Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-25
JOCKEY LEWIS
Meets DEATH
STEEPLEcHASE RIDER KILLED
AT ASCOT
Crushed 5eneath Horses Hoofs as
Potrero Chico Falls at First
Hurdle-Dies an Hour
Later
by ED MoRIARTY

Jockey A. Lewis has jumped the last
great hurdle. Never again will an
earthly bugle call him to the post. In
other than the racing turf, where all
Is rest and quiet, the lad will soon be
laid away
Women in the grandstand shuddered
when Potrero Chico fell at the first
hurdle of the steeplechase course,
crushing his rider beneath mass of
fleeting hoofs. When the on-rushing
horses had passed a boy lay silently
stretched on the green with his skull
crushed and bleeding. A cruel iron
shoe had done it's deadly work. 1t is
common for steeplechase riders to fall
but as a rule, by some hook or crook.
they manage to crawl out safely.
Those in the stands did not realize the
extent of Lewis injuries as tender
hands carried him across the green
sward to a room on the paddock floor.
But the lad had ridden his last race.
Up in the stands men and women were
laughing and chatting. Lewis was fors
gotten and they wondered what the
next event might bring forth. 1t was a
typical holiday crowd that gathered at
Ascot yesterday and good cheer
abounded Even those VIII m fortune
passed along of another time ac-
cepted their losses good naturedly, ap-
parently in harmony with the Christ
mastide and an ideal afternoon. A few
tossed away their tickets which be-
came mere paper when Jockey Lewis
went to his death. Down in the ring
a seething, restless swirl of humanity
dallied with the tickle goddess, play
ing this one and that.
Out in the paddock Lewis was
breathing his last. A doctor finally
raised his head from the dying boys
breast and nodded-silently. moment
afa,- i
all that was mortal of Lewis left the
course forever.
Is Borne Away
A curious scene presented itself in
the paddock as the dead lad was be-
ing borne on the stretcher Close
mouthed sporting men stood by, min
Cling with a motley throng of stable
boys and companion riders of the i'll
fated jockey. Lewis had been popular
and many were the expressions of re-
gret when his death became known.
A wizened faced little negro huddled
on the outside of the paddock crowd He
was lowly one in the turf world, but
evidently felt keenly for the stricken
lad. He endeavored to peep through
and catch final glimpse of the dead.
The little negro boy was at a disad-
vantage. His leg was crooked and they
pushed him back. Just a suspicion of
WeJneSS was TO De traced on MS
grimy, sooty features.
$50 de's got po' Lew at last. Good
boy dat Lewis boy. Done staked me
many a time. Lemme get in dere JUS
once, won yuh?"
"A big New Yorker, famed for his
stables and fashionable attire was
brushing into the crowd when his legs
became mixed with the little black. A
quick glance sized up the situation
With broad shoulders and strong
hand he worked to the front, gently
guiding the crippled negro lad, who
wanted so badly to see what was going
on.
1t was only an instance of what may
happen on a race track, however, and
came to close when the somber wagon
whirred away. Lewis is gone and some
other boy will ride his mounts.
1t is stated that Lewis complained of
being i'll before the race, but was di-
rected by the judges to fulfill his con-
tract. The boy had only ridden six
times during his career on the turf.
four times plotting Cazador to victory
over the local hurdle course. He had
the mount on Cazador at Pimlico as
his first attempt. A youngster, he
showed exceptional ability as a cross
country rider when schooling for ]. w.
Colt Of New York. ]. w. Boden. broth
er of the local secretary, secured for
him his license.
With Potrero Chico running riderless
through the field, Cazador, in the COL
ors of his new owner, ]. G. Sturgis, of
New York, led all the way and won
his fifth successive race over the local
jumps. DR.. Logan trailed the field un-
til half mile from home and then
came up not sufficiently strong to win.
Indian II, in a long sustained stretch
ride, beat out Decimo for the short end
money. William Parrish showed speed
but quit badly. Lady Chiswell did not
take the jumps in her stride and went
too high.
Elancer Wins
Elancer and Nappa ran head and
head in the second race until the pad
dock gate had been reached, where the
latter threw up the sponge. Phil Igoe
challenged Elancer and later Just
lasted to win by scant head Nappa
did her best and managed to stall off
Dominus Arvi, which would have been
third in few more strides. Treasure
Seeker, favorite, ran under the whip
and evidently prefers a heavy track.
Baron Esher proved the third race
good thing under skillful guidance by
Jockey McDaniels. Esher was backed
from 6s to 81 and won easily from
Cotillion, who outgamed Reservation
in the stretch. The latter was under
punishment during major portion of
the race but could not improve posi-
tion. Van Hope showed speed for
three-fourths and then took a notion
to hesitate. Uncle Henry can do bet
ter and his race Saturday evidently
was not to his advantage.
j. f. Donohue in the fourth opened
at So, then drifted to 2h-1. The price
quickly returned to opening figures,
however. Col Bronston. on the
strength of his last race. was backed
from 5s to 31a. The others fell back In
the betting. Off to a good start Sly
Ben opened a gap Of three lengths at
the stretch. Niblick was second and
Donohue, pinned to the rail, third.
Harris tried to get through and, fndine
himself pocketed, took the outside and
was literally going away at the finish,
Niblick tried hard, but Bronston
easily took place honors. Sly Ben
stopped to a walk John Lyle, the OBJ
Ject Of sharp tip. was never In the
hunt