St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-26
RACING R0GUERIES.
Artful DOdges by w hich Some Great
Horses Have Been Ruined.

E1OTSeS nave heRn huEnGd.
Chambers Journal.
About half a century ago, ut Newmarket,
several horses that stood high in the betting
at different times suddenly went off sick
just before the race for which they were
entered; some died, others recovered, but
all were disabled for the time being. and
favorites that few hours previously out
stripped every rival would come struggling
yards behind the field. Every one knew
they had been ''nobDled," but for long
time the perpetrator remained undiscovered;
at last, however, notorious scOundrel,
one Dan Dawson. was caught reC-handed
poisoning the trOughS. During the trial
it came out that he had made regular
trade of these nefarious practices, and
it was more than suspected that not few
of the biggest men on the turf were
his employers. But although he was con-
demned to death, whether from the hope
that some among his influential patrons
would intercede for reprieve. or from that
hatred which certain men of his class have
against "peaching." he never betrayed
them, and remained silent to the end. The
most minute precautions are taken to guard
the race horse from such dangers, vet the
cunning or daring OF his enemies frequently
proves more than match for the care OF
his owners.
In 1912 Lanercost was regarded as the
certain victor for the Ascot cup. While he
was being conveyed to the course in van
the grooms in charge stopped at an inn be-
tween Leatherhead and Sunninghill to re-
fresh, leaving one to keep watch. Just
after they had gone into the house two
sailors came out of it. ''Hillo," cried one,
there's Lanercost; let's have a peep at
him." and he sprang up on the side of the
van, while his companion at the same
time diverted the attention of the
man Oil guard. A moment afterward
the first jumped down again, and
then the two disappeared in cOpse.
1t was all done so quickly that the
groom had no time to interpose; and be-
fore he could summon his mates the men
were out of sight When the race came
on instead of achieving the anticipated vic
tory, poor Lanereost came in last. In the
course OF the ensuing month he entirely
changed color, and was never fit to run
again. There is no doubt that the pre-
tended sailor had cOntrived to administer
some powerful drug to the animal during
the few seconds he hung over his box.
Somewhere about the same time horse
named Marcus was the favOrite for the st.
lcScI. ilC uty UClOtC tHC idCC, NilliO uO
and some other horses were standing at the
Doneaster Arms, an Unlocking fellow en-
tered the kitchen of that tavern and
seated himself beside a boiler from which
the stable lads were every now and then
drawing water for their charges. There
was no one in the kitchen save the maid
servant. whom the stranger sent out to
bring him pot of beer When she re-
turned the girl was going to fill her tea
kettle from the boiler, but the fellow
stopped her by saying: Il wouldn't take
my tea water from there if was you, it
looks so yellow and greasy"
''All right; Fll get 1t outside" she an
swered When she came back the second
time the man had gone.
The next morning two horses were found
dead in their stalls; while Marcus. who was
just able to run, came in last, and also died
during the day. Upon the bodies being
opened arsenic was found in their stomachs.
The girl then remembered the incident of
the loafer. who had, no doubt. poisoned the
water in the copper; and had she been as
stubborn as most of her kind. several hui
man victims would have been added TO the
equine list. By the defeat of Marcus the
owner of horse named Chorister won
97, 900.