The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-08-14
An Interesting Letter.

LODI, Seneca Co., N. Y, July 20, 1885.
Mr.. JOSEPH BATTELL.
Dear Sir:-Takipg up the Chicago
Breeder and SportSmon | looked over
an article relating to the Morgan fami-
and your breeding farms called the
Bread Loaf farms, Middlebury, Vt. l
have been for many years breeder of
the Morgan horses. In 1913 Mr.. Chas.
w. Ingersoll, now deceased, and his
cousin, NJ. H. Ingersoll, bought Gener-
al Clifford, by Clifford Morgan,by Wood
bury, by Justin Morgan, at the State
fair held in Syracuse, N. Y, brought
him home and soon became interest
ed in him. He was great horse; we
kept him for service; he served from
80 to 125 mares per season at $50 to
insure he never failed to get more than
2-3 of them in foal. In February, 1854,
we traded his use to Mr.. Nathaniel
Seely, of Goshen, Orange county, N.
Y, for one season only, for New York
Rather, he by Treadwell's Abdallah, by
Mambrino, by Imp. Messenger. We
would not let the General 60 there
without Mr.. Seely would have our col
ored groom come with him and stay
with him while he had him which he did
agree to, and went to Orange county,
and took the General and Henry, the
groom, and made the exchange and
brought New York Rather home with
me. lie was strong-moulded fellow
IL hands, with three white feet, not
high up, strong bay, black tail and
name, very thin, but what hair was
If O n
if it had been known, he was a better
horse than Rysdyk's llambletonian ever
was, but we gave him three seasons in
in the stud here; but he did not take
well and we sold him for 5000 to gen
tleman in Steuben county, n. y. The
same spring | took two stations sired
by General Clifford to Tecumseh, Mich.
a and 3-years- old. One was glossy
brown and the other chestnut. The
brown we called Bussora; he was bred
by Baptist minister of Cayuga county
n. y, We traded for him the win
ter he was coming three years old. Ills
first dam was sired by the Imp. Arab
an horse Bussora, second dam by a sol
of Imp. Messenger. lie was the bes
horse ever raised in Cayuga; about 10
l-2 hands high, well proportional witt
all the style of the Morgans, and fast
| sold him to b. !. Bidwell, of the same
place; also the chestnut colt. The
brown horse got $1,000 for; the other
5000. We brought General Clifford
back to Lodi, Seneca county, after thu
season was out. In 1855 we stood hin
in Yates county, n. y, and the same
fall we sold him to 90 to GAINESVILLE
Ill.,, for S1100 delivered there. Tit
last time | ever saw him was in 1860 a
st. Louis. He was blind. 1t wa
caused by standing him crosswise be
tween the doors in the cars. With al
that infirmity he could out-show an.
horse upon the grounds. 1t was thel
that saw Gold Dust the first time, an(
in 1872 | went to Kentucky anC
brought to Seneca county Eden Golt
Dust, dapple brown, l6 - hand
high, an inbred Gold Dust or Morgan
as you might say. Now have a col
from him which | call Seneca GolC
Dust, golden sorrel, one white ankle
Is 1.2 hands high; bred by the late DR.
ID. G.. White of Dryden-the perfec
facsimile of the original Gold Dust ant
quite fast as well as great stock get
ter. Now what ! would like of you
to get your work upon the Morgan
family of horses, and what information
you may see fit to give by letter or 9th
erwise, and | will with pleasure do any
thing that is within my knowledge +
aid in this work upon the Morga
horse. AS you see, | am intereste
now as well as in time past.
Yours, etc.
ID. l., KASE