The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-03-29
Death of a Veteran Turfman.

hiram Woodruff, celebrated horse
rider and trainer died at his residence on
Lcng Island Sound IN. " On the 18th
inst. His life and career is given in the
New York Herald, as follows:
Mr.. Woodruff was born in Bucks County,
Pa. on the 22d of February, 1917 His father
and uncle were well known turfmen, and from
them he obtained his first knowledge of the
manner in which horse should be trained -
When quite a lad be removed to philadelphia,
and in that city and Baltimore first appeared
as jockey. The remarkable success that at
tended nearly all the horses he rode soon
brought him into notice, and upon his removal
to New York he was sought after by numbers
of owners of horses, who desired to secure his
services for the racing seasons. His reputa-
ton as a trainer and -ider. however, did not
become established until he was put in possess
sion of the famous trotting horse, Dutchmap.-
After course Of careful training, in 1889, he
rode Dutchman three mile heat for $1,000
against time, aud came out winner, having
made the distance in seven minutes and thirty
two and a half seconds. The extraordinary
time made in this race fully established his
reputation as being the first turfman in the
country. He now settled in life as q profess
sional jockey, obtaining as many effers for bis
services as he could possibly accept. Indeed
it is doubtful if there were or are in this coun-
try any trotting horses of note with which he
had not something to do at times, either in
training or handling the ribbons. The conf
acnce reposed in his abb ity and honesty was
unbranded, and he never failei To do justice 70
,ssse wh5 ~ s,9ved tsg' :
l;le .atit, strius.s Tliea a&Te SSszA fiiaIs Il
developing the speed of trotting horses in this
country during the pas. twenty years, arc more
due to Nr. Woodruff than to any other member
of the turf. He was, in fact, the pioneer of
America in his profession. After Dutchman,
he trained and drove Ripton, Confidence, Flo
IA Temple, Rose of Washington, Boston Girl,
Lady Woodruff and Dexter, together with
many other well-known trotting horses. Ope
of his most famous races was the trotting
match between Ripton and Lady Sutton Hi
ram drove Ripton, and to the astonishment of
all, lost the first heat. The excitement became
intense, and heavy odds were offered against
his winning the race. Upon his appearing for
the second heat every eye was upon him, and
when the horses started the crowd was treated
to brilliant exhibition of jockeyship. The
result was that he won the last two heats and
the race and came in winner amid the deafen-
ing applause of both winners and losers, oil
parties being satisfied that it was entirely ow.
ing to his skill as a driver that the success
was achieved. Another famous and exciting
contest in which he was successful was his
race on the Union Course some twelve years
ago, when he took Kemble jackson and defeat
ed O O'Blennis, lola, Prince and Boston GIRL
Being a very hard puller, and the traces
dangling about her legs on the first heat; Hiram
ordered the Dutch collar" and traces to he
taken off. The order was obeyed, and he won
the next two heats with ease nothing drawing
tie vehicle but the reins. On the I'd of Sep
tember, 1856, Nr. Woodruff drove Flora Tenn
| pie in harness against Tacony, on the Union
| Course, and came out winner in 2:24 ID, max
ing the quickest time then On record. The ex-
citement that was manifested in the sporting
world when this achievement became known
has never since been equaled, not excepting
! that caused by Dexter's achievement Of 2:18
| since that time.
| Although he was not possessed of liberal
| education, Mr.. Woodruff was man of sound
| knowledge and ability. His success was not
wholly due to his mastery strength, the sensi-
| tiveness of his hand nor the quickness Of his
eye. 1t was principally owing to his careful
study of the horse, which enabled him to decide
what was the best to be done and what the Ca
pacity Of the animal was. He never buoyed
up the owner Of horse with hopes which he
knew could never be fulfilled, but plainly and
candidly told whether, in his opinion, the ami
nal was likely to win or lose. And this same
honest candor was apparent N all his dealings
| He never sold race, but always tried to win