The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-23
MERRY SLEIGHING PARTIES
Lively Scenes on Meridian Street in the
Speeding of Local Fast Tr0tters-
Owners Of Valuable Horses and Handsome Cut
ters Making Good Use of the Opportu-
nifty the Ice Paved Street Offers Them.

With bells jingling and spirited horses speed
ing over the icy highways, hundred moro
owners of high-prced steeds had great deal of
enjoyment yesterday. Hundreds of sleighs
were out in all parts of the city throughout the
day, but the principal driving thoroughfares
were given MP to those who had best horses.
The sleighing Meridian street was perfect,
and in the afternoon il became race course,
which nearly all the booded trotters of the city
were placed on exhibition. For one day in the
year the ordinace against fast driving was for
gotten even by the police. Occasionally an
officer would appear this temporary track, but
for fear that some dissatisfied resident might
request him to enforce the ordinance. he always
turned his back On the sport.
From 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon until dark
not less than one hundred fast horses and a
thousand people were on Meridian street. be-
tween Michigan and st. Clair. Even the occu-
pants of the residences along that thorouehfare
locked their doors and came out the sidewalk
to enjoy the sport. Notwithstanding it was Sun
day there an occasional outburst of applause
when some favorite horse won hotly- contested
race along stretch of Two or three squares
Among the gentlemen drivers was Ed Schur-
mann with his valuable gray. He did not COM
pete great deal. but when he was forced to
speed his horse he seldom came out behipd. Jo-
seph Becker always ready for race with his
high stepping bay. and bis horse held its own
with the others on the street DIR. Burford
out with his trotter. and evened up successfully
his various trials of speed. W. H. Messenger,
who takes special delight in being able to out
speed DR.. Burford, out with a new cutter,
and he seldom came out behind his competitor.
VIA. F. Christian had very fine horse, and was
in nearly every race that came off. w. +. Flu
gate drove pair of matched bays that attracted
much attention account OF their beauty and
speed. They came out ahead in quite a mum Der of
heats, although running at a disadvantage be-
side single horse driven to speeding sleigh.
NJ = g al. 80 IL Afoxr
& Co., held the reins over splendid bay horse
full of life, and holding its own in all the
in which his driver accepted. w. F. Folsom. of
the American Express Company, drove splen-
did bay to a gaily colored little cutter, and
when his horse didn't 'break," his driver had
the satisfaction of exciting the envy of his COM
petitors. Jonas Johnson had d fine roadster,
but he seemed to be more interested in trading
sleiehs than showing the speed of his animal.
Between and o'clock he traded sleiRhs four
times, and then didn't have one that suited him.
Thomas Madden, the lounge manufacturer.
showed one of the best horses
on the street, and when he entered
a seldom came out far behind. William
SchoppeuhorSt the merchant tailor, drove little
bay mare that made many better looking horses
hurry to keep up with her. and ID. t. Sheldeer,
the insurance agent, had out his fine bay, that
would have won many of the heats, perhaps, il
it had not been for the three hundred pounds
avoirdupois Mr.. Sheideler put in the sleigh. He
got more solid enjoyment out of the sport than
any man on the street Councilman Isaac Thai
man drove a fieet-footed bay a beautiful as we'll
much part in the racing. but he showed the
spec tators that he was the over of good horse
and knew how to handle the reins James
Haywood felt very proud because he drove
of the swiftest horses and had for company
in his sleigh Henry Boyle, the swift pitcher OF
the Indianapolis Baseball Club. William Brown.
of Haueh, Ketcham & Co.. drove a good horse,
but he did not win many heats. because, as he
said. his horse could not make time on the snow.
Jay Voss sat behind his 81, 900 black Andy, and
but few races came off in which his horse
not entered. He did his share of the winning
Charley Kuhn drove gray horse that won more
races than any other Gu the street. The most
valuable horse belonged to Harry Spring
steen, of the county clerks office. 1t was
and and is valued a. 5000 Harry r has just spent
ST. 900 in having him trained, and he would not
consent to speed him on the snow for fear he
might injure his prospects for the future. The
or two short races he ran satisfied the other
horsemen present that they could not compete
with him. George Custer and John Martin both
had favorite horses out and took part in nearly
all the trials of speed. Thomas w. Hanna,
Emil Wuschner and NJ 81. Spades speeded their
thought the sport was too dangerous for them,
and hunted less lively thoroughfare.
The starting point in all the races was St.
Clair street, while the crossing of Michigan and
ing the street became as slick glass. and
eral horses not well shod fell, and were slightly
injured 1--WE no reason to stop the racing
unless the residents of the street complain"
SAID policeman ''Sleighing seldom lasts but
FIVE or six days in a season here, and those who
havo fast horses ought to be allowed to have
gooA time. In other cities. and especially those
of sae Northern States, street is set aside
for rapid driving, and that ought to be done
heeA"
The Lady in the Horse-Car.
Philadelphia Journal