Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-08-27
Horse Racing at State Fair In
1857 Described by a Writer
In Iowa Farmer
SOUNDS ODD IN THESE DAYS
Three Minutes and Three Seconds Con-
.idered a Wonderful Speed in Those
Days - How the Races Were Start
Cd and tho Progress of the Running
Described.
Special to Times Republican,

Des Moines, Aug. 2I.-The follow
ing is an account published in the
Iowa Farmer of the horse racing at
the Iowa State fair in October. 1887.
The fair was held in Muscatine. The
account is presumably by General
Duane Wilson, editor OF the Farmer at
that time, a resident OF Mt Pleasant.
and for years prominent in state al
fairs:
Prominent among the single horses
and roadsters were Fillmore and Saw
Mill Maid. owned by Mr.. John NJ. Cam
non. of Davenport, the former fine
eorrel, about 1915 hands high, four
years old. very fast, having a long
stride and square gait, bidding fair by
the time he is as much older, to go
down among the thirtieS; the mare is q
small black, about eight years old.
strongly made. and probably faster at
this time than her stable companion;
also bay mare, owned by Mr.. Herchie,
Muscatine, which shows great speed and
bottom: fast horse. sorrel. owned by
Mr.. Smith, OF Cedar Rapids, beautiful
and exceedingly well broke, brown
6-year-old horse, owned by r. II. KEEL
ley of Iowa City-perhaps there was
no one animal in the ring observed
more than this one, principally from
the circumstance of his being driven
by Master George Andrews, boy OF
s years, at a rapid speed, and on the
green by the judges stand, in cir
Gle. etc. There were many others on
the ground in this class, fine to look
upon, and exhibiting much speed. After
the judges had examined them all with
care. they were ordered off the track
to give them a chance TO try their
speed. The horses named. with some
six or seven others. We're made ready
about half way up the home stretch,
three abreast, for the trial. soon they
came up and passed the stand. in beau
tiful style. at great specific make
the mile they had to pass twice around
the track but did not proceed far
before they began to string out. some
far behind, whilst others We're close
together in the advance, battling hard
to gain and keep the lead. until they
should pass the pole at the end OF the
mile.
The last half Of the contest was very
exciting to those who admire such eX-
hibitions as four Of the horses kept
close together, now. ore and then an
other taking the lead, and the vast
multitude shouting and reshouting, az
their respective favorites shot ahead.
and when they reached the home
stretch and passed the stand nearly
neck and neck. the air fairly rang with
their outbursts OF delight. Some of the
drivers not understanding the order
given. continued on the course after
the mile was completed, went round
the track the third time, crowding their
horses to their utmost speed, all SEEM
Ing determined TO be the winner.
sorrel horse from Ft loes Moines came
In first at the finish of the mile. but
was soon passed and left behind on
the last round, by Fillmore and Saw
Mill Maid This ended the sport in
the ring for that day. The judges not
being altogether satisfied. reserved
their final decision until the next day
at IL o'clock. when the same horses
again appeared on the track, all look
Ing well and giving promise of fine
time. Precisely at the hour the hor>
ses were ordered to take one round to
warm them for their final examination.
Fillmore was handled by Mr.. Cannon.
Saw Mil Maid by a young man who
had received his training from Mr.. c.
Herschie's mare by himself. and in
good style; the Cedar Rapids horse was
driven by Mr.. Wolf. and remarkably
we'll: the TT. Des Moines horse was
under the saddle, ride. not known. On
the first score the word "go" was given
and Off moved the horses in fine style.
Fillmore soon passing, all save Saw
Mill Maid, she keeping little ahead
on the outside OF the track. The whole
mile was sharply contested by thes>
two. the mare passing the half mile
half a length ahead, both drivers APP
parently urging their horses to the Ut
most. Thus they continued until half
way down the home stretch when the
mare went up. losing all chances of
winning over the horse, but striving
hard to keep Mr.. Hershie's from beat
ing her out. he being her closest COM
petitor. having strongly commended
from the beginning for the victory over
one OF these. Fillmore was awarded
the first premium and Mr.. Herschie's
the second. Time-3 minutes and 1908.