The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-09-12
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SKETCH OF AcoLoRED sorAstEa-Hrs OWNERS
AND EApLorERs--soME REMrsIscgScEs OF

SKETCH OF Atc0LeRED NOTABLE -Hrs OWNERS
| AND EMpLoYERs--soME "REMINISCENCES OF
| RACyE1.DAYs, nc. ssf
! SArTHF1ELD, September 5, 1870.
| Editors Dispatch: The death OF any one,
| although mulatto, whose general associa-
tons, gentlemanly department, moral and
mental qualifications had been such as those
Of Hope Butler, claims more than passing
notice. To the respectful item under the
locsj head OF the 14th ultimo offer addt-
tional facts in relation to the deceased prior
to his settlement in Buffalo.
| Hope Butler was born in Surry county,
Va, in 1882. His mother was a slave OF
Rev. Samuel Butler, in support OF whose in
tcllectual and social position suffice it to say
that he was a major in the Virginia line in
the war Of ITO, and after its close Major
Butler was ordained to the ministry, and
held the pastoral charge of Southwark
parish, Surry county, until his death in or
about 1910. He was brother OF the late
DR.. Robert Butler, Treasurer OF Virginia,
and an uncle OF your respected citizen,
| William +. Butler. BY bequest or other
wise Hope was allotted to Lucy Ann, the
! Youngest daughter Of Major Butler, and
she married James F. Young in 1924. Pre-
| vious to this marriage her uncle and guard
ian, DR.. Robert Butler, allowed Hope to hire
himself, and soon after her marriage, Hope
having by economy and iudicious invest
mcnt accumulated sufficient fund, pur-
chased his freedom OF Mr. Young, and by
an act OF General Assembly was granted
permission to reside in the State.
Ny acquaintance with him was formed in
February, 1924, during a night passage in
the mail stage from Petersburg to Smith
field. !, boy OF fourteen, was placed under
~ fri hninSr ~ w
sengers From his youth Hope was accus-
toned to the care and management OF
| horses. his old master having fondness for
good stock. Between the years 1924 and
| 1880 Hope Butler was employed rs groom
| by the late General John G. Crump, OF Sur
~, in which capacity frequently saw him.
After the Norfolk Jockey Club was eStab-
lished he became trainer for George and
James S. Garrison, and continued with them
for several years. A friend brings to my
mind an incident connected with four
mile race that was won by the Garrisons IN
1897. After the four horses were brought
to the stand, the riders weighed and about
to mount, Mr.. Garrison approached his
starter, and pulling valuable gold watch
from its fob. remarked to Hope, "If win
this race you shall have my watch, chain,
and Scals''; which promise he faithfully
|
Your local errs in saying '"he began life
as a rider and trainer OF racc-horseS for
| Colonel William r. Johnson" Arthur
| Taylor was for many years the trainer Of
Colonel Johnson, and his principal assist
ant was portly black man named Charles
-. There is half brother OF Hope now
| living near jackson, n. c., and from him
I learn through friend that previous
| to being employed by the Garrisons. Hope
trained for McGregor, OF Maryland; John
| Urquhart, Of Southampton; Jack White, of
! North Carolina; and others. But l am
confident he never did ride for Colonel
Johnson, and unless my memory fails me,
he trained for him only one season.
did not meet with Hope after 1871 until
the termination OF hoStilities in 1865, and
only learned from his sister. resident OF
this place for some years previous to her
death in 1873, that he had gone first to New
York city and thence to Buffalo, where his
residence was fixed for the balance Of his
| life He visited Smithficld in 1865, when
he received from the remaining few OF his
old acquainiances kind and hospitable at
tention. His age then, AS given by himself,
was eighty-three, making him ninety-four
years old at his death. a-.
submit these "reminiscences in respect
to 4 colored man whose business engage
ments brought him into close, if not init
mate, relations with the principal racers Of
Virginia, when they were generally gentle
men Of worth and high social position.
! j. RIP