Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-11-20


weighted, he was universally successful
He won immense sums of money and
vast quantities of tobacco. The only
horses that attempted to contend with
him in his prime of life were Polly Will
Jams and Paddy Whack. He ran many
times with both the above horses, and
was only beaten once by each of them,
which was owing to the weight he carri-
ed, one hundred and eight pounds to a
catch. He beat Polly Williams eight
times out of nine for from eighty thous-
and to one hundred thousand pounds of
tobacco. He also beat Paddy Whack
eleven times out oftwelve, for large sums
of money and many hogsheads of tobac-
co. At one time he beat Paddy Whack
at Nicholson's quarter-race paths, in
Mecklenburg county, Virginia, for eigh-
ty thousand pounds of tobacco, ten feet
with great ease. He had previously beat
en- him two or three times for from thir-
ty thousand to fifty thousand pounds of
tobacco. Another race was run between
| these horses ut the same place in l7SG. for
one hundred thousand pounds of tobac-
co; Twigg carrying twenty pounds ex-
ira. which race was won by Paddy by
eighteen inches. All of which, and
much more to the same effect. shows the
great interest then taken in quartcr-rac-
ing and is attested by the signatures of
John Goode, Henry belong. Henry Cra-
die, Edward Davis, Samuel Goode, ia
cob Bugg, Samuel Hopkins, NJ. d., Ran
dial Davis and Thomas Starting, bearing
date from l7S7 to 1871.
/ Uncle Berry, as it were, inherited his
love of horses, made his appearance on
the turf as Il quarter-race rider, ard be-
came one of the most successful trainers
in America. lie continued to train for
more than seventy years, passing through
the dark ages of the turf when legitimate
course-racing was almost unknown.
with character for integrity and honor
without spot or blemish, and up to his
demise he was beloved by his friends and
respected by all who knew him. Pope
says;
"A wits IA feather, IL chiefs rod,
An honest mans the noblest work of God"
If this be true (and who can gain
say IT'D Uncle Berry occupied place
in the front rank of natures noblemen.
Does not the example of this venerable
man demonstrate that gentleman may
participate in the amusements of the
turf without lowering his character or
corruptingshis morals?
After the successful issue of the
Revolutionary war. turf-racing was re-
vived in the Southern States. and was
controlled by men of wealth. intelli-
gence and high social position, among
whom Uncle Berry formed his courteous
tlPDnners, aud imbibed his incorruptible
principles. Regular courses were es-
tabliShed at the principal cities of Vir-
ginia, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Tn
Gle Berry was associated with the most
noted trainers as rider or assistant
trainer, until about his nineteenth year,
when he removed to Virginia. and took
charge of some of the most distinguish
ed horses in the Old Dominion. Before
leaving Georgia he rode the celebrated
mare called Queen of May, beating the
renowned NiIglnian horse Clitus four
mile heats at Augusta. He afterward
trained and rode Clitus, beating Queen
of May the same distance over the same
course.
Uncle Berry was quite small until after
his twentieth year, but grew to be man
five feet ten inches high, weighing one
hundred and siXty-five pounds. He was
remarkable for symmetry, activity and
muscular power. In Virginia he first
trained for Hugh Wylie, of Charlotte
county. and in the first campaign won
tl3lO, Virginia currency--a very sue
cessful beginning, considering the small
purses, which were rarely more than
$500 or SlOO for three and four mile
heats. Before he left for Tennessee,
about 1905 or 1906, he met on the course
some of the most distinguished men of
Virginia, among whom was Colonel
William X, johnson, then quite young,
who was atterward known as the ma
poleon of the Turf" Among the cele-
horses trained by him were Marske
(Wylie's) by Diomed, and Hyperion, by
Diomed, bred by Hugh Wvlie, and sold
to Honorable John Randolph, for whom
Uncle Berry trained. He also trained
Balls Florizel, by Diomed (the sire of
Boston's dam, by far the best and most
vicious race-horse of his day (if not of
any day In America. The temper of
this horse was such that no one except
his groom dared to enter his stall. I'M
less he was chained up. Uncle Berry
ran Marske successfully, and also won
three-mile heats with Hyperion at Broad
Rock.
Mr.. Randolph took so much interest