Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-06-27

JULY s, AND 0,-IliE PhOGhAM HAS
MANY INTERESTING FEATURES
HALF FARE ON RAILROADS AND
STEAMBOATS,.
If the elegant Autographed bill paper
gotten out by the Port Huron Agricul-
tural and Driving Park Association for
their Banner" racing meeting is any
criterion. their attraction will be first
class. But then. the bill paper is not
the only index pointing in that direc-
ton; 5000 in purses is no small sum
to hang up" as premiums, and we are
therefore not at all surprised to see the
large number of horses which have en-
tered for the guaranteed stakes which
have already closed. For the 2.28 trot,
| for which there is purse OF 81 900,
| known as the merchants and business
mems guarantee, there were nine en-
tries. For the 3.15 trot, for which the
brewers and liquor dealers guarantee
of $500 is given, attracted twelve en-
tries. The 2.45 pace, for which there is
a purse of $500, known as the hotel
mems guarantee, drew eleven entries.
AS the horses did not need to be named
until June %, some of the best horse
flesh on the track may be expected.
We regret that the entries for the
regular purses close too late to give the
particulars as to the number of entries
and the horses which will take part in
| the contests of July 3, 4 and D, but we
feel NARRATED in saying that the Port
| Huron Banner" will eclipse anything
ever before seen in the racing line III
eastern Michigan.
No little interest is being manifested
| i'm the trotting dog"Doc." TO give our
readers better idea of this canine phe-
nomenon, we give short reprint from
the Chicago Herald, giving an account
of DOCS" appearance in that city at
the exposition last fall.
Though there was no regular program for the
| entertainment of visitors at the show last even
| ing, those who were on hand were treated TO an
! exhibition of the most unique kind, one never
before seen in Chicago. This was the perform,
| ance of the trotting dog Doc. doc" Is a red
Irish setter, two years and eight months old and
| York his father and mother both being import
| ed, but he was whelped in Omemee, Ont He
has strong limbs with deep, chest, showing
good tail. lie is owned by NJ. 7; Ketchum, OF
Brighton, ont, or rather by his son, Willie
Ketchum, bright little lad OF ten years Of age,
| who is as proud of his dog as Mr.. Bonner is OF
| Maud 5. When Mr.. Ketchum purchased the dog
| from his Omemee owner he was struck by his
open gait, and at once conceived the Idea that lie
could teach him to trot. He accordingly pur-
chased handsome little rig for his son, and
| doc" was harnessed to 1t, the result exceeding
| his most sangune expectations. In September,
| 1888, Willie ketchHm issued challenge To trot
Doe against any pony under Y hands IN Onta-
rio which was accepted by WI. Tuly, of Frank
ford the owner of the imported pony donald
Dinnie." The match came of at Belleyille, ont,
and Doc won in two straight heats. The dog
has trotted at most of the principal fairs in Cam
ada, and this year he has been launched into the
States. The GendrOn manufacturing company,
of Toronto, last Dominion day. completed IA
handsome little sulky very light and durable, so
that the weight the dog has to draw, driver and
all included, IS SiXty-eight pounds. Mr. ketch-
umand party have just returned from tour in
Texas where they were warmly received. The
wonderful speed of the dog is shown in the fact
that at Kansas City he rOtted the half mile track
i'm 1.49, and at Galesburg, also half mile track
In La. At the last named place he was matched
to trOt half mile while a horse trotted "a mile.
and he dstanced his big competitor.
docs appearance in the ring last night was
the signal for bursts of applause, and as he sped
around at genuine trot with no skps or breaks
the cheers grew louder. There were one or two
"Doc" they had To take back seat. The funniest
part of the thing is the evident enjoyment OF the
dog while he is trotting. lie seems to enter into
has finished a successful spin he wags his tail
and looks around for that petting and applause
which he thinks he has deservedly earned.
doc" will trot every night against some pony.
DOC" will be present all three days
and promises to be drawing card.
Port Huron will be treated to another
new attraction in the way of a most eX
citing steeplechase two and one-half
miles over bitches, hurdles and hedges.
These races are very popular in England
and many parts of Canada, but hereto
fore only such cities as Chicago have
ventured to introduce this feature in
their race meetings. OF course, the
interest in the chase will depend largely
upon the number and class of horses
taking part. Secretary Knill assures
us that many of the best runners and
jumpers in the country will compete
for the liberal purses.
We are pleased to state that the Board
of Directors have ruled all Intoxicating
liquors off the grounds. 1t is expected
that the audiences will be made up quite
largely of ladies and children, and it is
intended that nothing in the way of
drinking and carousing will interfere
with their enjoyment of the sports.
The grand stand at the grounds has
been nearly doubled in size.
James j. Baird, of Lansing. who gave
excellent satisfaction as starting judge
at the tall races has again been engaged
for that position for the Banner"
meeting.
The railroads and steamboats, will
give half-fare excursion rates during the
races, July 3 to inclusive.
Abundant opportunity will be given
for an excursion on the river, as the
races are only held during the afternoon.
Port Huron will be in holiday attire
on these three great days, and a cordial
welcome will be extended to the thous-
ands that will surely visit there during