Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-07-25

persuade Mr.. Scott to take him back,
but he refused, whereupon they COM
menced suit for the purchase money.
The lameness was somewhat peculiar, at
times he would come out and show all
right, and other times could not be made
to trot step. The lameness was pro-
badly caused by a severe strain across
the back while Laundering in the snow.
He was lame about two years, and was
blistered so much by Mr.. Ilosington that
he would fairly kick the barn down at
sight of bottle.
At the trial for the purchase money of
Gen. Benton, several local horsemen
swore that he was not worth 500, and
never would be. Hosington q Durfee
lost their suit, however, and were OBJ
liged to keep the horse.
In the winter of 1875 Hosington COM
menced driving Benton on the ice, and
found he was coming right again. The
following spring he showed a quarter at
Adams, n. Y, in thirty-five seconds.
He was then placed in the hands of the
veteran trainer, George Moody, for
stock purposes and track work. At
times he would show symptoms of his
old complaint, but Moody was care
taker and one of the best conditoners
in the world, and could usually bring
About this time Moody purchased Mr..
Hosington's interest, after which he con-
tinued to give the horse considerable
fast work. In July, 1876, while doing
stud duty, Moody drove him a public
trial at Watertown, n. Y, in 2:201.
Shortly after this exhibition Mr.. Charles
Robinson of New York bargained for
the purchase of this horse. The stated
price was $4,000, but by private agree
ment Robinson was to give $4,000, to
Moody, if he, Moody, could induce Mr..
Durfee to sell his half for $1,000, every
thing being fixed to their satisfaction.
j. ID. Gillette, Robinsons agent, paid
each $50 on the trade. At this time the
Grand Circuit races were taking place
at Utica, and Mr.. Moody concluded to
give the General another trial there.
lie therefore engaged j. II. Phillips to
he was worth Mr.. Robinson was pres
ent. and not wishing him to show all his
speed before so many eyes, made
Phillips agree not to drive him better
than :2S. He finished the mile how
eyer, in POI, middle half in :0S.
Robinson was now ready to take the
horse, but he had some disagreement
with Moody regarding the price, and
the latter, becoming alarmed, CARED
the horse and started for home. Rob-
inson hunted up Mr.. Durfee, who wa
also present, and paid him the $4,000
for the horse, telegraphed to Camden,
and had Benton side-tracked at that
place, and finally obtained possession
of him. Mr.. j. |. Case was present and
made an offer of $4,000, but owing to
the peculiar circumstances the offer
could not be accepted. The horse was
in hal -, NT D,,ll Nal In
who, | am Informed, drove him mile
in 2:l75. He was soon afterwards sold
to Gov. Stanford of California for S25,-
600. Although he started in several
races he never got mark better than
2:344. as Mr.. Moody had perfect hor-
rOr OF a low record. So much for the
horse himself. Now let US see for a
moment what success he has achieved
in the stud, and then we will give him
a rest. Gen. Benton has produced four
teen with records from 2l73 to 80,
besides a large number with records be-
low 2 40.
The fastest Of his get were Salie Ben
ton (2:l1a at four years old, which was
the fastest four-year-old record for sew
eral years., Big Jim (2:234), Alban
cap, The Seer (2:22i). Bonny (2'25).
Little Eastern, by Gen. Benton, sired
Blanche q :3O), Eastern Boy (four-year-
old trial = :2G) and many other fast trot-
tiers. Gen. Benton also has several other
sons doing service, but whether they
have any representatives in the , 80
list | am not aware. 1t will be through
his daughters that Gen. Benton will be-
come most famous. He is the only
horse which ever produced the dam of
three-year-old to trOt in 2:l05. WaXana,
the dam of Sunol (2:l0!), being by Ben
ton. General Benton is also the sire of
River Lily, dam of Governor Benton
(2:4t. He is also the sire of other
brood mares which are destined to be-
come famous.
If am correctly Informed. Mr.. Stan
ford bred fifteen Gen. Benton mares to
his great stallion Palo Alto (2:12D, by
Electioneer. And here let me state that
parties who have seen Sunol say that she
is typical Benton, possessing but few of
the characteristics of the Electioneers or
thoroughbred. Now, readers and breed
ers. when discussing the value of thor
oughbred blood i'm the trotter remember
that there have been great many three
year-Olds bred whose second dam was
thoroughbred, but never until Eeection-
eer and daughter of Gen. Benton were
mated was there one produced that could
trot In 2:lO5. Give credit where credit is
due.
l think have already proved that the
produce of jim Scott and Lady Benton
are distinct family of trotters by them
selves, but the responsibility does not
rest wholly on Gen. Benton, as Lady b.
was again mated with Jim Scott in 1863,
and the produce was mahogany bay
colt, foaled June %, 1870. This colt was
named Jefferson Prince, and was sold to
George a. Hosington of Adams, n. Y,
who now owns him. Jefferson Prince
developed even greater flight of speed
than did the General. Prince trotted a
half mile in public at Adams in :01t, and
a quarter in thirty-three seconds. He was
a fast horse, and probably, but for an
accident to one of his ankles. would now
have record low down in the the teens.