Morning journal and courier., 1889-01-30
HORSE NOTES.

Interesting Characteristics of Belle or
 Putney-Local Hofsemen Who Are
 Longing for sleighing-A Mysterious
 Dark Horse in Town-Said to be the
 Fastest in New Haven.
 The recent trial of Broschart vs. Futile, which was 8 suit to recover the value ot the trotter Belle of Putney, has occasioned con- siderable comment, particularly among horse men and others who were familiar with that well remembered and valuable trotter. The trial of the case was attended by many horse owners from this city and vicinity who were interested in the proceedings. Chas. Dicker- man of New York city was recently among the spectators in the court room.
 Belle of Putney was well known in this city and in Meriden, and nearly everyone who knew of the mare knew of the excellent qualities which rendered her valuable both as family horse and a trotter.
 One of the Carpenters from Providence, who was an expert with fast horses, gave the mare private record of 2:25, and it has been said that Belle could trot full mile any time in 2:35 or better. She trotted at Ham, ilton Park half mile in 1:15 and afterward trotted two mile heats which were made in 2:32L and 2:3134 respectively. Joseph Mo- Donald, the liveryman who formerly resided in Meriden, was familiar with Belle Putney
 
 Joslyn, who raised the mare in Vermont, is another who never tires of speaking of her good qualities.
 When MT. Parker, of Meriden, owned Belle Putney she was frequently noticed among the fast horses of Meriden at the sleighing car- nivals, where she was often driven by Mrs. Parker at a furious rate among throng of horses and sleighs. In contests for speed with other trotters in Meriden Mrs. Parker was frequently victorious with her favorite trotter.
 One of the peculiar traits of Belle was re- gard1ng her being driven through any space not large enough to admit of vehicle. If any space between the wagons or other ob- jects was large enough to admit of the safe passage of a carriage, Belle would go directly through, but if the space was not large enough the mare would stop short without being stopped by the driver She had an intuition on the subject, and certainly exer- oised "horse sense" in the case of high de- scription. This was one of the characteris- tics that rendered the valuable trotter safe for ladies to drive. Ordinary horses that are perfectly reliable for ladies to drive are very scarce, but fast trotters that are perfectly safe are still rarer.
 Belle Putney was very fond of apples, and if turned loose without being harnessed would follow anyone for long distance after an apple held in the hand. If Belle was harnessed she would not follow anyone for one or more apples, but has been known to stand still and reach her nose as far as possible after an apple that was pur- posely held out of her reach in order to test her.
 Another trait was standing without tying. Whenever the trotter was harnessed to 8 ve- hicle she was considered safe without tying On one occasion, during a horse trot, MT. Broschart was seated in a carriage behind Belle at Hamilton Park, when he left his horse hastily and walked close to the view of the trotting horses on the home stretch. When he returned to his car riage @ gentleman reproved him for leaving such a spirited and fine animal without secure fastening. The owner stated that whenever the mare was harnessed to a car riage she would not start of or run away without some one was in the vehicle. In or der to test her whip was several times cracked near her and she was struck with the whip when it was proved that although she did not like the whip she would not run away. Such test would have sent many horses away at full speed.
 Belle was not afraid of cars, or locomotives but would stand quiet, close to cars or rail- rosa s-aois On one occasion when one of two persons seated in 8 carriage Denlnd Belle was thrown out by the breaking of the car riage axle, the mare stopped suddenly which prevented much more serious accident. When these valuable characteristics are con- sidered, it is wonder that Belle Putney left good name after her death.
 There are many of the local horsemen who are considering the probabilities of having snow enough to make sleighing in which to show the speed of their fast horses. Several horse owners have trotters to bring out dur ing the first sleighing, whenever it comes. s. H. Cruttenden has recently received seve- ral northern horses, among which are few of speedy qualities. A handsome grey mare, owned by O. s. Mersick, is said to be in such condition that something may be expected of her. As stated, Jesse Welch has his horse kitty" who was one of the fastest ones on the avenue last winter, in readiness to come out and show as much or more speed tn an last season.
 There is another horse in this city that is kept in seclusion and waiting for good sleigh ing in order to come out and beat all the other fast horses in the vicinity, so rumor says. This horse is kept from the eyes of the public, and all information regarding his ex- istance in this city has been kept secret. Nearly all horsemen have hobbies and fancies of their own, and secrecy in regard to the trotter in question is one of the fancies of the owner who has carefully concealed the trotter's elegant blanket on which the name of the horse is embroidered in large letters. The horse has record better than 2:20, and has trotted faster than his record, 80 that it is probable that other owners of flyers must look to their laurels when favorable opportunity is presented for the appearance of the un- known trotter.