The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-02-17
DIRECT HAL
Robert M'Gregor Discourses
interestingly Regarding
This Great Maury
County Horse.
BRED BY CHAFFIN BROS, AND ed GEERs.

Tennesseans should be proud of Di.
rect Hal, and also proud of the man
who had the foresight to breed him.
Ed Geers (and Chafin Bros, of Colum.
bia, Tenn ~,
You all remember how the pride of
Tennessee, Hal Pointer, was defeated
at Cumberland Park on that bright
October day in 1891 by the ''little black
rascal Direct in three heats--2:l0,
2:091 and 2:11. Most of Us thought it
a huke, or that Hal Pointer was little
off, or that the track was too hard,
etc
Then, five days afterward, over the
Columbia kite track, the little black
| horse proved his superiority beyond
question in easily defeating Hal Point
or again in 2;09, 2:08 and 2:083z, the
world 8 record at the time. Perhaps we
ali remember that race, how our pride
was wounded, how Tennessee was
forced to bow to California, and OF the
glowing yet sad report of the race in
The American by that gifted turf wri.
ter, Hanover" which, by the way, we
intend to reproduce some time in the
future. inssmuch as twill be interest
ing eince the blending of the blood of
the Halls and Direct has produced Di-
rect Hal.
Right then and there l believe Ed
Geers realized the greatness of Direct,
for in 1896, when wintering in Califor--i
MIA, he bred the fast pacing mare, Bee
sic Hal, who had shown trial in ,2;08, |
to Direct 2:0519, the result being Direct |
Hal, who was Thought to be world
beater from colthood, and who showed |
phenomenal speed, and IN the spring |
of 1901 he was sold to Mr.. Hamlin for |
$40, 900, that fall showing a trial mile, at |
Memphis in 2:063. The next year Di-
rect Hal swept the grand circuit, win
ing thirteen straight races and S25. 500 |
10 money, winding up with a record Of |
2:04lz, and hitched double with Prince
Direct set the worldis pole record at
&c So, which still stands. ii = 80
Direct Hal brought Sill 900 at the re-
cent sale, being bought by the Davis
syndicate, and will stand at Wells-
vile, N. Y, at a fee OF $50.
An offer of $4,000 was refused for
him ten days after the sale. es,
Thirteen yearlings of Direct Hal were
sold at an average of $4ll, four 3-year-
Odds at an. average of 1926, one Of the
lot for $4,000. v.se;qeea on 10 afrI
Another Direct Hal, and perhaps the
fastest green PAGER alive, is Walter
Direct trial, 2:0814,) who was bred and
owned by Chaffin Bros., & Geers. of Co
lumbia, Tenn. An offer of $4,000 was
refused for this horse last year. He lie
about ripe now, and is liable to- repeat
bis sire's performance next season down
the Grand Circuit, s.-ss c ~ el
We mention these little matters 90
that Tennessee breeders may be en-
couraged, and strive to breed some
more Direct Halls and Walter Directs.
We have the blood here, and all we
need to do is TO breed our best mares
tosour best stailions. cell the poor ones II
at their value, and develop the good
ones- When we have such great horses
in our midst as John r Gentry 2;O0hs \
Pstchen Wilkes and other demon,
strated great sires, We need. not worry
over the outcome shall try and give
you later some facts regarding many Il
other noted horses, together with some
for producing werld hsaters
rom the blue grass paddocks of. old I
Tennessee. esnr ss-.u. -.e. Is ..H 'tf
have, seen the pedigree OF Direct
Hal 2:041s, misquoted in several papers, I
therefore give 1t in full: Black horse,
white face. left fore foot white; also a I
little white around coronet OF right
hind foot, about l51s hands high; foaled
1896 at columbia, Tenn, the property 4
If E. F. Geers and Chaffin Bros. .a}a > IL
Sired by Direct2N51a pacing, 1854
trotting; dam, Bessie. Hall trial, pac-i
ing, 2:08), by. Tom. Hal. Jr,, sire Of
Brown Hal 2:l21s; Hal PoiL ter 2:0411s,
tic. IL
Second dam. Princess, Iy Prince Pu. {
aski, sire of Matte Hunter 2: 1917, etc 7
Third dam. Vidstte, by Almont Jr ;, G
.:29. sire OF Annie W. 2: 90, etc.
Fourth dam, Cordiila Hamlet, by
Black Hawk Rather. e-e
Filth dam, Jenny Lind, by Driver :
Noians). ,@ .'4S e.'e g. IN
So you see he is an exceptionally !
veil bred horse. He also comes from !
ong lived ancestors. Direct Hal, his
lire, ls now 20, Director, his grandslre, :
tied whom 90 years old, Tom Hal. Jr., =
vas 30; Prince Pulaski was Is; Almopt,' J
IT.. WAS 30. etcsf Z .Jct3 3 D. Is
ROBERT M'GREGOR, In the Nash
lille American. etat g~ ~ /;