Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-17

instances that have taken place in the history
of the turf
Yet, with them all, it is doubtful If the race
horse ever lived that was more famed for such
characteristics than McFonso. The pet OF Lin
den was docility itself when around children,
Ma" Keys often leaving the great horse to
guard her grandchildren when necessity called
her away from home to attend to some business.
1t was as much because of his intense love
for McFonso, as chagrin over the taunts OF o
jeerer who kept panning him numerically for
being disqualified after having finished first In
a close race at Marlboro, that Moses Jackson,
a prominent coored jockey on Western tracks
in the late nineties, shot and killed his tor
mentor another Negro named Wedge, in the
Southern Maryland town. The tragedy occurred
before McFonso made his sensational win at
Benning "Enie" Keys had been meeting with
exceptional success racing his new purchase at
county fairs in Maryland and Virginia. and was
more than delighted to run across such clever
race rider as Jackson, who had drifted East
from Chicago after winning the much-coveted
Stockyard Stakes on Tea Tray. The little rider
was fiat broke at the time and was equally
pleased to land with the Linden horseman. and
he Straightway proceeded to fall desperately in
love with McFonSo.
Reports of Keys success with his consistent
racer soon spread throughout Maryland, and
it was not long before accounts of the wonder
horses achievements reached the ear of Phil
Roman, famous athlete and sportsman of Cum
in his stable Haslett and Consolation, two
jumpers he thought unbeatable by anything in
the State A. B. Suit, owner OF the crack
steeplechaser Lotion, was another native Mary
lander who figured his timber topper good as
any that ever cleared brush, so when the three
owners agreed to test the merits of their respec-
tive representatives in 1a-mile race through
the field at Marlboro, great was the crowd that
assembled for the running.
1T was proud day for "Mose" Jackson when
he flung his leg over the back of McFonso TO
steer him in race that meant so much to his
benefactor. And If ever boy was out to win,
it was this happy-go-lucky youngster. Nose"
demonstrated clearly the first time around that
he was capable of obeying orders. but, fearful
lest he might Succumb to temptation of trying
to make a runaway race of it, Keys cautioned
him twice from the infeld to lay in behind the
pacemakers until the stretch turn was reached.
Don't va fret about me- Mistah Enie," sang
out the jockey as he went over the Liverpool,
his pearly teeth glistening in the rays of the
afternoon sun. I'm booked to give party to-
morrow night and, buh-lieve me, Use Como
give It'll"
Poor little Moses never gave his party BY
an unfortunate miXup at of the jumps,
which the judges laid at the door of McFonsos
rider, interference was claimed by the owner Of
Consolation. The claim was allowed and Nc
Fonso, Notwithstanding the fact that he had
breezed home in front, was promptly disqual-
flied and the race given to the Roman entry.
Considerable feeling displayed by Nc
Fonso enthusiasts over the decision, but the
judges remained obdurate; their ruling prevailed
and Moses Jackson was nearly heartbroken.
Not only did he lose the race, but from the
moment his number was taken down, the man
Wedge proceeded to taunt him for the "miSer-
able mess he had made of the whole affair.
This last was the straw that broke the camel's
back with the disconsolate jockey. To have
certain victory snatched from his grasp when
apparently all was over but the shouting. was
enough, but to be taken to task by lone of his
own" for something he felt absolutely blameless,
was too much for his temperamental nature.
Twice during the afternoon he begged his tor
mentor to deSist
Wedge failed to heed the boys warning and
later in the evening when he resumed his
harangue, Moses, unable to contain himself
longer, whipped out a gun that belonged to his