Iditarod pioneer., 1915-08-21
niIton Watches D. G. SALE

NOS0LA NAANOO, NLAOAAN Ns ing the ancient runner. In fact, prior to the race there was plenty of money seeking investment on Ignatius, with no takers. Had the race taken place on the Outside it would have been said that it was bad day for "the talent"
 The Winner
 The winner in Mondays race is an ami nal which was brought in over the trail year or more ago by William Waechter, the cattle man, when he brought herd of cat tie here from the Outside.
 Mir. Meacham is said to be very proud of his racer, and has great confidence in his speed. There is some talk of matching him with a speedy animal owned by Bob LoWrle, and it is possible that this may provide diversion for the lovers of the Sport of kings" in the near future splendid track was provided for the recent race, requiring heavy work, and this, it is be leved will be kept in condition by the horsemen of Flat City for future events.
 A Famous Horse
 Ignatius, the vanqushed horse in Mon days race, has had most eventful career He was brought to Dawson in early days as stage horse on the run between White horse and Dawson Shortly after his ad- vent in that great mining camp the tip was given that Ignatius had somewhat of record as a runner on the Outside, and he was acquired by a sportivel ly-lncllned miner at stiff figure and placed ill training. He was entered in many match races, in all of IL ho Jcfao+Inu all tho best horses in that region and 1t Is said that at least three fast horses were imported from the Outside especially to beat hlm, However. he held his own against all com CTS, and when, as in the case of the ancient warrior there were no more worlds for him to conquer, he was taken to Fairbanks which was then in the heyday of its pros perity. He remained undefeated through many grllling contests and added to his laurelS
 A Stirring Incident
 An incident in his career at Fairbanks once seriously threatened the peace of the community His then owner the had been the property of many men in the changing life of the mining camps had entered him in 9 match race with much inferior ami maI. As considerable money was in evl- dence to back the opponent of lgnatlus, Sus- picion was aroused The race was to be run in heats, and 1t was so apparent after the first heat, which Ignatius lost, that he had been held back, that the judges de cided to substitute jockey of thelr own choice for the rider under suspicion. Ihls was done, and the result was that lgnatlus won the two succeeding heats with ease. Ii is said that the owner of Ignatius, who had endeavored to put one over' on the talent, was financially crippled by the unexpected turn of events, as he had wagered several thousands of dollars against his own entry.
 Fall of the Mighty
 When horse racing declined in Fairbanks Ignatius fell from his proud estate as cham pion runner of the North, and was sold to a woodch0pper who used him in the menlal task of hauling wood for the Fairbanks mar ket. Horse feed was scarce and costly, and in time, when Ignatius had ceased to be profitable to his owner, he was turned out on the tundra to root or die an eXperl- ence from which the famous old animal was rescued through the nd-heartedheSs of a resident of the district, who provided him with quarters and fed and tended him until he was brought to {; semblance of bis for mer condition, and when the lditarod strike was made he was among the early ship ments to this camp. Here he has been Tn the possession of numerous owners, most of whom appear to have had little pity on his age and intirmlties, and he has been used at the various tasks connected with hauling wood and supplies to the various workings of the district, and last and saddest of all his humiliation was complete when he was made to do service with the scavenger wagon of Flat City Men who formerly had won money on his track performances again came to his rescue, and when the Meachanl horse began to show signs of speed lgnatluS was put into training again, and his strength built uD until he almost looked the part of the track hero again.
 Wonderful Vitality of Game oid Horse
 Through the many vicissitudes of his ca reer. the game old animal had retained his racing instincts, and with proper treatment and sufficient food he was soon able to make good showing with younger animals. On July last a match race was run be- tween Ignatius and Meacham's blue pony, resulting in an easy victory for the blue. Not satisfied with the termination Of this contest, Ignatius was again matched for a considerable sum of money But age was against him, and it was not possible for the old sorrel to win, and this event marks prob ably his last appearance on the turf.
 gnatus Himself Had Much at Stake
 It had been stated that if the gallant old racer had won last Mondays contest his packers and admirers had determined to ''pension him otf''-in other words, they ex- pected to win money sufficient to warrant them in taking Ignatius Outside, where he would have had the run of a good pasture for the rest of his days As it is, the fate of Ignatius is likely to be that of so many noble equines which have outlived their use fulness in the rigorous climate of the North country. Likely enough he will serve as food for the ravenous malamutes which pro- vide transportation facilities in the long winter months of this Northern land-a rather ignominious end for a noble animal.
 It is related by spectators of the race that on Monday morning, during his try outs, Ignatius stepped out like veritable two -year-old and so greatly impressed was his jockey with his performance that he bet his last dollar on his mount. The con-