Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-08-20
The Fastest Milo.

An intimate friend OF Dan Mace has
been regaling me with entertaining
"reminiscences OF the famous driver.
One Of his stories may mildly be called
little astonishing Mace told the tale
to friends in whom he trusted, but
secrecy was always imposed upon his
hearers; for, though it was perhaps the
text Of the chef boast of his life, there
wero some phrases OF it in which, for
apparent reasons, he took no personal
pride.
years ago." began my authority,
when forty. pound sulkies and shin and
pastern boots were unknown, Lady
Thorne headed the list of trotters. Dan
was the only man who could ever get
the last loop out of her. Tricky end a
trifo mean when she was stale, the
marc sometimes got Dan out of patience.
One hot Friday morning in July,
when Mace went to her stall, tho ami
NAL was unusually ugly. Almost fierce
~ she turned upon old Blue Jacket
and fastened her teeth upon his should
err. Dan was hurt and Dan was mad.
He ordered his men to put strong
bride on the beast and take her into
covered Enclosure. With the long
bride rein over high stringer he had
tho men haul this mares head high in
TO the air, and then taking new driv-
ing whip Dan laid il on with might and
main. shouting and yelling at the mare
continually. Break away she could
not, and before the old man got through
with her she was covered with foam and
trembling like an aspen leaf. A wild,
frightened look was in her eye, and il
ever horse appeared heartbroken Lady
Thorne dad on that July day.
But Dams ire was not appeased.
Hook her up he said TO Billy Hun
ter, who was with him then as his head
groom; hook her up and take this
watch and catch my second mile. I'll
loosen her up bit on the first mile,
and then I'm going to send her on to
repeat for all she is worth. You take
that time Now, my old girl, I'll fix
you,' he said sternly, as he caught tho
reins behind tho affrighted horse. He
seemed to hold her back with difficulty
on the first mile. She feared that cruel
| whip. Gradually letting heI out she
came down to the starting post for the
second mile like flash, and away she
| went.
"The watch snapped as II began tim
ing a mile, which Dan Mace averre5 20
his dying day was the fastest over spun
by q trotting horse in all the world.
How he yelled How no laid on the lash
He acted like q maniac. Under every
blow Lady Thorne sped along faster
and faster, while gaping, awe-stricken
hostlers looked on in speechless amaze
mcat, for such trotting as this not one
had ever dared 10 dream OF. Down the
back stretch tore the maddened animal,
| too frightened to break trotting squarely
without skip. Around the lower turn
and down the stretch sailed the marc,
white with foam, speckied with bioo,i.
Within 100 feet OF tho wire Mace let
out q scream more hideous even than
any that had preceded IT. Lady Thorne
] few through the air fastar still, and hike
lightning shot under the wire Hunter
| looked at the stop.wateh. grew pale
and shut the case with . vehement snap.
| "That watch marked 2.08," iaid my
enthusiastic friend. "and 2.0S il was"
am willing 10 take tho word OF Billy
Hunter and the word Of Dan Mace .lhs.
Lady Thorne on that day trottod l,s
fastest mile this world ever saw. IN.
Y. Times.