Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-04-21
RACE wITIl A BULL.

Some forty years ago the managers Of Z
a race coume near Brownsville, o. she Mo-
published notice of a race, one
mile heats, on particular day, for purse
OF 500, "Free for anything with four legs
and hair ON
Aman in the rsighrorbood named Hays
had a bull that be was in the habit of III
ding to mill with his lao ofcorn, and hs
determined to enter him for the race He
said nothing about it to any one, but he
rode him around the track number OF
times, on several 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 bun con-
sidered disagreeable; so much SO that he
always beloved when they were applied to
his sides.
On the morning Of the race Hays came
upon the ground on horseback--on his
bul. Instead 81 a saddle, he had dried an
ox-hide, the head part of which, with tho
horns still on, he had placed on the bulls
rump. He carried a short tin horn in bis
hand. He rode to the Judges stand, and
offered to enter his bull for the race; but
the owners cf the horses that were entered
objected. Hays appealed to the terms cs
the notice; insisting that his bull had "four
legs, and hair on, and that therefore he
had a right to enter him. After good
deal of swearing, the Judges declared them
selves compelled to decide that the bull
had the right to run, and was entered ac-
cordingly.
When the time for starting arrived the
bull and horses took their places. The
horse-racers were out of humor at being
bothered with the bull, and at the burlesque,
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 cf the bull,
i who bounded off with terrible bawl, at
no trihing speed, the dried ox-hide Tapping
up and down and rafting at every Jumps
making a combination Of noises thAt had
never been heard on race-course before.
The horses all few the track, every one
seeming to be seized with Sudden deter
lnination to take the shortest cut to get out
Of the Redssone country, and not one of
them could be brought back in time to
save their distance. The purse was given
tc Hays.
A general row ensued; but the fun Of
the thing put the crowd all on the side, Of
the bull The horsemen contended they
were swindled out Of sheir purse, and that
If it had net been for Hays horn and OK
hide, which he ought not to have been per-
mitted 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 then Aefses any how,
and if they Would put dip a hundred dol
lars against the purse he had won, he
would take off the ox-hide and leave his tin
horn, and ruiz a fair race with them. His
offer was accepted, and the money sfakcd.
They again took their places at the start
ing post, and the signal was given. Hays
gave the bull another touch with his spur,
and the bull gave a tremendous bellow.-
The horses remembering the dreadful sound,
thought all the rest was coming as be-
fore. Away they went again, in spite Of
all the exertions of their riders, while Hays
gaIloped his bull around the track and won
the money.