The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-07-12
Thrill Of Driving Again
Proves Too Great for
Old Time Trainer.
DEATH DUE TO STROKE
F. w. Smith CoIlapses After
Working Out Captain K.
at Harmon Paddock.

Excitement caused by again holding
the reins on a race horse, resulted
yesterday in the death of F. w. Smith.
aged so, of 5l8 Strong street. The
direct cause Of death was stroke OF
apoplexy, Coroner Truman T. Parker
found. The body was removed to Lake
Geneva later in the day by the family
who were notified Immediately.
Death came less than three minutes
after Smith had come off the track at
the Harmon brothers stock farm on
West Prairie avenue, two miles from
Kenosha. where he had made two fast
turns around with Captain K. The
horse had just been handed to an at
tendant to be walked cool. Smith was
standing near the post telling of his
pleasure at again experiencing the old
thrill of making the turns when sud
denly he reached for support.
"My God, boys" he said and sank to
the ground. John Harmon, thinking he
had tainted, rushed for water with
which to revive him. Meanwhil9 his
son, Frank, had summoned DR.. K. O.
| Grigsby.
Coroner is Summoned.
When Smith failed to respond to the
first aid treatment, his pulse was tested
and found to be very faint. Within
five minutes he was dead and the cor
oner was called. An examination was
Immediately made by the physician and
the coroner and the cause of death was
found to be apoplexy due to hardening
Of the arteries.
A former trainer Of race horses him
self, Smith had paid several visits to
the track where on number of occa-
sions he held the stop watches on the
different horses while they turned the
half-mile circuit. On each occasion he
had commented on the action and lines
of Captain K. He was greatly i'm
pressed with the horse.
Requests Permission TO Drive.
Yesterday morning Smith drove his
machine out to the track to- watch the
horses exercised. AS Captain K. was
brought out of the paddock and the
blanket pulled off, Smith approached
and ran his hand over the smooth
corded legs. He turned to Walter Han
non, who was standing near.
ct has been a good many years
since l felt the wind whipping my face
and the tug on the reins, but I think
| could still negotiate the turns" he
said. II wonder if there would be any
objection to my working him out?"
go ahead, absolutely" Harmon re
piled. Then Smith climbed on the
sulky and turned into the track. He
came around once, raised his whip in
greeting as he passed the post, and
quickene6 the speed of the horse. On
the second lap he pulled up and leaped
nimbly from the gig, while one of the
attendants took the animal.
Enjoyed Thrill, He Said
81 enjoyed that more than anything
I have experienced in the past ten
years." he said with smile ct is
great to feel the old thrill w1en you
go into the turns" For a moment
more he chatted pleasantly with those
near, and then collapsed.
The excitement of the ride, DR..
Grigsby said, proved too great strain,
Smith, who was employed by the
Frost Manufacturing coNpany, has
been a resident of Kenoshasfor several
years. He moved here from Milton
junction, Wis. His wife and son
arrived later in the day and the body
was released to them by the coroner.
Arrangements for the funeral will be
made later.