The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-02-13
OLD H1ckoRx,s NERVE.


HO Hc Vetoed Svvindling ON a
Tennessee Race Course.
Many are the interesting scenes OF
Jackson's life which his biographer,
Parton, has omitted aud not brought
to light. When boy 1 saw him scare
and put to flight 10000 men. The oe-
caslon was this: Greyhound, Ken
lucky horse, had beaten Double Head
Tennessee horse, and they were af-
terward matched for 5000 side, to
be run on the Clover-Bottom Course.
My uncle, Joseph II. Conn, carried
me on horseback behind him to see
the race. He set me on the cedar
fence and told me to remain till be re-
turned. In those days not only coun-
ties, but States, in full feather, attend
ed the race course as a great National
amusement, and the same is still kept
up in France and England under the
fostering care of each Government.
There must have been 10000 persons
present. l never witnessed such fierce
betting between the States. Horses and
negroes were put up. A large pound
was filled with horses and negroes bet
on the result of the race. The time
had now arrived for the competitors
to appear on the track. l heard some
loud talking, and looking down the
track saw, for the first time, General
Jackson, riding slowly on gray horse,
with long pistols held in each hand.
1 think they were as long as my arm,
aud had a mouth that a ground-squir-
rel could enter. In his wake followed
my uncle, Conn, Stokely, Donelson,
Patton, Anderson, and several others,
rs fierce as bulldogs. AS General
Jackson led the van and approached
the Judges stand, he was rapidly
talking and gesticulating. AS he came
by me he said that he had irrefraqi-
BILE proof that this was to be q jockey
race, that Greyhound was seen in
wheat field the night before, which
disqualified him for the race, and that
his rider was to receive $500 to throw
it of, and "by the eternal God" he
would shoot the first man who brought
his horse upon the track; that the
peoples money should not be stolen
from them in this manner. He talked
incessently, while the spittle rolled
from his mouth and the fire from his
eyes. have seen bears and wolves
at bay, but he was certainly the most
ferocious looking animal that I had
ever seen. His appearance and man
ner struck terror to the hearts of 2O,-
600 people. If they felt as did, every
one expected to be slain, He announc-
cd to the parties if they wanted some
lead in their hides to first bring their
horses on the track, for 'sby the eter-
nal" he would kill the first man that
attempted to do SO. There was no
response 10 this challenge, and, after
waiting some time, and they failing to
appear, General Jackson said it was a
great mistake in the opinion of some,
that he had acted hastily, without con-
sideration. He would give the scoun-
drel a fair trial, and to that end he
would constitute court to investi-
gate this matter, who would hear the
proof and do justice to all parties.
he appointed sheriff to
keep order and i've judges to hear the
case. Proclamation was made that
the court was open and ready to pro.
ceed to business, and for the parties to
appear and defend themselves. No
one appearing, General Jackson intro
duced the witnesses. proving the brib.
cry of Greyhound's rider, who was to
receive $500 10 throw off the race,
having received $3.50 in advance, and
that Grey hound had been turned into
q wheat field the night before. He
again called on the parties 10 appear
and contradict this proof and yindi-
cate their innocence. They failing to
appear, General Jackson told the court
that the proof was closed, and for
them to render their judy ment in the
premises, which in few moments was
done in accordance with the facts
proved. l was still on the fence FORM
ing one line Of the large pound con
tanning the property bet on the race.
Each man WAS anxious to get back his
property.
General jackson waved his hand
and announced the decision and said,
Now gentlemen, 60 calmly and in