Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-08-26
JOSEPH BATTELL,
KITTRELL'S TOM HAL.
MiddlebuI'Y, VT.

kI ] KELLS OM f1AL.
We have had a good deal written and
published of the history and ownership of
Old Tom Hal (Kittrell's.) The follow
ing interesting communication should
forever settle all controversy as to his
ownership:
"EDITOR TENNESSEE FARMER -
Several years since, while in Memphis,
/ was asked to write my recollections of
the pacing horse in Tennessee. was so
requested from the fact that | was born
and lived most of my life in Wilson coun-
ty. where the side-wheeler was develop
ed into an independent breed. | ne
elected to do so for some time, but about
twelve months ago at your request |
submitted to you an article placing to
the credit of Major Marion B. kittrell,
now of kittrell, Tenn, and Col. Ned
Chambers, late of Austin, Tex, the dis
tinction of having originated that very
superior horse. Since that time | find
! was partially in error as to Col
Chambers. Jas. Cartwright of Nash
vile and w. p. Turner, now of Montana,
found what is now known as Taylor's
Copperbottom near Glasgow, Ky, where
he was not appreciated. Their fine judg-
ment of horse soon showed them that
he was a jewel of rare value. They
bought him at a bargain and brought
him to Wilson county, where they both
lived. He was owned afterward by Col.
Chambers, John n. Taylor and perhaps
some others, but spent the remainder of
his life near Taylorsville, Wilson county.
In the case of Maj. Kittrell, had no idea
of raising a hornets nest. Since the
publication of my article in which | said
Mai. Kittrell bought Tom Hal in Ken
tucky for $500 to compete with Taylor's
Copper bottom Che seeing the drift run
ming toward the handsome and hardy
saddle horse), quite a number of reputa-
BILE gentlemen claimed to have owned
the now celebrated Kittrell's Tom Hal.
81 was quite boy when Tom Hal
was in Wilson county. but my recollec-
tions are clear on that point My
fathers farm was only separated from
Mai. Kittrell's at its nearest point by
not over half mile. remember his
paddock by the mill OH Cedar Creek and
old Sandy, his groom. About a quarter
Halls stable stood Col. Johnson's mag
nificent stations Murat and Anthony.
while not a mile northwest from Maj
Klttrell's farm at Taylorsville, stood
Taylor's COpperbottom and Telegraph.
Such rivalry was seldom known, but
with gentlemen like these, questionable
methods were never used. They were
the best of friends the entire time. Maj
Kittrell alone remains. TO the hour OF
Mr.. Taylor and Col. Johnson's death
they entertained for him the same high
regard and profound respect that he now
entertains for their memories.
"Mr. Taylor's son writes me from the
West that he is certain no one ever own
ed old Tom but Major Kittrell. While in
Wilson county Col. Johnson's son told
me about week since that while he
was quite boy he remembered the old
horse well and if any one else ever own.
ed him in Wilson it was news to him
that he lived forty-fve years where he
was born and in sight of Mai. Kittrell's
farm, and never heard of it before Mai
Kittrell and his brother, S. j. Kittrell
are positive, and have so published il
over their own names.
"Jas. n. Calhoun comes to the from
in your paper about three numbers bacl
and gives positive proof, My father, b
w. Harris, BellwoOd, Wilson county, in
forms me that he remembers him wei
and while he was brother-in-law tC
Col. johnson he often bred to Kittrell'!
Tom Hal, and he has no recollection o.
ever paying season to any one but Mai
Kittrell. Elijah Drake, now of Nash
vile, well posted on the Wilson county
stations and the owner of quite a mum
Der of good ones, says Maj. Kittrell wa!
his sole and only owner while in Wilson
county.
"Mr. Jas. Cartwright, who published
an article in your valuable paper abou
twelve months since, claiming to have
brought the young horse to Wilson coun
ty, now says he thinks he was mistaken
and that Maj. Kittrell was his only own
er while in that county. Below fine
card from DR.. j. M. Anderson of Leb
anon, who is perhaps the best posted
man on Wilson county horses that evel
lived in that county. He saw points Of