Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-29

But that Philips wasn't as lucky as an
other driver Of the same name I know"
This from NJ. d. Learned. 1.-THE first OF
every month to this day Howard Philips
receives from James Gordon Bennett a
check for $3.50. Why? Just because he was
the man who drove Benefits mare Autrain
to that $65, 900 stake and all those other vic
tories IN 80. That's the year Bennett had
Autrain and her half-sister In Europe. where
they cleaned the boards. Philips drove them
both, changi - them around. He would al
ways try them both out and use the horse
that was in best trim that particular day,
But Bennett didn't pension him for win
ming especially, but for being on the square,
Autrain created a Juror In Europe and bet
ting ran to awful heights. Many a time
Philips was offered thousands upon thou
sands Of dollars to make Autrain lose Just
one race, but he never listened. He has
never worked for Bennett since that year,
but he gets that money Just the same. When
he left Benefits employ Philips remon-
strated about the check, but Bennett re-
piled that he wanted owa to take it as
long as he sent 1t, as 1t was merely In
homage to an honest man"
Just then a leathery-faced old horseman
climbed the stairs to the stand and ac-
costed Starter Sapp:
Are you Billy Sappf"
81 am"
"Well, / want to shake hands with you.
/ started under you once at Joliet and you
gave me a mighty square deal"
+ mo l didn't" responded Sapp, smiling.
"I'm not the man."
Aren't you w. F. Sapp?"
"Yes."
Then you're the fellow, and l want to
say that you're a square starter"
well, l hope I'm that" replied sapp,
but l never started a race at Joliet.
There's another starter, also a w. F.. sapp,
who lives In Kansas. and he's the nan you
want.
I'VE have a great time, me and w. f..
Sapp," continued Billy. turning to the
other judges. Both OF US are starters and
we live not so far apart. The identity OF
names has caused not a little confusion and
some laughable incidents have resulted"
Russell Williams, a 1S-year-old' boy OF
Benson, made a big hit with the old
in the stand, who freely predicted for him a
great future as a racing ofheial. Russell
had never seen a horse race before in his
life. Secretary Thomas had brought him
out to help at the stand as messenger, but
1t was not long before Russell had accepted
the responsibility for the entire meet. Once
he was sent up to the distance pole to see
II a certain horse were inside the nag at
the end of the heat. He reported back that
the animal had plenty OF room. and when
the next heat was called he asked Starter
Sapp:
Hadn't l better go up and flag those
horses again."
Sapp said he had better go and Russell
was distance official from then on. In one
race, too, Halsell drew his horse in the first
heat, the animal not being in shape yet after
a Jar on the cars. When the next heat
came along Russell noticed there was one
horse missing and. yelling to sapp to hold
the race a minute, he ran to the stables and
ordered Halsell out at once. The old driver
explained to Russell the philosophy Of the
draw" in a horse race and the boy was
finally satisfied TO let the heat proceed.
Wednesday afternoon Sumner Bruen, the
driver. entered the stand in response 20 a
call from Starter sapp, and was reprimanded
for holding Dulcie s in the fourth race.
which IL was plain was all his II he
wanted II.
w must have square racing here" said
Sapp.
well. / hate to let Dulcie go out Of the
22 class said Sumner. but / suppose
I'll have to-" Then Bruen became COM
mu~nicative about his horse, which Is a
beauty. She's one Of the best ! ever az