The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-03

the show places in that beautiful section
Strings Of carriages gather there in the
summer afternoons, from the beautiful towns
and charming villas along tho Hudson, and
these sight-seers have difficulty in distin-
gushing the sturdy owner, in his shirt
sleeves, from any one of the army Of laborers.
on the place.
Mr.. Bonners abundance of information
makes him the most difficult man in the
world to interview on his fayorite subject.
He directs the conversation, and though he
sticks to the subject, like a bloodhound to a,
trail, ,;he is led Off to discuss related matters,
all intensely interesting to those who can
follow and understand them. "The Evolu-
ton of the trptterP" repeated Mr.. Bonner, as
Il sat facing him in the parlor of his home,
No. 8 West seth street, New York City, a few
evenings since. why, my dear friend, you;
are asking me for the matter for large
book, instead of material for limited news
paper article" and he laughed, in the whole
some boyish way peculiar to himself-after
he has dined.
what do you know about trotting before
your, time, and when did you become inter
ested in tho subject?" l asked.
"Well, there was great deal of trotting
before my time, particularly at agricultural
fairs, in the spring and fall, and the custom
is still kept up, to the never-ceasing delight
Of the farmers;to whom three minute horse
is flyer; but as we understand it at present
there were no great trotters before l became
interested in the subject. Marx you, I do not
claim that the change was due to mo, though
no doubt my efforts, in this direction, had
their influence. You must understand that
the evolution Of tho American trotter began
at tho time, some generations back, when
trotting became national pastime, and the
selection OF the proper animals began to at
tract the attention Of breeders. How much
advance had been made, you can infer from
tho fact that up to July 3lst, 1856, now less
than thirty eight years ago, there were only
nineteen horses, living and dead, that had
reached the 80 class. A horse that could
travel at that gait, at that time, was regarded
as wonder, and the people would crowd to
SEQ his performance at the fair grounds, in
q way that made him asgreat an attraction
rs a circus, and brought much money to his
owner. To-day, owing to judicious breed
ing, over ono thousand horses are brought
out every year to be added to the ever-in-
creasing fist that can dog 80 or better.
"To what do | attribute this2 Well, to
many reasons, but the two that have had the
greatest effect, have been first, tho increas-
ing wealth thatdemaDded more good horses,
and second, the desire of money-making
breeders who wore quick to see tho profit in
supplying this demand. Piobald horses are
veryl rare, but create constant market for
them and see how they will multiply. or
| course there have been a few breeders who
took up the cultivation of trotters from their
love for the horse and their desire to produce
great results, without regard TO money re-
turns, tand whilc these have boen compara-
! lively few, thoy have led the advance.
my own interest in trotters came about
tlargely through chance had been working
very hard, and my health threatened to give
way. My doctor advised cessation from
work and long trip, but these remedies
were not TO be thought Of To have left New
York then, would have meant disaster to my
publishing business, 30 ss compromise
was advised to buy a horse and drive for a
few hours evory day. Now, have never be-
lieved that the Almighty ever made anything
| for tho use Of man that He intended him to
he satisfied with n poor specimen Of. had
| this feeling then, and 1t has remained with
me, 80 bought good horse, one that would
t,neither lead the procession nor limp back at
the rear" Mr.. Bonner laughed heartily at some
| pleasant recollection, then continued; "There
are certain feelings and impulses that are
common to all men, and ono Of these is a
strong dislike to take another mans dust.
No man, who ever held lines over dash board
likes to have some other man shoot by him,
with faster horse and proceed to give him
his dust. Commodore Vanderbilt had, ut