Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-12-31
GREAT OAKS FROM LITTLE
ACORNS

Mr.. Parin, in the American Cultivator,
furnishes us with some striking illustra-
tons of great results from small begin
nings:
"a large, well-formed, good-gaited foal
is the delight of every breeder. There is
but little danger of such youngster suf-
fering from neglect or being stinted in
his feed. 1t frequently happens, how
ever, that those which are far less prom
ising at birth become most distinguished
in after life. The young breeder should
not feel discouraged, therefore, if the
embryo that he has contemplated with so
much pleasure, and pictured in his imag-
nation as the perfection of symmetry
and grace, should develop into an I'M
calmly thing, devoid of all that pertains
to beauty, when first brought to light
In 1927 II small black colt was dropped
in Pennsylvania brick yard. His first
performance of note was falling into Il
mortar vat. TO all appearances he was
as worthless an equine product as ever
entered the world. His pastcrns were
so weak that they could not support his
weight, but bent over ut every effort that
he made to stand upon his feet. His
owner was disguised, and ordered the
iected emphatically. His life was spared
and he was christened Andrew Jackson
When matured and developed he was the
fastest trotting stallion upon the turf,
and acquired still greater distinction in
the stud as the sire of Henry Clay, Long
Island Black Hawk, and kemble jackson.
Had he been destroyed Geo. Wilkes and
Elcctioneer would never have been
known, and it is likely that AeXander's
Abdallah would never have been pro-
duced, as it seems probable that his dam
was from this source. About the middle
of April, 1888, there was fOaled upon the
farm of Ezekiel Twombley, Durham, n .
H., little black colt so insignificant in
appearance that its owner seriously
thought of 'knOcking it in the head" as
the writer learned from the lips of the
man, now living, who was by the side of
the foal within 20 minutes from the time
it was dropped. a neighbor was consult
ed, who advised that the colt be permit
ted to live, assuring the owner that some
day it might be worth hundred dollars.
The neighbours advice was needed, and
Hills Black Hawk was spared to pro-
duce the most celebrated family of road
sters that ever existed. The noted trotter
Flora Temple (2:l9 80 was so small
and unpromising, even when four years
old, that VIM. III. COgdon, of Smyrna,
Chenango Co., n. Y, bought her for the
paltry sum of Sl3, and Maud Messenger
| (2:l6 Ia was sold as Il yearling for
about the same sum or a trifle less. Mid
night, by Peacemaker, was sold when a
2-year-old, if we remember correctly, for
about $50, and at that time gave no evil
dence of future greatness, but in his g.
| form a fool. n nf Il II
Ten years ago the first of next month
there was foaled on b. ID. Whitcomb's
farm, Stratham, n. H., very small, in
ferior-looking colt by Godfrey Patchen.
1t lived, however, and the next season
was known by the farm hands as the
woodchuck, being at that time both small
and hOmely. He now stands about lJ.3
and is known as Ferd S., with a record of
2:21 -. Some five years ago Mr.. +. ID.
Vaughn, of kingsbury, n. y, bought of
Gen. w. Il. Withers, Fairlawn Stock
Farm, Lexington, Ky, weanling colt
called Star Almont, by Almont; dam by
Conkling's Star; grandam by Toronto
Chief, sire of Thomas Jefferson , :23. The
colt was bought from the description and
breeding given in the catalogue, and was
not seen by Mr.. Vaughn until he reached
kingsbury. The yOungster had evident
| ly suffered from dlStemper, which, to-
gether with his long journey, gave him a
very unattractive appearance. The car
was not standing by the platform, but
the purchaser reached in, took the little
fellow in his arms, placed him upon the
ground, and led him away. A cores
pondence was opened by the breeder, land
the colt offered at a large discount
"Keep him." replied Gen. Withers, sun
til certain time named, give him good
chance, and if he does not satisfy you
fully, | will pay you all you gave for
him, together with the interest on the
money, and also for his keep" When
the time mentioned rolled around, il
would have taken several thousand dol
lars, in addition to the purchase price, to
have induced Mr.. Vaughn to part with
him. One year ago last summer daugh-
ter of Daniel Lambert, owned by Mayor
McCusick, Calias, Me-, dropped very
unprepossessing filly by George Wilkes
ir., which had severe struggle for life
during the first two days of its existence
This FLY is now the trotting wonder OF
eastern Maine, and a cash offer of 5000
was refused for it several months since.