of West Chester, fifteen miles from Harlem on the White Plains Road, to cover the ensuing season at $15 the season and $10 single service; the season to commence on the first day of April, and to continue not longer than the first day of August following ; the money to be paid at the time of taking away the mare.
“Warranted foals by agreement.
48 THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE.
‘* PERFORMANCES.
“Messenger won the following sums in the years 1783, 1784, and 1785, as may be seen by the racing calendars. In September he beat, at Newmarket, Mr. Potter’s Colchester, by Shark, for 100 guineas. October 30, 1788, he beat Mr. Napier’s horse Specter across the Flat for 300 guineas, and Mr. Fox’s horse Pynhus across the New Flat for 150 guineas.
“In May, 1784, he beat Lord Barrington’s Tiger for twenty-five guineas ; in July, 1784, he beat Mr. Windham’s horse Apothecary for 200 guineas ; Lord Foley’s Rodney, Mr. Westell’s Snowdrop, and Mr. Clark’s Flower for sixty guineas, and Lord Foley’s Ulysses for 100 guineas. In March, 1785, he beat His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales’ Ulysses for 200 guineas, and Mr. Windham’s horse Fortitude for 300 guineas.
‘In April, 1785, he beat Lurd Sherburn’s horse Taylor for fifty guineas. In addition to the above he has won the King’s plate, and is the only horse on the continent said to have done the same.
(Signed) ‘BISHOP UNDERHILL.”
Florizal, imported into Maryland in 1794, was a good stock horse and some of the best of our Southern horses of to-day trace to him.
Diomed, foaled in 1777 in England, and imported into Vir- ginia in 1799, when twenty-two years old, was a most remark- able stock horse, and his influence as such is felt in America to-day. He was the sire—in America—of the great Sir Archy, a very distinguished horse of his day and justly called the Godolphin Arabian of America. He was a brown horse, sixteeen and one-half hands high, of great substance, and left an exceeding numerous and very valuable progeny at his death when twenty-eight years old.
Trustee, foaled in 1829, contributed his full share, probably, in the improvement of the American horses of his time, both as regards speed and quality.
Priam was also among the best; so of many of the later -importations, among which may be recounted Glencoe, the great horse of the two continents, brought from England to Alabama in 1836, and considered one of the best the world had then produced, and his descendants are not to be despised to-day.
THE VALUE OF THOROUGHBRED STALLIONS. 49
America, herself, has contributed to the breeding ranks of thoroughbred sires some very noted animals, among which may be found a Boston c. h., deriving his name from a popular game of cards at that time, who was a great race horse himself and a sire of the great Lexington, foaled in 1850, bred by Dr. Warfield of Lexington, Ky. He first ran on the turf under the name of Darley and was a winner; was then purchased by Mr. Richard Ten Broeck, who changed his name to Lexington. He ran many successful races, winning for his owner many thousand dollars; and after breaking down as a racer was purchased by Mr. Robert A. Alexander of Ken- tucky, proprietor of Woodburn, for stock purposes, for $15,000.
Mr. Alexander’s friends ridiculed his paying such a price for a broken-down stallion, useless for the race course and untried in the stud; the far-seeing Kentuckian replied that the day would come when he would sell one of the produce of the horse they then despised for more money than he had paid for the sire.
That day did come, for after his son, Norfolk, had won the two three-year-old stakes at St. Louis in 1864, on Mr. Theodore Winter asking Mr. Alexander to name the price for the colt, he replied “$15,001.” That sum was immediately given and Mr. Alexander’s prophecy verified.
Lexington proved himself America’s greatest sire and was the sire of Idlewild, Kentucky, Asteroid, Harry of the West, Jack Malone, Lightning, Lancaster, Daniel Boone, Bayonet, Vauxhall, Judge Curtis, Stonewall Jackson, Kingfisher, Harry Bassett, Tom Bowling, and others of note both on the race course and in the stud.
THE VALUE OF THOROUGHBRED STALLIONS.
As regards the estimate in which the race-loving English- man holds his best bred racing stallions may be approximated from the following table of prices for which a number of prominent thoroughbred stallions have been sold:
4
50 THE VALUE OF THOROUGHBRED STALLIONS.
Ormonde, . $150,000 Galore, $30,000 St. Blaise, ‘ . 100,000 Bonnie Buotiawd. , . 80,000 Don Castor, : . 70,000 Don Alonzo, ; . 80,000 Blair Athol, . : . 62,000 Kingston, . : . 80,000 Kentucky, . ‘ . 40,000 Dew Drop, . 2 . 29,500 Vern, . . 39,000 Potomac, . s . 25,000 King Thomas, ‘ . 88,000 Dobbins, . ; . 22,000 Gladiator, . A . 85,000 Cantineer, . . 20,500 Troquois, . ¥ . 84,000 Luke Bladibusts . 20,000 Tournament, : . 33,000 Duke of Magenta, 20,000 Rayon de Orr, . 33,000 Mortimer, . F 20,000 The Earl, 30,500 Ban Fox, . . 20,000 G. W. Johnson, . 30,000 Louisburg, . 20,000 San Domingo, . 30,000
The yearling colt, King Thomas, sold at*auction in the city of New York in 1887 for the magnificent sum of $38,000 cash.
Mr. Saville refused $75,000 for Cremona, and the Marquis of Westminster refused $17,500 for Touchstone, accompanying his refusal with the remark that he would not exchange him for a German principality.
A party of Americans visiting England several years since, after looking over the Eton stud, requested an interview with the owner, Lord Westminster. The spokesman began ‘by say- ing that he and his friends had seen the horses and that they fancied Touchstone very much, very much indeed. Lord Westminster was highly pleased to hear him say so.
The American, in continuation, informed his Lordship that they had made up their minds to buy him.
“Oh, indeed!”
“Yes, my Lord, that’s our determination; what’s his price ?”
“The American Domains,” was the reply.
Priam, imported into Virginia in 1837 at a cost of $17,500, which was the largest price ever paid for a horse to that date in England, after the appearance of his daughter, Crucifix, in 1840, when she won the 1,000 guineas; the 2,000 guineas and the Oaks, $50,000 was offered and refused for him to return to England.
The English breeder is always ready to pay more for the
THE VALUE OF THOROUGHBRED STALLIONS. 51
use of a highly bred animal than any other in the world, and, as a consequence, the civilized world is still tributary in a meas- ure to that little Island for improved live stock.
This is especially so in horses. The service fee paid for thoroughbred stallions of the first rank would scare an Ameri- can breeder.
Hermit, regarded as the most successful thoroughbred sire of his day, was held at 250 guineas, nearly $1,300.
Isonomy’s fee, 200 guineas, Galopin’s 100 guineas.
Undoubtedly a large number of the foals sired by these horses are never worth the service fees; but when a winner is struck he makes amends for all former losses.
CHAPTER IV. THE NARRAGANSETT PACER.
The origin, rise, and progress of the breed— Daniel Pearce and his stallion Rambler —Imp. Rambler — Narragansett blood in the Morgans — Lit- tle Neck Beach, R I. — Mary Langworthy Southcote.
HE origin, rise, progress, and we might almost say exter-
mination of this once most noted family of the equine
race in this country seems to be somewhat shrouded in mys-
tery by the horse oracles of the present day; yet to me, its
history having been verbally handed down from father to son
as an heirloom of our family for the past 175 years or so, is very clear. Its origin is as follows:
In the reign of Queen Anne, A. D. 1707, a young man of the county of York, East Riding District, England, by the name of Daniel Pearce—the son of a well-to-do tenant farmer —a natural born horseman and the possessor in his own right of a beautiful young chestnut stallion, a grandson of the great imported Arabian horse, the “Darley Arabian,” then owned and kept by the Lord of the Manor—Lord Darley — (very foolishly it was thought) fell desperately in love with a charm- ing young lady by the name of Mary Langworthy Southcote, who belonged to an old and wealthy family living in Hull.
As a matter of course in that age of aristocracy, such a thing as a tenant farmer’s son (however worthy he might be) to think of marrying into an old family like the Southcotes, was preposterous. Consequently this young man, Daniel Pearce, in order to become weaned from his Mary, decided to bid England a long farewell, giving up the comforts of home, the endearing scenes of childhood, the companions of youth, and all—no, he could not give up his beautiful colt, his own
“Rambler.” He would leave merry England and all else, save (52)
THE NARRAGANSETT PACER. 53
Rambler, behind; with him he would take the first vessel sail- ing from Hull to America. Rambler should bear him company to the New Eldorado, or they would both share one common grave in the bosom of the Atlantic.
The result of this decision was‘that after a somewhat long, dreary, and perilous voyage in a sail vessel of those times, our hero, with his companion, was Janded in Newport, R. I. His final destination being Kingstown, a country bordering on the west shore of Narragansett bay, he took passage in a sail boat from Newport to the Narragansett country, still accompanied by his horse Rambler. During the voyage, and somewhere about midway, it is said, between Beavertail, on Canonicot Island, and Narragansett Beach (now Narragansett Pier), the boat capsized and the horse swam for the shore, some three miles, and several days afterwards was found in the woods on what is now called Boston Neck. Hence the legend by some that the paternal ancestor of this race of horses was found swimming at sea; and by others that he was found running wild in the woods in the Narragansett country.
Upon arriving in this new and wild country our young Englishman found, to his mortification and annoyance, that, although possessed of one of the finest and best “galloping saddlers” in England, the new country afforded no roads suita- ble to ride upon; instead of roads were to be found but Indian trails and bridle paths and even these were handicapped with rocks and stones. These circumstances compelled Daniel to change the gait of Rambler from a gallop to a pace or “rack” as it was then called, which he easily acquired.
This stallion was kept as a stock horse for many years by his owner and importer, and was, for those times, very gener- ally patronized, especially throughout the southern and south- western counties of Rhode Island and the district of Stoning- ton, Conn.
He became the paternal progenitor of a race of pacers; it is said that his colts all paced from the start, and that his sons begat pacers, and when his daughters were bred to pacing sires
54 THE NARRAGANSETT PACER.
their progeny invariably paced, but when bred to trotting or running sires they either trotted or ran, as the case might be.
The Narragansett Pacer soon became an established breed in Rhode Island, and as the people of those times had neither carriage roads or carriages; or steam cars, what traveling was done was either accomplished on foot or on horseback, and men frequently rode from fifty to sixty miles per day on one of those beautiful, easy-going saddlers, over hills and through dales, following the rough and stony bridle paths of New Eng- land at that period of its history.
These horses were said to be remarkably sure footed. The pure bloods (as they were called) could not be made to trot at all. They used them in races as long ago as 1720. Little Neck Beach, on the Narragansett shore in South Kingston, one mile in length, was used as a race-course.
In about the year 1725 they came to be looked upon as an established breed, and from that time until 1760 were in active demand for export to Cuba as saddlers, and were sent for at mych trouble and expense by some breeders who were choice in their selections.
A chestnut mare of this breed having been taken to Ver- mont, U.S., in 1807, and bred to that most wonderful horse, Justin Morgan, the result was his most celebrated son, Sherman Morgan, foaled in 1809, who took the trotting gait of his sire and the color and beauty of his dam.
Such finally became the demand for these horses for export that the breeders “killed the goose that laid the golden egg” by disposing of not only their surplus but most of their breed- ing stock, as well.
By this time, however, the country having been supplied with better roads and the people with carriages, the saddle horse was less sought for at home, and horses that could trot became more popular and in better demand than those of the pacing gait, and horses of this breed were then trained to trot in harness and pace under the saddle. I can well remember descendants of this breed of horses, crossed with other breeds,
‘oSv sweok AyFY paid sv es1oy UBIPvULD [BULIS110 oy Fo edAL
“ANNGHIGVNVO WT
THE NARRAGANSETT PACER. 55
perhaps, that would pace all day under the saddle, and others that would both trot and pace, frequently changing from one gait to the other.
This breed of horses goes into history as the only one founded on the results of a single importation and becoming in demand for export within twenty years after the importation of its founder.
I still recollect descendants of this breed that were great roadsters and tough as leather. I recall to mind two black mares, both raised and owned in Kingston, Rhode Island,— one by George Allen and the other by Nathaniel Reynolds—that would go from Quidnessett, near Wickford, R. I., to Brighton, Mass., about sixty miles, in a half day without stopping on the the road for feeding.
I once owned a sorrel gelding, a descendant of this breed, that paced and would not trot at all, but would pace, if put to it, I think nearly, or quite, one hundred miles in a day on a good road.
In conclusion of this scrap of history, allow me to state that Daniel’s Mary “forsook father and mother, brothers and sisters,” home, luxuries, society, and all the pleasures that wealth and civilization could bestow, and followed her lover to America, where they were married and became the founder of a family by the name of Pearce in America (one member of which has served the people of the United States one term as its President), besides figuring largely in other prominent American families by intermarriage. Mary was disinherited, however, and when her father made his will she was “not in it.”
CHAPTER V. THE FRENCH CANADIAN HORSE.
Early imported into Canada from France — Climatic influence on Canadian horses -— Hardiness and utility —Canadian blood in the American trotter and pacer — Noted Canada horses imported to the United States —Surry, dam of Henry Clay, a Canadian.
HE early settlers of Canada came from France, bringing their horses with them. France, like England, contains several breeds of horses, of which the most desirable are from Normandy ; at least that was the case years ago before the advent of the Percheron.
As the first settlers of this country needed horses and the horses must be brought from France, their mother country, and as the distance was too long and freights too high to attempt importing any but the best, it is presumed that of such were their early importations.
It may safely be inferred that in those days the Norman or Percheron horse of France was far inferior in all respects to the Percheron horse of that country to-day, after having been improved with the blood of the Arabian.
These French horses were brought over into lower Canada in the early settlement of the colony, and for many years formed the principal horse stock of Canada. The rigor of the climate and the scarcity of fare materially reduced their size from that of their French ancestors; still, they retain to this day the same strong make-up and general characteristics that render them distinguishable from any and all other breeds. They constitute a race of easy-keeping, sound-constitutioned, and long-lived horses. From their strong, compact form they can command their strength to great advantage, and there is
nothing in the shape of horseflesh to-day that can stand the (56)
THE FRENCH CANADIAN HORSE. 57
wear and tear of the French Canadian pony, except it be an old-time Morgan of about the same size and much the same style.
The French Canadians have but few equals in all the im- proved breeds of horses as a general purpose horse. Nothing really excels a pair of these Canadians as a team for all pur- poses of general use for Canadian farming, when cost of keep is taken into account.
