The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-28
HORSE TRADING.

GOOD EFFECT OF GENUINE TArTERsA1L's
MART-soME OF THE TRICKS BY WHICH THE
RUSTIC is DEFRAUDEp OF HIS COIN.
The Inauguration of the Tattersalls Horse Mart
will be event from which the confidence horse
operators may date their downfall. and after which
the countryman i'll search of steed will be enabled
visit this city without being victimized. The old
saying there tricks in all trades is readily
applied the horse business. there is probably
trade in which open robbery is more fagrantly
conducted 1t has always been customary to allow
considerable margin in the way of trickery to any
body selling horse. and when that was confined to
dyeing the hair doctorng the teeth in order to
give the animal youthful appearance it was al
most considered legitimate in that business. A
century ago forefathers took grcat interest in
horse trade. and men OF large
specially delighted If they could cheat friend into
paying double an animals value. Trading horses
used to be favorte after dinner amusement. aud
every advantage was considered legitimate
CLEVER OPERATORS
For many years this city has been the head
quarters of of tho smartest horse operators in
the world. and up to about two or three years ago
the horse auction business was the medium of swim
ding large scale. OF course there wero some
few houses of established reputation that carried
business III . straightforward manner; but then
there were dozens OF others that would "steal the
pennies on a dead mans eyes" They used to ad-
vertise largely generally announcing forced sale
by auction OF some private gentleman's establish
ment, and in many instances making use OF the
of we'll known citizen who was then
travelling abroad. The old screws that were to be
sold all doctored up for the occasion, and
when the auction commenced the main business
done by the "cappers.' These discerning indi-
vduals soon discovered who was looking tor horse
and. introducing themselves i'll casual manner.
would occasionally drop some remark cxtolling the
They generally were credited with records of from
2:20 to 2:35, and even then the "cappers knew OF
private trial that such horse had made in several
seconds faster than the record. The countryman
would become quite fascinated with the business and
congratulate himself about the way in which he had
euchred these Workers" rs he paid over $500 for
1920 horse that he could sell mp home for
$4,000 He would take away his prize and probably
return day. quite we'll pleased, but only
find every thing cleared out of the private stable
nobody able to tell him anything about the auction
Ger or the former owner OF the horse he had bought
In most instances the countryman would return
home with n better opinion Of the sagacity OF the
horsedealers "down in York" Some two or three
years ago the horse auction business thoroughly
ventilated in the columns of the HERALD, and the
operators were vigorously prosecuted the business
"pa1vArE" SALES
At present the business Is carried in somewhat
similar manner with TINS exception. that ne animals
The operators engaged in this business generally hire
some private stable situated in fashionable
part OF the city, near Broadway or Fifth or Sixth
avenue. and as soon they have got together lot
OF broken down horses and collection of second
hand carriages they advertise the private sale of
g~nteman's stock Of horses and carriages prior to
hts departure for Europe. The horses all given
pedgrees and records. and the carriages fixed up
with q little fresh varnish and the name Of some
we'll known maker. The stable is kept closed. and
when the countryman rings tho bell he Ia generally
received by y stableman. rugged up like private
groom This individual will show him over the
stable and the stock giving the stranger the benefit OF
his private information to the quality Of the AMI
mails. The owner will then arrive, and during the
give the prices at which he is sacrificing
this valuable stock. Positively he has to awe them
away but they must be sold he sails for Europe
on Saturday. Speaking OF the roam trottcr Honest
Dick" the owner adds; -"I have only advertised
him with record Of 2:2S; but timed him last
week-a half mile in :09H. He Is worth 81 500 to-
day, and it is not three weeks ago when was
offered $500 for him by Mr.. Livingstone. Now
have to sell, and at $500 is like giving him away
The conversation continues, and presently another
whispers loud enough tor tho countryman to hear
II will give you 500 for Honest Dick. want him
for Livlngstone. I know ho will buy him when
psrently wrapped In thought, but presently
| plies ~ cannot give you an answer until hear
from this gentleman. have given him the refusal
OF the horse" The countryman. who has heard the
entire conversation, begns to count his money at
| once, and in Ave minutes has Honest Dick by
| pocket into the possession of the owner. Tho
expose generally comes in o very few hours. and
then there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of
teeth on the part OF the gentleman from the rural
| Districts. AS rule he does not go to law. but
hakes compromise of some kind. returning the
horse and getting half his money back.
SOLD AND SOLD AGAIN.
A good show horse, with fine points. that will
make . handsome appearance IL invaluable in this
dozen times in a month. or course there
merous other methods in which the "capping" IL
done for the business. but they nearly ell centre
upon the of the stock of "prvate gentle
man." Some stables have had their stock pri-
vate sale for the past six months. Whenever they
work rather big trick they generally move their
ports that the neighbors may have to give OF the
manner in which they transact their business.