RACEALONG 383 



in the defense of Dolly Spanker's accepted pedigree, 

 or in other words, produced evidence to show that 

 she was foaled in 1847 and got by Henry Clay out 

 of Telegraph by Baker's Highlander. He published a 

 letter from Stewart C. Purdy, the breeder of the 

 champion plow horse Captain Lewis of which a 

 sketch appeared in "Trotalong." In 1882 this horse 

 made a sweep through the Grand Circuit and made 

 a record of 2 :20% which meant as much for a race 

 horse of that period at 2 :05 does at the present time. 

 Captain Lewis was one of the best Clay trotters. His 

 breeder is entitled to a hearing as he was a nephew 

 of the man who sold Dolly Spanker to W. A. Dele- 

 van, who if I remember correctly was the owner or 

 manager of a travelling circus and whose name was 

 later perpetuated in connection with the Delevan 

 House at Albany, N. Y. 



At all events Dolly Spanker was for a time used 

 as motive power for the first wagon in a circus 

 parade until Delevan sold her to Harry Felter of 

 New York. This in itself speaks well for her indi- 

 viduality and style as the old time troopers always 

 selected an attractive horse for the leader's wagon 

 in their parades. 



Geneva, N. Y., August 30, 1912. 



"Dear Doctor Day : 



Your letter of inquiry as to my knowledge in 

 regard to the facts of the breeding ,of the dam of 

 George Wilkes, received. I am 65 years old, as I 

 was born in 1847. Joseph S. Lewis, who bought the 



