Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1901-10-12
to their grandfather.aAubur (Me-)



War is not all tragedy Our boys
on both sides in the civil war found
plenty of time between battles to
amuse themselves with a 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 a
side Saunders was to ride his own
horse, but the captain, being a 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 RAJ
pier etc. Keller weighed about IS
pounds, and in a 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 Texan s
mustang. 81 got a chap to promise to
ride last night said Captain Gar
land to the judges, but he hasn't
turned up. I 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 r 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 I do" re-
turned the captain Il mean business.
It's a bona fide match and if I
don't run pay forfeit. Get up.'' amy
tricks?'' 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 mile, the horses had
to go around twice. Soldiers thronged
the course, leaving only 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 whipi He'll stand punish
ment all the way home, Let him
have it," Mr.. Keller, telling of the
race the other day, said, 'T knew he
was good little horse, with the de-
termination and grit of a bulldog, so
lit into him. 1 flogged 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
ished was just a short neck in front.
l reckon l was the most surprised
man in the regiment, and in few
minutes the saddest, too. By winning
that race 1 had broke every man
in the command. The poor boys
had bet their three months pay or
the mare, and all their tobacco, sugar
ETC., blankets, pocket knives and near
ly everything else that soldier has
about him. For awhile l was mighty
unpopular. Captain Garland wanted
to divide his winnings with me, but
refused to take a cent. told him
didn't want his money, that / had
beaten my own boys out of. But ]
was sorry afterward l did not take it
and give it back to the boys. A good
many thousand dollars changed
hands. New York Press