The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1882-06-08
L Wild Horse Race in the Rocky Mount
ain Region.

The widest horse race ever known in
this country took place on the Denver
track on September 10, 1860. The horses
were Border Ruffian and Rocky Mountain
Chief; the purse $4,000 in gold. Ruff
fan was backed by Tom Hunt, his owner,
and Jim Harrison, notorious gamblers.
Shortly before Hunt had murdered a
prominent Mormon, and after brief
trial was condemned to hang for his
crime. The scaffold was erected on the
outskirts of Salt Lake, near the overland
road, and the murderer was to swing
midst all the pomp of legal execution. In
the excitement attending the prepara-
tions on the morning of the expected
hanging, Harrison entered Rufian's
stable unobserved and spirited the racer
away. Mounted on another horse and
leading ,Ruffian Harrison rode to the
gallows unexpected, slipped two six
shooters into Hunts hands and before
the officials or multitude had recovered
from their surprise the outlaws were
charging down the Webber canyon trail
at q speed which defied capture. One of
number of parting rifle shots killed
Harrison's horse, and it became neces-
sary for Ruffian to carry both men. The
Mormons pursued the desperadoes night
and day, but were powerless to overtake
them, so wonderful was the speed and
endurance of the stolen bay. Not until
one hundred miles had been covered did
men or beast eat and rest, and ON the
morning of the tenth day they arrived at
Denver, six hundred miles from the Nor
mon capital. These facts once circula-
ted Ruffian became the hero of the hour.
In the Denver race the Greer boys, who
owned Chief, backed him. Thousands
of men and women focked to the track.
There was a long delay, but at last,
amidst frenzied cheers, the horses got
start, Ruffian forging ahead from the
stand. Chief flew the track, went over
| o steep eInbankment, and before he could
recover the first heat was practically de-
cided in Rufiian's lead. A yell of disap-
pointment went up from the multitude
and rush was made to lynch the man who
started Chief He succeeded in escaping
the mob unharmed, however. More
than 800, 900 changed hands on the heat.
An even start was obtained in the second
heat, the two horses passing into the
quarter stretch neck and neck. At the
half-pole Ruffian in response to hard
whipping, slowly took the lead. All this
time Chief had been given free rein,
but had been spared the lash. Charles
Hamilton, desperate, who had all his
earthly possessions staked on Chief. stood
at the back-stretch pole as the horse ap-
preached, . navy revolver in either hand.
'.Lsy the whip to that horse, or I'll drop
you from the saddle" he shouted to Eu-
gene Tcats, Chiefs rider, sighting both
Of his weapons. Teats knew that Ham
ilton would keep his word unless the or
der was obeyed, and, although he was
confident that Chief would win the Sec
ond heat without urging. he lost NO time
In applying the whip. He drew blood at
every stroke and Chief went under the
wire o winner of the heat by 100 feet in
lag. Then commenced q riot and tur.
moil the like Of which was never before
or since witnessed on q race course. Men
pulled their six-shooters and fired madly,
Unfortunately, and gold dust, in the
quarrel for the stakes, was scattered seek-
lessly ia the sand. Rattan was cnn-
pletely broken down after this heat, anA
the gamblers appreciating that they Sss
beaten, became frantic with rage. Cpa.
Gram and Charles Switx. who afterwards