The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-29
NOT DRIVEN TO DEATH
MIR. CROKER DENIES JOCKEY sIMMs
KILLED A HORSE.
False Charges by jerome X. jerome
and Editor Observation-Disclosures
sun to BE Sued for $5O,OO0.

LONDON, June 28.-If certain reports
turn out TO be correct. and there seems TO
be no good reason for doubling them. MIR.
Richard Croker's colored jockey, Willie
Simms. is liable to find himself in the hot
test kind OF hot weather. Simms has been
abusing himself considerably az Newman
ket and on Monday. June IL. he wagered he
would drive a trotter from Newmarket to
Cambridge and return within an hour, a
total distance of about twenty-six miles.
Simms started in a sulky with a companion
and made Cambridge in quick tine. But
when nearing Newmarket on the return
trip the horse dropped dead. and l. is prob
able that Sirnms will be arrested and most
severely punished as a result o. an in
vestigation into the affair which the off,
tion OF Cruelty to Animals began to-day. a
special agent was dispatched to Newman
ket this afternoon with instructions TO
thoroughly investigate the story of Simms's
drive 10 Cambridge. and IL the story OF
cruelty to the trotter is proven. a warrant
for the Jockeys arrest will be issued. The
II the companion OF Simms in his drive
was Mr.. Croker himself. and If this should
turn out TO be the case there may be seri-
Gus trouble in store for Mr.. Croker as
well as for Simms.
The action of the r. S. p. c.. a. was due
to Jerome X. Jerome and Mr.: Labouchere.
The latter says in Truth: After reading
an account of the performance / expected
TO announce that Simms had brought an
action for libel or had been fined the
heaviest penalty for such diabolical con-
duct No punishment is too bad for a man
who would fog a horse to death and
would cheerfully see Simms logged along
high road and made to run until he
dropped dead" Mr.. Labouchere's article
concludes with calling on the association to
thoroughly investigate the matter.
Mr.. Jerome, in a newspaper to-day, writes
that he had sent the details of the affair
a half caste who has come to England for
q pure gambling speculation. He is EN-
ployed by Messrs. Croker and Dwyer, con-
corning whom II is sufficient 10 remark
that Mr.. Croker was once prominently con-
necteo with that gang OF rascality, Tam
Mr.. Croker was not in London to-day.
but the reporter was informed that the
story was substantially true, except that
there was no cruelty TO the horse. 1t was
added that the horse belonged to Mr..
Croker. was one of the last batch to ar
rive from Litchfield. and it's death is at
tri5uted to lack OF condition and not to
overdriving on the part OF Simms.
Richard Croker returned to town this
evening, and was indignant when he
and Truth. Jockey Simms will sue the Sun
for 10000 damages. Mr.. Croker has adj
dressed the following letter to Henry La
bouchere. the editor of Truth:
Approaching the worldwide reputation
you have fer fairness. L am surprised at
the paragraph in the present issue of Truth
with reference to jockey Simms having
driven a horse to death. AS the owner OF
the horse, permit me to state the facts.
You quote from the Sun a statement en-
tirely erroneous. Simms did not drive the
horse on that occasion i drove him, and
there was no wager. Simms drove another
horse into Cambridge at the same time,
both being my property. We left New
market at $50 a. m. and reached Cambridge
at 1895 o'clock. the distance being about
thirteen or fourteen miles. The horse that
died was driven back towards Newmarket
in a walk. dying en- route. On the way to
Cambridge the animal slipped a shoe. and
think a piece OF flint caught la the hoof,
causing lockjaw. The horse was re-shod
at Cambridge. and at that time showed no
signs of approaching death. He was a good
horse. equal 10 the task OF travelling the
distance from Newmarket to Cambridge in
much better time, II forced. The horses
record in America was 2:l3ls for a mile,
Simms was unaware of the publication in
the sun until Truth brought it to his at,
tention."