The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-05-07
THE FASTEST MILE.
Tradition of Dan Mace ana Lady
= Distance TrOtted in 3:Os.

Halston In NelO York Times says: An init
mate friend Of Dan Mace has been RECALLING
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 Sc
crecy was always imposed upon his hearers;
for, though 1t was perhaps the text OF the
chief boast of his life, there Wore some
phases Of II In which, for apparent reasons,
he took no personal pride.
"Years ago." began my authority, "when
foity-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
and trlfle mean when she was stale, the mare
sometimes got Dan out of patience. one hot
Friday morning in July, when Mace went to
her stall, the animal was unusually ugly. AL
most Hereby she turned upon odd Blue
Jacket and fastened her teeth upon his
shoulder. Dan was hurt and Dan was mad.
He ordered his men to put n strong bride on
the beast and take her Into covered In
closure. With the long bride rein over high
stinger he had the men haul the mares head
high into the air, and then taking new driv-
Ing Whip Dan laid 1t 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.
wild, frightened look was In her eye, aud II
ever a horse appeared heartbroken Lady
Thorne did on that July day.
but Dams Ire was not appeasei. 'H)ok
with him then as his head groom: 'hoOk
her up and take this watch ana catch my sec.
ond mile. IN loosen her up bit on the nrst
mile, and then I'm going 10 sond her on the
repeat for all she is worth. You take that
time 'Now, my old girl, I'll fix you,' he said
steinly, as he caught the reins behind tae
airtighted horse He seemed to hold her
back with dim ulty on the first mile. She
feared that cruel whip. Gradually letting her
out she came down 10 the starting post for the
second mile like Hash, and away she went.
"rhe watch snapped as II began timing n
mile, which Dan Mace averred 70 his dying
day was lhe fastest ever spun by a trottlng
horee In all the world. How ne yelled How
he laid on the lash He acted like q ma mac.
Under every blow Lady Thorne sped along
faster ana faster, while gaping, awe-stclcken
ostlers looked on In speechless Amusement,
Tor such trOtting as this not one had ever
dared 10 ever dream Of Down tho back
sUelch tore the maddened animal, too flight
ened 10 break, trOtting squarely without Il
SKIP around the lower turn and down the
strelcn sailed the mare, white with foam,
speckled with blood. Within 100 feet of the
wire Mace let out screech more hideOus even
than any that had preceded II. Lady Thorne
ltew through the air faster still, and like
lightning shot under the wire. Hunter looked
az the etop-watch, grew pale and shut the case
with vehement snap.
"rhat watch marked 2:0S," said my enthu-
siasiic friend, "and 2 ;0S It was"
lam willing 10 take the word OF Billy Hun.
ter and the word OF Dan Mace that Lady
Thofno on that day trotted the fastest mile
this world ever saw.