The New York herald., 1921-08-14
Picturesque Turf Sport in
Which Trickery and Decep-
tion Were Trump Cards.
PETE wHETsToNE's STORY
Arkansas Boys a Bunged Up
Lot After Contest Between
Apple Sass and Worm Eater.
BY GURNEY &. CUE.

visited the United States and wrote his
impressions of American racing almost
three-quarters of a century ago, he re-
contempt on contests at any distance
less than a mile and expressed it by
alluding to the performers as short
horses" In those days a thoroughbred
had to run four-mile heats to achieve
real distinction, as he had to run mile
heats to attain respectability. The ma
bobs of the turf priced bottom above
speed, and would not permit mere
aprinter to run in their colors. There
was another class. however, who
specialized in short horses and who ran
them In match races, usually single
dash of a quarter of mile, straight
away, on paths instead of tracks, gov
erned by a code Of unwritten rules one
OF which was win, draw or fight"
There Is some reason to believe that
in Colonial days these quarter horses
and quarter races at times enSaged the
attention of men OF fortune in certain
parts of the South and West. but from
time out of mind quarter racing has
been universally looked upon as the en-
bodiment of all that is deceptive and
tricky. Travelling vagabonds and out
laws followed 1t as a pursuit. and their
doings did much to form the public
opinion which in many communities
condemns all horse racing
Families of Quarter Horses.
In the first half of the Nineteenth
century some Of the successful quarter
horses achieved much more than local
fame and while they lived their names
were almost as well known as those Of
Boston. Fashion and American Eclipse
throughout the regions where they were
running and winning. There were
recognized families OF quarter horses,
like the Printers and the Januses, from
which sprang so many winners that
scions of these tribes were carried to
the four corners OF the continent by
crossroads turfmen to propagate the
breed Though possessing much thor
oughbred blood, comparatively few of the
famous quarter horses could qualify for
registration in Patrick Nisbett Edgar's $
pioneer American stud book. The
typical quarter horse was not much
above fifteen hands high but he was as
1.-THE as panther and was muscled like
a bear over the back and quarters. If
he happened to be sorry looking
specimen. without prepossessing point
about him, so much the better and SO
much greater his value In proportion to
his speed, since his appearance would
help his owner in making favorable
races for him.
The stratagems resorted TO In match
Ing quarter horses were characteristic of
the men who owned them. Negotiations
were thus decribed by Mr.. Snooks" In
his humorous report Of quarter race
in Kentucky. written for the Spirit OF
the Times of July 9, 1886.
Both Horses Were Ringers.
"A rough hewn fellow, who either was
or pretended to be drunk, was banter
Ing TO run his mare against any horse
that had ploughed as much this season.
Another chap sdled up to him and Of
fered 10 plough against him for much
liquor as the company could drink--his
horse had never run, as he did not fol-
low It. Sorrel mare got mad and Of
fered to beat him in cart, wagon or
plough. or could beat him running 100
miles for $500. Bay still disclaimed
racing. but would run a quarter for 800
10 anluse the company. Sorrel took him
mp. provided Bay carried his present
rider. Bay agreed. provided he couldn't
get a lighter rider. It was closed AT
that. Bay inquired IL Sorrel could e'rnd
snother $50. Agreed by Sorrel. who OBJ
serving Bay shell out a 500 notc. said
there was no use In making change as
his note was the same amount: they
might as we'll go the whole s100
''I pushed Off to consult my friend
Crump. the most knowing man about
short horses I ever knew. I mot him
with the man who made the race on Bay
coming to get peep at Sorrel As soon
as he laid eyes on her he exclaimed.
Our cakes all dough That's old Grape
viner TomplSins now came around. and
seeing the Bay said, Popcorn. by God =
both horses were ringers.
"Ask and Answer" start.
Now the Judges were selected. A
good judge does not mean exactly the
same here as on the bench. In means one
who is obstinate In going for his own
friends. The riders next attracted my
attention. 1t Is customary, / believe. to
call such a feather and they seemed to
me about the size Of big Christmas gob-
lers without their feathers.
'T then found that Crump, who was
10 run Popcorn, had won the word
that is. he was to ask. Are you ready?'
and IL answered yes II was to be n GO"
One of the classics of quarter horse
literature found In the early volumes
OF the Spirit OF the Times is the story
OF race In Arkansas in 1897 written
by c. T. NJ Noland. member of Con-
gress from that State. whose pen name,
Pete MILESTONE, made him noted in Eng
land as well as in the United States.
Here II Just about tho way II was
he said, Dan Looney bet fellor two
chunks Of second rate c0ws and calves
that The Worm Eater could beat Bin
stones pony Apple Sas one quarter of n
mile with put up and put UP on both.
Giles scroggins's Successor.
'"well. Jim Cole Bill Spence and me
went over to Stuffing Creek the day OF
the race. Going along says I. Boys,
they Will be he'll here to-day Bill spence
asked me what made mo think so.
Why says T. Ruby Honey is going 10
turn Apple Sasl Is he?' says Jim.
Well. Just let me turn The Worm Eater
and III show him sights. for since Giles
scroggins died can outrun any man on
the face of the earth
when we got TO the maths there wa !
heap Of people gathered, so clips IN
the crowd and shook hands with fret
this one and then that one We'll, Col.
Whctstone. how do you think the race Is
gwine? said one fellow I knew he was
on Apple Sas, so says I, Apple Sas is
the horse for my money Good as hcil.
says no. and lay my pile on him
"Up comes Dan Looney. Dan and me
amt been mighty friendly since I had
fho hfC oh With him ec 90 l..