The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-12

OF current happenings. Virginia took the
lead in this she did in more serious
concerns in the making OF this nation
She was the home OF the race-horses In
America, and as horse-racing had held
a place in Merrie England at least as
far back as Henry the H., as soon as the
colonist had enough relief from starving
and had fought the Indian far enough
back to give space for ''race-path.' he
took to his old home habits. In the
Perfect Description OF Virginia. quoted
by Mr.. W. S. Stanard in his interesting
article on Racing in Colonial Virginia,
Historical Magazine. Vol IL. the author
aNs: There are Of an excellent raise
about two hundred horses and mares
This was in l6i9. when the Old Dominion
was forty-two years old that In which
Charles the I. was executed, and the
colony was holding on to the Stuart
dynasty.
Singularly enough the first published
notice OF racing. according to the very?
interesting paper already quoted, is to be
found in the records Of the Court OF the
County OF York. as an order Of that trt-
bunal Of September 10. 1874:
James Buliocke, a Taylor, haveing made
q race for his mare to rum with a horse
belonging to Mr.. Matthew Slader for twoe
thousand pounds Of Tobacco and caske,
It being contrary to Law for a Labourer
TO make a race. being a Sport only for
Gentlemen, is fined for the same one
hundred pounds Of Tobacco and caske:
whereas MT. Mathew Slader and
James Bullocl1e, by condition. under
hand and seal Of said Slader, that his
horse might run out of the way that Bull
lockc's man might win. which is an an
parent 5cheate. is ordered to be put in the
stocks and there sit for the space of one
hour?
This. Mr. Slanard remarks. is prob
ably the only instance where a man was
so imprudent as to give written agree-
ment to have a horse pulled. He quotes
several other entries Of suits to recover
wagers in which unfai,ness or mis9nder-
standing OF the terms were alleged. the
matter being spread upon the record
with all the quaint verhage Of the period.
A specimen one is taken from the record
or the court held at Earina April 1st.
16ss-the complaint Of one Richard Ward
against John Stewart. Jr.:: witnesseth.
that the aforesaid Mr.. Richard Ward
doth hereby covenant. promise and agree
to run a mare named Eony. belonging to
Thomas Jefferson Jr.. Grandfather OF
the PrcsidenD against horse. sc. SC.
Both defendant and plaintin put. hem
selves upon vet country and a jury was
Ampanelled. Here we have a trial en-
tered into involving a transaction which
subsequently,, was made criminal = ct.
a hundred wears later. ii NAV be inter-
ssting to note, Geo. Washington and
fhos Jefferson, with many other worthy
citizens. we're guilty of another criminal
act namely, the disposal of land by lot
terry. and there is not protest or a
twinge OF conscience recorded anywhere.
II would be curious to trace the genesis
~ a more sensitive moral amongst US.
IN the latest suit OF the same character
60 be found the bets were forty shillings
o side and gallon OF rum FOR the COM
pany! 20. moces! what a far cry is this
% Wyatt and the grand jury of 1909?
HUNTING WILD HORSES.
1nere is In Beverley's History OF vir-
0ania, 1905. a description OF a sport in
which must have been peculiar to It, for,
20 Sar as this writer has read. no allu-
0lon is maea to It in any other account
q British Colonial America There Is
set another kind OF sport which the
ycu.ng people take great delight in, and
chat 81 the hunting Of wild horses,
which they pursue sometimes with dogs
ana sometimes without. You must know
1he~ have many horses foaisd in the
0ooas OF the upiands. thht never were
n hand, ana are rs shy as any savage
0soature." He goes on to say that the
0orpes .'bslong to him that hrst takes
Gem" and adds. the captor commonly
Spo,ifn9 better IN the pursuit." Tho Wild
0orsss are described as very feet and
9if.ou,t 70 catch. and when they are
oaken tie ODDS but that their grease IL
o1eltaA. or else being old. they are 30
oullsa that they cannot be tanned. The
0sE1 au<hor gives NJ little sarcastic
eos,ct. He 80 nugh Jones. and in THE
1reeoat state q Virginia, 1714"-he
01aeao: ..rhe eomnen planters leading
49, NVO 0Rt asaah aAs6rs 1abor -