The San Francisco call., 1910-07-24
stand unique

he racing rivalry between the north the Soutn
35 years ago sufficiently friendly, but it
theless had attained intensity that time which
probably was never equaled before after. The
result that when, after year of pickering and
debate, the great and memorable race between Long
fellow and Harry Bassett took place for the Mon
mouth cup in Long Branch July 2, 1872, it aroused
as much excitement as is manifested in
test for the Americas cup.
Il a custom of that day apply this spirit of
friendly sectional rivalry to all events of Importance
and especially horse races, whenever possible, but
this particular struggle took added importance
from the fact that it was known from the Atlantic
the Pacific battle of giants, which should
decide the supremacy of two of the noblest of thor
oughbreds over a distance of two and half miles
Although bred within mile OF each other in Ken
tucky. the upbrnging of the animals had been
different fairly Justify the claim that Long
fellow was exclusively southern bred horse and
representative OF southern ideas in horse raising
Longfellow grew up in Kentucky l. was Kentucky
limestone that had built those big bones and Ken
tucky air that had built out that matchless chest
Harry Bassett, the other hand was brought at an
early age to the McDaniels stock farm in Paterson
" j., after being bought for $3l5 Considered as an
asset to his Harry Bassett doubtless the
more valuable Of the two animals. He had run twice
many races as his rival, and Longfeow out of his
six had lost two.
The supporters of the north, relying on Harry Bas-
sets past performances, willing with conf
dence that was maddening to the southerners to go
their last dollar the result and the southerners
with little but their loyal faith stand on rose as
to take the bets fast as the north could
offer them. That the odds were heavy on Harry
Bassett due less any lack of confidence in the
southern heart than the fact that money was plen
tifu in the north while still in the SOUTH where
the disastrous results of the civil war remained in
desperate evidence. Largely this account the Wis
from Divie doddS ondf
haps, demanded them.
There buzz of excitement when the date for
the great finally set, and as the eventful
day approached that faint buzz resolved itself into
the coming of a mighty multitude. Even New York
large it was, felt the difference They came from
the south and the west in thousands. The hotels
were crowded with what probably the most rep
resentative collection of and southern per-
sons of prominence that ever had gathered here for
occasion. Homebound steamers from Europe were
filled with continental sportsmen even, who had
caught the fever OF the great match. 1t was con-
of national scope, endowed with all the generous
rivalry and spirit of a college game.
The wagered, aggregating of thou
sands of startling proportions. Both Sides
driven by generous enthusiasm, bet reckIessy
long they had the wherewithal, and owing to
the fact that machine betting had at that time be-
come highly developed system, there much per-
sonal betting factor which reduced the rivalry to
that intensity which always accompanies the personal
touch in such matters. This personal betting which
IS less common at this date, equable sys-
TEN than the professional 1t often tolerated neither
the giving taking of odds; it gave for the
quintessence of the amateur sporting spirit and al
lowed the sport, sport, full play.
FLOCK TO THE RACE
g. On boats by stages, by private equipages, foot
from neighboring towns and farms, a multitude
focked to Long Branch such has probably never
been seen there since. The size of the crowd was
the more remarkable in view of the poorer transpor-
tation facilities of that time The whole round of
the track was hemmed in with crowded, sweating,
good natured humanity; and good natured they re-
maned in spite of its being recorded of the
hottest days of that In the grandstand, in
the clubhouse and along the quarter mile stretch
alone the crowd estimated by many as approach
ing 10000. not to mention those who able to
get less advantageous points of view.
The betting, which had begun with spirit months
before now assumed so brisk turn that the pool
sellers had their hands full: and the wagers grew
and more reckless the excitement of the last
moment drew near. Men wagered their last cent,
then stood with beating hearts, because they had
placed their all in jeopardy but because of the sheer
excitement of the occasion and that pure love of the
sport which had become the pervading spirit of the
multitude. 1t mob spirit in its most inspiring
FORM and II seemed to find elimination of ecstacy
at last when from of the stables on which all
eyes had been fixed for time an gated,
quiet animal covered to the in blankets, led
out toward the track His owner, the urfmar
Old John Harper, walked side, accompanied
by his nephew and trainer Little Tim, whose little
ness consisted in six foot stature and 200 pound
avoirdupois On the other side the little negro
Jockey, Sample, gravely walking among AN eager
eyed silent bunch of grooms and attendants who hat
wagered their all on Longfellow and then forgotten
it in their desire to see him win.
II D.
cheered. They couldn't help it AS for the south
rons they sent forth the sight of their favorite
yell of enraptured delight that seemed echo back
from the very sky. While they watched and cheered
the beautiful animal slowly stripped of his
.ering He looked about with an nquring whnny al