The San Francisco call., 1896-11-28
TWO DYED HORSES
FOR MRS. HUNTER
A Trickster in Horsehesh
Neatly Caugh' by a
Sharp Woman.
Captain Thomson of the Park
Police Found the Man
With the Horses.
The Widow of the Late David Hunter
Cannot Be Fooled by Coat Ct
Dye on White Surface.

The tr1ckster In h0rSeneSh VINO may
have inferior animals to dispose of would
better not try to make a deal with Mrs.
Joan n. G. Hunter, the widow of the late
David Hunter. Such an experiment
was tried upon this lady a few weeks ago,
but with poor results TO the man who
made the attempt.
Mrs. Hunter is a woman of education
and refinement and thoroughly posted on
the ways of the world. Being a lady of
vast wealth, with a refined taste for every
thing that is elegant, she is lover of
thoroughbred horses, and in her desire TO
acquire some of the best stock to be found
on this coast for her private use she, in
her drives through the Golden Gate Park,
became acquainted with Captain Thom-
son, to whom she expressed her wish to
possess a pair of coal black horses for
her stable.
Such desire from lady of Mrs. Hun
ter's social position to Mr.. Thomson was
sufficient to stimulate him TO act
promptly, and it was understood that if
the oal-black team cou d be found
within the limits of the City or even of
Oakland they would be forthcoming. And
they were. For inside of one week from
the time the lady expressed her wishes
the brave captain of police and guardian
OF ladies in the Golden Gate Park had
spanking team of jet-black horses stand
ing in front of 903 Van Ness avenue, the
residence of the rich widow.
A hasty inspection OF the animals by
The lady with the suggestion that she
would like to see them driven was as
matter of course complied with by the
captain and by the attendant who had
charge of the horses.
Having procured her soft wraps and
buggy robes Mrs. Hunter took her seat in
the buggy, while Captain Thomson and
the driver occupied the forward seat on
the box. The round of the park was taken
and the homeward spin finished with the
greatest satisfaction apparently 10 all con-
cerned. The horses travelled well and
made fine appearance as they came
down Golden Gate avenue hard held
as the racecourse habitues express il, and
with grand roundup in front of the
elegant residence of the millionaire
widow. The driver and Captain Thom-
son alighted from their seats with the
agility of En- lish footmen, and a second
examination of the iet-black steeds was
had, with which the driver anu the officer
were well satisfied.
Not so. however, Mrs. Hunter. She ex-
pressed desire 10 see some more of the
horses before drawing her check for $1,000.
She instructed the man who had charge of
the horses to take them to the stable in
+, the rear OF the premises and unharness
them, as she preferred to have another
look at them.
The driver piled and the horses were
taken TO the stable and the harness re-
moved, when the piercing eye of the prac-
tical lady was thrown over the iorms OF
the horses with that exact scrutiny simi-
lar to the penetrating vision OF the x ray
After a careful examination of the sup
posed. $1,000 beauties which were to adorn
the stables of the Van Ness avenue mil
HonaiTe, Mrs. Hunter discovered a shady
look about the forehead and another about
the hind legs of one OF the "iei-black"
horses. She instructed her groom to bring
a damp sponge forward and try lis eject
on the places pointed out TO him. He did
as directed with the result that the damp
sponge removed coat of black dye on the
forehead and hind legs Of one of the
horses.
This satisfied the lady that she was
about to be imposed upon, and in order to
see how lar this imposition was intended
she dispatched a messenger for a veteri-
nary surgeon, who, on his arrival and
after careful examination OF the horses,
declared that they we're pair of spawned,
bunged-up old hacks, dyed and doctored
for the occasion.
Since this episode Mrs. Hunter has not
been troubled with callers desirous OF sell
ing set OF black or milk white horses for
her private use.
But all horse. dealing takers have come
to the conclusion that there is one lady in
this City who cannot be imposed upon
and who is smart enough 10 protect her
self against the tricks of sharpers and
frauds.
Captain Thomson is especially fond of
black horses, and acted in perfect good
faith in the matter. He will doubtless be
very indignant when be learns of the de-
ception which was praciiced upon him.