The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-02
TURFMEN ASTONISHED.


York Sun. and now member of congress, Is
the best reporter America has produced.
We print below sample ;of his work. Mr..
Cummings thinks perhaps it is the best piece
Of reporting he ever did.
It win be interesting to the public, first be-
cause they see in ii the newspaper reporter at
his very best. II is high water mark in report
ing-crisp, graphic, swift Of movement and
entertaining Second, because IL describes an
event that is historic in turf circles, and shows
how the greatest Kentucky horse, and tho
heart OF the greatest Kentucky turfman were
broken.
From tie New York Sun, August %, 1870.
SARATOGA, August 23.-Last night clouds
overspread the sky, the air was damp and
everything indicated rain. Tho track was
muddy, and it was thought that clouded sky
even without rain would not better 1t. This
morning tho sun shone brightly. The back
ers of Longfellow were filled with joy. They
ran him mp clean above the thermometer. lie
even went up as high as 500 to $500. Helm
bold was hardly talked Of; apparently lie had
no friends; but many old turtles sailed about
the hotels aud the clubhouses quietly taking
in the big odds. The rotunda OF the Grand
Union was filed with an eager crowd OF bet
ting men. A few minutes after sunrise the
gardens and lawns in front Of the cottages
swarmed with ladies, who enthusiastically
wagcrcd heavy sums on Longfellow. Not one
Of tile fair ones sympathized with Helmbold.
AT tho breakfast table the great race was
alone tile topic Of conversation. by O'Clock
tho street in front Of tho Grand Union was
tbronged with carriages. There was no dust.
Tile road was in splendid condition
Tho walters, bootblacls, hackmen, chamber
maids and BARRIERS were SO fearfully excited
that Il was almost impossible for them TO at
tend to tIeir duties. They wagered their
money recklcssly. Indeed, some Of them had
been laying aside money for six weeks to bet
upon tho great race. LonRfollow was their
universal fayorite. Nearly every guest had
his hands filed with Ereenbacks and every
body wandered about tho piazza with an open
poftomonnaie. Early In the morning BabcocS,
Weldon, Harper, McDaniels, Morrissey, Dos
vol, Hunter. Cameron and other old turfmon
visited the stables. Both horses were re-
ported in splendid condition.
Carriages began to leave for the course early
as 1880 The racing was to begin at moon
Many yehiclcs were Jammod In many Oh
them there was 30 standing room. Many DIS
tinquished persons walked 70 the course. All
the walters, portcrs, bootbacks, and Commo-
Gore Vanderbilt rode to the course.
Everything was LonElolow.
Nuta pool could be sold on any horse in any
other race. The quarter stretch was black
with humanity. The rush TO tho pool stand
Wjsuupr ecedcnted
At ono time old John Harper, Lonfellow's
owner, slouched through the multitude sing
Ing out In q cracked voice;
"G'go just got forty dollars about my clothes,
and IN bet forty to fifteen that Longfellow
wins this race!"
All these bets were quietly taken In by Now
York city men.
Jhon Morrssey backs Hombod Morrissey
walked over the stretch, pointing his finger at
different men, saying:
I'm Offering 500 10 $1,000 that Helmbold
wins"
lie took in a dozen such bots within five
minutes.
Fifty dollar grecnbaclys were as thick as
leaves IN Naambrosu. There were probably
over n 100000 inside the quarter OF an acre.
Tho ladies wcre apparently crazy They
wagered gloves, rings, handlSerchiefs, and
money, utterly regardless of the result.
nolmhold sailed up the track, epyelQped In
woolcns Bp TO the eyes. His legs wet6 band
aged. He was apparently unrecognized. He
ran half mile and back. His blankets were
removed. lie was IN proiuse sweat. One OF
the jockeys scrapcd great flakes Of foam from
his nock and shoulders. The crowd saw him,
and IN an instant he was surrounded. Some
declared that lie gwcated too easily and others
were as positive that this had only limberod
hm up, aud that he was III to run for mans
life. As the horse stood there with red, dis
tended nostrls, his fiery nature broke out. He
laid back his ears and
vfctoUSLY REGAIN TO KICK.
MeanNh ilo Lopgfellow had eisurely walked
through the little gate and was going down
the track IN an opposite direction from Helm
bold, with the speed of the wind. lie ran u
milo and three-quarters before his blankets
were removed. lilo stopped just below the
Judges stand Helmbold was deserted in an
instant, and mighty crowd gathered about
the iaVurite. They dribhlcd from the grand
stand into the quarter stretch, and drifted from
the quarter stretch upon the track. A great
hum and buzz arose rs the blankets were
lifted from l-onglellow. He was not wet q
hair. Ills oye was clear and bright, his skin
was as soft as satin and he was apparently IA
cool as q western hunter. Old John Harper
Razcd az him long and earnestly but said not
q word Even Dabcock lIelmbold's owner,
was attracted 10y the crowd, and
STUDIED LoNGrELLow
with critical eye. lie drew long breath
Rnd walked of seemingly satisfied. Among
the spectators tho inspection was unfavorable
20 llelmhold. Bigger odds woro offered ON
Longtoliow, but all this time veteran turfinen
were scoopmg in the immense odds and en-
deayorng 70 raise the premium.
The bugle sounded, the quarter stretch was
cleared as II by magic. jim Mcclellan,
Eembold's Jockey, sprsng upon his horse in
quiet confidence. lt0 wore o blue Jacket, with
scarlet sleeves and cap. Joe Calston, uarper's
coiercd Jockey, tho host c0lOr0d rider in tho
world, followed suit. lie wore bright orange
3ac&et and pants and u red cap Hembold
carried ia pounds and lougfellow but les
pounds. The former is one year oldor than
the latter.
EBt MBuLn AND ONGTErIOw CONrRAsVRp
The contrast between the two horses was
most marked. Helmbold seemed tough and
knotty There was iiro IN his eye, and ouick
Impatient paving OF his feet. Longfellow was
beautiful picture, His body was perfectly
formed. His long quarters were clean cut,
nnd has eyes We're As mild rs these Of an eastern
queen. lie moN ed with the utmost grace free
snd easy, like the lever Of n Jnrgensen watch
He looked rs though he despise0 his antapo-
mist. 1t seemed like q rioe between = rich
man sou, fed On Charlotte russo, and a poor
hoy who had been brought up on gingerbread
END molasSes.
q3K sCGNF ON THE STAND
Just beioTe the race WAS picturesque. -Four or
Eve thousand elegantly dressed ladies chat
tered like the plumaged birds In South Amer
can forests. The front OF tho stand was
Tiurcd with cager-eyod men.
Commodore Vanderbilt, accompanied ty his
vile and mothor-in-law, u lady apparently
about torty years old, occupied q secluded
nook on tle left Of the grand stand. lie wore
awhiic neo!ltic, ard looked like
A H0rEF1Ep METHODIST M1NisTrR.
IL looked more like pious Methodist than
Daniel Drew. lilo be; on Longfenow aud
looked very much like a disguSiod Methodist
minister go the close OF the race. Atl2:s0