The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-20
CRESCEUS At WICHITA.
The Great Trotter Makes the
Mile in :59 ga.

Wichita. Kan, Oct 2O-Once more
Cresceus is King of Trotters,' having
snatched the worlds record for a mile
from Major Delnar and Lou Dillon
Monday afternoon, when he went the
distance in 1:59Z without the aid of a
wind shield and with only odd Mike.
the Tramp to keep him company.
Just after he passed the south en-
trance to the grandstana he struck his
knee and was thrown off his stride. The
anxious watchers held their breath FOR
fear the horse would not be able to
catch himself. But two hops and he
was going again like the wind. He came
under the wire going steadily, recrowned
the king and carrying with him a new
worlds record. Owner Ketcham was
lifted from his sulky by admiring
friends, led by President c. NJ. Irwin Of
the Southern Kansas Fair association,
which gave the meet and was carried
on their shoulders to the judges stand,
where he was given another ovation.
AS officially announced the time by
quarters was: First quarter 80; half,
:59s4; three quarters, 1870 and mile
1894 Watches held in different parts
of the grand stand caught the time at
various figures, some as low as LIS
several at 2 minutes fiat and few at
2:01 and 1902.
Il knew when L reached the three
quarters pole that 1 had the record
beaten" said Owen Ketcham. Il might
have waited years and not have found
such perfect conditions. The day was
ideal, the track could not possibly have
been better and Cfeseeus was in prime
condition. The little wind that was
blowing was e. help rather than a him
drance for it was at my back on the
home stretch, and could not get at me
for the trees on the back-stretch.
He had little else to say though his
appearance showed the pleasure he felt
in once more having his favorite horse
carry off the honors that come to a
worlds champion.
I'VE have said nothing about beating
worlds records he said land weeks
ago I instructed my people not to hint
tempt ct it. That is one reason why
there will be some surprise l imagine"
Only twice before this has Cresceus
made attempts to beat his 2:O2A. At
GaleSburg he went against it, but the
track was too hard for him to do any
thing in the way of record breaking.
At Monmouth. ILL.,, there was a good
track, but d stiff wind prevented him
here was perfect and the days and even
nights that had been spent upon the
track in getting it into condition told
when it came to the final test.
1T was about 2:30 o'clock when Cres-
ceus was given his warming up previous
to the supreme effort and after he had
been sent to the barn Mr.. Ketcham
vouchsafed the information that the
horse was right At BIS he was
brought out again and the crowd cheered
when Mike, the Tramp, the rakish look
ing but honest old runner, who mas ac-
companied Cresceus on so many fast
miles, appeared with him. Starter Jof-
dan announced that Mr.. Ketcham was
ready, and that Cresceus would go 70
beat, not the worlds record, but his OWL
record of 2: :02A.
Mr.. ketcham asked TO be given the
word on the second scoring down. but
when he came that time the horse was
over-anXious and broke just berore he
reached the wire. He was brought back
and the next time he went down the
stretch and under the wire at fin,
speed. He made the first quarter In d
two mintue clip, doing it in 80 seconds
fat In the next quarter he CARED =
quarter of second. reaching the halt
in SEQ On he sped to the three-quar-
tiers, losing a half second and bringing
up at that pole in 80 fiat. AS he turn
ed into the home stretch. the splendid
animal was moving like clockwOrk. The
runner drew away from him, and NJ
went down towards the wire at fast
pace. with both Mr. Ketcham and the
driver of the runner urging him on to dc
his best.
1t was a splendid sight and the audi
! bobble which for a second made it look
like the effort would be in vain, there were
]
when he caught himself again handily
and sped under the wire as squarely as
| it is possible for horse to trOt, cheer
after cheer resounded throughout the
grounds.
! The result was worth the effort it ha6
cost and Owner Ketcham was repaid fol-
shipping his horse back to Wichita from
Cedar Rapids, Ia, that he might &C
against time on the fast track here.
The other races were good and the time
made was fast considering the horses en-
tered. Arthur Wright, winner of the 2:24
trot, lowered his record from 2:2i to 2:194a
! and Golden Bow, 2:1914, easily equaled his
previous mark, and could have beaten il
! had it been necessary.
| HOW MEMPHIS FELT.
Memphis. Tenn, Oct. 19.-Horsemen as
a rule were not prepared to receive news
/ of Cresceus breaking the worlds recorz
! at Wichita. Richard Benson. who train:
c. c. Christies' string. has just reached
this city from Wichita and made the
statement that the track there was ex-
actly $50 feet short. Others prominent or
| the trotting turf diScredited the perform
ance and the Memphis Trotting associa
| ton wired George ketcham, owner OF
| Creseeus, tonight an offer of $500 to bea
the two minute mark over the Mempfli:
course during the meeting. c. W. Marks
| former owner of Joe Patchen, offered al
| additional 81 900 and smaller amounts wers
volunteered by horsemen who discreditet
the performance.