The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-10
JOHN HARPER.
Sketches Of Kcntucky's Famous Turf
man and Breeder.

Sketches Of Kcntuchy's Famous Turf.
man and breeder.
From Sports Afeld.
The late John Harper commenced rae
ing in early life, and for sport rather than
for the money that was in it. And, in or
order to understand the training Of n horse
he spent one year as sort OF an appren-
ticc under Capt. Sid Burtridge, OF Scott
County, who was one of the pioneer turf
men OF Kentucky. "Uncle John, rs Mr.
Harper was usually called by his neigh
bors, never married, nor did his brothers,
Jacob and Adam, nor his sister, Miss
Betsy. IAN murdered-Adam by the
Jayhawkers during the war; and Jake and
Miss Betsy some time afterward by parties
unknown to this date.) The three broth
ers and sister lived together on the home
stead, holding the property in common.
Adam was the farmer, Jake the iinancier,
Miss Betsy the housekeeper, and John
the race horse manager. They were a
plain people, honest and close wealthy
for that country and the times-without
ostentation Of any kind; kind and neigh
borly, and overlooking with plain, honest
hospitality.
The Nantura farm is situated in the
richest portion OF Woodiord County, in
the heart Of the bluegrass region, which
was at one time regarded as the exclusive
thoroughbred nursery for the whole coun.
try. Many Of his neighbors were lurfmen
the Buiords, Blackburns, Fords and
Alexanders. Mr.. Harper was himself a
remarkably good trainer, very careful with
his horses, and don't think that he ever
had balky or bad starter. His horses
were generally in good condition and
when they went 20 the post every one felt
confident they would win II IL weru pos.
siblc. He never backed his horses
for large amOunls-rarely II ever more
than S25. Mr.. Harper owned many good
horses in his day. The first Of them OF
which have any recollection was llarper's
Clacker, and, II / am not mistaken, he
was one amongst the first horses ever sold
IN an auction pool-Dr Underwood being
the originator Of that system Of pooling.
Mr.. Harper was n close man, and, like a
good many before him and many after
him, hc never started with the best blood,
nor until the latter part OF his life ever
paironized a high.priced stallion, but bred
10 his own stock. by the by. this is a
great error generally among breeders. No
one can make n mistake IN breeding 10 an
imported horse, ~ all the speed comes
from thom). / heard Gen. Buiord say
that lac almost forced Uncle John TO
breed Nantum and Fanny llolton 10
bennington; that II Il had not been
for him, Buiord, Nantura and Fanny
llolion would never have had anything
but Endonor colts. But let that 20. |
know this, and think a good many will
agree with me, that the bennington pro.
duction was the best that Nantufa ever
foalcd, or for that matter, better than any
that either Lexington or Endorser over
sired. And this puts me in mind OF the
great cup race at Saratoga between Long.
fellow and kingfishcr In 1871. | was not
there and Of course did sec the race, but
heard and read great deal about il NJ the
time, aud among other things heard this,
that the odds were in favor OF Iongiellow
a thousand 10 six hundred, and large
majority OF the New Workers were sticking
10 Fisher at these odds
Now, Uncle John was very close.
mouthcd man rs regarded his horses, and
there was no possible way 10 pump him.
But the night before the race there was n
grand ball, and Uncle John at that time
was famous character ut Saratoga. lie
was invited, Of course, and went through
mere curiosity. IL Is needless 10 say that
there wero many beautiful women in at
tendance from all sections Of the country,
and The young and pretty ones wished 10
be introduced 10 the kentuckian who
owned the ncetcst and most beautiful
horse In the land, aud he was
soon surrounded by many beauties
with their attendant gallants. The
old gentleman was modest, but he
was both pleased and charmed nt the at
tenion paid him. On being asked about
his family. he smilingly said that ho had
none; that ho had. In fact, come 10 Sara
togn not 80 much for the purpose Of racing
as % get him q wife. Ia the meantime
tho gallants commenced TO twit tho old
gentleman about the race. One Of them
said, "Unclc John, they say that King
fisher Is going.to beat longiellow lomor-
row." "Wcll, don't know about
It." said Uncle John, slowly "Wcll, "
replied another, everybody SAYS 20. "
"Woll," replied Uncle John, ~ Fisher
beats Longiollow tomorrow hen have 10
run from olid 10 and.
These fellows were trying 10 pump him,
aud there was nothing 10 be- learned from
these answers; 30 one OF them asked him
how fast he thought Kingfshcrcould run a
mile. and Uncle John said that ho thought
that Fisher could run a mile in about l.ll.
(The fastest mile nj this time was llcfzug's
las at Cincinnau.l so you eau imagine
the CONSERVATION in that crowd when thcy
learned that Uncle John himself admitted
that longlcllow's opponent could run a
mile two seconds faster than had ever yet
been run In the world. AZ this junction
ono OF tho bystandcrs remarked Can
Lonicllow beat THAR" "Yes, remarked
M. Harper, quietly che can beat tia
little"
In fifteen minutes ailorwarl tina, ball.
room WIS wcll-nigh dcscrtcd-oyerybody
rushing out TO hedge.
The LiaRuIst Anair.
Mr. Ed Corrigan, Of West Side Park,
Chicago, has demanded OF the st. Louis