344 THE CHAMPIONS. 



description and the early history of this horse, in a letter to that 

 journal, from which I extract the following: 



He was a golden chestnut, about 16 hands, with a perfect diamond on his 

 nose, and two white socks behind. In his general make-up he partook much 

 of the thoroughbred appearance; the lightness of his head and neck, his 

 wir_y leg and elastic movement, his glossy coat, and waveless mane and tail, 

 shaded from a darker hue to a bright tint on the edge; in all, a perfect type of 

 the high-bred runner. He was exhibited at the State Fair, at Auburn, New 

 York, in 1848. I can never forget, though quite young, this eventful show, as 

 he assumed that position among his cotemporaries that bade defiance to the 

 artist. He seemed to realize the expression of his figure upon the multitude, 

 that he was the great object of admiration, and that all were longing to share 

 in the delight of a look at him. He was by xilmack, by Mambrino, son of 

 imported Messenger. 



Neighbor Grinnell tells a humorous story of the manner in which he hap- 

 pened to purchase this colt. While visiting his uncle, Moses H. Grinnell, in 

 the city, he was invited one beautiful morning, by a friend in Brooklyn, to 

 take a ride behind a 3 : 30 horse, which he gladly accepted. After going 

 about two miles, a fat Dutchman, with a pale, compact, bay mare and market 

 wagon, was discovered behind, and keeping up without any apparent 

 difliculty. G.'s friend says, " I'll lose him in a single square when we strike 

 the Av." When the Av. was reached, John extended his horse, and up 

 alongside and by went the Dutchman, as though he was simply in a hurry to 

 his work. After going about three squares, the Dutchman stopped at his 

 place of business. Mr. G. says to his friend, "John, stop," which they did, 

 *' and I'll buy that animal and take her home." " Can't sell," says the Dutch, 

 man, " Vants to keep her myself, and ven I'z in a hurry I don't vate for de 

 boys, but vill sell her colt in de barn." The parties immediately went to the 

 barn, and the call resulted in the purchase of the colt for $550. This colt 

 was led a full mile over the Fashion Course, in September previous, when 

 two past, in the then unequaled time of 3 : 053^. 



This colt was kept in the stud by Mr. Grinnell until 1849, when he gave 

 him to his brother-in-law, Henry Holdrcdge, of New York City, who sold 

 him in St. Louis, after which his whereabouts and what-abouts became 

 unknown to the subscriber. 



Owing to the extravagant price, $25 to insure in those days, for this section 

 of country, and to the irritable temper of the horse, becoming vicious and 

 unmanageable, inflicting an injury upon one of his grooms, from which he 

 afterward died, and crippling for life another, he was meagerly patronized, 

 and but few descendants for the time were left to him. But in this region he 

 laid the foundation upon which the family have become famous. He possessed 

 the excellent power of transmitting his qualities, his shape, his color, and 

 his striking characteristics. With but few exceptions they all wear that same 

 diamond on the nose, and all exhibit that same nervous disposition, ready to 

 resent abuse, but when properly understood, no family is more tractable and 

 afiectionate. 



