Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-12-14
A Race with a Bull.

we una the following capital yarn IN the
November number of the Knickerbocker
Magazine. 1t is more or less rich -
Some forty years ago. the members Of a
race course near Brownsville, on the Monon.
gahela, published notice of race, one mile
heats, on particular day. for purse of one
hundred dollars, free for any thing with
four legs and hair on"
man in the neighborhood named HAYS
had bull that he was in the habit of riding
to mill with his bag OF corn, and he determ-
med to enter him for the race He said moth
ing about it to any one. but he rode him
around the track number of times, on sew
eral moonlight nights, until the bull had the
hang of the ground pretty well, and would
keep the right course. He rode with spurs,
which the bull considered particularly disa-
greeable, so much so that he always below
ed when they were applied to his sides.
On the morning Of the race, Havs came
upon the ground on horscback-on his bull.
Instead Of a saddle, he had dried an ox-hide
the head part of which, with the horns still
on, he had placed on the bulls rump. He
carried short tin horn in his hand lie rode
to the judges stand, and offered to enter his
bull for the race; but tho owners of the
horses objected. Hays appealed to the terms
OF the notice, insisting that his bull had four
legs and hair on, and therefore he had right
to enter him. After good deal of swearing.
the judges declared themselves compelled to
decide that the bull had the right to run.
and he was entered accordingly.
When the time for starting arrived, the
bull and the horses took their places. The
horse racers were out Of humor at being both.
cred with the bull, and at the burlesauc
which they supposed was intended, but
thought that it would be over as soon as the
horses started.
When the signal was given, they did start.
Hays gave blast with his horn, and sunk
his spurs into the side of the bull. who
bounded OFF with terrible bawl at no tri-
fling speed, the dried ox-h hide Tapping ND and
down and rafting at every Jump. making n
combination of noises that had never been
heard on a racs course before. The horses
all flew the track, every one seeming to be
seized with sudden determination to take
the shortcsc cut to get out of Redstone county.
and none Of them could be brought back in
time to save their distance. The purse was
given to Hays.
A general row ensued, but the fun Of the
thing put the crowd on the side Of the bull.
The horsemen contended that they were
swlndIed out OF the purse and if it had not
been for Hays horn and ox-hidc, which he
ought not to have been permitted to bring
upon the ground, the thing would not have
turned out as it did.
Upon this Hays told them that his bull
could beat any Of their horses any how, and
i they would put up one hundred dollars
AGAINST the purse he had won, nc would take
on the ox-hide and leave the tin horn, and
run fair race with them. His offer WINS ac.
cepted and the money staked. They again
took their places at the starting post and the
signal was given. Hays gave the bull anoth-
er touch with his spur, and the bull gave a
tremendous below. The horses remember.
ing the dreadful sound, thought all the rest
was coming as before. Away they went
again in spite Of MI the exertions II their
riders, while Hays gal:oped his bull around