Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1880-11-24
Mary Jewett, Mfnnesota's Champion
HorsewOman.

OGCI HUI U1llC9 AIplA A<lIGuuCluS
Mimi, on the st. Paul, Minneapolis and
Railway, is the farm Of Mr..
the father Of the young lady
who has accepted the challenge Of Mrs.
Belle Cook, of California, 10 ride the
twenty-mile race at the coming Mime
apolis Exposition. This is to be one Of
the great events Of the year in racing
circles, partially because of the heavy
stakes ($3, oo0) pending, but o be-
cause it marks q new era in sporting
circles, and starts a new medium through
which the women of the day may ex-
pend their s%uperfluous vitality.
found Miss Jewett at the home OF
her father, busily engaged in the house.
hold duties commo to the female mem
bers of the better class of farmer homes.
Miss Jewett is q product of Minnesota,
physically and mentally. Imagine a
woman of twenty, average hight, OF
beautifully rounded form, modest in ap-
p~earance, and at the same time with a
demeanor Of perfect courage, self poise,
and self-ownership. She has light
brown hair, blue eyes, and q cheerful,
honest, winning manner Handsome
according to natures W recognized
standard, with the touches of the sun
upon her cheek and the color Of the
cherry on her lips-a woman that would
be marked attractive" in any COM
munity and with any surroundings.
She met me cordially, and was eager
to learn if l knew anything of her CON-
petitor, Mrs. Cook, Of California. With
but little persuasion she was induced to
give me . specimen of her skill as a
horsewoman. A horse was brought to
the door saddled, and without assist
ance she vaulted easily into the saddle,
and was away like the wind. While she
was gone on q twenty minute ride l
learned from members of her family that
she has literally grown up on horseback.
Her father is q wealthy farmer and al
ways has q number Of horses on his we'll
stocked farm, When she was less than
a dozen years of age she would 60 down
into the fields, select her favorite lamb
from the flock of sheep, and then man.
age in some un~accountable manner to
mount an unbroken colt, sans bride,
sans saddle, and come galloping back to
the house with her pet in her arms, to
the infinite terror of the rest Of the house
hold. Candor compelled the admission
that in those halcyon youthful esca-
pades she always rode man-fashion, with
| one leg on each side of the horse-not
so graceful, perhaps, but far safer and
more agreeable for q young miss OF
twelve years.
Before she was sixteen her father had
learned to rely on her for breaking the
colts reared on the farm, both to the
l saddle ard - hor,nao 1SEvyorvy hnvoo
on the farm knows her." proudly re.
marked the father, "and If ever they
have had any disagreement with her,
they have also learned to respect her.
In this manner her equestrian education
has been obtained until to day she is
more at ease and feels safer on the back
of the most fractions horse than she
does on the ground with her feet under
her.
Since the race became a fixed event,
Miss Jewett has taken no general course
of training but has relied entirely upou
her daily experiences since early girl
hood. "All l ask" she remarked, ais
as good horses as my opponent and 9
strong saddle; l will attend to the rest. =
| ~innocently remarked that Mrs. CooA
was credited with having tanned the
fiery mustangs of the Pacific Coast
"Pshaw!" sh0 remarked, "the fiery
mustang is no harder to ride than I
bucking mule, and l never saw one o
those l could not tame in thirty minute!
by the watch"
Miss Jewett was born in Minnesota il
June. 1861. She has grown beautiful
under the fostering care of her mother
commonwealth, gathering a wealth o
robust health from the free breezes o
her prairie home. No lady in Site i
better fitted TO stand as our home cham
piOn in o contest requiring courage
skill and endurance than she. She de
serves the confidence and the backing
of every gallant Minnesota gentleman
and the encouraging good word Of ever.
Minnesota lady. She has ridden ii
contests at various times at county fair.
and neighborhood contests, and Away
borne off the palm for grace and fearless
ness. Miss Jewett informed me tina
she should probably come TO Minneap
polls next Monday and commence train
ing for the race, and parted with m,
saying: ~ shall win if l %can--rely upol
that!n-Cor. 81. Paul Pioneer-Press.