The sun., 1879-06-01
HOMES OF THE FAST HORSES.
NEoRo BOYS RIDING A 100000 FLYER
OUT TO DRIVE THE COWS.

LEXINGTON, May 29.-Kentucky is q rug
red State. with rich centre in this neighbor-
hood Tho pride Of Kentuckians is In their
booded horses. The nurseries OF these
horses aro in the blue grass region. COM
prisinR the counties OF Fayettc Woodford.
Scott Bourbon, Clarke and Montgomery. From
hero the Belmonts. Astors. Lorillards Jeromes.
withorses. and others have purchased young
sters whose turf careers have made thoir names
familiar to New Yorkors. and famous through
out the world. Within the last few yenrs. also,
the attention Of the great breeders OF trottcrs in
tho East has boen drawn toward this section
from the interest taken in tho comparatively
new field OF raising trottcrs. The Bonncrs.
Vanderbills Alleys. Bachmans. knapps, and
other gentlemen owners Of fast roadstcrs have
stood under tho great shade trees of these pro-
life farms watching the action and picking out
promising colts and fllles. Here tho four-year
old Maud 8. is said to have troitcd in the mar
volous fast time for her age Of 217H.
This region lies nearly one hundred miles in
an oastery direction from Louisville on the
Louisville. Cincinnati and Short Limo Railroad.
Lexington Is hub from which the pixies (as
roads are called herel run out in tho manner OF
bpokes. widening as they spread into the coun-
try. Tho pixies are covered with white dust
from kentucky limestone. Between these lines
of white lie fields Of emerald green and rich
groves Of trees. The land Is rolling and in
places hilly. The north and south branches of
the Elkhorn and other ripping streams wind
through the country in fantastic bends. occa-
sionally in the form Of horseshoos.
Tho principal stock farms can be readily dis
tingushed by their white dwellings. barns.
walls. and fences. The views arc beautiful in
all directions. In front. overlooked by the mas
sive statue Of Clay. lies Ashland. just beyond
is Forest Park. owned by DR.. Herr. where Nam
brlno King, said u be tho most symmetrical
stallion in Kentucky. is hrowsing. Beyond Is
the rich grazing farm OF Col. L. f. Clay. where
little Aldorncys are reported to grow into largo
nnimals. Under our feet 10 the left is the old
Warheld farm, where the great Lexington was
born whose long distance record stood at the
head OF the list for nineteen years Directly
hcross the pike is Eairawn. owned 10y Mr.. viii
sent 10 the Sandwich Islands were selected
from this place. Up the pike. to the leit,
on a hill. Under the hill in modest stable.
Tom Bowling and the great horse Arstdcs are
stamping; Up the pike tire, miles 70 the
farm Of Mr. NJ. II, sanford. A long line of win
ners have tossed their hoofs under his treos.
Cassius NJ. Clay and sam Brown met in the
memorable and bloody fight, is Dixnna farm.
owned by blum and hearty Major H. G.. Thomas.
Fellowcraft tho first horse 20 beat Lexingtons
four-mlle record, Lelaps, Himy0r. and his
known horses. range his park. The most eX-
hiarating thing about the place Is the Majors
twenty-six -year;od Kentucky whiskey. Ad-
farm, whore large fortune was speedily squan-
dered In the horse business.
Thirteen miles out on the old Frankfort pike
Is tho Harper farm. the scene OF two bloody
tragedies. and the homo of the greatest race
horse in the world Ten Brock who has re-
duced the four-mile record 10 7:l5k. Long
fellow is his stable COMPANION. Mr.. j. A. Al
oxander's Woodburn farm. four, times larger
than Central Park adloins the Harper estate.
