Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-05-06
Bonner In Harlem Lnnc..Dexter
Put to His Mettle.
N, Y. Correspondence Boston Journa

N, Y. Correspondence Boston Journal.
saw Bonner on the road, the other day.
II is one of the sights of New York. 1t is
interesting to watch the sensation he pro-
duces, though he appears every day. He
Genes late on the road, but his coming is
watched for with the greatest eagerness by
all classes. He is very systematic, and can
usually be seen turning into the gate from
Eighth avenue about five o'clock. His
pleasure never interferes with business
his days work is squarely done before he
leaves for his stables. He has rig which
he puts on when he prepares for the bust.
ness of the road. Dexter is the favorite
with the public. and they are usually graft
fed, especially on o pleasant afternoon.
Other horses have haG their brush, and
have been led off foamng TO the shed. The
piazzas of all the hotels that line the road
are crowded with horsemen, and the win
dows with lady friends. Spectators, with
their teams, draw up on the side of the road,
to await the great event Of the day. Du-
ring the meeting of the two conferences of
the Methodist Episcopal Church in New
York, last week, it was estimated that two
thirds of the clergymen went oat on Har-
lem lane to get sight of Dexter and his
famous owner. Bonner makes his appear
ance at slow pace, apparently Indifferent
to the impression produced. He watches
to see that the coast is clear. BY common
consent, when Bonner appears the road is
cleared. A Dakota Indian might take les
sons of Bonner in his yells. AS Dexter
starts on his course, his driver can be heard
half mile off. The excited throng shout,
"That's Bonner" and all come to their feet.
The team rushes by with the feetness of the
wind, and is out of sight in an instant.
There are some things that cannot be de-
scribed-a panic in Wall street.-the inside
of.St. Peters church-the harmony of an
Italian organist-the eoloring of the great
masters in the Pitt Palace-the trotting of
Dexter. He moves as no other horse
moves; he is the poetry of motion. He
does not sprawl, throw his feet out, or fling
them around, but seems to slide out OF him.
self, giving the idea that any amount Of
speed can be obtained. He is never ex.
hausted, there is no exerton, there is re-
serve of speed that is peculiar. Go as fast
as he will, his hoofs can be as distinctly
seen as when he is on a slow trot. Horse
men say tudt Hio sPecu mas HC'ei oCcH
known, and without controversy the palm
is awarded to him on all hands
A very exciting scene took place the
other day. a gray horse appeared on the
road--a stranger to every one. The speed
of the animal was marvellous. Where the
horse came from or to whom he belonged
nobody seemed to know. The driver
watched for Bonner. After a sharp contest
he actually distanced Dexter. The thrill of
excitement was indescribable. Bonner
turned his horse into the shed and had him
b!anketed. Wall street was scarcely ever
more excited than was the road that after
noon. In short time Dexter reappeared,
and here his pale antagonist was ready for
the contest. Bonner put up the top of his
wagon, which, as horsemen know, makes a
great difference in speed. The white horse
came tearing along at a marvellous gait.
Bonner sprang to his feet and gave a
screech that might have been heard in West
chester county. Dexter heard and under
stood the signal, buckled down to his work,
and left the white horse so far behind that
he was not to be mentioned the same after
noon Thunders of applause attended Bon
ner on his course, and as the king OF the
road came back there were hundreds that
would have crowned him with laurels. The
feat of that afternoon induced horsewen to
say that Dexter is capable OF anything.