Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-10-03
Scott County Fair.
DAVENPORT, Sept. 25.

the morning was only moderate, the attrac-
tons hardly warranting large crowd. The
ring was taken up by the committees making
examinations in the different classes of cat
tie.
The attendance in the afternoon was unpre-
cedentedly large, the majority being ladies'.
The seats were packed full Those who were
competent to judge, computed the number
present on the ground at 5000. The excite
ment was intense; even ladies could be seen
making investments on their favorite horses.
noticed that Bashaw was the favorite with
them, as he was in fact with the majority OF
persons on the ground. A great many bets
were offered of five to one on Bashaw, with no
.akers The principal betting was on the
heats, and the horse which would make the
best time.
At two o'clock the 31st regiment was
marched into the center of the ring, and the
order given to ''squat," which order was
obeyed with alacrity. Soon after, Capt. Lift
ler came in with the recruits for the old regi-
ments, 1900 in number They made fine
appearance, being uniformed, and we'll drilled.
The track was in splendid condition, firm and
smooth, and everything betokened good trot-
ing, nor were we deceived, as will appear by
the description of the race
At two and half o'clock the horses were
called up for the first heat, which resulted in
Rashaw coming out full length ahead-time
2:3s. The second heat was with the same
result, Bashaw doing some Of the prettlest
trotting I ever saw-time 2:34. On the third
heat, Tom Hyer broke in the home stretch
but in doing so gained. His driver applied
the whip vigorously, running him to within a
few PAGES of the judges stand. Bashaw kept
his square trot, never breaking once during
the heat. 1t was awarded to Tom, much to
the discomfort of every one, except the partlc-
ular friends of Tom. 1t was plain to all I'M
preiudiced minds that Tom gained at least
two lengths by his break, and that his driver
made no effort to bring him down, as it was
evident to him that to do so would lose the
heat and of course the race.
Bashaw was fairly entitled to the heat, and
| the award should have been so made. This is
the second time he has been cajoled out of his
premium, fairly earned, at the the Scott Coun-
ty Fair Before, the real sporting men OF
Davenport had handsome salver manufac-
tured and presented to Mr.. Green, as an evil
dence of their appreciation of the qualities OF
his horse, and to show their opinions on the
award made by the committee. Ifthe Scott
County Fair wishes to retain their hitherto
with the single exception named) good name
for impartiality, they must see that such
practices are discontinued. The time was the
fastest ever made on the course-being + Of
second faster than was made by Bashaw,
yesterday. 1t was done in 2:31.
On the fourth heat, the horses came to the
stand, both the worse for wear. Bashaw,
however, seemed to feel the effects the most.
The word was given at the first trial. Tom
inside, with half a length, which he improved
to the first turn. Here Bashaw made bad
break, losing at least two lengths before he
was brought down. On entering the home
stretch, Tom broke, but was quickly recover
ed, and passed the stand three lengths ahead.
Bashaw came down to his work and entered
the home-stretch at Toms wheel. He, how
ever, lost his feet, and Tom passed the stand
more than length ahead, Bashaw running.
Time-2:36.
On the fifth heat, Bashaw, On coming up,
seemed to have regained somewhat, raising
the hopes of his friends to high Pitch
Large odds were offered on him, which were,
however, eagerly snapped up by Toms
friends. AS they left the score Bashaw's
sulky struck the wheel Of Toms. To the
back stretch, Tom had a lead of half length );
at the quarter, Bashaw broke but was quickly
recovered; at the middle of the second turn,
Bashaw was steadily gaining, when, by some
means, spoke was broken out of his wheel.
Tom made slight break, but gained by it.
He came down the home stretch full length
in advance. Bashaw, however, made up on
the back stretch, but the pace was too much
and he broke, soon settled, and they swung
round the stretch close together, with both
doing their best. Tom kept steady to his
work, and came out at the stand length
ahead. Foul was claimed by both parties
Perry claiming to have been run into at the
second turn, and Clark for the collision at the
first. The judges, on hearing all the facts,
decided it dead heat; and as it was almost
dark, the affair was adjourned until to-mor-
row, when it is expected the most exciting
race of the season will take place.
'--" RECAPITULATION.
J. A. Green's bl. s. Bashaw, Il, /, 2, 2, 0,
j. S. Wolfe's bl. S. Tom Hyer, 2, 2, l, l, 0.
Time-2:38, 2:S4, 2:91, 1886, 2:54.
ECapt VIM. Grant, Of Muscatine, called
on US yesterday on his way up from Corinth.