The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-05
PHIL SHERIDAN AND A MOB.
His Enjoyment OF Race Not Dis
turbed by a Riot.
nninnati LATTER in New york Sum.

Cincinnati Letter in New York Sun.
Col. l.. P. Tarlton, of Frankfort, KY, has
perhaps had as much experience as Judge
at race tracks as any man in the West. He
has had many odd experiences. This is one
of them as he tells it:
Nearly all the time that Gen. Phil Sher-
idan had his headquarters at Chicago he
was the president of the jockey club there
He frequently served, too, as an associate
Judge. This was about dozen years ago.
and it was not customary then to have the
regular paid associate judges officers OF the
club and others serving as volunteers 9nd
as a courtesy to the club in that capacity
One day when General Sheridan was up in
the judges little cockloft performing the
duties of an associate he gave splendid
exhibition Of his GOODNESS. 1t was holiday
of some sort, and there was a tremendous
crowd out. In the most promising race of
the day the horses Jacobin and Woodcroft
were contenders, among others. The for
mer was a hot heavily-played favorite, at
even money, and Woodcroft rather long
shot.
LAS the horses finally came into the
stretch it was apparent to the practiced eye
that the bettors had sized them up about
right, for Jacobin's jockey was simply walt
ing to bring his mount in a winner with a
grand-stand finish. AS they neared the
wire Jacobin came out of the bunch, but as
he did so he recklessly and barefacedly
fouled Woodcroft, carrying that horse clear
off his stride and course and almost over
the fence. The race crowds in Chicago in
those times on holidays had large rough
foreign element in them. | knew when |
saw Jacobin frisk under the wire a head or
so in advance of the still unsteadied Wood
croft that there was trying task before
the judges.
What do you think of it, Generate I
said to General Sheridan. General Sheridan
was not, of course, as a layman. expected
TO give the track matters expert scrutiny
always, but it was my duty and pleasure ito
consult with him. The general was but a
casual admirer of the sport, with no incll-
nation to delve into it's technicalitieS. He
had evidently paid but his usual fleeing at
tenton to the race.
We'll, / suppose the best horse won,
said he as one simply speaking because
SPOKEN to.
''Of course the foul was clear to my other
associate. Captain Billy Williamson. the
then prominent turfman. 1t was entirely
too clear to both of US for our peace or
mind. SO wanton an offense against plain
rule of racing could under no circumstance
be overlooked. General Sheridan at once
sided with us when his attention was d.
rected to the point. We disqualified Jacobin
and gave the race to Woodcroft.
Immediately the board was hung out on
the side of our stand announcing the de-
cison pandemonlum broke loose. During
our deliberation a great crowd had swarmed
over to the stand from all parts OF the
grounds. We were in the midst of a sea
of faces of pikers distorted with rage and
grimaces of disappointment and bitter pro-
test Growls, bowls and boots swelled into
a continuous roar of condemnation. One
unkenpt giant in some way got Ratchet
and began climbing up the side of the stand.
Whether his object was to cut down the
lettered board or to brain us was not clear
to us, probably not to himself. Captain
Williamson quietly reached into deep inner
pocket and brought forth a single barreled
Derringer with the bore of musket. inn
plored him not to shoot as he valued our
lives.
''IIl send that fellow to hades ahead of
me- was his response.
II appealed then to General Sheridan to
make his presence known, as doubtless a
few words from him would have the desired
effect. BY this time our frail perch of a
stand was trembling and Earring from the
~.G% Tod R4rl ffTd0 vino
about it. / recall General Sheridan's APP
pearance infinitely. He had not risen from
his comfortable seat, and he was smoking
a very long and fat cigar He puffed it
Ieisurely and answered me between puffs
as one reluctant to be distracted altogether
from an exceptionally good brand.
1t will evaporate; ii will evaporate.' he
said Those were his words and only those.
Well. the mob-for such it was for all prac-
tical purposes-did finally evaporate, but
Colonel Billy Pinkerton and his cane were
the prime cause of the evaporation