They have also done more to establish the trotting horse of America than they have ever received credit for. The cross- ing of this breed with others in the United States, on account of their hardiness and sound constitution, has in many in- stances been of material advantage.
For instance: One of the French Canadians —a pacer — called Pilot was the sire of Alexander’s Pilot, Jr., the founder of a family of trotters and the sire of the dam of Maud S., one of the fastest and gamest trotters of the world, and who for so long held the world’s record as such. He was also the sire of many noted trotters. This old Canadian horse, Pilot, went from Canada to Kentucky and numbers among his descend- ants Bonesetter, Pilot Temple, Tattler, and Tackey, who owed much of their great speed and staying qualities to him.
Alexander’s Norman was also sired by a half-bred French horse, the Morse horse. He was the sire of Lulu, 2.15. Red Jim, the fastest three-year-old of his time, inherited the blood of Norman; and Blackwood, the fastest three-year-old of his day, was a son of Norman.
Davy Crockett, another French pacer, was the progenitor of Legal Tender, Red Cloud, Red Cross, and other good ones of their day. Copper Bottom, also a French pacer, did much to improve the trotting stock of Kentucky.
Columbus was a pacer taken from Canada to the United States and converted into a trotter; he was the sire of Smith’s Young Columbus, that crossed so well with the Morgans and other New England horses.
A black mare called Kate, bred in Canada and sired by a
58 THE FRENCH CANADIAN HORSE.
French Canadian stallion, dropped five colts to Hambletonian, all of whom trotted better than 2.30, and three of which are on record.
Surry, dam of the world-renowned Henry Clay, the founder of the Clay family, and the maternal ancestor of those old-time whalebone trotters, George M. Patchen, Lucy, and American Girl, was a Canadian. George M. Patchen was the founder of
‘the Patchen branch of the Clay family of American trotters.
Gift, one of the most promising colts of Mambrino Pilot, was out of a French pacing mare. Mambrino Gift had a French cross, as did his grandsire and his dam’s grandsire ; he also had the gift of trotting in 2.20.
Corbeau, St. Lawrence, Gray Eagle, Canada Chief, Whirl- wind, Snow Storm, and Coeur de Leon were all French trot- ting or pacing stallions, and all crossed the border to the United States for stock purposes; but we do not claim as much for the French Canadian horse as a fast trotter as we do in the way of being a most useful animal to all classes of men having use for horses adapted to all purposes for which horses are wanted. Their sound body, wind, and limb is a constitutional inheritance that is propagated from generation to generation, thus giving them advantage for hard service over other breeds of less constitutional vigor.
Their feet and legs are almost exceptionally good, and they are usually free from all kinds of disease to which horseflesh is heir. They are short-coupled from the knees and hocks down, which gives great purchase power. Their strong, muscular thighs and forearms complete the limbs and make them strong enough to support the body under heavy loads, over hills and through dales, without tiring out or breaking down.
In horse-dealing, years ago, I have handled these animals by the carload with usually satisfactory results to myself and to my customers; but now I expect it would be as difficult to purchase a carload of French Canadian horses in Canada as it would be to procure a like number of Morgans in Vermont or New Hampshire, as the breeders of these horses have, perhaps
*
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ey ih ; PBS soli ye BRS FEES
THE FRENCH CANADIAN HORSE. 59
unwisely, crossed and re-crossed with other breeds or families until but few of the original types of either can be found.
They are emphatically the farmer’s horse for Canada, and good specimens of this breed should weigh from 1,000 to 1,200 pounds, which is usually heavy enough for general farm work, and more economical for the farmer for all purposes, especially taking into account the cost of keep, than are the heavy draft horses of from 1,400 to 1,800 pounds.
CHAPTER VI. THE MORGAN HORSE.
The Morgans an American breed — Beauty and power of endurance — Justin Morgan the founder — Pedigree of Justin Morgan — Description of Justin Morgan— Sherman Morgan and his pedigree— Black Hawk, pedigree and history — Ethan Allen, pedigree and history — Daniel Lambert.
HIS is strictly an American breed of horses and a New
England production, the distinguishing characteristics
of which are neatness and compactness of form, hardiness of
constitution, soundness of wind and limb, strong digestive
organs, enabling them to live on little food, the best of feet
and limbs, good action, and a high degree of intelligence and spirit.
For beauty of form and power of endurance, added to gen- tleness and graceful activity, probably no breed of horses in the world surpasses the Morgans. They are unsually kind and show a surprising degree of intelligence; they are strong, com- pact, and sure footed. As roadsters and stage horses and for the general purpose horse, they have never been excelled by any other breed or class of American horses.
We have from reliable authority the history of a Morgan horse—of the old family of New England Morgans — that was frequently driven from Brattleboro, Vt., to Hartford, Conn., 80 miles, over very hilly roads, in a day, attached to a chaise containing two adults, and that he continued to do this service handsomely after he was twenty-four years old.
The founder of this breed was Justin Morgan, foaled in 1793 at Springfield, Mass. Of the origin and breeding of this horse—the founder of a mighty race—there was for many
years much doubt; but as time and perseverance of investiga- (60)
»
THE MORGAN HORSE. 61
tion has unraveled the snarl, we are now, and have been for fnany years, ready to accept the following as his breeding:
His sire, without doubt, was a bay horse called True Briton or Beautiful Bay —he was known by both names—a son of Imported Traveler, his dam a chestnut mare sired by Ranger of Pomfret, Conn., an imported Arabian horse from Morocco, who was afterwards taken to Virginia and his name changed to Linsley’s Arabian. (See Linsley’s Arabian, in Arabian Horses, Chapter IT.)
His grand dam was a close, compact, medium-sized, light. bay mare of the Wild Air breed; a very smooth, handsome traveler. Her sire was Diamond, who was by Wild Air or Church horse, by imported Wild Air, imported by DeLaney of Long Island and afterwards taken back to England. °
The third dam of Justin Morgan was a Dutch mare brought to this country (either she or her dam), by Dutch emigrant settlers of the Mohawk valley.
Of Imported Traveler, the grandsire of Justin Morgan, the Stud Book says: “This horse was second to no other of the early importations,” etc. His pedigree traces in a direct and unbroken line to the White Turk and Laton’s Barb mare.
Wild Air, the g. g. g. sire of Justin Morgan, the Stud Book tells us also traces in an unbroken line to the White Turk and Laton Barb mare, and was so well thought of in England that he was purchased in America and re-shipped to England.
Thus we find that history proves this most wonderful horse, Justin Morgan, that some called a scrub and some a Canadian, to be a very high-bred animal; he was, without doubt, sired by a high-bred horse and out of a well-bred dam. Indeed, he was no come-by-chance horse. e
As to his true breeding, probably no horse of note that ever lived had as many different versions as to pedigree, or found more people (forty of fifty years after his death), willing to file affidavits as to his breeding; but, strange to say, no two of them were alike, so far as I can learn.
According to Lindsey in his work “The Morgan Horse,”
62 THE MORGAN HORSE.
some filed their affidavits swearing that he was a French Cana- dian, while others were ready and did swear to many other versions of his pedigree. This investigation, in which I have been engaged for many years, gives me the above, I think cor- rect, conclusions.
As to his individual appearance, as described by Lindsey :
“He was about fourteen hands high and weighed about 950 pounds; color, a dark bay with black points; he had no white hairs on him. His head was good; not extremely small but lean and bony; the face straight, the forehead broad, ears small, very fine and set rather wide apart, eyes medium size, very dark and prominent with a spirited but pleasant expression, and showed no white around the edge of the lid. His nostrils were very large, the muzzle small and the lips close and firm: His back was very short, the shoulder blades and hip bones being very long and oblique and the loin exceedingly broad and muscular. His ‘body was rather long, round, deep, close, ribbed up; chest deep and wide with the breast bone projecting a good deal in front.
“His legs were short, close jointed, thin but very wide and flat, hard and free from meat with muscles that were remarka- bly large for a horse of his size, and this superabundance of muscle exhibited itself at every step. His coat was short, very bright and glossy. He had a little long hair about the fetlocks on the back side of the legs, the rest of limbs being entirely free from it.”
His feet were rather small but well shaped, tough as iron; and he was, in fact, in every respect perfectly sound and free from all blemishes to the day of his death, which was caused by an accident when twenty-nine years old.
He was a very fast walker; in trotting his step was short and nervous, displaying considerable knee action. He was sure footed and. his bold, fearless style of movement, and vigorous, untiring action, have, perhaps, never been surpassed in any horse.
He was a natural parade horse, and was perfectly kind and
THE MORGAN HORSE. 63
pleasant in all harness, and one of the best saddle horses of his day. He could out-draw any horse of his own weight, and at short distances was a fast runner.
I have been explicit in my description of this horse, both in appearance and disposition, as he was the most remarkble ani- mal, perhaps, in the entire history of American horses, and the founder of a race inheriting his characteristics to a remarkable degree.
Perhaps no horse in America, living or dead, ever stamped upon his descendants even to the eighth and ninth generations, his own striking, valuable characteristics, equal to him; and now after a lapse of upwards of seventy years after his death, we find some of his descendants possessed of his prevailing char- acteristics enough to convince the horse connoisseurs that they are indeed Morgans.
Justin Morgan died in the winter of 1821, the property of Levi Bean, near Chelsea Village, Vt., aged twenty-nine years. It was supposed that a kick received from another horse, and want of proper care, hastened his death, perhaps by several years, as he was as sound as a colt up to the time of the acci- dent causing the same.
As to the color, weight, and height of the Morgans as a family, from their foundation as such, the bays, chestnuts, browns, and blacks predominate, with an occasional gray. The bays, as a rule, have black points with but little, if any, white. The chestnuts are mostly dark chestnuts — not sorrels —many having the tail and mane of a lighter hue than the body, and some have a white stripe in the face, with an occa- sional white foot or two.
A particular shade of brown seems peculiar to this breed, hence the name “ Morgan brown.” As to the weight of the old New England stock of Morgans, we find it to range from about 875 pounds up to 1,000 pounds; but when of the larger weight we usually find the outcross on a larger type of mares. As to height, from thirteen and one-half to fifteen hands will about cover the whole ground.
64 THE MORGAN HORSE.
I frequently meet, here in the West, old farmers who say : “Yes, I have seen the Morgan horse at such a place, at such a time, and he was a large horse, some sixteen hands, and would weigh, I should say, 1,400 pounds; possibly more, maybe 1,600 pounds.” Now it is very evident that such men have con- founded the name of Morgan with that of Norman, and that explains the whole thing; but it would require much argument and some practical proof to disabuse their minds, so long made up.
The most noted son of Justin Morgan was Sherman Mor- gan, sired by the old horse when he was fifteen years old, and was foaled in 1809. He was bred by James Sherman of Lyn- don, Vt. His dam, a chestnut mare —a pacer — belonged to that once popular breed, the Narragansett Pacer. (See Narra- gansett Pacer, Chapter IV.)
She was bred by Caleb Allen of North Kingston, R. I. ; was used in Providence, R. I., for several years by John Brown as a saddle mare, and was taken to Vermont expressly to-be bred to Justin Morgan — James Sherman being, formerly, a Rhode Island man.
Sherman Morgan was a dark chestnut in color, with two white hind feet and ankles, and a white stripe in the face, tak- ing his color from his dam, while in other respects he was the counterpart of his sire. In height he was thirteen and three- quarters hands; in weight, 975 pounds.
This was a most remarkable horse for durability, for, per- haps, no stock horse ever worked so hard as he did (unless it may have been his sire).
Linsley said: “ Most of the year he was kept constantly at work on the farm, much of which he helped to clear up; and in the winter worked steadily in a team consisting of this stal- lion and his half brother, by Justin Morgan. This team, run- ning from Lyndon, Vt., to Portland, Me., became famous at every inn from Lyndon to Portland, and, after a time, no teamster dared match his team — however heavy — against it,
THE MORGAN HORSE. 65
either in pulling or for speed, and at a dead pull at a log he never in his day found a match.”
Continuing, the same historian says: “Sherman was a hard master, and it is said used his team very roughly at times, and always worked this horse very hard from four years old until he was ten, when he sold him to Stephen C. Gibbs of Littleton, N. H.” But the Vermonters, after having seen his stock devel- oped, could not afford to let New Hampshire retain him, and he was brought back to Vermont; and when the New Hamp- shire people saw his stock somewhat developed, they outbid the Vermonters and got him back there again, and in 1831 he made the season in Charlestown, Mass., and was, perhaps, the most popular stallion in New England, if not the United States, of that time. :
He finally died in Lancaster, N. H., in 1855, at the age of twenty-six and one-half years, as sound as he was on the day he was foaled, and the cause of his death is to this day un- known, as he was left at ten o’clock in the morning, apparently perfectly well, and at one o’clock in the afternoon was found dead.
The most noted son of Sherman Morgan was Black Hawk, later known as Hill’s Vermont Black Hawk, and recorded in the “Trotting Register” Black Hawk (5). This horse was sired by Sherman Morgan when he was twenty-four years old, and was foaled the property of Wingate Trombley of Durham (now Greenland), N. H., in 1833.
His dam was a half thoroughbred — perhaps more — black mare from New Brunswick, and not a Narragansett Pacer as erroneously claimed by Wallace. He, evidently, got the dam of this horse mixed up with the dam of his sire.
This Vermont Black Hawk was the founder of the Black Hawk branch of the Morgan family. He was said to be the handsomest horse of his day, and the most stylish carriage horse. Black Hawk was a coal black in color, about fifteen hands high, and weighed 950 to 1,000 pounds. He was used as a Bentignian's roadster and family carriage horse until eleven
66 THE MORGAN HORSE.
years of age, before being used as a stock horse; after which he earned for his owner, David Hill, of Bridgeport, Vt., the sum of $34,000, commencing at $10 per mare and ending at $100, cash before service. He was a great sire and his colts were much sought after and sold for high prices, and now, forty years after his death, it is not considered a detriment to our best bred trotters to have their pedigrees trace to him.
Black Hawk was very handsome, stylish, and fast. In color, the descendants of this horse were usually black, bay, or chestnut. His stock was generally larger than himself, being mostly from larger mares. This horse also died, at the age of twenty-one years, as sound as a “Spanish Mill dollar.”
In handling colts from many different sires I have ever found his among the very best for general use. The most noted of all the sons and daughters of Black Hawk was Ethan Allen, sired when he was fifteen years old.
