Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-08-06
THE SPEED|[SI 1RO|1ER.
Wonderful Performanceof Cresceus,
Who Covers Mile in 2:o2 Ia
at Columbus.
BREAKS HIS OWN AND WORLDS RECORD
Exciting Features of the Great Event
The First and Last Quarters Were
Covered Against n Strong Wind
Wild Enthusiasm Is Displayed by
the Crowd

Columbus, o., Aug. s. = Cresceus,
champion of the trotting turf, added
more laurels to his fame Friday, by
trotting mile in 2:O2A, reducing by
half second his week-old record of
.2:02A, made at Cleveland last Friday.
The first half was trotted in 59A, the
first time that the distance has been
covered in less than one minute by
trotter. The time by quarters was
29a4, 59A, 1904 and 2:o2A. Only
stiff wind blowing directly up the
stretch kept him from stepping faster
than 2:o2 More than $4,000 people
journeyed to the driving park, at
tracted to see the greatest trotter
ever foaled in action.
A Royal Reception.
George Ketcham appeared on the
track with Cresceus little before
three o'clock. The horse and driver
were royalty received, and Mr.. Ketch-
am was forced to lift his cap as they
passed the stand. The champion
logged three miles slower than three
minutes, and one In 2:22. An hour
later, as he came out again, and after
scoring several times, stepped mile
in 2:25. AT half past four he worked
out for the last time in 2:15M. He evil
IDENTIFY had great power in reserve,
and the vast throng waited patiently
for the great test. 1t was evident
that the wind would not decrease be-
fore dark, and at $40 the stallion was
brought out for the last go. Tim
Murrnen, his trainer, was ready to ac-
company him with runner, and Dan
Laho waited at the half-mile pole to
take him on from there,
Great Struggle Begins.
On the fifth score Ketoham nodded
for the word, but Cresoeus was not in
his stride, and he pulled up at the first
turn to try it again. Down to the
wire he rushed, the runner two lengths
behind, and this time it was go.
Gamely facing the breeze, the cham
pion started on his journey, moving
with apparent ease and at his great.
est speed. The runner caught him at
the quarter, and sigh went up from
the breathless throng, as the time
went up, quarter of second less
than 80. Now the wind was at his back
and, realizing the advantage, Ketcham
kept him at his great clip. The half.
mile pole was passed in 59A seconds
record never before attained, and
ere the second runner caught him up.
Into the far turn and around It, the
great stallion Numbered, his mighty
muscles and machine-like stride carry.
| ing him as if on wings. The three.
quarter pole was reached and passed
in the wonderful time of 1907.
The Finish.
Then came the great trial, for as
Cresceus turned into the stretch, the
bitter wind beat him in the face and
held him back by force. For the frac-
tion of second he seemed to falter,
but his drivers voice was in his ears
and on he came. With that indomita.
BILE courage which makes him what
he is, he plunged in toward the finish
with unweakened. stride, and, in spite
| of WEAKNESS and the buffeting of the
| breeze, flashed under the wire a win.
per against time. But for the wind
against which Cresceus struggled, /,
is believed that his time would have
been a second faster. 1t was the
most wonderful mile ever trotted OF
any track.
Wild Enthusiasm.
| Enthusiasm broke loose as soon a.
the horse had passed the wire. The
crowd rushed on the track to greet
the champion, and huge wreath o:
| flowers was hung around his neck. Mr.
Ketcham, owner and driver, was car
ried to the judges stand and called
on for a speech. In a few words, h.
| EXPRESSED his annrecia ton Of The IN