The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1914-01-14
From Jockey to Prominent AHor-
ney and Leader in Church Work

When Billie Grey who one yea
4, later made worlds running recort
\ that has nevers,seen eQualled dasAe'
under the wire Al winner in eastern
Nebraska and in the second race II
was ever entered-someth ething like
thirty years ago--hls rider was Bill
Chappell now prominent attorney
of Guthrie, prominent in republican
political circles, district president OF
the Baptist Young Peoples union, and
the only lawyer in Oklahoma, If not
in the entire west, who gives one
tenth OF all he makes to church work.
Chappell began riding running
horses ABOUT thirty five years ago
and kept it UP for several seasons,
becoming as we'll known in racing
circles as is Tod Sloan today. He
has ridden many a race on the old
Cote Brilliante track in st. Louis,
and Oh the tracks then prominent, in
Chicago, New Orleans. San Francisco
and louisville. +, 1t was during the
period that, horses Were run a mile
and repeat norder to win race, and
the Jockeys work was much harder
than at the present time. Chappell
says he was paid s. week salary,
all expenses and a per cent of the
winnings. For several seasons he
rode for Kitchens brothers of Michi-
gan, an English firm who owned a big
string of jumpers. The Kitchens i'm
ported record breaking racing stall
lion from England and crossed him
with Kentucky mares. thus producing
some Of the best racing stock ever
known on this side Of the Atlantic.
Chappell rode race horses because
he loved the sport. and when he quit
the race track for the political game,
he entered with the same spirit to
win. He was admitted to the bar in
1890 at Lincoln, Neb, and played
politics. for pastime, becoming
prominent as a republican leader,
member OF the state committee,
president OF the Young Mems Repub-
lican club of the state and a party
organizer generally. He was a resi-
dent Of William J. Bryan's ward n
Lincoln and frequently crossed swords
with the present secretary OF state,
and in state convention, some years
ago, he made the speech that nomi-
mated for attorney general, Morris
Brown, later to become United States
senator.
Now a Church Worker.
The same spirit that Chappel dis
played in the Jockeys saddle and in
POLITICAL party organization, spurring
his associates to victory, Chappell IS
now pltting forth in order to make
the Baptist church Of Guthrie and the
Guthrie district a winner. He joined
the church about two years ago and
began organization work
the church members, applying
the whip and spur whenever neces
sary, but more frequently an urgent,
encouraging word, and the results
that he has achieved have surprised
the lcngest-time church members in
the state A member of the Official
board Of the church, its main finan-
aia advisor and the allaround right
hand man in plans and efforts to win,
Chappell has within a short time be-
come a religious leader of state
prominence.
AS a jockey, Chappel never was
hurt although he had several narrow
escapes. He was coming down the
home stretch on the old Cote Bril-
liante tradk in St. Louis, when his
saddle turned, but he locked his arms
around his horses neck and thus pre-
vented a bad spill. His closest call,
he still remembers was ont in Chey
anne during the palmiest of the COW !