The Washington herald., 1912-01-14
BY L. d. SALE.

BY LIE ID SAbEs
Those only who knew Pennsylvania
avenue twenty or twenty-five years ago
are able TO appreciate the change that
has come over that magnificent and
historic thoroughfare during the sleigh
ing season.
The first fall of snow was due to bring
out the light harness brigade by scores,
and the Avenue was made merry with
the jingling Of bells every afternoon
and evening, while thousands Of specta-
tors lined the street in all kinds OF
clustering weather to witness the run
The speeding ground was the south SIDE
Of the Avenue, and extended from the
Treasury Building to the foot OF the
Capitol. Where there IS one horse here
now that can step some, there were
fifty twenty or twenty-five years ago.
which illustrates the decadence OF winter
sport among the present-day horsemen
OF the National Capital The average
rate Of speed was not so fast in the
days of which We speak, but there was
Just as much enjoyment on the part of
horse owners. and every participant In
the sport did his level best to beat his
neighbor.
The "sealslzin brigade" as It was called,
included some quite noted men Con-
cplCuOu6 A0e LEdy DC ScCu INC
late Gen. E. F. Beale, OF Mexican war
fame, and the foremost breeder Of light
harness horses In this section; Gen. Mel
son A. Miles, the late Senator Leland
Stanford. the most eminent breeder OF
light harness horses on the Pacific Slope;
the late Senator Stockbridge, Of Michigan,
also 9 large breeder Of fast horses. Sena-
tor Stewart, OF Nevada; Representative
joe Sibley, of Pennsylvania, and other
fO he n
large Among the local specimen not
so well known outside Of the District
were the late John H. Gheen, John
Draney. Washington Naylor, who was
generally in the forefront Of battle; John
r Kelly, and that picturesque horsemans
William Denny, who, being without hands
TO drive, piloted his horse with the
reins cast over his shoulders and did
not hesitate TO risk his bones in the
thick OF the melee Many others there
were not so conspicuous, who might be
seen on the Avenue in those days when
the sleighing season was on Most Of
the sealsktn brigade long since passed
to that bourne from which no traveller
returns.
At the hour we write these lines. Penn
syIvania avenue can present as fine sport
as the most fastidious lover OF sleighing
at speed would care 70 see; but II is
practically deserted. An occasional sleigh
OF ancient vintage may be seen wend-
ing its way along the street at mod
crate pace, and It is highly probable
that II a man were to speed his horse
beyond the legal limit, some guardian OF
the peace would bring him to sudden
halt and carry him on to the nearest
police station. But this is not the worst
feature OF II all Horse owners Of to-day
seem fonder OF warm seat by the fire
gal
cessors. There is hardly an owner OF
a fast horse in Washington who has
not got it ihterned in winter quarters
somewhere, waiting impatiently for the
first warm breath Of spring. Times have
changed and men have changed with
them. The days Of old, when the Ave
nue. in winter was a scene OF festivttyY
have become q reminiscence. We have
set our faces toward a new order of
things.
Twenty, and even as far back as TWEEN
ty-five years ago, there were upward of
thirty prominent breeders in both Houses
of Congress. So far as we are aware
the number is now three-Senator Jo-
seph W. Bailey, OF Texas; Representative
Clayton, Of Alabama, and Representative
/ r. Sherwood, of the Toledo COhio)
district Senator Bailey never has been
in the habit. since he began breeding
trotters, OF bringing any of his horses
to Washington. The same may be said
OF Mr.. Clayton. Gen. Sherwood is the
only one OF the trio who indulges in road
driving. As the flag is about TO rise over
the south wing OF the Capitol, the Toledo
statesman may be seen, with his wife
by his side on the Avenue, behind
span Of fast horses on his way to take
bis seat in the House.
The span is the fastest pole team in this
city, and is comprised OF Robert Herman,
2:os IA. a trotter, and Prince D.. 200 IA,
a PAGER. The last named Is a recent pur-
chase, and was bought by the general for
the special pole mate Of Herman The
span Is so well hammered, that when Gen.
Sherwood steps out Of his high-wheel
wagon at the House side, Mrs. Sher-
wood pilots them home with perfect
safety. Some of our local horse owners
who own speed might furnish some ex-
citing sport II they would call in some
of their horses and tackle the general
while the sleighing is good.
Senator Joseph w Bailey is such a
busy man that he finds little time TO IN
dulge in any amusement. even where his
health Is involved. His main breeding
plant Is located at Lexington. Ky. Here
he repairs every few weeks and looks
over his horses, and this. in fact. Is his
main recreation. When Congress ad-
iourns, the Senator spends much Of his
leisure hourse at his stock farm. He
keeps only a few horses at his Texas
ranch, which IL located near Gainesville
Very recently Senator Bailey sent an
even dozen of highly bred young trotters
to the Memphis track TO be developed
Each year he has one or more youngsters
in the futurities, and his system Is that,
whether he intends to race or not, he
considers II good business policy TO enter
the product OF his farm in the futurities,
as that course makes them more valu-
able 10 intending purchasers II breed
ers in this vicinity were q trihe more
progressive the same system would be
in force here. We have plenty Of well-bred
youngsters, and more on the way, and
there Is no good reason why the futuri-
ties should not be more literally patron
lied at this point than Is now the Gus
tom
Andrew GIeeson would be barred in this
futurity with his promising foal by Palm
Cosine. but the coming foal by Kushan.
out of his mare Nan Patterson, would be
eligible. n. J. Mccarthy Is expecting a
efoai by Alto Bell out OF Virginia Lass
that would also be eligible, while the
fHy he has by Alto Dewey, out OF the
same mare, was foaled in the wrong year
to take advantage Of the rich offering. T
F. Tippatt should not neglect the op-
portunity either. The expected foaI by
Won March, out OF Kumara, by Kushan,
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