The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-05-18
E.ar,r1n RAoEs-spRlre MEErlre. :

ttef OF the WIDOWS auu pu"Ie. 80 s4s..s
E.tnr,Frp RACEs-SPRING NETTING
rYednesdav. Nav 17-Yesterday the race was for
the Proprietor Purse of $780, two mile heats, for
which there were but two entries-'Die Clapper-
tom and tEllen Evans
The morning was intensely warm, and the sun
very powerful, until about half-past II O'Clock,
when clouds began to boil up in the Southwest,
with every indication of a brewing storm. From
this period until the hour of l o'clock, the atmos
phere was heavy and sultry, and the weather 80
extremely threatening that comparatively few per-
sons were disposed to turn out and risk ducking
to witness the race soc
When we arrived at the course, there were not
more than two three hundred persons in attend-
ance and most of these were gentlemen who take
no CO re of weather when in search of pleasure.
Some few minutes past the appointed, hour, the
two mares made their appearance, each looking
remarkably we'll "Die Clapperton" was fresh
from the hands of Capt. BELcHER, one OF the most
skifu1 and experienced trainers in the Union, and
to our eye she seemed different animal to what
she formerly was With light, elastic step, fiery
eye and perfect coat, we thought ii there was
to be time at which she could run, this was the
favored moment. "Ellen Evans" to casual OBJ
server, also looked well; but one who had seen
her at New Market, and then on Fairfield, could
believe for moment, that she was herself. Her
heavy races at Broad Rock and New Market, within
the past two weeks, had told upon her. and despite
the care and skill of her admirable trainer, Mr. N.
B. Young, she had -shrunk away vastly too much
to retain her strength.
After due inspection by the "knowing ones, they
drew their purses and opened the ball. offering two
to one that Miss Ellen would take the purse. Miss
die" having but few hackers, this odds did not
meet with many takers, consequently, by way OF in
ducement, the "Sharpers' opened at three and four
to one, and from that time until the moment for
starting arrived number of 300 bills staked
against thrties and twenty fyes that ELLEN would
win How the .wise men, missed the mark so
widely in this instance in their calculations is
thaY, fpl hlltp rfaIp hat nod No
show for their money, after the running began.
The Race.-Notwithstand the threatening as
pect of the clouds, when the judges had taken the
stand charged the riders and placed the horses the
horn sounded. the jockies mounted, and coming up
well abreast at the tap OF the drum dashed off in
handsome style, "Die" having the track and holding
it, "Elen' making bold run to take it from her,
but falling When they had gone about one quarter
of mile, Die was easedup by her rider, moved TO
the 'front.' and taking quick and steady stride, held
it, leading through the first mile under strong
pull and continuing to widen the gap between her
pursuer and herself until the heat was won, Ell
len" being several lengths in the rear Time,
1853 IA. .,s. ara. ,- le
Things now took change, and the veriest s'tyro'
in racing could see that Miss Ellen out of fix
and that she had no earthly show for the purse,
unless her adversary proved the greatest dunghill
that ever walked on plates, or galloped down a
''quarter stretch" Four to one offered on all
sides that "Die' would now win with here and
there taker for only small amount. In the
to lower and thcken and vivid flashes of lightning
are continually reflected from the South, accompa-
MED by heavy discharges OF Heavens artillery
with occasional rain drops of such mann moth size
as to warn all that storm was upon them In the
mean time the horn sounds to saddle the iOckies
mount the contestants are led up, and as tae drum
taps AID the two rivals dash forth, the very bottom
of the clouds seems to give way, and the rain falls
in torrents, while the wind blows perfect hurri-
cane, at every stride the horses take along the
swimming track. On, on go the horses, at the top
of their speed, ''Die" in the lead and holding it.
while the storm increases in intensity, the wind
bowls through the "club house." and flash after
flash of lightning follow each other, in quick sue
cession, like the discharge of minute guns Such
storm we have rarely witnessed; but despite its
pitiless peltings the horses continue their fight
and as they brush down the Quarter stretch" and
pass the stand the friends Of '"Een" shout, voci-
ferously, she has her--she has In this. however
they were mistaken, for "Dien yet had the lead
pas well in hand, and when called on by her Jockey
widened the space between her fair rival and her
sell, and going at rs much race horse can
go, in mud and water four inches deep, comes
home an easy winner in $50 1-4-certainly admi-
rable time, when the severity of the storm and the
condition of the course are duly considered.
We append the purse, distance, entries and re.
suit for future reference: .- s...e. .ts..s
Proprietor's Purse 5000 mile heats free for
all ages $40 entrance.
John Belcher enters b. m. Die Clapperton, by
Boston, dam Bellamire. years old-l15 lbs l /
C. Green enters m. Ellen Evans, by Hero, dam
ATLANTA, years old-97 lbs. 22
Time 353-3.59 IA.
To-day the three-mile race for purse of $500
takes place. but judging from the entries g Fanny
Fern" Mr.. Hares mare that made the great race
at New Market last Friday, will gallop over the
course alone, and take the tin" with ease.
Members ofthe Club will bear in mind the impor.
lance of calling on the Treasurer and procuring
their badges, as their fees will be needed for Fri
days operations Those have not yet Joined. but
DESTROYS of doing So should hand in their names
at once. -ls, Ed. ~ n 5-
SHOOTING NEGRo.-On the night of the
9Th instant, negro fellow named Lee, the property
OF MIR. George Hardin, was shot and severely
wounded by some one. Yesterday Dr. H. A. Ia
TUM was arragned before the Mayor, charged with
having shot the negro. The Doctor, of course, was
not required to say any thing to criminate himself
but he stated that the wounded negro had been in
the habit OF coming to his house to one of his
servant women. Finding that Lee had wife at
Mr.. A. NJ Braxton'a the Doctor forbid his coming
to his place, and had on one or more occasions
struck him for trespassing on his premises. The
negro then told him that he would come there when
he felt disposed to do so, if he shot down
in the yard and deed all the watchmen in the city
to take him. About Christmas last this woman ran
off and her clothes we're found at Mr.. Hardins
kitchen, where they had no doubt been carried by
Lee Notwithstanding the repeated warnings he
persisted in trespassing on DR.. rs premises
For the Commonwealth there were four witnesses
examined. Mr.. Hardin testified to the negroes be-
ing shot
DR.. NJ. T. Lynch, who lives some forty or fifty
yards from Dir. Tatum hard the report OF the gun.
The sound came from the direction of DR.. T.'s Of