Ethan Allen was one of the most noted horses in America or the world in his day. In color he was a bright bay with black legs, mane, and tail, had three white feet, a star, and a white snip. He was bred by J. W. Holcomb of Ticonderoga, N. Y., and foaled in 1849. His dam was a medium-sized gray mare, sired by a Morgan horse called Robbin. When at ma- turity Ethan Allen was fifteen hands high, and weighed 900 pounds. He was the fastest trotting stallion living in his day, a very reliable trotter, and the greatest campaigner of his time, and undoubtedly the greatest campaigning stallion of the world to date. . .
He had an excellent temper and gait for either the road or track, and was a natural trotter from his colthood. His train- ing commenced at an early age, appearing in public on the turf every year from two to twenty years of age. He was a perfect- gaited horse, never needing any of the artificial appliances so much in vogue at the present time. He was beautiful to look upon, and came as near perfection as the American trotter as any horse that ever lived.
Ethan Allen was the sire of many good and fast horses, but
THE MORGAN HORSE. 67
his crowning effort in the stud was the producing of that most noted of all Morgans —as the sire of speed — Daniel Lambert, who was foaled in 1868, bred by W. C. Clark of Ticonderoga, N. Y., and was one of the most beautiful all-around horses that ever lived. In trotting action he was simply perfect, and in his prime was called the most beautiful horse in America.
In color he was a beautiful shade of chestnut, with one white hind foot and a star, with mane and tail of a lighter color —flaxen — of extraordinary fineness and beauty. He had very fine limbs, neck, and head. He sired many fine speed- producing stallions, among which are Motion, Ben Franklin, Abraham, Aristos, and others of note.
DANIEL LAMBERT 102, SIRE OF
Comee, i : , 2.191¢ Motion, f ‘ . 2.29 Lambert B., . 2.2114 Pauline Tiniabert, . » 2.29 Ella Doe, : 2.2316 Clara Morris, . : 2.2914 Jim, . a 2.23816 Green Mab, . ‘ ‘ . 2.2914 Nancy, . F ‘ » 2.2816 Flora Huff, . ‘ - 2.2914 Wild Lily, . z . 2,24 Annie Lou, . ; : . 2.80 George R., . ‘ ‘ » 2.24 Joe S., . ‘ ‘ . 2.80 Lady Foxie, ‘ ‘ » 2.2414 May Morning, F . 2.80 Jimmy Stewart, . ‘ 2.2414 and dams of
John Hall, . , ‘ . 2.24g Pamlico, . : : . 2.101% George A., . ; nx . 2.2416 Altar, . ‘A . . . 2.161¢ Jubilee Lambert, 4 . 2.25 Dandy Jim, j ‘ . 2.1616 Dickard, ‘ f : . 2.2514 Ruth Wilkes, . ‘ . 21716 Maggie Lambert, F . 2.251¢ | Minerva, . : . 2.18 Dan Miller, . . : . 2.2516 Overholt, . ‘ F . 2.19 Nonesuch, . F - . 2.2516 Virginius, . : j - 2.191¢ Blanchard, . : , . 2.2514 Wyandot, . i : . 2.1916 Billy D., . : . 2.26 Gilmore, . : 4 . 2.211¢ Addison. tasnbert, : . 227 Sea King, . : - . 2.211¢ Annie Page, : : . 2.2714 Silver Lace, 3 ; . 22116 Ben Lambert, . 3 . 2.27 Rose Filkins, é ‘ . 2.22 Baby Lambert, . ; » 22714 Miss Foxie, . : : . 22217 Aristos, 2 . 3 « 22734 Revenue, . . . . 2.2217 Annie Laurie, . é » 228 Exarch, ‘ P 7 . 2.281¢ Boston, : , . 22784 Madge Wilkes, . : » 2.2816 Col. Moulton, . ‘ . 2.2816 Charles Reade, . 5 . 2.2417 Cobden, . : : . 2.2834 Lotta, . . i - . 22416 M. Y. D. Colt, . . 2.2834 Claudius, . ; : . 2.25 Ben Franklin, . : . 2.29 Sister Barefoot, . : . 2.25
68
Katie M., Massasoit, Callisto,
Baron Browne, 3, Howell, 3, Emma B., Haldane, California tambert Anna Knowlton, Duane,
Crete,
Duellon,
Red Lambert, Jingles,
Capt. Bowman,
THE MORGAN HORSE.
2.2516 2 2534 2.26
2.2614 2.2614 2.2614 2.2614 2.27
2.2714 2.2716 2.273% 2 28
2.2814 2.283¢ 2,28,
Juno Wilkes, 8, Malachi,
Busby,
Golden,
Olivia,
Mambrino Titibert, Early Bloom, Five Points, Foxwood, Nyanza, 2,
Prima Donna, p., Nightingale, p., . Louie M., p, Snowbird, p.,
PRODUCING SONS OF DANIEL LAMBERT.
Air Line. Sired dam of Robert M. Taylor,
Abraham, 358. Frank, Bessie H., Kitty Cook, Jeannie, Belle Siackatt, Alice, Belle of Albany, Bright wood, p.,
and dams of
Ketch, Hustler,
Addison Lambert, 743. Susie, ¢ Shadow,
Aristos, 771.
H. B. Winship, Warren, R.D.F.,. Gillig, Aristotle, . Col. Kip, . Carlotta,
Levi Aristos, Jno. I., Aristomont, Clegg Wright,
2.2814
2.1914 2.2534 2.26
2.2714 2.2714 2 28
2.2914 2.1914
2.1834 2,2014
2.26 2.2914
2.2014 2.2034 2.2134 2.2814 2.2334 2.2414 2.26
2.2614 2.2614 2 2734 2.29
Essex,
Tamerlane, 3,
Frank Dana, - Lexington Chief (p. 2. 2014), G. H. K., p,
aud dams of Rustic, Toney, Arnutta, 2 Maid of the Wildernasa, Arpansa, Allmyown, p,. Sons have ained
ARISTOS, JR., 2848.
Treadaway, .
Don Aristos,
Lady Vivian, p., . GiLiie, 14258.
Rupert Gillig,
Sue Gillig, 3 C. W. MircuHe 1, 2120.
Maggie Mitchell,
Jno. Mitchell,
Billy Mitchell,
and dam of Rapid Transit, H. B. Winsurp, 3874, Lady Winship, and dams of Leicester,
2.29 2.29 2.2914 2.2914 2.2914 2.2914 2.2934 2,2934 2,80 2.30 2.0914 2.1814 2.1914 2.22
2.29 2.29 2.2934 2.80 2.2414
2 27 2.27 2.2714 2.2714 2.30 2.2414
2 241g 2.2934 21714
2.2134 2.2514
2.214
2.2614
2.2834 2.2914 2.2814
217%
Sprague Winship, SHERMAN ARISTOS.
THE MORGAN HORSE.
2.2914
Maid of the Wilderness, 2.2614
Aurora, 1884. Constance,. Maud, e Daniel Lambert,
Bay Lambert, 11839.
Miss Fanny Jackson, and dams of
Jacksonian, Bessie,
Bay Star, 11267. Amy. Lee, Roxy Lee,
St. Lambert,
Ben Franklin, 753. Dynamite, Hulda B., May Be, Orwell, Althea,
Rare Ben, Peerless Ben, Nimbus, Katisha,
California Lambert,
Frank H., Dennis H., Belle Franklin, George C., i Cambridge Girl, Belle Girl, Charley Ray, Little Witch, R.W.S., Surprise Franklin, Bessie,
Cassie B., Helene, ‘“McMyatt,
N. 0. D.,
Buck Franklyn, P., 2,
Henry C., p.,
and dam of Cap. Thorne, p., 3, .
2.2114 2.27 2.28
2 30
2.2816 2.2934
2.14 2.2634 2.2914
2,203/ 2.2134 2.94 2 24 2.2414 2.26 2.2614 2.2614 2 2634 2.27 2.2714 2.28 2.2814 2.2814 2.2814 2.283/ 2.29 2,29 2.2914 2.2914 2.2934 2.2934 2.2934 2.30 2 30
2.173% 2.24
2,181¢
Sons have sired
69
CALIFORNIA LAMBERT, 10936.
Aaron 8., 2, 5 Maj. Tanners p,3 (), GLEN ALLEN. B. F. Solon, . Rare Ben, Rare John, Charlie Wicker, 3844. Myrtle S., Josie D., Champlain, 1041. Chamois, p., Happy Girl, p., Cobden, 1048. Helen M., é Cobden, Jr., p., Cobdela, p.,
Dick Preble. Lady M., . Escort, 4497. Hermie, p., Firefly, 8958. Delmonte, Col. Harry Lambert. Ethel Lambert, Harvester. J. Y. Gi, Island Chief, 3899. Phil. Dwyer, Jack Lambert, 6190. Miss Cawley, Jesse Lambert. Flora O.,
Jim Lambert. Eunice, ‘ John Lambert, 1809.
Goldfinder,
Jubilee Lambert, 518. Jubilee Lambert, Jr., Jubilee De Jarnette,
Lambert Chief, 3432. Minnie Moulton, Fanny B.,
2.29 2.1914
2.2414
2.2914
2.26 2.30
2.1614 2.2834
70 THE MORGAN HORSE.
Lambertus, 2263. Star Ethan, 18727. Sylvester K., . A » 2.201, Little Dan, é ‘ . 2.1914 Sir Thomas, . ‘ . 2.2614 Pearl, Z : : « 2.2516 Motion, 1544. Swanton Boy, . . » 2274 Whist, . : . . 2.1837 Split Ears, , x . 2.2916 Daisy Lambert, . . 2.934‘) U.Tell, .. . 2.293¢ Hattie L., ! ; . 2.2516 Allan, ‘ ‘ : . 2.30 Crome, . , ‘ . 2.26 Ben H., . : . 2.80 Mountain Boy, 4250. and dam of Daisy C., . , . . 2.22% Bessie W., -. : . 2.28 McIntosh, : . » 2.271¢ Thought, 16820. Bessie Braddock, . . 2.30 Archie B., ; : . 2.181¢ Premier. Mac, : : . » 2.2016 Blondin, . : ‘ . 2.2834 Royal Lambert, 7012. . Golden, . , . 2.2914
SIRES WHOSE DAMS ARE BY DANIEL LAMBERT.
ALTAR, 2648. CALIFORNIA LAMBERT, 10936. Grover C., : ‘ . 2.80 Aaron 8., - 4 . 2.29 Aristos, JR. Maj. Lambert, p. (r), - 2.19144
Treadway, ‘ z » 2.2416 Foxwoop, 3406. Don Aristos, . . =. 2.2934 Fox Hunter, . . . 2.80 Lady Vivian, p., . . 21744 Hapane, 4548.
REVENUE, 1976. Hustler, . : F . 2.2016 Rena Rolfe, . . . 218% Howell,3, . . . .2614 Mendicant, . . 2.281¢ Haloo . «2.27 Reve So, . : - . 2.2814 Pamuico, 7156.
Renown, . 4 F . 2.2916 Little Tobe, 3, ; - 2.2914 PERFORMERS WHOSE SECOND DAMS ARE BY DANIEL LAM- BERT.
Butterfly, . : F . 2.19387 Banquet, . F A . 2.24
Pure Wilkes, ‘ : . 2.1934 Nimbus, . A . . 2.2614
Bessie Wilkeswood, . . 2.20 Castalia, : ‘ ‘ . 2.2914
Eagle Bird, . 3 : . 2.21 Capt. Thorne, p., ‘ . 21916
OTHER DESCENDANTS.
Monbars, 8, . i - . 2.113% American Jay, . P . 2.2484 Galileo Rex, : : . 2,123¢ Knoxie Walker, . : . 2.2846 Purity Wilkes, . ‘ . 2.1534 Rapid Transit, . : . 2.2914 Leicester, . i , » 21716 Sprague Winship, ‘ . 2.2914 Alamito, . ; i . 2.19 Hustler, p., : » 2.1534 Prue, . , ‘ . 2.2116 Amy L., p., ‘ . . 2.21
Robert M. Taylor, . » 2.2816 Eagle Princess, p., . . 2.2134
THE MORGAN HORSE. 71
RECAPITULATION.
Standard performers, . 5 : F : ‘ : : : 36 Sons (29) with, ; : i F : : F 3 : : 101 Daughters have produced, . ; ; i ‘ és j 49 Grandsons (8) with, . ‘ ‘ : : : 13 Mares by sons have produced, ‘i : : . 12 Sires out of daughters (7) with, . 5 . : é : ‘ ; 15 Daughters have produced the dams of, : : z ; 8 Other descendants, é j x ; ‘ ‘ ‘ 4 2 é 17
Total, : 3 : 2 . F : F : : : 251
“Nothing succeeds like success,” and that opportunity has very much to do with success none can deny; if Daniel Lambert had been taken to Kentucky in his prime and bred to a class of mares belonging to Kentucky alone at that time, there is no doubt that he would now, instead of being credited with thirty-eight trotters in the list, have stood much nearer the head of all trotting sires of the world.
While Daniel Lambert has wonderfully distinguished him- self as a sire of trotters, he has even still greater distinction as a progenitor of handsome, stylish, spirited roadsters, with speed enough for gentlemen’s road driving, and in this respect he has never been equaled.
There were scores of his sons and daughters used as road- sters, which were never trained for speed nor stepped upon a race-track, that could beat 2.30 on the road with ease, and that had beauty and style enough to win the admiration of any horseman, and that sold for very high prices.
CHAPTER VII.
MORGAN HORSES.— Continued.
Woodbury Morgan — Royal Morgan— Morgan Caesar—Green Mountain Morgan — Morgans for stage purposes— Morgans for cavalry service — Adaptation to rough and hilly roads — As trotters — Ripton — Last message of Ethan Allen.
MONG other individual members who have contributed to establish and perpetuate this great and mighty family may be mentioned Woodbury Morgan, foaled in 1816, the property of Lyman Wright of Tunbridge, Vt. He was a dark, rich chestnut, with one white hind foot and a stripe in his face. He was fourteen and three-quarters hands high and weighed 990 pounds. He was a very handsome, bold, and stylish horse, with great resolution and nervous temperament. He was a good driver and appeared well in harness, but showed to the best advantage under the saddle and was the best parade horse of his day. He was sired by Justin Morgan, dam untraced. He finally died in Alabama in 1838 from exposure in a long and stormy sea voyage, at twelve and one- half years old, perfectly sound.
