Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-19
HORSE TALK

HORSE TALK
kinzfisher Cruelty Crippled - John
Harper and His Pets-LOngFelIOw,
HeimbOid and Harry Bassett.
New York Times Saratoga Letter.
Never in the history of this famous
summer resort has there been such an
excitement as now agitates the hotel lob
bies and lounging spots. The Times has
already published the fact that some dire
calamity had happened to the celebrated
horse Kingfisher, and that the race be-
tween him and Longfellow had been
broken off. For two days mysterious
hints were thrown out by certain gentle
men, inimicsl to the interests of the horse,
that something had happened. Inquiries
made at the stable met with still more
mysterious answers. The close-mouthed
stable men and lads replied only in psnto-
mime. To-day and friend stragetic-
ally obtained q view of the animal and q
few words from the stable superintendent.
Mr. Belmont gave orders some time ago
to keep out all intruders. Such we
undoubtedly were, but fortunately we
found the ''boss" in most complaisant
mood. From his pocket he produced
bunch of keys, and At his bidding an
agile African led out the famous King
fisher. AS he stepped over the door sill
there was tremulOusness in the fore feet
and q general shrinking of the body,
which was painfully pelceptible to US.
From point about one inch below the
knees to the top of the fetlccks the legs
were swathed in bandsges, and the odor
of some pungent liniment at once filed
the sir. After considerable evasion, we
were told that the injuries were serious.
The facts are that on Thursday morning,
as the horses were taking their usual
training exercises, Kingfisher suddenly
dropped and staggered in his fore legs;
then q culver, as though of pain, shook
his body, and he limped badly. He was
Immediately taken to the stables, when it
was ascertained that the tendons were
strained, and that he could not run in the
coming race, aud would not soon, if ever,
be able to resume his former speed. The
poor creature frequently lifted up and
looked down at his bandaged limbs with
pathetic expression and Whitney.
There never was finer display of &c,
ally good horses than are here now, there
being grand total of ninety-all of them
very superior animals. The greatest of
them, of course, is Longfellow. This
superb animal, in his clean linen white
sheet, pacing up and down under the
grateful fOlisge of the pines and lamar
acks, is more than beautiful. There is
something In the bold face, and large
fine eyes, and quick moving ears, that
impresses you with the feeling that this
horse has nervous brain, and that there
is the secret of his skill. 1t is skill that
makes speed; of course, combined with
sinew and anatomical qualifica-
ton. In his step he seems scarcely to
press the sod with his feet, and moves
without apparent effOr: His appear
auce IS the very embodiment of symme-
try. Every muscle plays vlsibly under
the glossy skin, and his nicely-poised |
head upon the delicate neck and plump
shoulders is exceedingly graceful.
| had an interesting interview with |
his owner, hr. John Harper, the veteran
Kentucky turfman. Mr.. Harper is the |
of six thousand acres of land |
and large number of equine and bovine |
live stock. He is nearly seventy years of |
age, and bachelor. His dress Is ex-
ceedingly plain, ard bis entire appearance
very like that of the late Henry Clay. | |
found him seated upon bench in front |
Of his stables busily engaged IN mendiDg |
} broken surCingle, and be gave NE q |
brief history of his pet. Lpngfellow was
aired by Harrington, dam Naltura. This |
year he won the Post Stakes, for all ages,
at two mile heats, winning in two heats,
and bes'iug four others. At Lexington, |
KY, this year he walked over the course, |
III other horses beirg Withdrawn. He |
Also won The Molmouth Gold Cup, val
led at fifteen hundred dollars, at Long
Branch. This was for all ages, and in it
ne beat Hclulbold, Regards and Preakness
time 4:4l); als0 the Saratoga Cup, for
Ill ages, two and quarter miles, easily
beating Kingfsher in 4:02,. Long.
fellow ran the fist mile of this race in
LAO, (Kingfisher in about lad; second
nile in l:53-making two miles in $50
Md the last quarter mile of the race at
ate of l:59. Mr.. Harper says that he
las loved horses ever since he was "a
title shaver" and will until he dies. AS
lie spoke, LongfellOw, accompanied by
Iittleton and Express, came up, aud
,ently placed his nose over Mr.. H4rper's
hOulier, and acted very like fOpdled
,hild. The other horses followed suit,
nd were patted sffectionately in return.
Che old gentleman sleeps in nice, COM
Ortable place nesr his pets. When he is
.bsent, which is geldom, Jimmy" a
assistant, remains. Four
aithful cOloTed men are also there at sll
l0urs. A traiaed wschdog guards the
oor. Fifty thousand dollars in cash
ave been refused for LungfellOw. Lit,
Teton has achieved great success in Ken.
ucky, having, at Lexington, won q two
nile heat in 3. 81! He is four years old.
Id. Express is but three years old; is
ght, graceful and quick, and has also
net with fine success az the same place.
LoDgicliow has had such s. great record
lst he is feared, envied and admired By
be horse raciGg men: OF course the
lishsp TO Kingfisher caused intense ex.
itemehl; but there has been q CT at COM
inatiOn made to make race against Mr..
Iarper's horse yet. Helmbold and Har.
B=ssett will enter the TRACK, and their
equation is enough TO promise good
truggle. The owner Of Helmbold has
tfered bet Of ten Thousand dollars that
is horse will beat $50 In the forthcom.
ng four mile race, which is faster time
hsn has yet been made OF that track.
ir. Pryor, of EaGland, has offered to
lace an English colt, with stake of five
nousand pounds sterling, against anv
american colt in one AMI one half mile
ace. The proprietor of Harry Bassett
7ill accept the challenge with twenty
We thousand dollars
The Charleston g. C) Courier says
here was gIest excitement in the suburbs
4 10 OF Tbrrado1y 1aof