The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-02-15
A RACD.
How "a $95 600 Gold Dust Purse was Won
at the first yer Race Track.
Denver Trihune.1

distance and weary looking objects made
their way into the frontier settlement of
Denver from the old Salt Lake trail. Two
men seated upon the back of one horse, in
Mexican style, was not an UNUSUAL sight in
those days ; but there was a something about
this trio which had the air of the extraordi-
nary or mysterious. The news of the strangs
arrival spread from cabin to cabin in a few
minutes and when the party halted at the
Elephant corral a large crowd of people
were already waiting to speak them well
come. The strangers were attired in tull
buckskin suits and armed to the teeth their
horse, a seemingly spirited bay, was attenua-
ted and hoof-worn his hide was covered
with streaks Of dry foam and alkali mud,
and his back was scariied from the constant
carrying of the saddle. He was a pitiable
sight as be tottered into the stall allotted to
him, and the prediction was made by the
bystanders that he would not survive the
night.
sGive Old Ruffian the best there is in the
feed box" said one of the new Corners, ten
derby. He has stood by US through a rough
tramp, and saved our necks. 1t it hadn't
crows loug before this"
the truth was soon out the two W re
Tom Hunt and Jim Harrison, the notorious
outlaws of Utah, and The horse was meme
other than Border Rufian," the famed Salt
Lake racer.
Ruffian had reigned as king of the Nor
mon turf for several years in long or short
tests of speed uuder the saddle he had never
been second at the outcome. His name was
household word in every camp in Utah and
the adjoining Territories. and bis victories
afforded themes for the most thrilling stor-
les. Money could not induce his owner to
part with. Hunt and Harrison, who were
partners in the proprietorship of a gambling
hell, had lost a reasonable fortune in battling
against Ruf1an, and resolved to steal and
transport him toe new country. While their
plans were yet immature, Hunt murdered a
prominent Mormon, and after q brief ,rial he
was condemned to hang for the crime. The
scaffold was erected IN the outskirts of Salt
Lake, near the Overland road, and the MUIR
derer was to swing midst all the pomp of
legal execution. In the excitement attend
ing the preparation on the morning of the
expected hanging, Harrison entered the STA
BILE of Ruff IN and spirited the racer away.
He then rode to the gellows unexpected,
slipped two six shooters into Hunts hands.
and before the officials or multitude had re-
covered from their surprise, the outlaws were
charging down The Weber Canyon trail at a
speed which defed capture. One Of a num-
Der of parting rifle shots killed Harrison's
horse, and it became necessary for Ruffian
to carry both men. The Mormons pursued
the desperadoes both day and night, but we're
powerless to overtake them, so wonderful
was the speed aud endurance of the stolen
bay. Not until one hundred miles had been
covered did men or beast stop for food Oh
rest, and the morning of the tenth day they
arrived at Denver. 600 miles from the Nor
mon Capital.
These facts once circulated, Ruffan be-
came the hero Of the hour, and in contem'
plating his marvellous feats, the outlawed
owners were almost forgotten. Every kind
ness and care were lavished upon him, and
in two weeks he was in q condition 70 go in
to training for the camp. Captain A. Is
Miller, a wealthy sporting man, had bough
him and then challenged the country for {
rival.
Among the SO pioneers of the settl emen
were three brothers. ''the Greer boys" al
they were Familiarity know. They had come
from Iowa, were passionately fond of racing
stock, and possessed u number OF fast race
horses. Conspicuous amongst these was
bay almost the counterpart of Ruflan IL
weight, color and style-who had WORKED
bis way across the plains, in the harness OF {
ssprairie schooner" Rocky Mountain
Chief. as he was called, had retained thu
proud distinction of being the best horse II
the Territory up to the time OF Rntf'n,s al
vent, and his owners did not propose to lie
the honor fade until his defeht had been &C
compllshed. So a mile heat, best two II
three. WA. arranged TO take place Septembel
on the McNasser farm, north OF Denver
the purse being $40 900 in gold. The horses
were put 10 active training the news was
heralded to to Tarryall, Breckenridge, Alma,
California Gulch, Clear Greek and the othel
diprinca and for hundreds of miles In {