Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-12-06
FIRST REALLY GOOD HORSE EVER
BRED IN COUNTY DIES NEAR
LlscoMR
WAS ONE OF LATE G. w.
FERGUSoN's BREEDING
Jim Blaine Lived Practically Full
Quota of Horse Years, Being % at
Time of Death-sire of Large String
of Good coIts-Fersuson Refused
$4,000 For Animal as e.Year- Old.

Old Jim Blaine is dead To every
horseman u Marshall county, and many
thruout not only Iowa but the entire
country. the news viii be learned with
regret. Jim Blaine was not only the
first really good horse bred in this
county, but one of the best ones that
was ever produced in Marshall. The
horse died Dec. / at the home of his
owner, c. c. Church, ewo and one-halt
miles southeast of Lisconb, at the age
of IS years
There is not a horseman in the coun-
ty of twenty years standing who does
not remember jim Blaine. The horse
was bred and raised by the late G. W.
Ferguson, on the Ferguson farm. just
east Of town. Jim Blaine was sired by
Hindsale Chief 1888. by Edwin Forrest
49. The horses dam was KATE. bv
Greens Bashaw.
Ferguson Refused $4,000 For Him.
Jim Blaine's best mark was 2:24,
which was not bad in his day AS a
6-year-old Mr.. Ferguson exhibited the
animal at the Ioda State Fair together
with four Of his colts, and secured the
first premium IN the roadster stallion
class. He also took the sweep takes in
the same class. Ilnanedia teIy after his
state fair winning Mr.. Ferguson was
offered $4,000 for the horse, which he
refused. For many years Jim Blaine
was in the stud on the Ferguson farm.
and became he sire Of many fine colts
A -.
frankie c., with a mark of 2241s as
a youngster, and Albert E, who was
marked 2:25 as a colt.
Jim" Boyd, of Lscomb, Bought Him.
After the death of Mr.. Ferguson. ana
when the estate was settled. James
Boyd. of Lisconb, bought Jim Blaine.
This was in 1893 Mr. Boyd kept the
animal in the stud az Liscornb for some
time, and few wears ago sold the
horse 10 Mr.. Church. Jim Blaine was q
handsome animal, 80 deep a dark brown
in color that he was always called a
black. He possessed rernarka bic
disposition Tor a stallion, and could b.
driven with safety and ease by women.
WouIdn't Stand Calf.
But with all his kindness Jim Blaine
objected 70 being rnistreated Old
horsenlen will remenaber a race az the
Mahaska county fair, at Oskaloosa.
when jim Blaine was a 6-year-old He
had gene a fast heat in a race that
was marked ZIG, and was crowding
The winner on another heat. His driver
used the whip more than jim thought
lie should. jim refused 10 stand Tor #
began 70 kick, and cleaned out driver
and suiky in no time After thai for
years It was not safe FOR Jim Blaine 70
be driven in race. 50 well did he re-
member his III treatment. At the same
time Mrs Ferguson could hitch 10 jim
Blaine any time. and driva him into
this city, and he would prove as gentle
as kitten, no matter what happened
Easy Life in Last Years.
A good many horserlea who have
doubtless lost track Of Jim Blaine win
have supposed that the old horse was
dead long ago The horse has been
lost sight OF excepting ~ members Of
the Ferguson family and more recent
owners When the horse was sold Il
was with the distinct understanding
that ne should be treated well. and
in this respect Mr.. Could kept his
word. He exacted the same promise
when he sold the horse 70 Mr. Church.
and no horse ever had an easier time
in his DID age. In his last sickness,
which vas OF brief duration. chloro-
form was administered 70 put the old
animal gu. Of his suffering
Another fine horse Of the Ferguson
stables was Canonieus. chestnut as
a colt, and a roam in later years. This
horse was better known here as Old
Il