Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-22
IFrom the Dubuque Timegl
AN OLD TIME HORSE RACK.

old fun was the order Of the day. Efemin-
ate habits, late hours, and constant ener-
waiting dissipation had not emasculated the
youth Of the country, so that nothing less
than q fight or q foot race was considered
manly amusement. We stopped o few days
once at Prairie du Chen, and there wit
messed horse race, which will perhaps re-
mind some of the old settlers of Dubuque OF
similar occurrences here. We were travel
ing in those days with an eccentric COM
panion who, although Methodist minis
ter's sen, was considerable Of " horse
man." and knew the points of an animal as
well as any other man. He dearly loved
race. and would stake his money any day
upon the result even to the last cent in his
pocket
We might as we'll call him jerks, as that
is a cognomen endeared to us all and will
answer as well as another. He is now
shining light in the ministry, so you see 1t
would not do to "blow" on him under his
true colors.
The race track was o strip Of level sandy
road, leading northward from the city, and
was very good ground for the purpose. The
stakes to be run for was q catch purse OF
five dollars, free for every body and every
thing. 1t was fine sunny afternoon, and
the circumstances seem to bid fair for sport.
The ground around the judges post was
crowded with q mixed crew of half-breeds,
Indians, French Canadians, backwoodsmen,
and an addition of Indian ponies, boys and
souaws, to make the group complete.
Two very decent nngs were being walked
over the course by their riders, preparatory
TO the con test, which was soon to take place.
One was bay horse, blind Of an eye, who
gave promise of doing some very respectable
work, while the other, neat little mare,
appeared to- possess wind and bottom
enough to have made her superior to her an
tagonist in longer race. It was agreed
that there should be five heats, the best
three in five to win the purse. Aside from
the purse, bets multiplied rapidly among
the bystanders, the wagers ranging from
"drinks" up to ten, twenty, and sometimes
fifty dollars aside. Odds were given on the
horse, who seemed to be favorite.
When the time for starting had arrived
both horses were up to the scratch, and
eager for the word. The jockeys, two half
breed boys, were stripped to their boots and
pants, and were, without exception, the
best riders we ever saw.
&" All ready ~
"Aye, ayep
I" One, two, three, and away you goP
At the werd three they both bounded
away as if they had been shot out of a can
non.
"Here they comel Get out of the way
Clear the track The mares ahead Good
on her Stand back and give the mare
chance, or I'll bust yer head Three cheers
for the mare Hurrah Five to one on the
mare Amt she a doin' on it beautiful !
Yip" said the mares partisans, while on
the other side the hackers Of the horse had
not as yet lost confidence in their favorite,
as might be seen.
"The hoss amt a-beginnin' to try his best
licks," said they. "He's just q THROWN off
on her for bigger bets. He can give her the
two first heats, and then win. But, by
golly, see how the dedrotted critters
a-crawlin' on her swan to man they are
neck and neck I'll be doggoned if he amt
leadin' of her Hurraw for hurraw
Where's the man that's bettin' five to one on
the mar I'd like to see few of them thar
bets"
In less time than is consumed in detail
ing the above exclamations, the first heat
was over, being won by the little mare, who
! came out neck ahead. Excitement ragged
| furiously. There were three fights in five
minutes, besides sundry other squabbles
occurring among the niggers, Indians and
Frenchmen. The horses were slowly led
back to the starting post, and allowed to
rest for few minutes.
A squaw, with about three sheets in the
wind, as the phrase goes, forced her ac-
quaintanceship upon us, and insisted on
betting the whisky with us on the mare.
We endeavored to excuse ourself from the
| honor, but it was no go; we must bet. So
| we backed the horse to the amount of a
couple of snifters, to get rid of her, in which
we succeeded admirably, for the horse beat,
and the aboriginess kept herself out of sight
| the remainder Of the afternoon, for fear she
should have 10 pay us the wager.
The horse did much better at the second
heat, having fairly distanced the mare,
though that was probably to certain de-
gree attributable to collusiOn between the
Jockeys and some of the knowing ones.
A general season of fighting again took
place as every loser thought himself
cheated, and perhaps was not far from
right.
AT about this time an individual Of some
what verdant aspect, who was sitting astride
detected gray horse covered with gals and
harness marks, took occasion TO deride the
race in no measured terms. He, however,
directed his most disparaging remarks to-
ward the horse, whom he designated as
"cussed old one-eyed mule, and not wuth q
| copper darn for running"
The owner Of the horse, who was pep
perry little Frenchman, fired up at this, and
| steWed at q great rate.
"By gar, vous have called my cheval
my horse, one coppare darn, and can moi
make re run. SAcrel will bet five, ten
cinquante, oui, fifty dollar, you can't hiu
beat. Here is re moneys, Pargent ze gold
81 never run hosses in my life, but tain
because wouldn't like teu. But my friend
you'd be mighty fooled eff you should see
this are old hoss gallop wonst. He's great
on gallopin' that old hOss is"
"Nimporte you ave call my horse Il
roi,' one mule veux ane. Here is fifty dol
lar in re gold; if you will not cover him yol
are one beggare, un chiffoniere, un pauvr
diable, sans courageV
81 don't keer much for yer fifty dollars
:. and wouldn't be the chap to squawk eff
II should lose tWieet as much, but I'll be do
: squizzled eff don't think my old boss ca
beat your'n the best day he ever seed; {
here, you little frog spawn you, here's Ii
rhino for to cover that pile of yourn."
P Saying this he drew out buck-ski
, purse, and counted out five golden eagle
! then coming up to us he said;
a | "Suanger, / want some honest man