Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-05-01

NJ. r. Grattan. of Preston, Mimi, is an
enthusiastic lover of the trotter and
fond Of the Morgan type, and he breeds
quite extensively. He is also very clever
with his pen, having written much for
turf journals that was entertaining and
Suggestive Here is letter which was
published in The Trotter and PAGER last
week:
PRESTON, MINI, April II, 1908.
70 the Editor Of The Trotter and PAGER;
have Just received your reply to Paul
Russel's inquiry concerning American Star.
Waace's theories have been brushed away
by the censors in many instances, notably in
the case of George Wilkes dam. Wallace
based pedigree upon his theories. Battell
simply presents documentary evidence, up
ward, of thirty pages, enabling those who
read it to Judge for themselves This evil
dence would establish in any court the follow
ing facts First, American Star was bred by
Judge Berry, of Pompton Plains, y. Y.
Second, he was foaled in 1897. Third his
sire was also called American Star, and was
owned by Ira Coburn, of New York City. As
to the breeding of the latter horse, Battel
presents the signed statements of surviving
members of Columns family He also dug up
the New York Directory from 1882 to 1887,
and many other documents, to verify their
statements, presents Walace's statements and
runs every clew and theory to earth. Henry
X. Berry, of Paterson, \. J., cousin to the
Judge, bred a horse by Coburn's Star, and
wrote a pamphlet about the family. Battell
besieged him for further information, and in
terviewed every living person who could at
that ISoI-remember any facts of
value. That Henry II. Berry-the judge
bred Seely's American Star, Battel proves
| by evidence conclusive and overwhelming.
lie also proves that his sire, Coburns Star,
was bred by Frederick f. Sumner, Charles
town, n. H., and was sired by Cock of the
Rock, son of Sherman Morgan. | do not
believe a more thorough, searching or expen-
sive investigation of a pedigree was ever
made. Wallace's investigations were always
academic purely. Battell got down to the
ground and dug. He travelled and inter
viewed the people who knew concerning
every vital fact. Some knew one thing
some another, and mpartially, without preju-
dice, he presents it all. If the student wishes
to draw conclusions different from his, the
whole truth is yielded up for that purpose il
marked contrast to Wallace's grand jury
methods.
| WISH ne llOltcr anu racer NOulu re-
print Battells INVESTIGATION of this pedigree
and take postal card vote of its readers OF
the question. Col. Walter T. Chester, now OF
Middebury, VT, would supply copy for the
purpose, think.
NJ. T. GRATrAN.
We would be glad to have Col. Chester
perform this service for our readers, and we
think the subject might prove of interest and
| inst ruction for althOuuh over forty wears have
rolled around since American Star died hi.
fame is untarnished by time, and his influence
upon the speed and race horse characteristic:
of the American trotter was never more appar
ent.-EDuoR.
4 copy of the first volume of 9TH {
Morgan Horse and Register" has been
sent to Mr.. Toman. editor of The Trotter
and PAGER, and the subject will now lie
agitated in that widely circulated jour.