The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-09-03
The Earlvllle Horse Fair,

On Wednesday We made flying visit to Earl
vile. to what could be seen at the horse far.
We found there forty-two FLOODED horses, from
various parts of the west. Fast horses from
Chicago, De Kalb, Freeport, Dubuque, Bloom
ingtou, Springfield and other places.
The society is composed of few gentlemen,
all Of means and responsibility, who do not con-
duct horse fairs on the usual principle. They
own thirty acres of ground, enclosed in excel.
lent style. Stalls are erected for horses and cat
tie, &C., and seats for ladies, music and all that
besides everything else in excellent order. They
have invested about six thousand dollars in this
enterprise, and though organized only about II
year, this society stands mo. 1" among the
many similar associations in the west. When it
president, n. G. Barrett is the secretary, and c.
N. Smith is treasurer especially the latter, who
is nearly the life and soul of the institution,
there can be no wonder of its success and good
repute everywhere. The races began on Wed.
nesday and ended last evening.
As to the first days races we can speak advi-
sedly, having been there. The first was for gen.
tlemen's road horses, owners to drive, style and
speed the test. d. W. Mattock entered Robert
Bonner H. T. McKenny entered Tuesday :"
G.. Lacey entered "Jim Tyler" R. D. Gray en-.
tered "Dutchman." who is owned at Peru, and
known here as Brown Mack" d. L. Franz en-.
tered "Skipp Jack" and w. J. Nicely entered
"Molly Crooks"
The judges on the first race were: Mr.. Jack
son, of Dubuque; Mr.. Mckee, of Mendoza, and
o. Woodwork, Of Bloomington.
The Peru horse Won the first prize.
The next was "For all horses trottng nearest
to four minutes" There were five entries, aud
the purse was won after protracted struggle
by W. j. Neely's mare, "Molly Crooks"
In the afternoon, for purse of one hundred
dollars to the best double team trotting "best
three in fve," Mr.. Calverson entered the famous
horse "Cooley" and mate-Kate Fisher, and Mr.
H. ID. Yates named kate Howard" and mate,
the mate being Frank Kelsey" Bloomington
horse.
AT starting the odds were strongly III favor OF
Cooley and mate, and the teams got away on a
good start. Soon Kate and mate, the former
La Sale county horse left the others in the rear
and passing them at the back stretch, came home
in 2:5433.. On the second heat the result. was
still worse for Cooley u Co.." Kate and mate
distancing them and making a record of 2:423,,
and winning the race.
Next came the grand race of the day: the
running race, open to the world mile heats,
best in 3. For 1st, $780, "a, $50. Charles
Delano entered "Lexcon' w. L. Stewart named
Sucker Girl" n Bruner suggested .Kings
Excuse" The evening before the running race
pools were sold at the rate Of two to one in favor
OF Lexicon, and the betting started in his favor
in the same proportion, and LEX" was the gen.
eral favorite; but soon it appeared tina. there
were gentlemen prepared to back Burners
pony" just a little
After while the horses got .'send off" and
soon it was apparent that the pony was the "hoss"
OF the occasion, and running like a wild deer,
as he did, he di.tanced the mare, and ran in
several lengths ahead Of Lex, on the first mile,
and on the second he increased his speed. and
was the winner very easily, and won the race.
Time, LOO and l:51.