Mr. Lindsley, in “ Morgan Horses,” says :
“Royal Morgan was foaled in 1821, the property of Mr. Aldrich of St. Johnsbury, Vt., sired by Sherman; dam known as the Aldrich mare, and sired by Justin Morgan. She was a dark bay of remarkably compact form, with great powers of endurance, having produced and nursed a colt when twenty- nine years old. Royal Morgan was thirteen and three-quarters hands high and weighed 975 pounds; color, dark bay with full black points and a small star in forehead. This horse was taken to Maine and had much to do with establishing the
noted roadsters and gentlemen’s driving horses of that State, (72)
ATTS
u
‘NVOUON NVIWU
THE MORGAN HORSE. 73
and was brought back again to Vermont and was owned by a Mr. Crane, and by some known to this day as the Crane horse. Mr. Crane became so much attached to this horse that a short time previous to his death he directed that a likeness of the horse should be carved on his tombstone, which, I believe, has been done. When I last heard of this horse he was thirty-five years old and as sound and limber as a colt.”
From the same source of information I gather the fol- lowing:
“Morgan Caesar was foaled in 1828, the property of H. Smith of Hartland, Vt.; sired by Woodbury, dam by Quick- silver. He was fifteen hands high and weighed 1,100 pounds, was a fast driver —could go a mile in those times in three minutes, and was driven twelve miles with two men in a sleigh in forty-four minutes.
“ Thig horse stood several seasons in the State of Maine, and was really the founder of that family, or class, of roadsters for which Maine has become quite famous. But the Vermont- ers were too shrewd to allow him to always remain in the Old Pine Tree State and got him back again to that of the Green Mountains, where he died in 1848, aged twenty years, and he also died sound in limb. His stock was among the best-selling stock in Vermont, and geldings of his get brought from $300 to $500 each.”
Again: “Green Mountain Morgan — Hale’s,—was foaled in 1834; sire, Gifford Morgan; g.s. Woodbury; g. g.s. Justin Morgan and dam sired by Woodbury, a dark bay mare of beauty and action.
“Green Mountain was fourteen and one-half hands high and weighed 1,100 pounds; color, a deep bay. He was a great show horse; was taken West in 1853 and exhibited at several fairs and took first premium at State fairs at Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan. In 1854 he received first premium at the Ver- mont State Fair. He was a horse of great muscular develop- ment and remarkably nervous and spirited action.
“‘ A boldness in his style, a fire in his eye, and an unceasing
V4 THE MORGAN HORSE.
play to every muscle, once seen by any person having a taste for a fine horse could never be forgotten. In boldness and gracefulness of style he was considered incomparable in his day, and when he appeared on the show-grounds at Louisville, Ky., at the State Fair in 1853, he met with a cordial welcome and was greeted on entering the exhibition ring with such eagerness and applause that told full plainly that his form and style of action were new to the Kentuckians, and was, never- theless, appreciated by the thousands of strangers before whom he was moving. :
“Jt may be proper to state here that this horse was taken from Vermont to Dayton, Ohio, in a box car, without any stop for rest. The fair being over he went directly to Detroit, ar- riving there after the commencement of their fair. From Detroit he went directly to Louisville, where he arrived late at night previous to the last day of their fair. Whes brought into the ring of stallions the next morning, the blue ribbon— the highest prize—had just been tied on a beautiful dapple gray of the Gray Eagle stock, but when Green Mountain, then nineteen years old, pranced by the grand stand, the mul- titude immediately shouted, ‘Take it off! Take it off” It was, accordingly, transferred to Green Mountain.”
As before stated, the Morgans are a general purpose breed. This is most emphatically true. In New England we find them doing the work on the farms, doing livery business, used as family horses, and they are much sought after as roadsters and gentlemen’s drivers. Before the advent of railroads, when traveling was all done by horse power, we find some of the best and most durable horse teams in the land composed of these same little Morgans.
Mr. Lindsley says: ‘For stage purposes their equal for hilly countries has never been found. As a case in point I will state an old-time incident, occurring some fifty years since. A party of gentlemen made a trip to the White Mountains. After having made the customary examinations they arrived late one night at the Franconia ‘Notch House. Here they
THE MORGAN HORSE. 75
learned that a stage would leave for St. Johnsbury the next morning on its last trip for the season, it being then late in the month of September. This being the route our party preferred taking they engaged passage at once. Consequently the next morning, six good-sized individuals, besides the driver, with about an ordinary horse-load of baggage were stowed away in the rugged looking stage-wagon to which was attached a pair of medium-sized horses, as follows: The near one, a gelding of a dark chestnut color, about fourteen and one-half hands high, very closely and compactly built, with a clean, small head and exceedingly small ears set wide apart and very lively and active. The other was a gray mare somewhat heavier and considerably taller. She had a fine, long hip, well-shaped shoulders, and was, on the whole, a very fine animal.
“The party all objected to starting out with so small a team which they deemed quite unable for such a load to be drawn over such a mountainous and hilly road; but as re- monstrances prevailed nothing the passengers fell to discussing the chances of getting on with their infant team, as they fa- cetiously called it, and, from this, to discussing the relative merits of their two nags.
“One of the party whose fancy had been taken by the brilliant but pleasant eye that stood out large and free, the ever restless ears, and the strong, muscular loins and quarters of the chestnut, proposed to back the horse, much to the amusement of most of the party.
“When, at length, the driver gathered up the ribbons and gave the word, the mare dashed ahead as if determined to drag the driver off the seat. The horse struck a short, nervous trot, without fretting, and kept steady at it. The mare took the whole thing for the first half mile almost entirely by the bit, and the travelers had a hearty laugh at the judgment of my Rhode Island friend who had ‘backed’ the chestnut horse.
“A half hour passed and with it a good five miles of the road; by this time ‘bets were not so freely offered on the mare;’ she had commenced to slacken her pace, perspired freely,
76 THE MORGAN HORSE.
moved unsteadily, with an occasional toss of the head that plainly told that she was beginning to lose her interest in the trip.
“As to the horse, not a muscle moved save those of the ears. Thus they kept on for fourteen miles, which was the end of the first stage; the mare much fatigued with panting and exhaustion. Here they were to have a fresh team, but owing to a horse being very lame from a recent severe sprain, the driver changed but one and drove the chestnut gelding through to St. Johnsbury, some fourteen miles further. This seemed to the party rather hard, but the horse did not seem to mind it in the least, and up the long hill leading into St. Johnsbury he pressed on at the same short, nervous trot which he had main- tained all the way. On leaving the stage at St. Johnsbury, the party took a good look at the little horse that had achieved such a wonderful task, and were told by an old horseman that knew, that the little chestnut was a son of old Sherman Mor- gan, that he was eighteen years old, and that he had been run- ning constantly on a stage team for eleven years.”
Endurance is pre-eminently the heirloom of the Morgan family.
As regards the adaptability of Morgans as stage horses, Mr. Lindsley says: “I will here give the statement of an old ‘stager’ by the name of Milo June, who, by the way, was con- sidered one of the best judges of his day. When asked to give his views respecting Morgans as stagers, he said: ‘I have spent the greater portion of my life in staging, formerly in Vermont, now in Missouri. I take pleasure in bearing testimony to the decided superiority of the Morgan horses for coach service over any others that I have ever used. I have bought many horses in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri, and al- though an occasional good roadster may be found, they are not common. Many of the horses of these States have fine forms and good carriage, yet lack the high, free spirit, unflinching courage, and iron constitutions the Vermont Morgans so gener- ally possess.
THE MORGAN HORSE. U7
“Very many of the Western horses are too large. Large horses may be the best for draft, but I have always found horses of medium size, ranging, say, from 1,000 to 1,050 pounds, the most serviceable and enduring by far when used before a coach.’ ” 7 see
D. C. Lindsley, Esq., the author of “Morgan Horses,” also says that Mr. O. Walker, one of the most successful stage owners of our country in his time, and who was well known both in the East and the West (and the great fortune which he secured by his own exertions sufficiently attests his practical wisdom and sound judgment), in a letter dated Chicago, April 21, 1856, says:
“Being a Vermonter, I have known Morgan horses as long as I have known any. I have resided in Chicago the last seventeen years, during which time I have been largely en- gaged in the business of staging, which business affords con- stant employment for about 1,500 horses, and have thus had opportunities for observing and attesting the capacity and en- durance of horses. I have no hesitation in saying I consider the Morgan horse far superior to any other breed or blood I have ever known for the road or farm ; in fact, I would prefer them over all others for any kind of service on the American continent. They are invariably good feeders and easily kept, and will not only perform and do more service in a year, but will give more years of service than any other breed of horses I have ever known.
“Of the horses hitherto raised in the Western States, and particularly west of the Lakes (although much improved within a few years, and many fine horses may now be found among them), it is undeniably true that a Morgan horse from New England will outlast two horses raised in the West.
“Tt is also true that but few Morgan horses have as yet been brought from New England, west of the Lakes, and gen- erally true that their services are very much sought by intelli- gent breeders throughout the country. Any number of inferior horses may be found in the West which are claimed to be of
18 THE MORGAN HORSE.
Morgan blood. This attempt to palm off counterfeits is the highest evidence of the value of the genuine blood.
“The ready and general objection in the West with those who are not familiar with the Morgans, is want of size, forget- ting that their size should be judged by their weight and not by the length of their legs, and that the same bodies upon long legs would look much larger.”
During the War of the Rebellion in the United States, there was a great demand for medium-sized horses for the cavalry service, and not only the States, but Canada as well,. was drained of this class, especially geldings, to supply the demand.
Of all the mounted troops passing under the review at Washington of the late lamented Gen. Grant —a great lover of fine horses — none were so pleasing to his practiced eye as the Vermont Cavalry whose mount consisted principally of Morgans.
The Morgan producing States, vzz., Vermont and New Hampshire, were during this war so completely drained of their stock that in order to supply their customers, who by this time had become quite numerous, they—some of them-— bought up light horses from the West and from Maine and Canada and after acclimating them among the mountains, were ready to sell to inexperienced buyers as Morgans.
I don’t accuse the breeders or farmers of practicing this fraud, but charge it to the dealers and jockeys. There have been so many horses, first and last, sold for Morgans, that were but little, if any, akin to them, and that were so lacking in the general requisites of the true Morgan, that many have been sadly disappointed as to the expectations they had formed of their ability to perform all that was claimed for them.
A well-bred horse of the old stock of New England Mor- gans has never yet, to my knowledge, deceived the purchaser, but of course they should not be held responsible for the class of horses sold for New England Morgans, whose veins contain, perhaps, not one drop of the blood of old Justin Morgan. This style of horse-jockey dicker has done more injury to the Mor-
THE MORGAN HORSE. 79
gan family of horses than any and all things else that has been done to their detriment.
The Morgans seem especially adapted to the rough and hilly country roads of New England from the fact that they are sure-footed ; they are almost iron hoofed; they are able to descend the steepest hills on a round trot, and their adaptability to ascend or climb those same hills, even with a load, would put to shame many much larger horses.
As to the success of the Morgans in the trotting circuit we find by the records that no less than 100 Morgan stallions have sired trotters with well-earned records of 2.30 or less, and that such Morgan trotters number more than 200.
Of the nine stallions of all the trotting stallions in the world up to 1887, who had sired individual trotters whose win- nings on the trotting turf had amounted to $10,000 and upwards, we find that three out of the nine were Morgans, viz., Black Hawk, Ethan Allen, and Daniel Lambert — father, son, and grandson.
The Morgans were among the earlier trotters of the United States and figured on the trotting turf long before it had any such race-tracks as we now find all through our land. (The race tracks of those days were usually half-mile tracks and at the present day would be considered but mere apologies for the development of speed.) And long before America’s best hick- ory wood and the best manufactured steel had done so much towards producing light and suitable vehicles such as we now have, saying nothing about the bike which has — it is claimed —reduced the records from the best and lightest high-wheel sulky, very materially.
Among the recorded trotting performances in races of from forty to sixty years ago, may be found the following:
Ripton, the fastest trotting son of Sherman Morgan, made his debut on the trotting tracks of New York and Philadelphia in 1835. He successfully competed with the best trotters of his day and scored a record of 2.88 (one mile in harness) and 5.15 — two miles in harness. (See Ripton in ‘‘ Old Time Trotters,” Chap. XXII)
80 THE MORGAN HORSE.
About 52 years ago Black Hawk won a race by trotting five miles in, fifteen minutes, and in 1843 he won a race of two miles with ease in 5.43 and single mile heats in about 2.40.
“Tn 1853, his daughter, Black Hawk Maid, won a race of two mile heats in 5.23, in 1861 his son, Lancet, made a record of 2.27%. Lady Sutton, by Morgan Eagle, won.a mile race in 5.17. Beppo, by Gifford Morgan, won a race in 2.313, and Pizarro, by Morgan Cesar, also won a race in 2.35.”
I mention these few instances of old-time fast trotting of Morgan horses, not to call the attention of my readers to their records as being fast as compared to the best records of the present day, but merely to show that the Morgans of “ye olden tyme” were possessed of some speed at the trot; and now, when we compare those records with the best of the present day, considering all the contingencies of the case, those old- time Morgan trotters, with but little development and minus track advantages and speed-producing vehicles and appliances of our time, were not so far behind the modern trotter'as would seem at the first glance at the records.
The Morgans are our oldest trotting family, and if they have not produced our very fastest trotters, their produce de- serves to stand at the very head of all, as good tempered, hardy, and pleasant roadsters.
Of all the Morgan horses ever bred perhaps no individual among them has attracted the attention of the American peo- ple equal to Ethan Allen eighteen years before the public as a show horse and a trotter. His great race with Dexter in 1867, June 2ist, and which crowned him as King of the Morgans, is. still remembered by many.
This horse was finally purchased by the Messrs. Sprague and Aikers for stock purposes, and died on their Kansas stock farm in 1876, aged twenty-seven years.
The following soliloquy from the “American Horse Breeder” may not be out of place here, as the
RYSDYK’S HAMBLETONIAN.
gvenitor of American trotters and founder of the Hambletonian family .
S'
died
foaled 1849
The great pro
1876; sire of 1,333 living foals.
THE MORGAN HORSE.
LAST MESSAGE OF ETHAN ALLEN.
“I stand and gaze to the eastward, O’er prairies rolling and low;
Seeking in vain for the mountains And the friends of long ago.
And I long for the evergreen forests, For the sound of the brooklet’s rill; And a draught of the sparkling water
From the spring at the foot of the hill.
Time is fleeting, years are passing, Tears are dropping; I’m alone;
Quite forgotten, thinking, longing, For my loved Green Mountain home,
When my form was lithe and youthful, Like the Indian’s supple bow;
When my flight was like the eagle’s, Or the lightning’s vivid glow.
