Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-09
HISTORY OF MISS NELSON.
she Has Made Remarkable Development
Her Babyhood.


The friends of Miss Nelson were happy
Yesterday, and those persons who last
week did not think that Norfolk's greatest
get was worth S1.25 were singing her
praises in a very high key and proclaim
ing that Miss Lassiter's daughter was
wonder.
The " fast clip" that Miss Nelson made
in the first half of the first heat was what
killed her in the race. IL, however, de-
monstrated to the racing world that she -
as speedy as the wind. she having trotted
a quarter in 3114 and half IN lofA-a
2:0S1I gait.
Horsemen say it was this terrible clip
that kept the Richmond mare from WIN
ming Had she dropped the first and Sc
cond heats. shs could have easily won the
race and would not have put her record
down SO low.
A REMARKABLE MARE.
Miss Nelson's remarkable history will be
read with profound interest. While she
has succeeded In placing her sire Norfolk,
son of the great Nutwood in the 2:2O pro-
ducing class. at the early age OF years. IL
must also be remembered that she also
has a mother, who is one OF the virginia
wonders IN horse flesh.
Miss Lassiter, the dam of Miss Nelson.
was brought from Kentucky to Richmond
| by Mr.. Con. 0Keefe. While 1t has been
generally given out that Miss Lassi-
| ter was daughter of American Clay her
| breeding is really unknown, MIR. O'keete
refusing to give it. She is q rangy, rakish
bay mare. about 1917 hands high. and a
good individual, showing nigh breeding.
She has been owned by George L. Craw-
ford. James Fletcher. Samuel b. Nelson,
DIR. Thomas p Mathews. Joseph Lassiter,
and Preston Belviu. The last named gen
tleman chrlstened the mare Miss Lasslter,
and bred her in the spring OF 1888 to Nor
folk.
the last half 2:50 gait.
MISS NELSON AS A COLT.
Early one morning in March, 1899. bay
flly was born at Acca Stock Farm. and IN
due season was named and registered as
"Irma." There was nothing about her
that gave evidence of the probable de-
yelopment of wonderful power of speed,
She grew up with the tillies Lila trial,
2:26<) and Zilla trial. 2:26). which nags
were also bred and owned by Mr.. Belvin.
In the spring OF 1891 a. a 2-year-old Irma
was given her first. lesson in trotting, be-
ing pitched double with Lila. In the
autumn of the same year the little FLY
demonstrated the fact that she could trot,
and in her 2-year-old form showed a 200
gait.
In March of last year she went quarter
nj n $40 gait and as 5-yeaf-old was sold
10 Mr.. LanghorniPrsnsy' Tor $3.50. which
was then probably the highest price ever
paid for g. year-old in this section. MIR.
Putney did not keep her very long before
that astute horseman, Mr.. 5. Is. Nelson.
seeing the probable future of the mare.
bought her for Sl.250 and changed her
name from lrma TO Miss Nelson.
The little mare was given to MIR. Joe
Staten in the spring of last year: She
could then trot full mile certainly not
fa,ter than 240. She closed brilliant
season with a mark OF 2:2S4.
MISS NELSON'S WINNING LAST YEAR.
Miss Nelson rotted her first race last
year at Easton, Md, in October, in ESQ
class with ten starters (purse 5000, and
won second money III 2:32s4. At Balti-
more, Nd, she entered 1850 class with
ten starters purse 5000 and won first
money: time. 2:25h hals-mile track. DC
tober 7th. az Richmond. in 2:50-class con-
test with five starters purse 5400) she won
first money; time. 2:32, mile track. In the
same week, at Richmond, in 3-year-old
class (purse 5000 she won second money
and was at Der opponents wheel in 2:26.
In Fayetteville, n. c., November 18th
stake race 5000. she won fret, second,
and sixth heats. and drst money: time.
2:3l, track heavy and sandy. Her total
winnings were Sl,105.
The mares performances in Baltimore q
few weeks ago, by which she won two
races and reduced her record to 2:2214, IS
familiar to DISPATCH readers.