The Topeka state journal., 1901-08-03
More Than 1000 People Saw
the trial at Columbus.
First half i'm Less Than Minute
Against Wind.

Columbus, O., Aug. 3.-Cresceuss
champion Of the trotting turf, added
more 1aurels to his fame Friday py
trottina a mile in 2:0z14, reducing ~
half a second his Week-old record Of
2.O2s< made at Cleveland last Frlday-
The first half was trotted In O;5sA, the
first time that distance mas oeen cover
ed in less than one minute by a uoLIeI.
The time by quarters was O-zS73s O-9S7A'
1904, and 2.05A-
"A stiff wind blowing directly up the
stretch kept him from stepping raster
More than 1900 people journeyed to
the driving park to see the greatest
frotter ever fOaled. in action 1t was a
brilliant assemblage and intense en-
fhusiasm for the horse was manifested
The weather at noon was unprOnllslng
10 a degree The sky was overcaSt aho
a few drops of rain fell, though not
enough to hurt the track which was IN
excellent condition, or keep the croWo
away. but a very strong vino was
blowing from the south. About O'Clock
the heavens cleared and the sun came
out warm and bright. but the wind did
not increase in force In the overnight
pool selling. a great deal OF money
went into the box at odds of SIS to 81
on time against the trotter. Al tne
track, owing to the fierce wind, tne
odds against the horse increased TO go
TO IS. but the hackers OF CresceuS were
game and took the short end as long
as pools We're sold George ketcnarn
appeared on the track with Cresceus a
driver were royalty received as they
passed the stand. The champion logged
three miles slower than three minutes
and one in 2:22. An hour later ne came
out again. and after scoring several
times. stepped a mile in z.2o Al 4:so
O'Clock he worked out for the last tll~e
fin 2.151s. He evidently had great pow
er in reserve and the vast tnrOng wait
ed patiently for the great test II was
evident that the wind would not SUD-
side before dark, and at $40 O'Clock the
HrA r4raF
Tim Murren. his trainer, was ready
10 accompany him. with runner, and
Dan Laho waited at the half mile pole
to take him on from there.
on the fifth score Ketcham nodded
for the word but Cresceus 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 be-
hind, and this time it was a go Gamely
facing the breeze, the champion start
ed on his journey, moving with appar-
ent ease, and at his greatest speed the
runner caught him at the quarter, and
"a sigh went UP from the GREATNESS
1hrOng as the time went up, quarter
of a second less than thirty Now the
wind was at his back, and. realizing
the advantage. Ketcham kept him at a
great clip. The half mile pole was
reached in o.59s<, a record never before
attained, and here the second runner
caught him I'D
Into the far turn and around it the
great stallion thundered, his mighty
muscles ana In4GHluG-1lAG SLIiQG
ing him as if on wings. The three
quarter pole was reached and passed
an the wonderful time Of 1904
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-
tfon Of a second he seemed to felter,
but his drivers voice was in his ears,
and on he came. With that indOmita-
4Jle courage which makes him what he
is. he plunged in toward the finish with
7anrveakened stride, and, in spite Of
weariness and the bu4eting Of the
breeze. flashed under the wire a winner
against time.
But for the wind against which
Cresceus struggled it is believed that
his time would have been second
faster.
1t was the most wonderful mile ever
trotted on any track
Enthusiasm broke loose as soon as
the horse had passed the wire. The
crowd rushed on the track to greet the
champion and a huge Wrea tn of flowers
was hung around his neck.
Mr.. Ketcham, the owner and driver,
was carried to the judges stand and
called on for a speech In a few words
he expressed his appreciation Of the in
terest taken in the attempt. his trust in
ohio horses and his confidence in his
own great trotter.
Cresceus was not unduly fatigued by
his effort and half an hour later SEEM
ed ready for another mile.