Days of triumph, days of victory, \ Dexter beaten, ’spite the taunt: ‘He is nothing but a Morgan Who is fighting for Vermont.’
I can hear the joyous shouting, I can see the flowers they bring
To deck their own, loved Ethan Allen, Crowned that day ‘The Morgan King.’
Tell me, have they quite forgotten All the deeds that I have done ? Do they think of Ethan Allen At the setting of the sun?”
81
CHAPTER VIII.
RYSDYKE’S HAMBLETONIAN.
Ilistory and pedigree — The Charles Kent mare— Imported Belfounder— Abdallah, sire of Hambletonian — Stud career — Great value of the get of Hambletonian — Hambletonian’s sons of renown.
HE history of this world-renowned sire of speed and that
of his ancestors is an interesting topic to all, and espe-
cially to those who are just entering the breeding ranks; but
it is already so familiar to the practical breeder and to many
lovers of the American trotting horse that they know it by heart.
In the summer of 1848 Mr. Joseph Seeley of Sugar Loaf, Orange County, N. Y., bred an animal known as the Charles Kent mare to Abdallah, by Mambrino, a son of Imported Messenger. The result of this service was a bay colt with two white feet and ankles and a small star, which was afterwards known as Rysdyke’s Hambletonian; which, when a weanling in 1849, was sold with its dam to a Dutch farmer of the same county named William Rysdyke—the price of both being $125.
This Charles Kent mare was bred by J. 8. Jackson of Oxford, N. Y., and foaled in 1834; hence was fifteen years old when she produced this noted son.
This mare was a daughter of Imported Belfounder, a beau- tiful and powerful although not large horse, bred in Norfolk County, England, foaled in 1816, and imported to Boston, Mass., in the ship Rasselas, arriving there July 11, 1822.
He was imported by James Boot, who paid £700 sterling, or about $3,500, for him in England; he was a natural trotter and fast. Extracts from his service card for 1823 read as
follows: (82)
RYSDYKE’S HAMBLETONIAN. 83
“ Belfounder was got by that well-known, fast, and high- formed trotter, Old Belfounder, out of Velocity, by Haphazard, by Sir Peter, out of Miss Hewey, by Eclipse; grand-dam was of good North Country blood, but not thoroughbred. Velocity trotted on the Norwich road in 1806 ten miles in one hour, and though she broke fifteen times into a gallop and as often turned around,:she won the match. In 1803 she trotted twenty-eight miles in one hour and forty-seven minutes, and has also done many other great performances against time.
“Belfounder, at five years old, trotted two miles in six minutes and in the following year was matched to trot nine miles in thirty minutes, which he won easily by twenty-two seconds. His owner afterwards challenged to perform with him seventeen and one half miles in one hour, but it was not accepted ; he has since never been saddled nor matched.
“Old Belfounder was a true descendant from, the original blood of the Fireaways, which breed of horses stand unrivaled for the saddle, either in this or any other nation.”
As to the Fireaways mentioned in the above advertisement, we have an account of a great-many performers of this family in England; among others of a mare called Nonpareil trotting in a vehicle called a match cart 100 miles in nine hours and fifty-seven seconds; her sire was Fireaway, owned in the county of Norfolk.
A son of this same Fireaway, called Norfolk Phenomenon, out of a Shields mare, is spoken of by the London Sunday Times of May, 1839, as “the fastest trotter that ever stepped. He is known to have performed two miles in five minutes and four seconds and is said to have trotted twenty-four miles in an hour.”
From the above it would seem that the Fireaways were a remarkable trotting family, and from this it would seem that the trotting instincts received by Rysdyke’s Hambletonian from Abdallah and Bishop’s Hambletonian, through Imported Messenger, were very materially strengthened by the Bel- founder cross in his dam.
84 RYSDYKE’S HAMBLETONIAN.
Belfounder stood at Charlestown, Mass., about six years, and was then leased to parties in New York State for $500 per year. He finally died on Long Island in 1843.
His blood mixed admirably with that, of Abdallah and Clay. The dam of Sayer’s Harry Clay, 2.29, was by Imported Belfounder. Sayer’s Harry Clay got the dams of twelve 2.30 trotters, and also the dam of the great Electioneer with 150 performers in the list with records ranging from 2.08% to 2.80.
The Charles Kent mare was naturally a very superior ani- mal. When three years old she was purchased from her breeder by a Mr. Seeley for $300. He sold her for $400 to a Mr. Pray, who sold her to a New York butcher named Chivers for $500, who, in turn, sold her to a banker for $600.
While owned by the New York banker she became so lame as to be unfit for road work, and was sold to Charles Kent, who bred her to Webber’s Tom Thumb, the produce being a filly which bred to Vernol’s Black Hawk, son of Long Island Black Hawk, brought the noted trotting sire, Green’s Bashaw, whose list of 2.30 performers outnumbers that of any other stallion tracing in the male line to the noted stallion Andrew Jackson.
One Eye, dam of the Charles Kent mare, was by Bishop’s Hambletonian, out of Silver Tail by Imported Messenger. Bishop’s Hambletonian was by Imported Messenger, out of Pheasant by Shark; he by Marske, sire of the great English race horse “ English Eclipse.”
Abdallah, the sire of Hambletonian, was a bay horse, fifteen and three-quarters hands high, bred on Long Island, N. Y., got by Mambrino and foaled in 1823, hence was twenty-six years of age when Hambletonian was foaled.
Abdallah was a coarse, homely horse, and was never well patronized in the stud. J. W. Hunt of Lexington, Ky., pur- chased him in the fall of 1839, and rode him from New York city to Lexington, Ky., and made the season of 1840 with him at Lexington. But he failed to be appreciated by the breeders of the Blue Grass country, and his stud duties were said to be very light.
RYSDYKE’S HAMBLETONIAN. 85
He afterwards stood in New Jersey, and in 1849 stood at the “Bull’s Head” at New York with fee reduced to $15, yet still without much patronage.
His coarse, ungainly looks, together with his rather unpleas- ant disposition, which, it is said, he transmitted, was greatly against him. In appearance, Old Abdallah, as he was called, was a brown bay, standing fifteen hands three inches, with a coarse, bony head, a gamey, resolute eye with considerable white around the edge of the lid (such as is often seen on pie- bald horses), prominent ears, short neck, high, sharp withers, being higher forward than behind, strong but rather narrow loin, straight croup, tail light and set very high, being on a line with the backbone and having but little hair on it — being what is called a rat-tail.
He was an all around homely horse, but with a good set of legs and feet. He was never broken to the harness, but under the saddle could show about a three-minute clip, and had a clean, open gait, and good knee action, and his get were mostly all trotters.
He was finally given to a farmer, who sold ‘him to a Long Island fisherman for $35, who, thinking he might utilize him in delivering the products of the ocean to his customers, hitched him to his cart. Abdallah, still having notions of his own, considered the cart of more account for kindling wood, and consequently kicked it into numerous fine pieces; after which the disgusted fisherman turned the horse loose upon the sands, where he finally died of starvation, in November, 1854, at the age of thirty-one years, as sound as a colt.
Rysdyke’s Hambletonian stands to-day at the very head of all horses ever foaled in America, or the world, as the great progenitor of trotters. He was very successful in the stud, and sired 1,333 living foals. He made his owner, the late William Rysdyke, both rich and famous, and after his death, in March, 1876, strangers contributed to build him a lasting granite mon- ument to perpetuate his memory.
86 HAMBLETONIAN’S STUD CAREER.
Hambletonian’s Stud Career.
When Hambletonian was two years old he served four mares and three foals resulted therefrom, Alexander’s Abdallah being one of them. When he was three years old he served seventeen mares, getting thirteen foals — Lady Woodhull, the dam of Hambletonian (1221) which horse made a record of 2.264 in 1885, being one of them.
The same year Hambletonian was shown at the New York State Fair, and defeated. Roe’s Abdallah Chief in two heats, time 3.03 and 2.48. Some ignore this performance entirely, but that something did give Hambletonian a boom the year afterwards cannot be denied, for 101 mares were served by him, which was something unheard-of for a four-year-old colt.
That year he sired seventy-eight living foals, and among them Volunteer and Logan. In 1854, when but five years old, his fee was raised from $25 to $35, and that year he sired the famous George Wilkes, Edward Everett, and Billy Denton. In 1855 he sired Sackett’s Hambletonian. In 1856 he sired Lady Augusta, 2.304, and Belle Brandon, dam of Amy, 2.204, and Gov. Sprague, 2.203. The next year, when eight years old, he sired Dexter, 2.174, and so on to the end.
To show his recognized merit at that time, in 1863 his service fee was raised from $35 to $75, at which he received 150 mares, and that year he sired Jay Gould, 2.203, Harold, Peacemaker, Regulus, Hotspur, Lysander, Macedonian, Idol, and Belle, the dam of Elmer, 2.224. In 1864, when fifteen years old, his pat- ronage was 217 mares, from which came 148 foals, a feat never performed by any other noted horse, excepting, perhaps, Blue Bull.
From this season’s service came Hamperion, 2.194, Gazelle, 2.21, Effie Deans, 2.254, Messenger Durock, Walkill Chief, Knickerbocker, Rysdyke, Milwaukee, Chosroes, Jack Shep- herd, Virgo-Hambletonian, Reporter, Mape’s Horse, Bucking- ham, Bay Billy, Sampson, Ouida, dam of Trinket, 2.14, Miss Brunette, dam of Black Prince, 2.254, etc.
HAMBLETONIAN’S STUD CAREER. 87
So rapidly grew his reputation that in 1864 his fee was put to $100; in 1865, to $300, and the next year at $500, and con- tinued at that.
The blood of Seeley’s American Star mingled kindly with that of Hambletonian; the union gave us great performances on the track, such as Dexter, 2.174, Nettie, 2.18, and Orange Girl, 2.20.
Prominent among the Hambletonian-Star family stallions are Dictator, sire of Jay Eye See, 2.104, Phallas, 2.154, and Director, 2.17; Aberdeen, sire of Hattie Woodward, 2.154, and Modoe, 2.193; Jay Gould, sire of Adele Gould, 2.19; Startle, sire of Majolica, 2.17; Walkill Chief, sire of Great Eastern, 2.18, and Dick Swiveller, 2.18.
Robert McGregor, 2.17%, is by a grandson of Hamble- tonian out of Nancy Whitman by Seeley’s American Star ; and Driver, 2.19%, is by Volunteer, out of Silver Tail by Seeley’s American Star.
Hambletonian was the sire of thirty-seven in the 2.30 list, which thirty-seven animals (it is said) either sold for, or in their palmy days would have sold for the magnificent sum of $339,000, and has been figured out as follows:
Administrator, . 2.291¢ $5,000 Jay Gould, . . 2.2114 $30,000 Alma, . - . 2.283¢ 2,500 Jerome, . : » 227 3,000 Astoria, . ‘ . 2.291¢ 2,500 Kisber, . 4 . 2.2734 7,000 Belle, . : ~ 2.22 15,000 Lydia Augusta, . 2.30 2,500 Breeze, . ; . 2,24 6,000 Lady Banker, . . 2.28 8,000 Bruno, . 5 . 2.291¢ 15,000 Lottery, . : 2.27 4,000 Chester, és . 2.27 3,500 Lottie, . : . 2.28 4,000 Deucalion, . , . 2.22 10,000 Madeline, 2 . 2.231¢ 6,000 Dexter, . : . 2.1714 35,000 Margarite, . 2.29 2,509 Drift, . : . 2.293¢ 5,000 Mattie, . ; . 2.221¢ 15,000 Effie Deems, . . 2.2516 4,000 Maud, . : . 2.2934 8,000 Ella Madden, . . 2.2534 4,000 Nettie, . : . 2.18 25,000 Enfield, . - . 2.29 10,000 Nutwood (to wagon), 2.23 4,000 Factory Girl, . . 2.298¢ 3,000 Orange Girl, . . 2.20 10,000 Gazelle, . : . 2.21 20,000 Scotland Maid, '2.281g 4,000 George Wilkes, . 2.22 25,000 Sentinel, . F . 2.293¢ 10,000 Hamperion, . . 2.2916 3,500 Small Hopes, . . 2.261 8,000
- Harvest Queen, . 2.291g 8,000 Young Bruno, . 2.22384 8,000 James, Jr... . 2.24 8,000
88 HAMBLETONIAN’S STUD CAREER.
The average price of the thirty-seven 2.30 performers being a fraction over $9,162. Dictator was sold for $25,000 when twenty years old.
The stallions in this list which have won renown in the stud are Administrator, George Wilkes, Jay Gould, and Sen- tinel. Their united progeny would have sold for a fabulous amount of money. .
The fastest of the get of the above performing sires are as follows: Administrator, Catchfly, 2.184; George Wilkes, Wilson, 2.164; Jay Gould, Pixley, 2.16; and Sentinel, Von Arnim, 2.194.
Of the trotting stallions of the world having a total of fifty or more in the list, arranged according to their respective standing as measured by the total number of standard per- formers, are Electioneer, with 150; Nutwood, with 106; Red Wilkes, with 102; Happy Medium, with 88; George Wilkes, with 78; Onward, with 77; Blue Bull, with 60; Egbert, with 60; and Alcantara, with 51.
Of these nine greatest sires in the world, four are the sons of Hambletonian, three are his grandsons, and one is his great- grandson.
As to the source from which Hambletonian derived his marvelous speed-producing qualities with the power to per- petuate the same to his descendants, I claim, and always have claimed, that there should be as much credit given his dam as to his sire, and that this great Norfolk born-trotter, Imported Belfounder, a direct descendant of the great Fireaway family of England, should receive as much credit as Imported Mes- senger.
I know that Wallace laid great stress on the fact that Hambletonian was “inbred to Messenger” ; yes, he was, but all the Messenger strains in in Hambletonian combined made him but one-fourth Messenger. He was also one-fourth Bel- founder ; just as much Belfounder as Messenger.
We find the potency of the Belfounder blood in the Clay family, as more trotters trace to Sayer’s Harry Clay than all
HAMBLETONIAN’S STUD CAREER. 89
other Clays put together (excepting, of course, his ancestors), and his dam was by Imported Belfounder.
Then there is in Hambletonian’s greatest son, Electioneer, with 155 sons and daughters in the list, an additional strain of Belfounder blood through his dam, whose sire was Sayer’s Harry Clay.
