The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-11-26
CalifornIa's Famous TrOtter.

A letter from Newburgh. N. Y, to
the New York S't,a says: The wonder
full performance of the trotter St. Julian
on the Oakland track in California, in
the presence of General Grant, who
cheered Justify after the horse had made
a mile in 2:l23, the fastest time on re-
cord, recalls to mind the story of st.
Julian's purchase by Mr.: Galway, who
first put him on the turf. MIR: Galway
was then the owner of the half-mile
trotting track at Goshen, this county.
The track was kept in good condition,
and when it was not used for races,
scores of village horsemen and farmers,
who believed they had colts that were
destined to be the future kings or queens
of the turf, daily visited it to take a
spin and show the metal Of their
colts. None took more interest
in these impromptu scrub races than
the owner of the track. One fine day,
when the track was in good condition,
an aged farmer, somewhat dilapidated
in appearance, drove on it in an old
wagon behind handsome colt. AS he
whirled around the track Mr.. Galway
kept his eyes riveted upon the colt for
some time. The colts splendid gait,
beautiful style of acting and speed inter-
estad Mr.. Galway 80 much that when
the stranger drove up to him he nailed
him to stop, and made inquiries about
the colt. The farmer gave his pedigree,
and said that he was the "boss" in
those parts. Mr.. Galway asked if he
was for sale, and the farmer replied that
he was if the price was obtained. Mr..
Galway then requested that he be ''sent"
around the track twice more. With
this the stranger seemed only too happy
to comply. As the colt glided swiftly
around again, Mr.. Galway held his
watch on him, and the result satisfied
him that he was a remarkable colt, and
he determined to buy him if possible.
When the stranger pulled up again he
questioned Mr.. Galway as to how he
liked the colts movements. Mr.. Galway
answered that he liked them very well,
and then asked the farmer what his price
was for the trotter. The farmer said
that if he could not get 5000 for him
he would keep him. "The horse is mine" 3"
quickly responded MIR. Galway, and he
then and there bought and paid for him,
both parties being pleased with the bar
gain. Mr.. Galway put the horse in the
hands of his trainer, and the following
season entered him in the trotting cir
cult of that year. He trotted in every
race, at Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester,
Utica, Poughkeepsie, and in the East,
and won every time against good fields
of trotters. At Poughkeepsie he won in
three straight heats, and was never
headed, trotting the three heats without
skip or break. His winnings that
season footed up, it is said, 5000 Mr..
Galway then sold ST. Julian to Grin
Hickox, a gentleman in California, for
s2O, 1000, and the horse was soon there
after on his way to the Golden State,
where he has since remained and ae-
complished a feat unparalleled in public
trotting. st. Julian's best time in the
circuit race was, I believe, 2.l9. Will
liam Sargent of Goshen, his trainer,
drove him in those races. Just before
St. Julian was sold to. Mr.. Hickox,
Sargent drove him mile over the Hart
ford track in 2.16. A few weeks ago he
won q trot in California in 2.l7. st.
Julian is by Volunteer, and is half
brother to The famous Gloster who died
] in California.