The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-06-19
A HUtiE OF FAST HORSE<.
a negro Boy Riding aR AnirslSI worth
100000 Aver 1he Gees

Lexington (Ky.) special TO the New
York Sun: Riding along the Frankfort
pike the other afternoon, we drove to the
Harper farm. The quiet, dwaTfed old
dwelling of the Harpers nestles near 8
grove of large trees about mile from
the road. The farm contains i've hum
dred and seYenty-nine acres of excellent
land, part pasture and part woodland.
There are only about forty head of
blooded stock on the place. Mr.. +. b.
Harper, the present owner, grew up IN
the old home. One Harper was killed
here by guerTillss, and two were muir
dered in their bsds q few years ago.
/ The murderer used an ak which had
been worn down blunt ss a hammer.
No one has ever been openly charged
with the murder, and the mysterious
tragedy is still talked about by Ken
tuckians in whispers. Mr.. F. B. Harper,
is a rather kindly-faced farmer of sixty.
He wears spect acles, and talks slowly In
| a friendly tone. Young Frank Harper,
q nephew. assists in running the farm.
Frank was absent in Louisville with
string of horses, getting ready for the
spring races. We had Eeen informed
that the old gentleman was very reticent,
and were, therefore, agIeeably surprised
when we found him willing to talk about
| his famous horses. Leading the way
to the weather beaten and oilapldated
| stable few rods in front of the house,
/ Mr.. Harper directed Harry Hurley, q
| frizzled, sun-dried old negro, with tace
! like q sphinx, to bring out the horses.
| The negro walked under g narrow shed
| that extended along in front OF the barn
doors; without saying word, disappear
| ing through stable door. He soon
reappeared, leading Longfellow by the
halter. While the handsome stallion
was pranciBg around, Mr.. Harper looked
on with a beam of satisfaction lighting
his face. There" he said, g is one of
| the only two horses in America that ever
ran mile in 1:4O. The other one is in
| there. He ran in 1899. L0ngfellOw is
in splendid physical condition, but he
will never run sgain on the turf. All
of Mr.. Harper's colts and tillies are by
Longfellow.
" Longfellow was Uncle Johns pet"
| said Mr.. Harper, " but Ten Brock was
always mine."
After sdmiring the horse a few min
ntes longer, Mr., Harper said: They
| want LongfelloW to go to Tennessee next
! year, to General Hardiug's (; but If he
goes he won't be mine; they'll have to
bay him"
This was said in a manner that indi-
Gated princely plice. He then turned
to the African sphinx, saying: 4" Thatl
do, Harry take him back and bring out
| the horse"
Harry Whifled around silently as an
automston. and led Lonf'ellow back to
his box. Entering an adjoining stall, he
soon returned leading Ten Brock. Tne
king of race horses is now seven years
ola ha oav,o bou,,9inn into tho
sunlight, his bright bay coat sbone like
satin. His eyes were full of fire. He
raised the sphinx from his feet every
time he threw his arched neck IN the air.
Mr.. Harper looked at the horse with
pride; then stepping to the writer's side,
he said:
"There's horse that has made the
fastest six races ever run in this couns
try"
After allowing time to admire the
horse, Mr.. Harper continued
Ny uncle wanted to run Ten Brock
when he was a yOungster, but l saw
points about him that convinced me he
would turn out great horse. So l
fairly begged him not to spoil him, and
he finally consented"
Was he a large colt"
No. Anyone that saw him then
|
him. He was little runt, and used to
feed with the sucking calves. Even as
& two-ye2r old he was so small that ] was
ashamed of him."
You take good care of him now, 1
suppose ?'
"Nething extra. The boys often riGe
him after the COWS, and go to the post
Office on his back. My neigbbors cuss
me for allowing it. but the boys do as
they have a mind to with him."
Here Wesley James, q gOod>natuTed
young darkey, the trainer of Ten Brock,
who stood back of Mr.. Harper, gTinned
from ear to ear.
When Ten Brock was a twO-year
DID," continued Mr.. Harper, che was
beaten in his first race by Bill Bruce, in
exington, in 1874 After that race ]
still asserted that he was the best horse
had ever laid my hands on-better than
Longfellow."
After gazing at the horse tly
again, Mr.. Harper said I" He began to
spread out and improve after that race.
His joints developed. There is some
thing peculiar about his formation
You see he stands over sixteen hands
one inch high. Well, he is exactly the
same in length from his hips to his
breast. A painter of Tacehorses says he
is the only horse he ever saw whose
shoulders are longer than his head
! They are Usually OF the same length,
What condition is the horse in
now7 ?"
"He is just as good as he ever was,
and could run as fast as ever this fall
e His lungs are as sound and his ieg'
e | stronger. He can run now without any
2 training. The horse has never yet
f shown what he really can do. / believt
! if l had run him one mile further tbs
day he beat Ad three miles, he would
9 have made the four miles in 7:10 o.
:. 7:12. The bay had to hold go that hi
= fingers we're cramped TO such an exten
!. that he could not ungirt the saddle sfte
the race. He can change his feet, NOV
!. his head, and swing from eide TO aid
|, quicker than any horse I ever saw, thu
e relieving the strain on his muscles with
4. out losing time. And 50 says Be-
Is Bruce. Mr. Bruce declares that ther
i is no other horse in the world like him
z Would you sell the horse, Nh
d Hsrperp'
n Well, some English duke may con,
d along some day and get him
10 A recent visitor Is said to have sske
n Mr.. Harper, VIII you sell TIE
" Brock %
y Yes" he answered, 81 for my price.
D ~ What Is your price p
s. Z" Oae hundred thousand dollars"
lg Rather high"
q Z" might as well own good horse s
n TvbodrT - vysa Mr. Harrer'a Fez,iv