Year: 1879

New York Herald, Nashville Letter. ]


Many are the interesting scenes of
Jackson's life which his biographer,
Parton, has omitted and not brought to
light. When a boy saw him scare
and put to flight twenty thousand men.
The occasion was this: Greyhound, a
kentucky horse, had beaten Double
Head, Tennessee horse, and they
were afterward matched for $1,000 u
side, to be run on the Clover Bottom
Course. My uncle, Josephus H. Conn,
carried me on horseback behind him to
see the race. He set me ON the c.
dar fence to remain till he returned.
In those days not only counties, but
race course as great national amuse-
ment, and the same is still kept up in
France and England under the FOSTER
ing care of each government. There
must have been twenty thousand per-
sons present. I never witnessed such
fierce betting between the States.
Horses and negroes were put up. A
large pound was filled with horses and
negroes bet on the result of this race.
The time had now arrived for the COM
petitOrs to appear on the track. heard
some loud talking, and, looking down
the track, saw, for the first time, Gene
raj jackson riding slowly on a gray
horse, with long pistols held in each
hand. I think they were as long as
my arm, and had mouth that u
ground squirrel could enter. In his
wake followed my uncle Conn, Stoke
ley, Donelson, Patton Anderson and
several others as fierce as bulldogs. AS
General Jackson led the van and APP
preached the Judges stand he, was
rapidly talking and gesticulating. AS
he came by me he said that he had ir-
refragable proof that this was to be
jockey race, that Greyhound was seen
in the wheat field the night before,
which disqualified him for the race,
and that his rider was to receive $500
to throw it. of, and " by the eternal
God" he would shoot the first man
who brought his horse upon the track
that the peoples money should not be
stolen from them in this manner. He
talked incessantly, while tho spittle
rolled from his mouth and the fire from
his eyes. have seen bears and wolves
put at bay, but he was certainly the
most ferocious looking animal that
had ever seen. His appearance and
manner struck terror into the hearts Of
900 people. If they fc.t as I did,
every one expected to be slain. He an
nounced to the parties if they wanted
some lead in their hides to first bring
their horses on the track, 4" by the
cternal' he would kill the first man
that attempted to do so. There was no
response to this challenge, and, after
waiting some time and they failing to
appear. General Jackson said it was a
great mistake in the opinion of some,
that he acted hastily, without considera-
ton. He would give the scountlrels a fair
trial, and to that end he would consti-
tute a court to investigate this matter,
who would hear the proof and do JUS
tice to all parties. Thereupon he ap-
pointed a sheriff to keep order and five
judges to hear the case. Proclamation
was made that the court was open and
was ready to proceed to business, and
for the parties to appear and defend
themselves. No one appearing, Gene
raj Jackson introduced the witness,
proving the bribery of Grayhound's
rider, who was to receive $500 to throw
off the race, having received $3.50 in
advance, and that Greyhound had been
turned into the wheat field the night
before. He again called on the parties
to appear and contradict this proof and
vindicatc their innocence. They fail
ing to appear, General Jackson told the |
court that the proof was closed, and
for them to render their judgment in |
the premises, which, in few mo.
ments, was done in accordance with !
the facts proved. 1 was still on the
fence forming one line OF the large
pound containing the property bet on
the race. Each man was anxious to
get back his property. General Jack
son waved his hand and announced the
decision, and said: Now, gentle
men, 60 calmly and in order, and each
man take his own property" When
he word was given the people came
with rush. 1t was moro terrible than
IN army with banners. They came
oulging against the fence, and, in the
struggle to get over, they knocked it
lown for hundreds of yards. I was
and nearly tramplcd to
leath. Each man got his property,
md thus the fraudulent race was brok-
N up by an exhibition OF the most ex-
courage. He did that day
what it would have required 1000
,rmcd men to have effected. All this
was effected by tho presence and action
IF one man, and without the drawing
If one drop OF blood. a certain know
edge that in one event streams of blood
would have flowed to effect this great
md worthy object.