The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-07-20
General Miles Ride
Recalls Other Like FeatS

Fort Reno, Okla, July 2o.-Ine re-
marlsable ride Of General Nelson A. f
Miles from Fort Sill to Fort Reno, a
distance Of eighty-hve miles, in nine
hours ana fifty minutes, including /
stops, or an actual riding time Of not
more than nine hours, has caused much /
discussion among old frontiersmen \
here. Ben Clark. the scout and post
interpreter. said that in the days of 4
the pony cypress full days ride was 7
seventy-ave miles. Clark rode pony
express anc for short time covered /
100 miles day, but the task was too
great. and he changed to a shorter
route.
A crack record in army riding was
made in 1872 by Lieutenant Samuel
w. Fountain. now a major in service
In the philippines. He rode eighty
four miles in ten hours. using the
same horse. When Major Fountain
was at Fors Reno three years ago as
president Of the emergency ration ex-
pertinent board. he told the story of
his ride - a correspondent for the
Star. He said;
while | was stationed at Fort Win
gate. N. M in 1872. two troopers de-
serted one night, riding OF two Of the
best horses in the corral. | was just
returning from social call when an
orderly told me that the commandani
wished to see me. went to head
quarters and was told to proceed at
once with detachment and arrest
the deserters and recover the horses.
we started at 10 o'clock. The wealth
or was cold and our horses were in
good condition. We kept them well in
hand and made few stops We knew
that the doserters were making for a
point forty-two miles away and lost
no time in following them. They
rode rapidly and had the advantage of
a start Of several miles, but had just
turned into bed when we arrived and
placed thon. under arrest
"The overland mail from Santa Fe
to Fort w,ngate, which made the die
lance by relays in twentyfour hours
was Just l,assing and had letters for
me which / greatly desired. told the
driver that il he would go slowly for
mile or two would ovortake him and
accompany the stage to the fort. II
was dangerous to ride alone at night
as an accicent would expose a horse
man to the danger Of being devoured
by wolves Ny horse, old Adam be-
lCargd - ne commandant, and was
one of tho finest horses | ever saw.
/ soon overlook the stage, which then
began moving at a gallop. kept close
up tin within thirteen miles Of Fort
Wingate when / dropped back and
rode more leisurely. l reached the
fort at 8 o'clock, just in time for
breakfast My friends, upon whom |
had called in the evening did, not
know that had been absent Adam
came through in excellent shape. !
told the groom to give him thorough
rubbing down. and did not let him
take cold. Several hours later. when
taken to water. Adam kicked up his
heels and broke away from his
groom"
Fountains ride dwindles in import
snce. however when comparee "ith
the feat Of General Miles. Whi'a
Fountain probably rode the distance IN
not more than nine hours, not count
ing stops. ne had the advantage Of
youth. coo. weather, night riding and
a bracing climate General Miles rode
by eight relays, eighty-liye miles in
nine houra in the heat Of a July day
The distinction now belongs more tc
Fountains horse than to himself