Year: 1870

New York Correspondence of the Boston Journal.


l saw Bonner on the road the other day
It is enc Of the sights of New York. It is
interesting to watch the sensation he prs
duces, though he appears every day. He
comes late on the road, but his coming is
watched for with the greatest eagerness
by all classes He is very systematic, and
can usually be seen turning into the gate
from Eighth avenue about o'clock. His
pleasure never interferes with business; his
days work is squarely done before he leaves
for his stables. He has rig which he puts
on when he prepares for the road. Dex-
ter is the favOrite with the public, and
they are usually gratified, especially on a
pleasant afternoon. Other horses have had
their brushand have been led of foaming to
the shed. The piazzas of all the hotels
that line the road are crowded with horse
men, and the windows with lady friends.-
Spectators with their teams draw up on the
side Of the road TO await the great event of
the day. During the meeting of the two
conferences of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in New York last week, it was estl-
mateeE-that twO-thirds of the cleroymen
went out on Harlem to get sight of Dex-
ter ard his famous owner. Bonner makes
his appearance at a slow pace, apparently
Indifferent to the impression produced :
He watches 10 see that the coast is clear.
By common consent, when Bonner appears
the road is cleared. A Dacotah Indian
might take lessons of Bonner in his wells.
As Dexter starts on his course, his driver
can be heard half mile of. The excited
throng shout, That's Bonner and all
come to their feet The team rushes by
with the heetness of the wind, and is out of
sight in an instant Thereare some things
that cannot be described panic in Wall
street, the inside of st. Peters, the
harmony of an Italian Orgsnist, the color
ing of the great masters in the Pitt Palace,
the trotting of Dexter. He moves as no other
horse moves; he is the poetry of motion.
He does not sprawl, throw his feet cut, or
ding them around, but seems TO slide out
of himself, giving the idea that any amount
of speed can be obtained. He is never ex-
hausted, there is no exertion. there is re
serve of speed that is peculiar. Go as fast
as be will, his hoofs can be as distinctly
seen as when he is on slow trok Horse
men say that his speed has never been
Known, and without controversy the palm
is awarded to him on all hands


A very exciting scene took place the 9TH
er day. A gray horse appeared ON the road
"a stranger to every one. The speed of
the animal was marvellous. Where the
horse came from or to whom he belonged
nobody seemed to know The driver
watched for Bonner. After sharp contest
he actually distanced Dexter. The thrill of
excitement was indescribable. Bonner
turned his horse into the shed and had him
b'anketed. Wall street was scarcely ever
more excited than Was the road that after
noon. In short time Dexter reappeared,
and here his pale antagonist was ready for
the contest Bonner put up the top
of his wagon, which, as horsemen know,
makes a great difference in speed. The
white horse came tearing along at mar
vellous gait. Bonner sprang to his feet
and gave screech that might have been
heard in Westehester county Dexter
heard and undelst )Od the signal, buckled
to his work, and left the white horse 80 far
behind that he was not to be mentioned the
same afternoon. Thunders of applause at
tended Bonner ON the course, and as the
king of the road came back there were
hundreds that would have crowned him
With Iaureis. The feat of that afternoon
induced horsemen to say that Dexter is
capable of anything.