Year: 1870




The New York correspondent of the
Boston Journal, gives the following graph
ic description of Bonner and his horse
Dexter, as they appear in Harlem Lane:
l saw Bonner ON the road the other day.
1t is one of the sights of New York. It
is interesting to watch the sensation he
produces, 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 nterferes 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.
Dexter is the favorite with the public and
they are usually gratified, especially on
pleasant afternoon. Other horses have
had their brush and have been led off foam
ing to the shed. The piazzas of all the
hotels that line the road are crowded with
horsemen 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 estimated that two-thirds
of the clergymen went out on Harlem lane
to get sight of Dexter and his famous
owner. Bonner makes his appearance at
slow pace, apparently Indifferent to the
impression produced. He watches to see
that the coast is clear. By common con-
sent, when Bonner appears the road is
cleared. A Dakotah Indian might take
lessons Of Bonner in his yells As Dexter
starts on his course, his driver can be
heard half mile off The excited throng
shout, That's Bonner" and all come to
their feet. The team rushes by with the
t1eetness of the wind, and is out of sight
in an instant. There are some things
that cannot be described-a panic on Wall
street.-the inside of st. Peter's-the har-
mony of an Italian organist-the coloring
of the great masters in the Pitt Palace
the trotting of Dexter. He moves as no
other horse moves; he is the poetry of mo-
ton. He does not sprawl, throw his feet
out, or fling them around, but seems to
slide out himself, giving the idea that any
amount of speed can be obtained He is
never exhausted, there is no exertion,
there is a reserve ofspeed that is peculiar
Go as fast as he will, his hoofs can be as
distinctly seen as when he is on slow
| tiot' AioiSChiCh say tiill HIS sptcu HAS
never been known. and without contro-
versy the palm is awarded to him on all
hands.


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 con-
test he actually distanced Dexter. The
thrill of excitement was indescribable.
Bonner turned his horse into the shed and
had him blanketed. Wall street was scarce
ly ever more excited than was the road
that afternoon. In short time Dexierre-
appeared, and here his pale antagonist
was ready for the contest. Bonner put up
the top of his wagon, which, as horsemen
know, makes great difference in speed.
The white horse came tearing off at mar
velous gait. Bonner sprang to his feet and
gave screech that might have been heard
in Westchester county. Dexter heard and
understood the signal, buckled down to his
work. and left the white horse so far be-
hind that he was not to be mentioned the
same afternoon. Thunders OF applause
attended Bonner on his course, and as the
king of the road came back there were
hundreds that would have crowned him
with 'laurels. The feat of that afternoon
induced horsemen to say that Dexter is
capable of ANYTHING.