The Washington times., 1902-06-23
SAM BRYANT, DYING,
saw qHE RICH DERBY
Old Sportsman Carried on
Litter to Chicago Track.
Pale, Emaciated, He Whispered Jokes
Old Passion Still Rules
the Man.

CHICAGO. June 22.-Capt. Sam Bryant,
American turf. saw the Derby run yes
terday. although he is dying.
1t is doubtful If the old man will live
to return to his home in Louisville. But
the passion for good hors IS and good
ing that ruled him at his start in life
is as strong row that he fast approaches
the end of his own long race.
Captain Bryant is more than seventy
years of age. Having long been Hi. Il
pale and emaciated. He is so feeble 4 -
his voice Is only whisper.
Women applauded sympathetically and
men shook his hand as the good sports
man. who has owned Proctor Knott and
the Derby winner. Uncle Bob. was car
ried On a stretcher into Washington Park
yesterday. He travelled from Kentucky in
a sleeping car with two attendants. They
carried him from the car to carriage
and in the Park carefully placed him
where he had fire view of the race.
Will Have His Joke.
"I'll die with my boots on. anyway"
said Captain Sam. And he added with
his ancient humor: Il reckon Chicago is
a better place to die in than Louisville"
Sam. Bryant is we'll known on almost
every track in this country. He has
been on the racetrack for more than fifty
years as jockey. owner and trainer He
started when he was a little chap in
fittsburg, riding four-mile heat races.
In his prime his pink complexion. his
pink whiskers. his little eyes, his con
fidential wink, and his linen duster were
better known at every race meeting than
were the horses. He is tall, although
his form is bent now, and he weighs
scarcely more than 100 pounds.
Al Monmouth Park. about 1885, Uncle
Samuel" as many call him, got into
trouble about the running OF his horse
Big Medicine. Bryant was ruled off, but
was soon reinstated. His fame and what
fortune he has, or had, rested in his
ownership of the famous Proctor Knott.
When Bryant bought Proctor Knott
at General Jackson's Belle Meade Farm.
paying $40O for the ugly little yearling
he was numerically guyed by Michael
Dwyer and other clever horsemen
Bryant. who declared that the gelding
would be great two-year- old, did not
have sufficient money to pay for the
chestnut himself. and 1t was only after
the most vigorous persuasion that old
man ScogSins. mule dealer, was in
duced to take n half interest in the pur-
chase. Bryant led his charge away
amid the good -natured bantering OF the
crowd. saying that he would laugh last
Bryant gave Proctor Knott his most
careful attention during the winter
months and began training him early
IN the spring. when he discovered that
he had great two-year- old in the son
of Luke Blackburn and Talapoosa. Be-
sides other great races that year nSSS)
Proctor Knott won the Junior Cham
pionship races at Monmouth Park with
10 to l against him.
His Triumph.
Bryant and the geiding arrived at
Gravesend track for the Futurity. The
trainer never left the side OF his be-
loved horse, night or day. for minute
until he sent him to the post on Labor
Day to run for the richest stake that
had ever been offered in America How
Barnes rode the lank gelding to victory.
with the enormous throng shouting its
applause. and landed the $4,000 stake
by half length from Salvador. Mr.. Hag-
gins crack youngster, need not be re-
peated here. How Bryant. who saw the
race from the head of the stretch
thought that it had been won by Galen.
and his subsequent jubilation when he
Jaw that his own cherished gelding had
captured the stake: his praise OF Barnes
as jockey. and his belief that Proctor
Knott was the best of his age in the
world are well remembered by turf
lovers. 1t was the great disappointment
of Bryant's life when Spokane beat
Proctor Knott for the Kentucky Derby. |
Bryant today thinks the old days were
the best days. He trained General
Harding and in one season started him |
ten times and won nine stakes. He has
had all the ups and downs in his career
hat relieve the monotony of the sport. |
He likes young horses best.
.'The money is in them he says. |
Take eni when no one knows anything |
about EN-, and you can at least make "A
living If they arc any account at ALL"