Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-02-19
A Racer of The Plains.

Jack Christy was the drover's name and
he recently arrived nj ST Lnuis, from
Texas. Jack got behind n beer or two a
few nights ago and then and there related
a marvellous story of remarkable horse.
for the truth of which Jack said he was
ready TO vOuch. The substance Of Jacks
narrative was abont as follows: MOI very
great distance from Fort Concho, in Texas,
for the last seven years, wild stallion of
wonderful speed and endurance has been
seen but during all this period the endeav-
ors of the ranCberos to capture him have
proved unsuccessful. Jack has seen the
horse himself, and says he only stands
about IA hands high, aud is coal-back in
color. His body is covered with very long
hair, so that in appearance the horse is
rather shaggy. He has long flowing tail
which trails on the ground while his name
is at least two or three feet in length. His
hoofs have grown very long. The animals
eyes are exceedingly bright and fiery, and
when galloping with dilated nostrils over
the open muskeet prairie, Jack said: 1T
was enough to make your heart glad to see
such noble animal As stated above,
this horse has now haunted the vicinity of
Fort ConchU for seven years and it is sup
posed that he is about years old. lie was
seen to gallop distance of three miles on
open prairie in less than four minutes and
half lie dashed ont of ravine in the Vic
hita Maintains, and going a. headlong speed
he disappeared behind a log hut, which
stood at exactly three miles from the en-
trance TO the gully. One of the rancheros
with the party, who was watching the stall
lion from "a rocky eminence, timed him, es-
timating that the animal made three miles
in 4:50. This would make him the fastest
horse on record, and beats all the racetime.
Some four years a company was organized
to capture Black Boss, which was the sob
riquet by which the animal was known in
the region. About % ranchers and herders,
mounted on the ficetest of Texan horses and
mustangs, determined to give chase to the
hitherto uncaptured and untamed steed.
One of the party was the celebrated Mex
lean vaquero Juan Gonzalez, who bears the
reputation of being the greatest expert
with the lasso living. For five days did
they pursue Black Boss on Their fleet
| footed steeds. Snmetimes they would
chase him for hours, when he would gradu-
ally distance them and disappear from sight.
| Black Boss actually seemed to enjoy the
sport. He would occasionally stand still
until the pursuing party approached him,
| then, with loud neigh and toss of his
| powerful head he would at once show them
his heels. The rancheros, however, contin-
ued to stick TO his trail, and after few
! hours again came upon him, when he sped
away from them like wind. -Four days
longer they kept up the chase, but in vain.
Eonzez.;WhO on account of his skill and in
trepidfGy had been chosen Captain, on the
fifth day organized the company into squads
and told them the only hope of success was
| to drive him to HermOsa Gully, which is a
small ravine in the Wichita Mountains, the
jagged prccipices forming a veritable cUt
de sue If they could succeed in driving
him into the ravne he believed they could
secure him. Three bands were accordingly
formed, and they began to scour the prairie
for Black Boss Gonzalez company, after
a few hours riding, came upon the stall
lion, who Immediately began his antics Of
playing with his pursuers 1t was on this
occasion that Gonzalez made most marv.
elous throw with the lasso. lie managed
to approach pretty close to Black Boss,
who at once snorted and bounded away.
Gonzalez stuck his spurs deep into the
fianks of hissteed, which calamity answered,
and in a few moments carried his rider
nearer the flying stallion. Inc TWO horses
were now separated by about ZZo feet, when
quick as lighting, Gonzalez seized his lasso,
and, with unerrlng aim, threw it. Black
Boss was encircled by the 1atal coils and