The Newtown bee., 1879-06-17
Recollecticns of Old Newtown.
THE RAGE COURSE.


 In the Summer of 1923 the great race between the northern horse Eclipse and the southern horse, Sir.Harry, cam of at the Union course near Jamaica, Long Island, which attracted by far the largest concourse of people that had ever gather ed together on such an occasion on this continent. The excitement produced by this great rlce all over the country has never had it's parallel, for it's results were to determine the superiority of the one or the other section in the matter of horse fesh-a contest between the North and South, which, in this respect, this match was to forever settle.
 Our old town was half crazy over ti4e affair and every one who could go to wit ness it, left by whatever conveyance they could obtain for the purpose, the Eastern states were all of them largely represent ed while the South furnished it's quota of ex- cited spectators; among these was the celebrated John Randolph, of Roanole, who came on from Virginia expressly for the purpose, and was a guest at the Country seat of the late Governor King. which was not far distant from the course.
 Eclipse, the northern horse, was an an- imal of great power of endurance, while his competitor, Sir Henry, was of lighter build, but full of fire as well as of speed and being too better rider, won the first heats so easily that it looked as if the South would win the victory, whereupon the young and inexperienced jockey who had ridden Eclipse was unhorsed by the owner and his old rider, MT. Purdy, put in his place, who at the tap of the drum was off, fairly flying over the course com ing out victor ill the last heat, amid the cheers and yells of a hundred thousand o a and triumph for Mir. Purdy, whose name has always since then been associ- ated with that of the horse whose temper and pecuiiaritieS none knew so we'll as himself.
 Mr. Rar dolph, accompanied by his Southern sporting friends, occupied a seat on the grand stand, attended also by MT. King, who as soon as he could make himself heard amid this uproar, said MT. Randolph: ''Wbat do you say to this?' "Why sir, " replied the Roanoke states man, 'it is fortunate for the country that it does not elect it's chief magistrates by exclamation, or MT. Purdy, sir, would sure ly be our next president" when he hasti- ly quit the stand, chagrined and diSap- pointed with the result
 This great race terminating as it did in victory for the North, set all of our peo- pie to work in breeding horses. Deacon Beers, who had probably never witness ed a horse race in his life (not from any want of curiosity, but he neUer had tin.e) was particularly exercised in the matter, and went into the business without pay ing any attention to the importance of having thoroughbred among them, but he christened the colts after all the fa- yorite racers of the day; there was Eclipse, Sir Henry, Betsey, Richards, Lady Lightfoot, and 1 know not how many others, with high sounding names 1 had the honor with other boys, of riding some of them Gfor very short distances), and the only decided and market point, which found them to possess, was the quickness with which they would unload for if one was not on the alert he would be taking 'the measure of an unmade grave" on the ground, unless he rolled up as a caterpillar does when he tumbles from fence, (which always did, how ever the Deacon did not see much money i'll it, and, believe, early quit it, turn ing his sole attention to the purchase and fattening of steers for the New York market, business in which he was more at home.
 remember but one race of any accoun- taking place in Newtown, and that was q trot between a white mare, owned by ..Sauire'' Dibble. the shoemaker, and a bay horse belonging to man by the name of Lamphier. who lived in Monroe or whereabouts, and it came off on the plain at.the foot of your street, in which Mir. l.. was so badly beaten that he never turned up in that vicinity afterwards.
 The Squire was q modest, industrious man, who attended to his own business and left his ncighbors to attend to theirs, and were. he living now and still the owner of that white mare Gin the condi. tion she was then) he might match hel against most of the roadsters of the pres ent day, for she was tor would have beer with such care and training as trotters now receive) very valuable animal. c.