Then the greatest sire of all the Bashaw family was Green’s Bashaw, whose grand-dam was the Charles Kent mare, dam of Hambletonian, by Imported Belfounder.
CHAPTER IX. ALEXANDER’S ABDALLAH.
Pedigree and early history —His speed potency —Sprague’s Hambletonian one of his best ones—Sprague’s Hambletonian sire of Governor Sprague — Abdallah in motion.
T has for years been a disputed question among horsemen as to which of the sons of Rsydyke’s Hambletonian was the most potent factor and deserving of the most credit in es- tablishing the American trotter. Of course if we go by the records, Electioneer leads all others; but if we go by age and opportunity, giving him full credit, I am disposed to favor Ab- dallah (15) foaled in 1852, got by Hambletonian (10)—at the age of two years—bred by L. J. Sutton of Warwick, N. Y., and sold to Major Edsall, a hotel-keeper of Goshen, Orange County, N. Y., and by him sold to Messrs. Love and Miller of Cynthiana, Ky., in February, 1859, for $2,500. He was taken to Kentucky and his name changed from Edsall’s Hambletonian to Love’s Abdallah.
When the war came on, Mr. Love was afraid of losing his horse and proposed selling him to Lord Robert A. Alexander, proprietor of Woodburn Farm, believing him safe in the hands of a British subject. Mr. Alexander at first declined to purchase, but finally made Love an offer for him provided he could be made to trot in 2.385 with a month’s handling— 2.42 being his record. James Monroe, who was then working for Mr. Alexander, took the horse and in two weeks’ handling he trotted a full mile in 2.304, and the deal was completed, Mr. Alexander paying $2,500 in cash and another good horse. His name was then changed to Alexander’s Abdallah. The histo- ry of his being stolen by the guerrillas, re-captured by Union troops, and ridden to death at the age of thirteen years is
familiar to all. (90)
ALEXANDER’S ABDALLAH. 91
The blood of Alexander’s Abdallah is potent and speed giv- ing generation after generation. Had he the opportunities of George Wilkes, Electioneer, and many others of the sons of Hambletonian, I have no hesitancy in going on record as say- ing he was one of the very best of all the great sons of that great progenitor of trotting speed. As it is, if we give him credit for al that justly belongs to himj and thus placing him as the grand-sire of Gov. Sprague, who was undoubtedly sired by Sprague’s Hambletonian, who, in turn, was unquestionably one of Alexander’s Abdallah’s best sons; then, and not till then, can we count on his true merits as one of our greatest progenitors of trotting speed.
Sprague’s Hambletonian was kept for stock purposes only one season and not advertised at that, but was used as a road- horse both in New York and Rhode Island, and with his mate, Belle Brandon, was considered at one time the best road team in New York city. He was then known by the name of New York. He, with his mate, Belle Brandon, was purchased by Col. Amasa Sprague of Rhode Island, and his name changed to Sprague’s Hambletonian. Col. Sprague used them as a road team, and a good team it was—I remember them well—and in 1870 they were mated together, the result of which union was a black colt afterwards known as Governor Sprague, but recorded as the son of a horse called Rhode Island.
He also sired Boston-Boy-Hambletonian, 2.25, Gov. Dimon, Col. Sprague, Lady Sprague, and a few other good ones in Connecticut and Rhode Island. The three last-named foals of Sprague’s Hambletonian were all bred by myself in 1875 — foaled in 1876—and could all trot; the two former were great roadsters and very fast although never trained for speed.
Sprague’s Hambletonian died in Pomfret, Conn., in the fall of 1876 of epizootic and the want of proper care. He was. a great horse, and I claim that with equal opportunities, the peer of any of the sons of Abdallah.
Abdallah died at thirteen years of age, just as he was be- ginning and had an opportunity to make for himself a noted
92 ALEXANDER’S ABDALLAH.
name at the head of the Woodburn trotting stud. He sired that greatest campaigner of her time, Goldsmith Maid, 2.14, Rosalind, 2.212, Thorndale, 2.214, Major Edsall, 2.29, and St. Elmo, 2.30. He also sired thirteen sons, who, altogether, sired twenty-four trotters and four pacers better than 2.30. He also sired nineteen mares who have produced twenty trotters and two pacers better than 2.30, besides being the legitimate grand- sire of Gov. Sprague, the founder of the Sprague family.
Alexander’s Abdallah in motion was one of the grandest horses ever seen. His dam, Katy Darling, like the dams of most great horses, was much more than an ordinary mare. She was a noted road mare of her day and was undoubtedly well-bred, although, unfortunately for the breeding student, her breeding cannot be satisfactorily traced.
with
Hlectioneer,
g bred grandsons of the great
one of the best trottin
Stallion;
eer
Slectic ee
pical K
A ty
CHAPTER X. THE ELECTIONEERS.
Electioneer the greatest trotting sire of the world— Superior to his sire — A natural trotter —Marvin’s description of him— Ability to get early and extreme speed — List of performers and dams of performers.
‘L{ ‘LECTIONEER, the greatest trotting sire of the world, 4— was foaled in 1868. He was bred by Charles Backman of Stony-Ford Stock Farm in Orange County, N. Y., at which place his dam now lies under a monument raised to the memory of this great mother of trotters, and not very far from where the monument marking the resting place of his honored sire, the Hero of Chester, points its finger of memory upwards and onward, and where horsemen, in years to come, traveling in that region, will remember the great hero of trotting speed, now lying under the “live oaks” at Palo Alto, Cal. ’
Electioneer, before going to California in 1876, at the age of eight years, had no opportunity in the stud, so his achievements and those of his family really date from 1878. And in esti- mating his rank as a sire this fact should be considered, and the records may be searched in vain to find another family line that in the short space of twelve years (as he died in 1890) rose to such an enviable position.
In color and general conformation Electioneer resembles his. sire, Hambletonian ; and being out of the greatest mare ever embraced by Hambletonian, he may safely be called his best- bred son; and his breeding was backed up by extraordinary good individuality.
He was, however, in many respects superior to his sire in beauty of form and style of movement. He was good and stout at all points, denoting marvelous strength and symmetry of structure, and he was a useful, common-sense appearing
horse from his brainy head to the very tip of his tail. (93)
94 THE ELECTIONEERS.
In height he measured fifteen and one-half hands at the withers and an inch higher behind, giving what I call the Hambletonian pitch, a singular order of conformation which is noticeable in a pronounced degree in many of his get, and nota- bly so in Campaign and Sunol.
His broad forehead and general expression of intelligence furnish the explanation of his power to control the mental organizations of the thoroughbred, thereby making his crosses on the thoroughbred the most successful and the most marvel- ous of any stallion that ever lived. Probably the most striking feature in the general make-up of Electioneer was the enor- mous power and strength of his quarters; in this respect the stamp of his sire was most noticeable.
Although Electioneer was never trained for a record or ever in a race, he was a fully developed and natural trotter, and in his exercise on the Palo Alto track he could carry the speedy Occident 2.164, right up to his speed; and there is no question in the minds of those who knew him best that in his prime he could easily have beaten 2.20 if required.
Electioneer goes on record as the sire of more 2.30 trotters, more 2.20 trotters, and more young record breakers, than any other horse in the world.
The late Gov. Stanford often expressed the belief that Electioneer never sired a colt but that with proper training was capable of trotting in 2.30 or less, and a common expression with him was: “The Electioneers all trot.”
It is claimed that much of Electioneer’s blood was frittered away in experimental courses, and his power was used to de- monstrate to the world that strictly thoroughbred mares may be able to produce fast trotters. While he did demonstrate beyond a doubt and to the most skeptical his ability to do this, there can be no donbt that he would to-day have had many more performers to his credit had his harem consisted of se- lected trotting mares exclusively.
It is claimed that the ability to get fast trotters out of thoroughbred mares is the severest test to which a stallion can
THE ELECTIONEERS. 95
be subjected in the transmittance of his blood lines; and the simple fact that the dead Electioneer was so successful on this class of mares, alone should stamp him as a horse of marvelous prepotency.
Green Mountain Mann, the dam of Electioneer, was a most wonderful mare, and perhaps, all things considered, has proved herself to be the greatest trotting brood mare ever on earth.
She was sired by Harry Clay, 2.29, the great brood mare sire, who sired in addition to Green Mountain Maid, the dams of St. Julian, 2.114; Bodine, 2.194; Elaine, 2.20, and sixteen others in the trotting list.
The dam of this most wonderful mare was Shanghai Mary, a great natural trotter and a stayer.
Among Green Mountain Maid’s famous children, besides the great Electioneer, are Prospero, 2.20; Elaine, 2.20; Dame Trot, 2.22; Elista, 2.22%; Mansfield, 2.26; Storm, 2.263; Antonio, 2.28%; and Marinda, 2.31.
Green Mountain Maid stands out in bold relief at the very head of all brood mares of the world as being the dam of more fast trotters than any mare that ever lived, — aside from being the dam of Electioneer.
In 1881 Senator Leland Stanford offered Mr. Backman $10,000 for the celebrated equine matron, then in her twentieth year, and when Mr. Backman had already realized $46,330 from the sale of her foals and had seven of her sons and daughters left. The memory of this great mare will be kept green for generations yet to come through the turf performances of her progeny.
In most cases the get of Electioneer inherited his conforma- tion, and in most cases measured rather higher behind than at the withers. The brainy head of Electioneer accounts for the heads and brains of his offspring; ‘ Beautiful in shape and level in balance.”
Marvin, in describing Electioneer, says: “He has a good shoulder, splendid barrel, faultless back, and simply the best quarters that I ever saw on a stallion.”
96 THE ELECTIONEERS.
Asa three-year-old he was broken to harness and driven some ina wagon. In this way of going Mr. Charles Backman timed him quarters in 38 seconds, with but little work.
Charles Marvin, in his excellent book, “Training the Trot- ting Horse,” says: ‘ Electioneer is the most natural trotter I have ever seen. He has free, abundant action; it isa perfect willing action both in front and behind, and he has not the usual fault of the Hambletonians of going too wide behind.”
He further says: “I have driven Electioneer a quarter better than 35 seconds and although this may not be fast enough to suit the critics of Electioneer, I call any horse that can speed faster than a 2.20 gait a trotter.”
Continuing, Marvin says: “He did this, too, hitched to a 125-pound wagon with a 220-pound man—and not a profes- sional, either—in the seat. Without preparation you could take out Electioneer in stud condition any day and drive him an eighth of a mile at a 2.20 gait.
“He always had his speed with him, and this is a character- istic of his sons, and, to my mind, one of great importance to breeders. That Electioneer could have beaten 2.20 if given a regular preparation is, with me, a conviction about which no doubt exists.”
His roll of honor consists of the following records as gath- ered from the trotting statistics; and this not only fully demon- strates his ability to get extreme early speed, but the ability of his get to train on:
Yearlings. Hinda Rose, dam by The Moor, . : ; . 2.861 Two-Year Olds. Sunol, dam by General Benton, . i : 4 ‘ ‘ . 2.18 Wild Flower, dam by The Moor, . , ; ‘ . 2.21 Bonita, dam by St. Clair, : : : ‘ : ; . 2.2416 Fred Crocker, dam by St. Clair, ‘ ‘ . 2.2516 Bell Boy, dam by The Moor, ; : i é é . . 2.26 Carrie C., dam by Henry Clay, . ‘ ; ’ ‘ : , . 22716 Pedlar, dam by Mohawk Chief, : ‘ : , ; ‘ » 2274 Palo Alto Belle, dam by The Moor, . : ; j 3 i » 2.2816 Sphinx, dam by Belmont, . . : : « i . 2,2916
Del Mar, dam by Toronto unis, ‘ : : . 2.30
THE ELECTIONEERS.,
Three-Year Olds.
Sunol, dam by General Benton,
Bell Boy, dam by The Moor,
Hinda Rose, dam by The Moor,
Palo Alto Belle, dam by The Moor, . Campbell’s Electioneer, dam by Clark Chief, Maiden, dam by Alexander’s Norman, . Manzanita, dam by St. Clair,
Rexford, dam by General Benton, Sphinx, dam by Belmont,
Hattie D., dam by Nutwood, :
Grace Lee, dam by Culver’s Black Hawk,
Four-Year Olds. Manzanita, dam by St. Clair, Benita, dam by St. Clair, Antevola, dam by A. W. Hetmond, Palo Alto, dam by Planet (thoroughbred), Albert W., dam by Son of pats Trustee ¢ (thoroughbred, Sphinx, dam by Belmont, Albert W. (two miles), . 3 Lot Slocum, dam by Mohawk Chief, Gov. Standford, dam by Hambletonian, Carrie C., dam by Henry Clay, Clifton Bell, dam by Abdallah Star, St. Bel, dam by The Moor, Mortimer, dam by Hambletonian, Egotist, dam by Belmont, Ella, dam by Mambrino, Azmoor, dam by Imported Hercules,
Five-Year Olds.
Lot Slocum, dam by Mohawk Chief, Gertrude Russell, dam by Planet, Clay, dam by Henry Clay,
Emeline, dam by Woodburn,
Cubic, dam by Imported Australian,
Six-Year Olds.
Anteo, dam by A. W. Richmond, Lot Slocum, dam by Mohawk Chief, Adair, dam by Culver's Black Hawk, Old Nick, dam by Chieftain, Carrie C., dam by Henry Clay, Azmoor, dam by Imported Hercules, Morca, dam by Mambrino Pilot, Express, dam by Express, Arbutus, dam by Messenger Duroc,
%
97
2.1014 2.1914 2.1914 22214 2 2914 2.23
2.2814 2,24
2.2414. 2.2634 2.2914
2.16 2.183/
2.1916
2.2014 2.2214 2.23 4.51 2 2314 2.2814 2.24 2.2414 2 2414 2.27 2.29 229 2.30
2.17 2.2814 2.25
2.2746 2.2814
2.1614 2.1714 21714 2.23 2.2414 2.2434 2.25 2.2914 2.30
98 : THE ELECTIONEERS.
In the preceding table of early records of the sons and daughters of the great Electioneer, especially when we take into consideration the breeding of their dams, may be found an object lesson worthy of study by the coming breeder of the American Trotter, as in it we find the unmistakable ability of this great sire to transmit his speed quality to his sons and daughters through mares of different breeding and of different ‘breeds, and thoroughbreds as well as trotters and pacers.
As to the trotting action of the Electioneers, Charles Mar- vin says: “They are mostly prompt, round-gaited horses, and straight-lined trotters. They do not have to square away or strike a position to get up speed.
