Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-01-21
EXCITING RIDE BEHIND DOGS.
Down Hills and Over Levels at Speed
that Defied the Racing aorse-An
Augusta Gentleman's Canine Racers

Talk Of ride behind spawned old Pega-
ride behind four dogs attached to q hand
sled and capable of outrunning any horsef
The facts are these. Mr.. f. Ii. McGee,
who is employed at the Edwards Com.
pany's mill, is an old guide, who for years
has camped and hunted all through the
Dead river region. Among other attrac-
tions about his camp were a lot of trained
dogs, at one time he had l5. which had
been taught through love for their master,
and not by fear, to perform all kinds of
tricks. These dogs, or some Of them, had
been taught to haul their. master in 4 di-
minutive blackboard or sleigh, over the
country roads. Four of these he brought
with him to this city. Three of them are
Of the msstiff breed. averaging about 80
pounds each, the other bird dog weighing
some 40 pounds. Sunday MIR McGee
took MIR. Waldo Bridges Of Biddeford,
who is putting in machinery at the mill
along side on the little narrow hand sled,
and with the four dogs attached started for
Togus. The aggregate weight of the tw }
men was about 275 pounds
Leaving here at 3. 80 they reached Togus
in thirty minutes, including several stops.
Quite crowd gathered al the bridge to see
them start. At the word Ego" the four
footed steeds sprung to their collars and the
way they went spinning through the bridge
and up the hill on the east side brought
rlaHdits from the crowd. On the way Mr.. |
McGee dropped his glove. and having gone
about quarter of mile, stopped his canine
arl a., l.
simply remarked, calling the dog by name.
1--WE dropped my glove, go back and fetch
it." Without further orders the dog did
so. And the time of the stop was included
IN the thirty minutes from the city to Tosus.
The strange conveyance brought forth
cheers from the veterans at the Home
where stop vas made. Leaving there for
Gardiner u race was started with horse
attached to q sleigh and the horse was
beaten.
MIR. Bridges says that at times he never
rode so fas, down hill and up before in his
life. McGee drove without reins or whip. |
guiding simply with the words, gee. haw,
stop, go. When going their fastest the |
dogs would take long leaps. all together
and without any breaks. At times it was
a wild exhileratipg ride, the sect from tbe |
dogs feet cutting the faces of the riders,
who chung to each other and the narrow
rails of the sled with grim tenacity. At
Gardiner and also at Hallowell stops of |
length were made, and yet the |
entire trip, halts and all, was made in four
hours. During the ride the dogs played
many of the pranks they had been taught. !
Att word from their master they would. |
after being released from their harnesses,
again take their places, slipping their |
heads into the collars of their own accord, |
when they saw that their master was ready |
TO start Occasionally at starting Mr. Nc
Gee would call upon one of the dogs by
name and tell him to start the load. This
the dog would do, while his comrades
would loll out their tongues and never
make move to assist their harness mate. |
Mr.. Bridges Gays he believes they can
make this came journey in two hours and a
half In few days the gentlemen con
templates a trip to Winthrop.