Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-11-02
away without the spoons that belonged
to their grandfather.-Aub (Me.)
correspondence New York Tribune.
A CIVIL WAR HORSE RACE.

WAN donSE hAGEs
War is not all tragedy. Our boys"
on both sides in the civil war found
plenty Of time between battles to
amuse themselves with variety of
sports. In Kentucky there was some
sort of horse race every time an
army paused to take long breath.
On one occasion Lieutenant Saunders
of the -th Kentucky matched his
Blue Grass" thoroughbred against a
wiry little mustang owned by Captain
Garland of the -th Texas for $500
side. Saunders was to ride his own
horse, but the captain, being large
man, had to find jockey for his mus
tang, and in looking among the troops
chose a young private in Saunders
own regiment, Louisville boy of the
name of John Eston Keller, cousin
of the famous author John Eston
Cooke. who wrote Surrey of Eagles
Nest" "Mohun," Hammer and Ra-
pier" etc. Keller weighed about 95
pounds, and in joking spirit consent
ed to take the mount. The race was
called on the following day at 8
o'clock. Saunders was promptly at
the post with his splendid brown mare,
but no rider appeared for the Texans
mustang. IL got a chap to promise to
| ride last night" said Captain Gar
land to the judges, but he hasn't
| turned up. | don't remember his
name and don't know where to find
him." Keller advanced from the
crowd saying: I'm the person you
are talking of, reckon, but thought
the whole thing was a joke Do YOU
mean that you really want me to ride
that mustang against Lieutenant Saun-
ders' mare?" "of course | do" re-
turned the captain. Il mean business.
It's bona fide match and If /
don't run pay forfeit Get up!" ANY
trfcks?" mo. Perfectly sensible little
horse and as honest as you are your
self. Do all you ask of him." When
the signal was given the mare led off,
with the mustang at her withers.
1t was half-mile track somewhere
in the southern part of the state, and
the race being a mile. the horses had
to go around twice. Soldiers thronged
the course, leaving only a narrow
lane for the contestants. Passing the
judges on the first lap, the mustang
was lying easily alongside the mare.
not having lost an inch. Captain Gar
land shouted to Keller: GO at him
with your whip! He'll stand punish
ment all the way homei Let him
have it," Mr.. Keller, telling of the
race the other day, said, ST knew he
was good little horse, with the de-
termination and grit OF bulldog, so ]
lit into him. logged him every step
of the way home. In vain the mare
: tried to shake him off Saunders
whipped and spurred, rode with head
hands, arms and knees. My mount
gradually crept up and when he fin.
r ished was just short neck in front
4 | reckon l was the most surprised
I man in the regiment, and in few
S minutes the saddest. too. BY winning
I that race l had broke every mai
Z in the command. The poor boys
v had bet their three months pay OF
e the mare, and all their tobacco, sugar
o ETC., blankets, pocket knives and near
: ly everything else that a soldier hal
q about him. For awhile was might,
r unpopular. Captain Garland wantet
d to divide his winnings with me, but
d refused to take cent. I told him
e didn't want his money, that l ha,
# beaten my own boys out Of But
n was sorry afterward l did not take
n and give 1t back to the boys A goo,
!. many thousand dollars change,
h hands. New York Press.