Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-19
A ATROTTING WONDER
Hickok Says He Will Bring a
Flyer From California
TO MATCH PRINCE WILKES.
Some Interesting News Received in
PittSburg Yesterday.
JACK DEMPSEY AND M'CAFFREY.
An Important Objection to the New Pool
Selling Bill.
TO MATCH PRINCE WILKES.
JACK DEMPSEY AND M'CAFFREY.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS OF THE DAY

Mr.. j. A. McKelvey, the well-known
horseman of this city, received some very
interesting and instructive news regarding
trotting horses and people interested in
trotters yesterday. 1t may be stated that
Freddy" McKelvey, as he is familiarly
called, is almost daily in correspondence
with the most prominent people connected
with the trotting track. Besides being a
first auctioneer at horse sales he is possessed
of useful knowledge concerning men and
horses connected with the leading tracks.
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Mekelvey smiled,
he even seemed heartily pleased when he ac-
coSted the writer as follows:
We will have a bona fide race for Prince
Wilkes sure now. have just received letter
from Crit Davis who has the Prince and the
balance of his stable in Kentucky. The letter
goes on to say that Hickock, who is in Califor-
MIA is coming East with a trotter that can be
matched against Prince Wilkes or any other
trotting horse in America From what / can
learn the intimation of great match is genuine,
However Mr. Davis informs me that Prince
Wilkes will be ready for action when the time
comes.
READY FOR ANYBODY.
Mr.. Davis saws more. He gives me to under
stand that the Prince will not only be likely to
trim the Western visitors up in the East, but
that he will probably be taken West and will
there score some victories. To beat champions
on their own heath is great honor, and Prince
Wilkes is a likely horse to do it. 1t may seem
strange however, when say that in his letter
MIR. Davis tells me that the famous Prince is
now running loose on the grass, and that no.
body at first sight would be prepared to offer
more for him than about $50. However, / am
told by Mr.. Davis himself that the horse is all
right and was never in better condition than he
is now Undoubtedly there will be a great
match race If Hickock fultills his offer. l know
that the Prince Wilkes party will be prepared
10 make a match against anybody. / am also
inclined TO think that Mr.. Hickock will find
others who will be ready to accommodate him.
/ also received another letter from a we'll
known horseman, continued Mr.. Mchelyey.
This letter amuSes me- and doubtless VIII
amuse many other patrons of trotting meetings
when they know the color of my hair. John
Splan, who will undoubtedly be immortalized
as an author shortly has written me from Chi
cago as follows:
SPLAN'S INTERESTING LETTER,
Colonel Red McKelvey:
DEAR FRIEND-Yours of the 4th inst. re-
ceived and for the list of names please accept
thanks. recognize enough of them to be of
use to us. There is no doubt in my mind but
what you will receive complimentary copy of
the book and can assure YOU OF one thing
you are illuminated in the book brighter than
your red hair, and in years after, when you and
/ have given up trying to tell which horse is
going to win the heat, your grandchildren will
read with astonishment what wonderful man
their grandfather was.
Hoping that French pools may be easier to
beat next year, 1 remain your friend. as long as
your money lasts. JOHN SPLAN.
Everybody who reads the above letter who
knows anything at all about trotting tracks
will at once recognize the genial humorous
and honest spirit of John Splan. Comment is
unnecessary to those who know him, and to
those who don't know him only his personal
estimate. He is progressing well in the work
of publishing his book, and it will be before
the public ere long.
Regarding the trotter that Mr.. Hickock is
bringing East to beat Prince Wilkes or any
other there is much conjecture. At present ard
for some time past California has been noted foT
phenomenal PAGERS, but first-class anything
like phenomenal trotters have not been heard
of. Of course Sunoul, by Electioneer, made
mark of 2:lS last year as TWO
year. This year the youngster may be
considerably faster. but it is hardly likely that
Sinoul will be pitted against Prince Wilkes in
a match. Certainly Western people produce
wonders now and then. Guy Wilkes, another
good trotter, is out on the slope somewhere,
but certainly there will be plenty of money for
the Prince against Guy. 1t is also possible
that trotter has been kept on the G. I. to
ms sch Prince Wilkes. If this is SO the race
will still be more interesting Stamboul is also
coming East and ne may be the flyer.