The Washington herald., 1914-09-06
Pop Geers Says He's
Good for Ten Years
Famous Old Man of Grand Circuit Racing Declares
That He Is Getting More Experience
As the Years Roll On.

, year in and year out. plugging away and
capturing his share OF the stakes. Verify,
he is another brook that runs on forever.
This son OF the Southland is one of
the most popular heroes in the sporting
world. Among the followers of the
sport OF the kings he Is hailed as a
wonder worker, as a miracle man, as
the champion of champions in his line.
An instance Of the esteem in which he
Is held by his fellow-men was furnished
on August u, during the Kalamazoo meet
OF the Grand Circuit. when he was
presented with a silver cup by his ad-
mtrers. He was visibly affected by this
token Of their appreciation and plainly
showed his embarrassment. That day he
won two Of the four events
Geers is an institution. Without him
the Grand Circuit meets each year would
lack large share Of their attraction
To say merely that he would be missed
would be TO put it lightly. Without a
doubt ne Is the most pointed out Of all
performers wherever he participates.
Geers was born in Lebanon, Tenn, jan
uary ., 1851. He drove his first race
at fair in Mobile in 1873. Yearly since
he has made pilgrimages out of the South
with his fine stables and literally set
the racing world on fire with his deeds.
He Is going as well now as ever
While naturally Of a silent disposition
Pop can sometimes be drawn into
relating the Interesting story Of his first
race. II is aU old one in the sporting
realm, but IL never fails to please. II Is
about as follows:
big racing meet was to be the fea-
ture of the State fair in Mobile in the
summer Of 1873. Geers had been dab
Dhhg IN horses FOR a while, and de-
cided to enter the fair races He
brought with him several fine horses
the best one being a black trotter, Scot
tish Chief. Scottish Chief had a repu-
taton as a speedy horse, and so was
made the favorite in the 2:4O trot. the
main event of the day.
Very Near Disaster.
However. though Geers got his geld
ing away to a lead in all three heats,
Scottish Chief led behind in each attempt
after rounding the third quarter and
trailed the other entries down the stretch.
After the first heat the judges warned
Geers, thinking he was pulling" Geers
said nothing, but tried his best. Again
in the second heat he lost after lead
ing to the third quarter.
The judges cautioned the young driver
again, threatening to suspend him II he
fell away again down the stretch. How
ever, in the final heat. as in the previous
two, Scottish Chief again led to the
last turn and then Jagged behind. Then
the judges demanded an explanation.
Geers told them the horse was a high
strung animal and that 1t seemed he
would not-run in company with other
horses. He begged them to suspend their
Judgment until the following day, when
he tpromised to drive Scottish Chief an
exhibition mile in five seconds faster
than the best time made in the race. This
request was granted and Geers made
good even beyond his own expectations,
sending the gelding around the track
in eight seconds less than the time OF
the race
Following this performance. an. orti-
nary trotter was paired on with Scot
tish Chief As in the big race, the Geers
horse led three-quarters of the way and
then slowed up. allowing his opponent to
win easily. The judges appreciated Geers'
position and exonerated him Of all blame
FOR the showing Of his entry. Had Geers
been suspended In his fTst race II Il