Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-24
CAP TURE OF
AN ASTERO|D
Kentucky Colt Was Stolen by
GuerriIIas-Pursuit and Re-
capture by Clay and Wiley.

y.
so successful east this season with Running
, Water. Content, Single Shot. Outcome ana
Kentucky Bean, while host at the Waldorf
the evening Of the day when his last-named
colt won the Waldorf state at Sheepshead
Bay, proposed this toast to his assembled
guests:
ITO my father, Ezekiel Clay. one Of the
only two men on earth who ever captured
an Asteroid."
Woodford county breeders, and, indeed.
all breeders of thoroughbreds in Kentucky
and the Blue Grass region in general
honor and respect Col. Zeke Clay as one
of the Oldest, if not the oldest. in fact, OF
any Of his class in county or state, look
ing up to the veteran not only as an au-
thorty on the breeding of the high-mettled
racehorse, but as a man who was every
body's friend in the community of which he
SO long has been an honored member.
Long before Col. Clay became partner
in the racing firm of Clay & Woodford, that
developed Runnymede and and sold the
colt to the Dryers, he had made record
in the county with his fellow breeder, War
rem Wiley, of which any man or men may
well be proud. For the two men, as the
son Woodford voiced in his toast at the
Waldorf dinner. Captured an Asteroid,'
after a journey In hostile country that re-
quired pluck. bravery and strategy COM
bined.
In the fall of 1864 Kentucky as in revolu-
tionary days. was again the dark and
bloody ground" infested with guerrlllas and
marauders of all sorts posing as members
OF both armies carrying on their predatory
raids between the hostile lines. Among fire.
quent sufferers from these guerrilla raids
were the stock breeders throughout the
state, losing valuable cattle, sheep and
horses to the fOragers.
Guerillas Raid Stock Farms.
But while the breeders gave up cattle and
sheep they resisted the guerrilla thefts OF
their horses. made under the plea Of press
ing them into the service, and many skir-
mishes took place between the stockmen
and the marauders Lives were lost on
both sides. Adam Harper of Nantura farm
being shot down and killed at his own gate
by band led by a woman Sue Munday,
who was later caught and strung up at the
end of a rope.
The Alexander farm at Big Spring was
the scene of the most notable of those
guerrilla forays. Shortly afterdusk one
evening in October, a large pand of the
marauders descended on WOODBURY., and
without even asking ''by your leave pro-
ceeded to open the barns and started to
take out some of the highest class horses
at this famous birthplace of racers.
Half dozen had been led out by the out
laws, among them the crack colts North
cumberland and Asteroid, before the farm
retainers realized what was going on. and
the guerrillas were coolly selecting some
others. when Superintendent Brodhead,
with most OF his employees. came up on the
jump. The latter were well armed but the
robbers were much the largest party.
Farley was first attempted, but as the
guerrilla leader was obdurate and coolly
mounted Asteroid himself. the Alexander
force charged the robbers and a general
melee ensueds Shots were fired and several
saddles emptted. when the robbers made on
In the direction Of the Kentucky river. car
rying the horses with them, among them
Northumberland and Asteroid
| Followed closely by the Brodhead forces
the guerrillas were again reached on the
river banks, and another skirmish ensued.
The Alexander hands fought pluckily, Cand
after laying out several more of the rob-
bers recaptured half the horses stolen
But the star of the lot the priceless AS
teroid, valued by his owner as the apple
of his eye. was not among those recovered.
The guerrilla leader, riding the great colt
swan the Kentucky river under a shower
Of bullets, mostly fired wide for fear of kill
Ing the horse. The night was frightened by
the rays OF full moon, and Asteroid and
his captor could be plainly viewed as they
reached the far bank Of the stream and
| made off in the chaparral.
Battle With the Outlaws
The WOODBURY. employees had not escaped
| scathless in the fight, however, and several
| were wounded. though none fatally, and
the farm to report that Asterold was gone
By this time the whole neighborhood was
aroused and the Alexanders held a council
OF war with their friends as to the best
means OF recovering Asteroid. Many plans
were discussed. pro and con, force being
nnally discarded and stately decided upon
Among the volunteers in the emergency
were Warren Wiley and 'Zeke" Clay. men
| that enjoyed general esteem and confidence.
Both were six-footers Of Herculean frames
| accomplished horsemen and dead shots. In
| short, the very men for the tough lob
| ahead-that Of recovering the great colt
| by hook or crook. bu purchasing, strataeem
| or high and Robert Alexander finally Sc
| lected them for the desperate undertaking.
| mat same night the two rescuers. Clay
and Wiley, well mounted and taking with
them two Of the best bloodhounds at Wood
| burn, started on their dangerous trip. Thew
swan the Kentucky river at the point
"here the guerrilias made off with Asteroid
ana TOOK up the trail Of the robbers on the
| opposite bank. through chaparral and
| dense underbrush
| Once well away from the river the two
were able to proceed more rapidly and by
| daylight knew that they were not far be-
hlnd the guerdillas, as they found traces
| OF where they had camped for a short
rest. Further on the tracks showed thai
the oand had divided, the bulk going one way
| ana the riders another. Following the
| smaller tran, inquiry at cabin showed by
the description the two guerrillas to be the
ones they were after, and the pursuers
then gained rapidly on the pursued.
| BY noon that day the trail became Or
warm that the two hounds were called in
| muzzled and leashed and a couple of honrs
later the two plucky hunters deserted Their
| quarry camped under a big tree. There
were only two Of the guerrillas. and the
sight OF the colt Asteroid, apparently nm.
harmed. gladdened the eyes of the two
big men from B.g Spring The outlaws
had not yet seen the pursuers and before
showing themselves the rescuers held an
| lmpromptu council Of war to decide unon
| their first steps.
Pursuit, Of Asteroid.
With only two of the robbers to contend
| with honors were even in that importan
respect and although fatigued from thef,
long night and day ride, Wiley was in favo,
| of making a rush and taking the outlaw.
| unawares. But Clay was in favor Of parle,
first and fight afterwards If necessary, anG
both friends finally agreed to that course.
Waving their hands In token Of amity the
! two rescuers rode up to the guerrilla pair
| who were by this time mounted again
ready to run or fight as the case might be
Clay acted as spokesman and came at once
to business saying to the guerrilla who was
| astride of Asteroid that they were willIns
| to buy back the colt" who was q family
nat R-o