Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-03-22
THE COLT RACE.
Mr.. Geo. BnIdwtn's Version Of the
story OF the Planned Race In this
NIty...A Challenge.

mr. GEO. BnidWtn'H version Of the
story OF the Planned Race In this
City---A Challenge.
Editor Argus.
WEST LIBERTY, Iowa. March elm
your paper of March 10, see piece
headed The race that never came" In
order to get the actual facts before the
public will say that Mr.. q. w. Negus
has for months past been making the
challenge to trot Mr.. Renfros two year,
old McGregor colt against any colt-no
older than hIs-for from 500 to $500
a side, the colt to be owned within 800
miles of Rock Island, and he (Negus)
agreed to pay expense on the visiting
colt, the offer being made TO Engineer
Hoover. About one week ago Mr. Hoo
yer told him he knew colt not elev-
en- months old that could beat him. Mr..
Negus stated II will trot him a match
from the street car crossing to govern
ment bridge 10 Rock Island for any
amount from S25 to 800" Mr.. Hoover
accepted it for $25 side play or pay"
the money being deposited at the Rock
Island house, and race to come off Satur-
day. March II. Mr.. Renfro, the owner
of the colt, was not at home when the
challenge was accepted, but on his return
he was opposed to his two year-old colt
starting in the race, but in his presence
on Thursday night and with his peTmis>
sion, the race was set for 8 o'clock Frs
day morning. We were on hand with
our ten months old colt and Mr.. Negus
and Mr.. Renfro were there with their
two. yearold We were ready and anx-
ious to trot then, but they refused until
Saturday morning, and at noon Friday
we met the party and Mr.. Renfro said
positively he would not allow his colt to
trot. We met again in the evening and
Mr.. Negus stated that Mr.. Renfro had
consented. and further that the colt was
under his control until April l. and set
the time at from s to o'clock next
morning We met and there was large
crowd to witness the race. After giving
Negus and Renfro choice of direction and
smooth side of the road, the Judges
were picked, and We WENT up to score for
the woId. and when nearing the end of
the course | met Mr.. Negus holding a
shoe in one hand and he shouted, Cant
trot; pulled shoe" | said, Take
time. and get the shoe tackled on. |
do not want any advantage" But | had
not got ten yards when Mr.. Negus hal
looed to me, Something new; the mayer
has forbidden the race " | said, where
is the marshal; can we not get permit
and Negus SAID, mo use of trying" and
they said they would 60 to the Daven
port track, knowing that it could not be
trotted there then stated had eXer
cised my colt all | would at present,
unless we troted there; but offered to 60
q, IL Tr1 nd
there any time within from one to ten
days, and put up from 800 to $500
They stated in the presence of all parties
that they would not make any further
engagements. After both colts were
taken to the stable learned that permit
could be obtained to trot the race out on
the place first agreed upon. We
went to MIR. Negus and he positively res
fused. Now he offers another challenge
with a string tied to the money. Now,
then, there is another loop hole to get
out of. had nothing to do with the
other match, and do not make practice !
of matching sucking colts, but have II
few words to say now, and as | have |
been to Rock Island to one tizzle | don't |
want another.
To all Whom it May Concern
VIII udlCn my COLI DEOHn CeuaII No I
1899. ten months and twenty.six days |
old, by Red Cedar by Red Wilkes. first !!
dam by Guide by Swagart, against Mr. |
Renfro's bay stallion s. w. Wheelock, !!
two years.old, by Ben McGregor, to be |
trOtted here in West Liberty any time in !
side of twelve days, for 800 side. play /
or pay" the same distance and same con-
dition of race made to come off March |
II, the saddle horse to be ridden between
sulky and colt; money to be deposited in
Balls Bank, West Liberty, Iowa.
. GEO. w. BALDWIN.
Now, Mr., Negus, no craw>dshing If
you want race, put up. we will use you
well and you shall have square deal.
anu obliged to Mr.. Negus for the cons
pliment to my colt, being the best he
ever saw and | must say be respects
good colt, but / prefer testing point of
speed before endorsing his suppositlon.
The proof Of the pudding is chewing the
string" Yours respectfully,
GEO. W. BALDWIN.