The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01
STORY OF A GREAT FAKE
N. A. RANDALL GIVES ACCOUNT OF
THE RED CLOUD AFFAIR.
Il. Was TrOtted Here In 1874, but
Old Horsemen Still Remember IT.
Bets Made in Detroit.


ness horse history occurred in Indianapolis
in July of 1874. This race is still remem-
bered by most of the horsemen who fol-
lowed the races in those days. In Detroit
a few days ago p. A. Huffman, formerly
Of this city and now a resident Of Detroit.
and other old-time horsemen discussed the
race in which Goldsmith Maid. Red Cloud
and Judge Fullerton participated. The De-
troit men differed in their opinions about
the conditions and outcome of the race, and
several bets were posted Mr.. Huffman
wrote to this paper for a full account of
the race. The aid of N. A. Randall was So
1icited to secure a correct account of the
race. Mr.. Randall founded the Western
Horseman, published in Indianapolis, the
pioneer harness horse paper of the country.
At the time Of the race in question Mr..
Randall was doing active newspaper work.
and being an expert in harness horse af-
fairs is able to give even at this late date
a tnorough and accurate account or the
race and the scenes about the track at that
time. Mr. Randall has kindly prepared the
following account of the race, which is in
teresting even at this time and will serve
as authority in deciding the bet of the De-
troit men. Mr.. Randalls account follows:
Il am not sure whether it occurred on
the Sth or 10th of July. 1874, but my strong
syndicate or association was formed in In
dianapolis, with DR.. Van Hummel Sec
rotary, in June, 1874. for the purpose of CIV
ing harness race meeting the following
month at the figure IS mile course known
as the South track, now Garfield Park. A
programme was arranged and well adver-
tised, and many hrst-class horses were en-
tered. One of the classes was free-fOr-all
trot for purse of $1,000. Budd Doble and
Ben Mace were at that time hippodroming
with Goldsmith Maid and Judge Fullerton,
n ont for hn fxrn for fc
race refused to do so unless given guar
antee that they would receive the entire
purse of 5000. This was agreed to, but of
course the public knew nothing of the ar
rangement, and two or three other horses
were entered in that class, among them
Red Cloud, the only outside horse to ap-
pear for a start.
DEMANDED ENTIRE PURSE.
ION the morning of the day of the race
the Maid-Fullerton party were informed
that the purse of 5000 would. as Gus
tomary be divided according to the posi-
ton each horse held at the close of the
race. and they at once informed the man
agement that they would not start their
horses unless given the entire amount of
the purse, for they felt confident that Red
Cloud could beat Fullerton for second and
seriously endanger the Maids chances for
hrst money. The syndicate was up against
II, and OF course had to surrender. Then
tucy sought MT. w aQe, ana by promising
MIN certain amount of money obtained
his consent not to start Red Cloud
80 "A crowd estimated at between 10000 and
5o,ovo people was on the ground that day,
Notwithstanding the price of admission was
81, as Red Cloud was a famous Western
trotter. and the fact that he was to go
against the renowned queen of the turf was
drawing card, and no loyal Hoosier could
AFFORD to miss such a grand exhibition.
Johnson county, where Red Cloud was
owned and raised, was certainly represented
by several thousand people.
when the race was called Fullerton and
the Maid promptly appeared on the track
and began TO warm up for start but Red
Cloud was conspicuously absent, and when
the Judges were Intercepted they an
swered that the horse was out of fix and
would not start. Then pandemonium
reigned, for the admirers of the Hoosier
horse began to smell a large-sized mouse
and they swarmed upon the track Dy thou
sands, shouting, Bring out Red Cloud y
Several parties mounted the judges stand
In an effort to pacify the people by explana-
lions, the police were called and ropes were
stretched across the track in an attempt to
force the invaders out, but all to no pur-
pose. 'Red Cloud or no racer Tear down
the stands! and Hang the swindlers,' was
the war cry, and Doble and Mace becoming
alarmed at the prospect of violence. lost
no tlme In getting their horses to the sta
HOW RACE WAS FIXED.
1.-The race managers were soon convinced
that unless they complied with the demands
bloodshed would result. They called in Mr..
Wade and arranged with him to bring out
his horse. Just what that ARRANGEMENT was
did not publicly transpire, though Mr.. Wade
afterwards informed me that they agreed
to pay him whatever portion of the purse
his horse might win, though not to beat
the Maid or win a heat if he found il
possible to do so. Accordingly all three
horses were brought out, and when Red
Cloud started up the stretch the cheers
that rent the air equaled the shouts of a
victorious army. The Maid won the first
heat, with Red Clouds head at her sad
die, Fullerton third. Second heat: On near
ing the wire Red Cloud, who had not been
urged any part of the way was at the
mares neck and would have passed her had
she not made one of her famous run and
jumps and beat him out by head. The
third heat was simply a repetition of the
other two.
Had the present rules of the track neen
in force at that time Goldsmith Maid would
have been set back for not holding to the
trot and Red Cloud would have beaten her
in every heat, for he never knew any other
gait but trot- His driver made no effort TO
increase his speed, and it was then and is
now my belief that he was instructed 70 90
only for second money.
AT the close of the meeting the man.
ayers failed or refused to pay Wade second
money and he brought suit for the amount
but during the trial was induced TO com,
promise with the payment of $500. and he
informed me that the affair cost him over
$500. You may rely upon what / have said
as was In a good position to see All thai