Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1940-08-23
Y EDWARD b. REYNOLDS

By EDWARD Il. REYNOLDS
Since the first Crow Indian
retched flat along the back of
8 horse, dug his heels into its
bs, and laid on heavily with a
hShide quirt to escape a band Of
branding Blackfeet, horse racing
ps been a prime sport in Mon
ma. II developed from the hap
bard match races of frontier
sys to an era in the 1905 when
kOutana boosted some of the fin
stables and tracks in the
[nited States.
ne OF the most interesting of the
teeT races took place in Deer Lodge
Nov l6, 1870. This race is said TO
the record as the longest match
ever held in the United States.
ame about in this manner.
aliton G. Talbot owned a horse
led Lizard, while C. c. Thornton
bed another named Billy Boy.
lse two horses had gained reputa-
5 for endurance that made them
En throughout the west. There
[srs who thought Billy Boy was the
81 piece of horse flesh ever foalei.
Lsnrver men of the two different
bps met there was bound to be an
rIment.
wasn't long before the argument
rhed a stage of white heat in Deer
ige and men were waving p0keS OF
In dust under each other noses
3 owners OF the two horses were APP
3ached and a race arranged. The
. lla.lOn oval race track near Deer
5tge was chosen for the scene OF
! match and the rules were styled
pas you-pleaSe."
/ ne only stops allowed the horses
re for the purpose Of changing
tfrS and riders could be changed a.
isn as was wished. w. w. Dixon of
|tte Thomas L. Napton and Judge
Ian Knowles were chosen as judges
the race. A purse Of $1,000 was put
for the winner.
When the day OF the race arrived.
|eIest was at such height in Deer
|ige that even the Chinese laundry
b we're placing bets 1t is estimated
i; more than $4,000 changed hands.
b race was a honey First Lizard
then Billy Boy. Throughout the
h grind they changed places. Some
hes one horse would get far in the
ki while the riders Of the other
tled in making their change so as
give their animal a breather. Then
spurt would place the trailer up
tlt. Finally, at the end of the long
nd. with both horses nearing ex-
lStlOn. Lizard stepped out in front
Z won by several laps. Then Deer
ltge went on a hinge
Lizard Joins Celebration
Nom saloon to saloon the happy
liners made their rounds drinking
the health of Lizard while the
EerS drowned their sorrows in similar
MD refreshment-and they didn't
rget Lizard. Wherever the happy and
ard went they also brought the
-Se Lizard shouldered his way up
the bars in the Deer Lodge saloons
h the best of them. Anything Lizard
nd eat or drink was his.
IL last as the party reached its
ial stages, the excitement intlamed
whisky brought on several argu-
MT. In one saloon an argument
!chCd the point where gun play was
But again Lizard saved the
J. When the belligerentS reached for
:r guns byStanders started yelling.
ont shoot this way! Lizards over
re Even in the heat of anger and
fog of whisky the name Lizard
y held its charm and the guns were
away with no casualties.
mother famous distance race that
X place in more recent times was
ged in Billings on July 4, 1911. This
e covered a total distance of PIG
les. but took two days to run it and
a cross country affair while the
er Lodge race was staged on regu-
lon oval track
Billings to Lavina-and Back!
he 1911 Billings race started at the
!ings city hall and went to Lavina
back twice One lap was run on
h of two days. Nine horses entered
marathon. but only five were able
finish. Mac Crandall, Billings horse
.ner, brought Muggins home in the
q to win the race Muggins was
Sc owned by John Conway.
he 1905. however, were the bright
S OF racing in the Treasure state.
s was the era Of fine horses and
d tracks. Copper kings, cattle bar
and merchant princes all tried to
a winning horse and some really
ones were developed. OF all the
Sc owners. Marcus DAILY. founder OF
Anaconda Copper Mining Co. and
E, Larabie. Deer Lodge capitalist
banker: owned the finest. Their
o!es would compare with the best
the United States today.
lutte entered the limelight of big
e racing in 1890 when Bob Wade
two furlongs in 2li seconds to set
'orld's record that still stands. Bob