“ Asa rule they are close gaited. The majority of them do not throw the hind foot outside of the fore foot in trotting, but go under the line trotting principle. They do not have to goa mile or so to get untangled; they trot low, have no waste ac- tion, and gather speed quickly and smoothly.”
Electioneer sired the following list of performers, and sires and dams of performers, as per the latest official reports:
ELECTIONEER, 125, SIRE OF
Arion, 4, . F . 2.0734 Mont Rose, 3, .. : . 2.18
Sunol, . . ‘ i . 2.0814 Ah There, . : 3 . 2.1814 Palo Alto, . A . 2.0834 Electric Coin, . ‘ . 2.1814 Truman, 4, . ‘ ‘ . 2,12 Conductor, . : . 2.1814 Expressive, 8, . P . 2,121 Altivo, 4, . ‘ 7 . 2.1814 Belleflower, 4, . ‘ » 2.1237 Bonita, . r s . 2.1814 Norval, : ss : . 2.148¢ Coral, . ‘ ' 3 . 2.1816 Advertiser, . . : . 2.1514 Suisun, , 3 a . 2.1816 Expedition, . P i » 2.1534 Rustique, . ‘ ’ . 2.181¢ Starlight, . . F . 2.1534 Regina, , : . 2.1816 Manzanita, 4, . . . 2.16 Bell Boy, 3, a ‘ . 2.191% Anteeo, 3 "i A . 2.1616 Bow Bells, . F ‘ - 2.1914 Ladywell, . . ; . 2.1614 Antevolo, . ‘ . 21916 Amigo, ‘ F 5 . 2.1634 Hinda Rose, 8, . ” . 2.1916 Del Mar, . : : . 2.1634 Monaco, . . . . 21916 Bernal, ‘ . . . 217 Albert W., . ; . - 2.20
Adair, . ‘ 5 . . 2.1714 Ansel, . ‘ ‘ . 2.20
Lot Slocum, ‘ A . 21714 May King, . : ; . 2,20
Electioneer (Campbell’s), . 2.1734 Azmoor,. ‘ : . 2.2014 Electricity, . ‘ 3 2.1734 Sphinx, ; ; é . 2.2016
Utility, Express,
Gov. Stanford, Helena, 3, Wildflower, 2, Elector, Laura R., Elleneer,
Bell Bird, 2, Cecilian, 2, Junio, .
Belle Monte, Egotist,
Palo Alto Belle, 3,
Advance, 8, Brilliant,
Fallis, .
‘Maiden, 38,
Old Nick,
Grover Clay, ‘Susette, Gertrude Russell, Addie Lee, 2d, .
Kerneer, ‘ ‘Marvin, 3 a
Pedlar,
Arol, . 2 Carrie C., Electric King, Rexford, 3, . Peko, 3, Electrician, . Morea,
Clifton Bell,
St. Bel,
Electro Benton, 3, Aleck B., . F Electryon, . Aldeana, . Clay,
Fay, . ‘; ,
Elector,
Young Wildidle, Colma, | é Fred Crocker, 2, Memento, Athena, 2, ‘Caution,
.
THE ELECTIONEERS.
2.2034 2.21 2,21 . 2.21 5 et 2.211, 2.2114 2.2114 2.22 2.22 2.22 2.2214 2.2214 2.2214 2.2214 2.28 2.28 2.28 2,28 2.2814 2.2316 2.2814 2.2834 2.2334 2.2834 . 2.2834 2,24 2.94 2,24 2.24 2.24 2.2414 2.2414
224
2.2414 2.2414 2.2434 2.2434 2.25 2,25 2.25 2.25 2.25
2.2514
2.2514 2.2514 2.2516 2.2514
Monterey, Paola, . Quality, Sweet Rose, 1, Fowler Boy, Ivo, i Dan,
Veda, . Arbutus, Candidate, . Lent, Loraneer, 3, Hattie D., Electant, Electuary, Lucyneer, 3, Mortimer, Don Felix, Elwina, 2, Jim, - Re-Election, Emaline, Hugo, . Idle May, Minet, . Whips, . Election, Outcross, Sonoma, Liska, 3, Pomona, . Tiny,2, . Alma, . Antinous, Cubic, . Electrix, Slight, .
El Benton, Emma R., Alaska, Electro, Ella,
Elma Sontag, 2, .
Grace Lee, 3, Herman, Laura C., Belle Electric, Cara Mia, .
99
2.2516 2.2514 2.2514 2.2534 2.26 2.26 2.2614 2.2614 2.2614 2.2614 2,2614 2.2614 2.2634 2.27 2.27 2.27 2.27 2.2714
. 2.2714
2.2714 2.2714 2.2714 2.2744 2.2714 2.2714 2.2716 2.28
2,28
2.28
2.2814 2.2814 2.2844 2.2816 2.2814 2.2814 2.2814 2.2814 2.2834 2.2834 2.29
2.29
2.29
2.29
2.2914
2.2914 2.2914 2.2914 2.2914
100
Coquette,
Eros,
Ivy E.,
Linnet, 3,
Miss Naude,
Rockefeller,
Don Monteith,
Legal Test, .
Commotion,
Electress,
Electwood, . ‘
Gen. Wellington,
Golden Slippers, .
Idelia, . :
Rusenole,
Stella, .
Pacifica,
Wild May, .
Peruvian Bitters, p., and dams of
Daly,
Limonera, 3,
The Seer,
Lee Russell,
Robert Lee, .
Eskimo,
Elden, 8,
Marston C., 3,
Charles Derby,
Greenlander Girl,
Greenlander Boy,
Langton,
Navarro,
Wanda,
PRODUCING SONS OF
Advertiser, 2 1514. Adbell, 1,
Alaska, 14429. Lena H., . -
Albert W., 11333. Little Albert, Dudley Olcott, Albert T., William Albert, Arthur Dodge, Miss Albert, 3,
THE ELECTIONEERS.
2.2014 2.2914 2.2014 2.2914 2,2914 2.2914 2.2934 2.2934 2.80 2.30 2,80 2.30 2.80 2.30 2.80 2,30 2.30 2.30 2.2814
2.15
2.1534 2.1534 2.1614 2.1814 2.183/ 2.1914 2.1914 2.20
2.21
2.213/ 2.213/ 2.22
2.2214
2.28 2.2014
2.10 2.1814 2.1914 2.2014
2.203%
2.2514
Millard, Noya, Newflower, . Maralia,
Nita Pancoast, Del Paso, Newport, Bion, Comrade, Covey, Greenway, Miss Albert, Waldstein, . Daghestan, 2, Sweetwater, 2, Election, 3, Daylight, Rosita, Wildmont, . Wavelet, Raola, . Bentoneer, Lord Stanley, Wild Bee, Elect Cossack. Esparto Rex, 3, Hilarita, Steineer, Minnie.B., King Piedmont. Lady Juno, . Crafty, p., Alcinta, p., .
ELECTIONERR, 125.
Neernut, 3, Pansy Blossom, 3, Flowing Tide, p., Hightide, p., Amelia, p., 3, . Ansel, 7093. Answer, Nettie B., Norris, . F Marie Ansel, 2. Clarion,
2.28 2.24 2.24 2.2414 2.2414 2.2414 2.2414 2.2434 2.2434 2.25 2.25 2.2514 2.2514 2.2514 2.26 2.2614 2.263/ 2.2714 2 2714 2.28 2.2814 2.2814 2.2816 2 29 2.2914 2.2914 2.29% 2.2014 2.2934 2.30 2.80 2.1814 2.1634
2,263 2.2814 2.143% 2.1734 2.21%
2.144% 2.2014 2.2214 2.25
2.2634
Ariana, 2.26 Antella, 2, 2.2614 Anselma, . é 2.2916 and dam of Seylax, : i 2.2414 Anteeo, 7868. Eoline, 3, . 2.1437 Abanteeo, 171g James Madison, 2.1734 Anthelia, 4, 2.18 Tietam, 2.19 Myrtle, 3, 2.191 Alfred G., 2.1934 Maud M., 2.201¢ Redwood, 2.2116 Maud Fowler, . : 2.2134 Mountain Maid, 2.2214 Rex, * . 2.2219 Anteeoyne, 3, 2.23 Anteeo Richmond, 2.2414 Dan Brown, 2.2437 Ethel Mac, 2.25 Anteeo, Jr., 2.2514 Fanny D., 2.26 Grey Belle, 2.27 Reyanetta, 3, 2.27 Antarees, . 2.2716 Maudee, 2.2814 Electeo, 2.2914 G. and M., 2.2916 Sunset, ‘ ‘ 2.29384 and dam of W. Wood, p., . . 2.07 Sons have sired
ALFRED G., 12452.
Queen Alfred, 3, 2.1814
Nelly Alfred, 2.2716 ANTEEO, JR.
Hailstorm, 3, . 2.30 James Mapison, 17909. ° Bet Madison, 2, 2.30
Leila C., p., . 2.2014 REDWOOD, 11814. Red Oak, 2,21 T.0.M. Lady O., 2.24 Anteros, 6020. Maj. Ross, 2.2414
THE ELECTIONEERS.
Anterose, . Nellie F., .
Don Anteros, Nelly F., p., Dudley, p.,
Doc Christie, p., Cairn, p., . F ‘ and dam of
Luella Shawhan, p., 2,
Antevolo, 7648. Maud Merrill, . Antioch, 3, Gray Belle, Berceto, Consolation, p., Leta May, p.,, .
Antinuous, 4778. Hillsdale, . John Bury—,
Azmoor, 13467, Rowena, 2, Bonnibel, . Azmon,
A.A. A., 3.,
Bell Boy, 5350. Bridal Bells, 3, Corner Bell, 8, . Liberty Bell, 3, Princess Belle, . Beauty Bells, Anderson Bell, p., 3,
Bernal, 18468. Aria, 3, 3 Bow Bellis, 2.1914. Boreal, 2, . : Alarm Bells, 8, Candidate, 13118. Elfrida, 4, Catherine, Chimes, &848. Fantasy, 4, Sixty Six, 5 Midnight Chimes, 3, Chimes Boy, Charming Chimes, 3, Princess Royal, 2,
101
2.25 2.25 2.30 2.1814 2.1434 2.21 2.23814
2.23
2,18 2.2114 2.27 2.29 2.20 2.2816
2.173f 2.22
2.17 2.1734 2.2314 2.2716
2.2214 2,28
2.2414 2.2434 2,294 2.2014
2.163/
2174 2.2934
2.1816 2.24
2.06 2.1514 2.164 2.1714 2.1844 2.20
102 THE ELECTIONEERS.
Beautiful Chimes, . . 2.2214 Gilford Dudley, 2, . . 2.80 BlueBel, . . . 2.2234 | pect, Electmont, .. 2 2234 Elect Moore, . . «2.27 Curfew, . + Bebe Re-Elect,. . . . 228 h 7 - 2.2 ‘ Se ie 2, : ay , Electioneer (Campbell’s), 2.1734. Carillon ps 29714 Bowman’s Electioneer, . 2.2614 Bessie Chimes, . . 227% Byciboleery: Diya, at Chimesbrino, . . —. -2.281g «| Hlector, 2170. Josie Chimes, . . 2.2914 FloraM.,. . . . 2.16 June Bug, ‘ 2.2914 Lizzie F., : ‘ : ee: Boy Blue, . : . 2.2916 Electra, . . : « 2.183¢ Merry Chimes, p., . . 2.0816 Cora 8 18 : : - 2.1974 Ed Easton, p., 4, . 2.0934 Electrina, : ‘ . 2.20 Palo Alto Chimes,p, . 2.171g J.R., 2 s s $ neae Tanny Bug, p., 2, . . 2.171 Acclamation, i é « 2.2484 Erie Chimes, p., . . 2.1934 a et - a ae »3, ee RT Clay, 4779. Alley Sloper,8, . . 228 Parkside, . - : « 2.2234 Nettie C. : : _ 2,28 Nemo, - - - «226% EllaM, . . . «2.28% Clayone, 2, . . . 2.2734 Leck 2 ‘ . 2,29 Hazel, : ; : _ 228 Desperado, 3 . . 2,291 Lilac, 3, . - +e RRONG Pleasanton, . . . 2.2916 Stanford,. . . «2.2974 Elector, Jr, . . «2.203% Spinaway, 3, i . 2.2916 Eric,'p., . . . 217 Miss Clay, mi " . 2.2934 L. A. Dick, Pp. . . 2,25 Claytina, p., . . 2.1416 and dams of JR, p,. . + + 2.20 Parthenia, 8, . . . 2.27% Olgetta, p., 3, - : . 2.2487 Cleopatra, ; . . 2.2914 dd f pects ., | Elector, 10830. Otalgic, . . : . 2.241¢ Edwin C., p 215 Conductor, 12256. Molly McCauley, p., . 216% Lilly Dale, ‘ ‘ » 22716 Electricity, 5844. Don Felix, 2.274. Welbeck,3, .. . . 2.24% Nelly R., 3, . . . 2.2634 Fly, 7 . y , . 2.2914 Ligotist, 5018. Electro, 5382. ne Cae ae 4. . 21576 Belle Electro, 3 . «2,80 ovelace, 8, . : . 2.20 ee Betsy Britton, . . » 2.2036 eam a, A008. 2.26 Elton, . 6 BBL i, ok a Bishop Daal ap, ae 997 Electro Bell, . : » 2274 Stonewall, 3, . . . 2.2714 | Hugeneer. Birdie, . . 2 . 2.2734 Genevieve, 2, . é . 2.30 Zenith, 3, . 3 i . 2 2834 Liros, 5826, Dramatist, : ‘ . 2.2916 Wanda, . ‘ ‘ . 2.1434 Genevieve, F ¥ . 2.2934 Rinconado, , i . 217
Mildred, . , . 2.2934 Oro Fino, : . 2,18
Mount Hood, My My, Willema, 3, Heros, Solita, Daylight, . Donzella, 3, Electroid, Maraquita, ; Sons have sired Tris.
Visalia, 3,
Cecilia, p., 2, Warp B.
Letter B., 3, .
Fallis, 4781.
Fallacy,
Don Marvin,
Lustre,
Bradtmore,
Falman, .
Menlo Fallis,
Fal Rose, p., . ‘
and dam o Donchka, 3, : Sons have sired
Don Marvin, 2.2214. Don Lowell, . Boneset, 2,
Fordstan, 22129. Melvar,
Gaviota, 7567. Maud Alameda, 2, Dynamite,
Gov. Stanford, 2.21. Clito, p., .
Hummer, 6111. Bouncer, 3, Hustler, 3, - Stately, p., 2, .
