Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-01-04
NEWS IN TOWNS ABOUT
SILVER LAKE.
An Old-Time Horse Race on Barnard
Pond Over Forty Years AGO.

known III BafHhfds btAhtA dAh NNbd
stock as being fast as any on the ice
Hewitt Morgan, owned by Deacon Hewitt
Of Pomfret. This horse was somewha
larger than the average Morgans in thosl
days, but characterized by chestnut
color and hollow back Some excellent
stock vas bred from BIN, Molly Bake
being one and often named By Hewitt.
Mr. Danforth and Allen Cox were good
friends, the latter often making a stop IN
his travels with the tdoliZed Morgan
on one occasion he stayed all night and
during the evening he made long argu-
ment in favor Of the Morgan horses
especially his own. After going over all
the good points, exhausting bis memory
and praise, be turned to where Gfaudsif
Benjamin Cox, Revolutionary pensioner,
was sitting, saying, .GrandsiF, what dc
YOU think Of il 2a The answer did not
come very quickly, but plain.
''Well, deacon, ] have heard all your
stories and they may be all true, but n
they are, GU are the first hOrseman / ever
knew who would tell the TRUTH
John Robinson OF Royalton hill and
Moses Cheney owned tall, lank, aw kward
black colt four years old, called Sleepy
David, sired by Young Morrill,, that
showed considerable signs Of speed. One
day Robinson came over 10 Barnard, say
ing he wanted TO sell his colt and would
like 10 give him a race on the ice. A
match was soon made with Danforth and
bis mare, Molly Baker, for $50, track
length Of he ice, best 2 in 3, TO come of
next Saturday afternoon, owners to drive.
lt soon became known all through Bar
nard, Bethel ami Woodstock, so that at
this time a large crowd came together.
Day and track were both good. At an
even start, Molly led, winning by length
but the next two heats Sleepy David
finished IN front
That night there was a great ioliiiication
meeting and oyster supper by the Robin
son. Cheney and Cleveland club at the
residence OF Geo. Cleveland. Speeches were
made and songs by the only Moses r..
Cheney. Main theme, SOUL had gone
into his hole where he would stay until
after Candlemas. But after DaB.orth
bought the colt for 300, changed his name
10 John Morrill, and in less than two years
sold him for over $1,000 there were no more
oyster suppers by that crowd.
Danforth sold John Morrill, after racing
al fairs parts Of two seasons to Hon.
Frederick Billings Of Woodstock for
$3.50, who changed his name TO Wood
stock. Mr.. Billings told the writer he
was offered by a California gentleman
5000 IN gold for one half Of him. Gold
at that time was bringing a great premi-
um, which would make the price higher
than any horse ever sold in Vermont, but
he refused the offer because he said il vas
MS ambition 10 own the fastest horse in
the United States, believing that he now
mad him in his stable. How many make
the mistake that in paying a great price
for rich prospect, they have nothing
further to do but wait for the prize to fall
10 their laps.
John Morrill, had such wonderful stride
and bursts OF speed that he electrified all
who witnessed il, many believing the
tins coming when he would be champion
trotter OF the world. The writer firmly
believes, had he lived IN this day and
been handled by such experience and
Judgment as Geers or Marvin, with the
present appliances, his measure would be
below the two minute mark.
John Morrill, was coal black, without
marks, stood l6 hands, weighed over 100
pounds, was lion hearted horse with un-
bounded courage and strength. His cat
like, springy movement when in action
was the admiration OF all good horsemen.
Without any censure to his trainers,
John had acquired a habit OF pulling or
carrying the weight of driver and sulky bv
the bit which is a fatal fault in any race |
horse. Hardly one that does can carry his 4
speed foil mile, and John Morrill, was no /
exception. An the best trainers guard 4
against this habit. Nearly every season 1
we hear Of valuable race horses dropping
dead ~ race, OF course caused by stop
page OF the heart, brought on by over
e1eFtion 10 breathe. No wonder when the
horse Is ehoked with carrying weight in
ms mouth that the breath and heart
should stop.
Some years ago, when your correspond.
tnt lived Ia Detroit, Mich, he met an old
Boston acquaintance, b. S. Wright OF
fearnaught fame. MIR. Wright was pro-
prietor Of large livery and sale stable in
nat city and was known there as well as
M Boston as tirst-class hOrseman and his
Office was a favorite place to lounge and
.alk horse. One day, being in with some
others, ! said, "Ben, did you ever hear or
snow down East OF horse called John
Morrill, Or Woodstock 2i'
lie looked sharp al the for half a minute
ls II deciding whether / was chatting.
Then said, 'fhat horse, John Morrill,, as
You call him, cost me a thousand dollars
BIZ betting against a field be was in.
others sid, "Tell us, Rem"
III was this way. A race was on where
horse called Washington was strong
lvorite to me. 1 had seen this John I,
Morrill, work and saw be was a rattle.
headed crank with no show ia the race. so
plunged on Washington. First heat
John broke badly, staggered and finally
Ell hat, scooping upa hat fun Of dirt in
~ mouth we III th0uEhA OF course he
n ould be distanced and out Of the play.
lut = claim was entered that another
horse In his way, and In order TO pre-
'ent collision John was pulled out so
that he fell. This the judges pre-
ended to believe, 50 they distanced the
ltber horse, allowing John 10 start again.
II knew he could not win, So kept on
luYiug Washington at a fearful odds
The fall seemed 10 do John good, for he
vent to work, winning the next three
leats. stealing from ue a good Thousand
dollars. Yes, do remember, and am not
ut 70 forget John Morrill,"
Telling Ben that I once owned John
Morrill,, hc said, II would never brag
bout u."
4 few days alter. was on Cass avenue
leiEhiAE With the road brigade. when !
aw Ben racing through with face white
Is HE snow he was riding on, Crossing
lVcf, called % him. asking II b. was
sick Eyes. J. am sick This trying 10
rot with hop skip-and- jump reminds
ne % John Morrill,
Later on ia the day his horse snbered
iogn, Ben resumed bis natural color and
ly might he had his sign up.
Benjamin s. Wright Was Is hole 1
.ouied. iovial. tree hearted man, always ]
.tsdy to divide his money with sny0ne il
distress.