Evening star., 1897-04-13
Written for The Evening Star.
WELL-kNOWN CHARACTERS.
Sporting Men Who FIourished More
Than "a Half Century Ago.

The two most noted characters who were
residents of Washington about the years
1SSi-iO were Jake Dixon and Jim Long
both being large owners of race horses.
Their stables were well known from New
Orleans to New York, and more particular
ly in this vicinity at the old Columbia
course, located out 14th street extended
and Immediately north of the Columbian
College grounds also at the Mount Yer
on course. located near what is now
known as the ST. Asaph race track. be-
tween Four-Mile Run and Alexandria
These two individuals were also part
ners in the famous gaming house located
at the corner of Pennsylvania avenue and
9th street. The basement was occupied 10y
Bill Walker, a bright mulatto. as first
class restaurant, which was well patroniz-
ed by the elite Of the city, as well as by
senators and representatives. Walker sue
ceeded VIM. Snow, also a bright mulatto,
whose establishment was mobbed i'm the
year 1885,, during what was then ienomi-
rated the great Snow storm. The moo
was of such serious nature that the
United States marshal Tench Ringgold.
was forced to summon posse comitatus
to disperse the rioters. Snow was a man
of fine personal appearance and catered to
the elite of Washington. as we'll as visit
ors from all sections. He was naughty ana
proud, but withal was considered a first
class gentleman. The occasion for the at
tack on his premises was the report which
was circulated that he had intimated that
his saloon was not kept for the entertain
ment of poor white mechanics The allie
CATION, though utterly false. spread
far and near, the result being a total demo-
lition of his place of business by the mob.
Dixon and Long were continually dis
putting as to the quality of their respective
race horses though they sent them to lif-
ferent courses to be entered. They seldom
went with them, but at one time they both
had entries in a stake race I'm Baltimore,
the old Canton course. The daV he
fore the race a wager was made between
them. The earliest source of news at that
time was to await the arrival of the Bal
timore Sun. Dixon's entry was his noted
gray mare Jim: Longs, his bay colt.
When the paper arrived Dixon was the
first to scan IL. Picking up the paper and
looking at the heading of the report of ;he
race. which was represented by "A wood cut
showing the white horse in the lead. Dixon,
in his eXultation. exclaimed that his gray
mare had won the race. Dixon was Gn-
able to read and Longs eyesight was at
fault. Long disputed DiXons claim. and
still claimed that his colt had won. where
upon Charles Marble. their coored servant.
was called In to read the result. Looking
first at Dixon and then at Long. he ex-
claimed; "Massa Jake and Massa Jim,
needer one of your bosses has won de race.
Governor Spriggs mare won.'
On one occasion during their occupancy
of the noted gambling establishment
very heavy rain storm came on. Jim Long
had gone home. the game had closed for
tne niRnt, ana there was out one fnGlNlu-
ual left besides Dixon. This man stretched
out on one OF the sofas. Dixon hobbled
from one window to the other. looking out
on the storm. Having the bank money in
his possession. he several times gave ex-
preston TO his desire to get home. The
fellow stretched out on the sofa gave a
long yawn. at the same time saying: Mr..
Dixon. il you are afraid to go home by
yourself, I will accompany you" Dixon
looked down on the PROSTATE form, ex-
claiming at the same time, why you are
the very man / am afraid Of"