Arizona republican., 1915-03-01
MESA
HUNDRED THOUSAND
 DOLLAR PINTO PONY
Four Cow Punchers Reach Mesa on
 Last Lap of Long Ride Through out United States

C. c. Beck, J. B. Ransom, George w. Beck and R. G. Payne rode into Mesa Saturday night tired and worn after having ridden continuously since May l, 1912, at the rate of ap proxmately IS miles per day and visited 45 state capitols, including the national capitol at Washington. However, of greater importance than the men themselves was that one little Pinto pony which has covered the entire distance under the saddle and who, if he reaches the Panama Pacific Exposition gates at San Francisco by June l of this year. will be worth his owners $l,000. The ami mai is in fair condition at this time and in the opinion of the men will be able to finish the trip. How ever, he is being given every care and consideration although he must daily run the risk of being declared out of the race and it is on the single horse alone that the success 5. | The idea of making such a jour ney was originated seven years ago in Montana, where the respective endurance qualities of horse is a matter of importance A fund of twenty thousand dollars was sub scribed by taxing each stockman $50. Considerable interest was manifested in making the selections of the horses for it was known that much depended upon the animals that were to stand the brunt of the trip. The journey, commencing at Olympia | Wash, was south to Idaho thence north into North Dakota, thence South Dakota and on south into Florida thence northward along the Atlantic sea board to Augusta, Maine
 south again to West Virginia, then north to Michigan then south to Luisiana and Texas, north again to Iowa, south to Oklahoma City and U then north again to Cheyenne and then south again to Texas and on to this place and Phoenix. From Arizona the trip will be north to Salt Lake City then to Carson City and then to Sacramento. There re- mains about 1900 miles of the jour !, ney to be completed. Nine horses have been used thus far in making the trip, the Pinto being the sonly one that has been able to stand the strain of changes in climate and water. However, he was attacked by !, acclimatic fever in Augusta, Maine. } and it was thought for a while that the success of the trip was doomed but within a short time he was again able to take the road and has since been in fair condition barring a few minor accidents. However, if he can be ridden into the exposition grounds alive his future will be as- sured and the rest of his days will already been perfected to keep him on exhibition throughout the fair and he will then be taken to Wash ington, where he will become an at traction in the national park. Out of the four horses starting, two of them were unable to go any farther than Montana, while another reached Illinois. A blind horse was secured in Illinois which was ridden as far as Miami in this state. when it was unable to proceed farther The rid CTS were here presented with another fresh animal. At this place another exchange was made. Dan Kleinman traded a mountain horse for one of the animals which has been ridden from Illinois. and which has covered more than ten thousand miles of the journey.
 The men also have been subjected to innumerable hardships. However, they are typical cowpunchers and were accustomed to the open range before commencing their long jour ney. At the outset they made their way by giving bucking bronco ex- hibits and rope throwing. but this , soon proved too hard on their horses and it was given up. They then sought to take subscriptions for a magazine which was publishing an account of the trip in detail but, as one of the men explained it i've found out that we were not maga- zine solicitors and never would be l and so gave it up" They finally resOrted to the movies where they give an account of their trip and sell post cards. The men are quiet unas- suming fellows and give one the inn pressiOn that they are genuine cow punchers and not the curhstone var iety usually playing to the movies , under the guise of the real thing. They have visited forty-five capitols of states and have had their pictures taken standing in front of the cap- Dalpe were house guests for the