II is the best known stock farm in the United
States, having turned out more winners than
ders estate l. Mr.. Daniel Swigcrt's park-likc
Btockwood farm Here Mr.. james Il. kecne's
wonderful colt Spendthrift first struck the
stride that made him victorious as a two-year-
for the, big events. The Butord inrm also adj
Joins Mr., Alexnnder's. II wns while in litga-
ton for this place that Tom Buiord wound up a
series OF tragedies 10y killing Judge Elliott Of
frankfort In open court.
Scanning the horizon. we see the outlines OF
Blue Grass Park the home 9i MIR. keene Rich
ards the only American who ever visited the
deserts Of Arabia for the purpose Of procur-
ing Arabian horses In person. Mr.. Richards
has expended hundreds OF thousands OF
dollars "a his love ior, the horse. Branehing
out fAn-like nre tho establishments Of Mr. j. w
Hunt Reynolds, J. T. Williams J. A. Grinstead
MAJOR Mcdowell. and many others. reaching all
the way TO Indian Hill where the blue grass
begins. and where the choice trotting stock Of
Mr.. II. 5. Neech n Louisville banker Is raised
Each Of these farms would repay personal
them shelter victors IN hard-iought contests.
Riding along the Frankfort pike. the other
quiet. dwaried old dwelling Of the Harpers
nestles near grove of large trees about mile
from the road' Ihe iarm contains oi9 acres Of
excellent land, part pasture and part woodland;
stock on the place MIR. f. b. Harper, the pres,
ent owner. grew up in the old home. One
Harper was killed here by guerrillas and two
were mur Tered In their beds n few years ago.
Tho murderer used an axe which had been
worn down blunt as hammer. No one has
ever beon openly charged with the murder. and
the mysterious tragedy Is still talked about by
Mr. !. d; Harpsr Is rather kindly,iaeed
slowly in a friendly tone Young Frnnk Harper,
nephow. assists in running the farm. Frank
was absent in Louisville with astring Of horses,
Been informed that tho od gentleman was
very reti cent. and We're therefore agreeahly sur
prlsed when we found him willing 10 talk about
Leading the way to the weather beaten aud
house. Mr.. Harper directed Harry Hurley, a
fri2zed. sun-dried old negro, with face like
sp4inX. TO bring out the horses The negro
walked under Il narrow shod that extended
along in front Of tho barn doors without saying
a word, disappearing through stable door,
He soon reappeared' leading Longlellow by the
While the handsome stallion was pranclng
around. Mr.. Harper looked on with a beam OF
satisia ton lighting his face. There" he
said, is one oi the only two horses in America
that ever rn emle in ,.5o; ;49 The other one is
Longiellow is in splendid physical condition
put ne Will never run again on the turf. All ot
-" Longtellow was old uncle Johns pei. ." said
Mr. Harper. but Ten Brock was always mine"
After admTing the horse "a few minutes
longer Mr.. Harper said: They want Long
fellow 10 20 10 Tennessee next year. 10 Gen.
Harding; but II he goes he wont be mine;
they'll have 20 buy him"
This WAS said ln manner that Indicated a
pIincoly pri,r. ~ men turned To- me African
back and bring out the horse"
Harry whirled around silently rs an automa-
ton, and Jed longlellow back 10 his box. Enter
1ng An adjoining stall. he soon returned lead
Ing Ten Brock.
The King Of racohorses is now seven years
old. As hn came bounding into The sunlight his
bright hay cont hhone no sHln. His eyes were
full OF re. He raised the sphinx from his feet
every time he threw his arched neck in tine mir
Mr.. Harper looked Mt the horse with pride;
then stepping 10 the writer's side no said
" There's Il horse that has made the fastest
Blk races ever run in tuis country"
Aher allowing time 10 admire the horse. Mr..
Harper continued:
sly uncle wanted to ruin Ten Brock when
he was "A yOungster, but | saw pints about him
that convinced me he would turn out great
horse. So | fairly begged him not 10 spoil him.
hnd he finally consented"
- Was he large colt p
mo. ANY ono that saw him then wouldn't
have given fl5 for him. He WAS "A little ruut. and