The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-02-14
A Racer of Tho Plains,

Jack Christy was the drOver's name and
he recently arrived at ST. Louis from
Texas. jack got behind beer or two a
few nights ago and then and there related
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: Not very
great distance from Fort Concho, in Texas,
for the last seven years, n wild stallion of
wonderful speed and endurance has been
seen but during all this period the cndrav-
ors Of the ranchcros to capture him have
proved unsuccessful. Jack has seen the
horse himself, and says he only stands
about IA hands high, and is coal-black in
color. His body is covered with very long
hair, so that in appearance the horse is
rather shaggy. lie has long flowing tail
which trails Oh 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 nostrls 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 Concho for seven years and it is sup
posed that he is about years old. He was
seen to gallop distance Of three miles on
open prairie in less than four minutes and a
half lie dashed out of ravinc in the Vic
hita Maintains, and going at hcadlong speed
he disappeared behind a log hut, which
stood at exactly three miles from the en-
trance TO the gully. One of the ranchcros
with the party, who was watching the stall
lion from rocky cmincncc, timed him, cs-
timating that the animal made three miles
in 1850. This would make him the fastest
horse on record, and boats all the racetime.
Some four years company was organized
to capture Black Boss, which was the sob
riquct by which the animal was known in
the region. About 25 ranchcrs and hcrders,
mounted on the flcetcst of Texan horses and
mustangs, determined to give chase TO the
hitherto uncapturcd and untamed stccd.
One of tho party was the celebrated Mex
ican Vaqucro 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 stceds. 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 lie would at once show them
his heels. The rancheros, however, contin-
ucd 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.
Gonzalez, who on account of his skill and in
trcpidity 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 inthe Wichita Mountains, the
jagged prccipices forming a vcritabe cal
dc sue. J If they could succeed in driving
him into the ravine 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 tho stall
lion, who Immediately began his antics of
playing with his pursucrs. 1t was on this
occasion that Gonzalez made most mary.
elous throw with the asso. He managed
to approach pretty close to Black Boss
who at once snortcd and bounded away.
Gonzalez stuck his spurs deep into the
flanks Of hisstced, which gallantly answered,
and In few moments carried his rider
nearer the flying stallion. The two horses
were now separated by about 225 feet when
quick Us lighting, Gonzalez seized his laeso,
and, With unerrlng aim, threw 1t. Black
Boss was cricifeled by the fatal coils and