Junio, 14957. Bruno, Athanio, 2, St. Joe, Gilpatrick, Salinas Maid,
THE ELECTIONEERS.
2.2934 2.2534 2.26 2.2614 2.27 2.273¢ 2.2934 2.30 2.30
2.20 2.2816
2.2714
2.173% 2.2214 2.2234 2 2614 2.27
2.9734 2.19
2.25
2.1414 2.2716
2.22
2.24 2.2914
2.2414
2.1814
2.2034.
2.18
2.19 2.1934 2.26 2.2914 2.30
Marvin, 2.2314. Bramblette, 3, .
Norval, 5336. Lakeside Norval, Norhawk, Orphina, . . John G. Carlisle, Norvin G., 3, Norvardine, 3, . Interval, . Novelist, 2, Villiers, 8, Novalson, Novelette, 3,
Palo Alto, 5858. Rio Alto, 3, Palatine, 8, Avena, 2,. Fillmore, 3,
Parkville, 6050. Sub Rosa, p., 3,
Re-Election, 2.2714. La Haute, 3, Nelly Clark, 2,
Rockefeller, 6121. Granieta, . Nana, 3,
Leola,
St. Bel, 5386. Allibel, 8, Honey wood, Silver Ore, Beltown, . Election Bell, . Bel Onward, 2, Santa Bel, 3, Favora, Tempter, . Free, ‘ 8t. Felix, 3, Amorel, 2 Katrina Bel, 2, Miss Zura Belle, 3, St. Minx, 2,
La Bel, . ‘Lynne Bel, 8, Comet,
104
First Bell, St. Aubin, St. Croix, Bellman, . Flora Bel, Honey Dew, La Petite Bel, 3, Bessie Bell, 2, . Gold Point, Belzoni, 2, Legacy, , Robert Bel, 2, . Baron Bel, p., . Notion, p, Fail Not, p., Almabel, p., Monabel, p., 3, St. Just, 4780. Lanier, Mary, St. Justin, Adjutant, Sphina, 5348. Uncle Tom, Baker, Water Lily, Gift o’ Neer, Borneo, Cervus, 2, Baltullo, . Altoneer, 2, Islam, 3, .
THE ELECTIONEERS.
2.2814 2.2814 2.2814 2.283/ 2.2914 2.2914 2.2914 2 2034 2 293¢ 2.30
2.30
2.30
2.1144 2.1614 2.1614 2.1714 2.18
2.20 2 2414
2.2934 2.30
2.1814 2.1914 2.1934 2.20 2.23 2 2814 2 241¢ 2.25 2 26
SIRES WHOSE DAMS
CHaRLEs Drersy, 4907. Derby Princess, 2, Diablo, p., 4, Cibolo, p., 4,
Daty, 5841.
Bonner N. B., . Julia G., . Clatawa, .
PrinceEr, 9114. Warren Guy, 2, Ida A., . , Freda C., 8,
2.25 2.0914 2.1814
2.17 2.2814 2.2714
2.25 2.25 2 30
Valley Queen, 3, Gen. Sphinx; 3, Magna Sphinx, 3, Peru, 3, F Sibyl, , Sylvia C., 2, Sphinxeta, p., 3, Syrena, p., Cantab, p., Como, p.,
Sunolo, 9900. Sunolto, Baptism, .
Whips, 13407.
Azote, Cob Webs, Navidad, . Warlock, . Mauille,
Will Crocker, 5333. Irene Crocker, 3, Little Crocker,
and dam of St. Croix, 3,
Woolsey, 53387. Nelly W., 3, Princess, . Wehina,
Sir Gird, 3, Loyaleer, . Abeto, p.,.
ARE BY ELECTIONEER.
Tue SEEr, 5367. Seersucker, WALDSTEIN, 12597. Humboldt Maid, Native Son, Wip Boy, 5394. Donchka, . - Witpnut, 18472. Bedworth, 2, Ariel, El Rami, 3,
2.2816
2.2834
2.29 2.2914 2.2934 2,293/ 2.144% 2.1414 2,143¢ 2.1714
2,264 2.30
2.0814 2.12
2,201¢ 2,24 2.2914:
2.20 2.30
2,284
2.174 2.1934 2.2614 2.2614 2.30
2.2134
2.30
2.27 2,291
2.25 2.27
2.2734 2,29
THE ELECTIONEERS.
OTHER DESCENDANTS.
Sable Nut, 2, .
RECAPITULATION.
Standard performers,
Sons (46) with, F , Daughters have produced, Grandsons (8) with, , Mares by sons have produced, Sires out of daughters (7) with, Other descendants, 7
Total,
CHAPTER XI.
THE BASHAWS AND CLAYS.
Grand Bashaw, Imported Arabian, the founder— Young Bashaw — Andrew Jackson — Green's Bashaw — The Patchens.
THE BLUE BULLS.
Wilson's Blue Bull— His great success in the stud— Great progenitor of speed — List of trotters and dams of trotters by Blue Bull.
HE progenitor of the Bashaw family was Grand Bashaw,
an Arabian horse foaled in 1816 and imported from
Tripoli in 1825 by Joseph C. Morgan. He stood near Phila-
delphia, Pa., for stock purposes for twenty years, and many of our fast trotters are descended from him.
His most distinguished son was Young Bashaw, a gray horse foaled in 1822, whose dam was Pearl by the thorough- bred horse First Consul ; dam by Imported Messenger.
He was the founder of what is known as the Bashaw family of American trotters, and whose most noted son was Andrew Jackson, a black horse foaled in 1828, and whose dam was a good mare, pedigree unknown.
This Andrew Jackson was the founder of the Clay family. His most noted son was Henry Clay, foaled in 1837, and whose dam was a Canadian mare called Surry, pedigree un- traced, but a good one and a fast trotter.
Henry Clay’s best son, by the records, was Cassius M. Clay, foaled in 1843, and whose dam’s pedigree was unknown.
Cassius M. Clay was the sire of three Cassius M. Clay, Jr.’s, with eight in the list, and George M. Patchen, the founder of the Patchen branch, with four in the 2.30 list.
The greatest sire of all the Bashaw family, by the records,
was Green’s Bashaw, five removes from the old imported (106)
THE BASHAWS AND CLAYS. 107
Arabian, and whose grand-dam was the Charles Kent mare,
the dam of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian and daughter of Imported
Belfounder. So here we find another strong argument of the
speed-transmitting power of the great Norfolk trotter, Im-
ported Belfounder.
The Bashaw family embraces the Clays, Patchens, and Bashaws of the present day and includes many good and fast horses ; also the blood of the Bashaw family is commingled, more or less, in the pedigrees of the following animals, form- ing the nucleus of that destined to be the greatest of all families, or breeds, of horses in the world,— the American trotter.
These animals are as follows, taken alphabetically : American Clay, sire of twenty-four brood mares, with twenty-
five trotters with records from 2.16 to 2.30, among which was Maggie Briggs, who sold for $10,000.
Andy Johnson, sire of three 2.30 trotters, two sires, and three producing dams.
Bashaw (Green’s) No. 50, sire of seventeen trotters with records from 2.214-to 2.30; fifteen sires of thirty-four trotters and two pacers, and twenty-two dams of twenty-four trotters and two pacers.
Black Bashaw, sire of Cozette, 2.19, and John H., 2.20.
Cassius M. Clay, sire of eight producing sires with sixteen trotters in the list.
Cassius M. Clay, Jr. (Neave, 20), sire of Pais trotters in the list, and of the sires oad Pilot, Harry Clay, and Wilgus Clay.
Cassius M. Clay, Jr. (Straders, 22), sire of three trotters, three sires and twenty-two dams of twenty-three trotters and one pacer.
Electioneer, the greatest son of Hambletonian, with 155 in the trotting list; through his dam, Green Mountain Maid — dam of nine in the list— by Harry Clay, whose dam was by Imported Belfounder. ,
George M. Patchen, sire of four trotters, twelve sires of forty-
108 THE BASHAWS AND CLAYS.
eight trotters and one pacer, and the sire of five dams with six trotters.
George M. Patchen, Jr., sire of ten trotters, ten sires of nine- teen trotters and one pacer, and eleven dams of twelve trotters and two pacers.
Godfrey’s Patchen, sire of nine trotters, two sires and three producing dams.
Harry Clay (Sayer’s, 45), by C. M. Clay, Jr., dam by Imported Belfounder, sire of four trotters, eight sires of nine trotters, and fifteen dams of twenty-six trotters; dams including the great brood mare of the world, Green Mountain Maid, dam of Electioneer, with 155 trotters in the list with records from 2.084 to 2.30.
Henry B. Patchen, sire of seven trotters, four dams of ten trotters, including the great brood mare Emeline. dam of Adele Gould, 2.19, and six others in the trotting list.
Idol, by Hambletonian (Backman’s), sire of six trotters, etc.
Knickerbocker, sire of seven trotters, etc., by Hambletonian.
Louis Napoleon, sire of fourteen trotters and one pacer, seven sires with thirteen trotters and five pacers, and eight dams of nine trotters and two pacers.
St. Gothard, 2.27, by George Wilkes, sire of nine trotters and one pacer.
Stamboul, by Sultan, record 2.074, sire of five trotters.
Victor Bismarck, by Hambletonian, sire of nineteen trotters and two pacers.
Waspie, sire of eight trotters, one pacer, etc.
Windsor, sire of six trotters, two pacers, etc.
Thus it will be seen that the speed-producing influence of that grand old Arabian, Grand Bashaw, who has been dead upwards of fifty years, is still felt in our land.
THE BLUE BULLS. 109
THE BLUE BULLS.
Blue Bull, like Hambletonian, is a subject, or rather an ob- ject, that loses none of its charm by the lapse of years.
Wilson’s Blue Bull, whose breeding is acknowledged by the best horsemen of the present day to be somewhat shrouded in mystery, was a horse of great individual excellence. In color he was a chestnut with an elongated star and nigh hind foot. white; he stood about fifteen hands high and was of the Mor- gan type (see illustration); in fact, in general conformation and appearance he would pass for a Morgan the world over. As his breeding is surrounded in mystery the question natu- rally arises: ‘ Was he a Morgan?”
He had a clean cut head and bright, intelligent. eyes, to- gether with the clean, cordy legs and flinty feet for which succeeding generations of Blue Bulls are noted. His appear- ance was that of durability, strength, and speed.
No stallion ever began life under more unfavorable circum- stances and finished his career under such a brilliant crown of well-earned glory.
We will not go over the disputed ground of his pedigree, for while we do not believe in that promulgated pedigree given him by that great recorder of many false ones, we will not assault that which we cannot disprove, nor advance that which we might not be able to prove to the satisfaction of all; yet, in my own mind, and to my long-practiced eye in the compar- ison of families, if Wilson’s Blue Bull was not a direct. descendant of the Narragansett Pacer, infused with the blood of Ranger,—afterwards the Darley Arabian—the maternal founder of the Morgan, then I am mistaken.
Blue Bull’s days in the stud were very nearly contempora- neous with those of Hambletonian, there being, according to accepted data, only about five years’ difference in the dates of their foaling.
Hambletonian was foaled in 1849, in a community contain- ing the very best trotting blood of that day, and from his own
110 THE BLUE BULLS.
good breeding became popular as a stock horse as soon as old enough for service.
Commencing at two years of age and during his twenty-two years of service in the stud, he sired more colts than any other trotting sire ever has up to date, and has, all told, forty-one trotters in the 2.30 list.
Blue Bull was foaled in 1854, ina community where trotting bred mares were unknown and with the accredited parentage that always disgraced him. His road to a decent patronage was steep, rugged, and slowly ascended; yet, with all these drawbacks he forged himself to the front, solely on his merits.
In the year that Hambletonian died, 1876, Blue Bull had seven in the 2.30 list and Hambletonian had thirty-two; but at the close of 1890 Blue Bull had fifty-five trotters and eight pacers in the 2.30 list, while Hambletonian had only forty-one trotters and no pacers. Opportunities considered, there is no room for conjecture as to which had the greatest power to pro- duce 2.30 performers.
As before stated, the accepted pedigree of Blue Bull is not well established, and to many—a very great many —the re- corded pedigree is absurd.
As for myself, I lay claim to a better knowledge of horse history than to believe for a single moment that this great horse (one of the greatest sires of speed that ever lived), de- scended from the plebeian ancestry accorded to him by Wallace.
Blue Bull was the first horse to sire fifty with harness records of 2.30 or better. Blue Bull was the only sire of thir- teen race winners with twenty heats in 2.30 or better, at the close of 1891.
He 1s the only horse that ever lived that had over one hun- dred descendants in the first generation, who carries no blood of Hambletonian or Mambrino Chief. He has put more mares, not trotting bred, in the great brood mare list, than any horse that ever lived.
Blue Bull, by the records, is the most potent progenitor of harness speed that has ever lived. As other great sires have
THE BLUE BULLS. 111
depended upon the nicks with American Star, "Hambletonian, Morgan, Clay, and Mambrino Patchen mares; but Blue Bull from the farm mares of Indiana was the first sire of his day to put fifty or more into the list.
Blue Bull has been neglected, slandered, and lied about as but few, if any, sires ever were; but he will yet live on, be better known and appreciated in his later descendants, as one of the great speed elements of the American trotter.
All things considered, this doubtfully bred and wonderful horse must be set down as one of the greatest of trotting pro- genitors. He was foaled in 1866 and lived almost his entire life in Rush County, Indiana, at James Wilson’s “Flat Rock Stock Farm,” from which he derived the title of “The Hero of Flat Rock.” He died on the 11th day of July, 1880.
Many versions of his breeding have been given, but, in the opinion of the author, none are correct. Despite his plebeian blood lines, as recorded, a knee broken from the kick of a mule, an eye knocked out by a drunken groom, and one or more seasons spent as a teaser for a Jack, he has founded a family of trotters of quality and numbers more than equal to any stallion with the same opportunities.
Another peculiar fact is that while he was a fast pacer himself and was bred to pacing bred mares, he almost invariably got square trotters, and has now fifty-four trotters in the 2.30 list with records from 2.172 up.
He has twenty-six producing sons that have begotten stand- ard performers and thirty-six daughters that are the dams of 2.30 performers. .
Succeeding generations also show material gains, giving ample proof of the breeding-on capacity of the blood of the plebeian pacer.
Blue Bull sired the dam of Roy Wilkes, 2.084; Fred Ar- thur, 2.144; Puritan, 2.16; Vitello, 2.162;