32 LIFE WITH THE TIIOTTEES. 



Kansas Chief s feet behind and in front every night that 

 winter, gave him moderate exercise through the day, fed 

 him light, kept him in only fair condition as to flesh, gave 

 him medicine for his blood and stomach, and about twice a 

 week we brushed him at three-quarter speed, which in 

 those days was considered a great innovation, as it was con- 

 trary to all the rules for the treatment of a trotting horse. 

 I remember that a great many people said Mr. Simmons 

 was all wrong in his treatment of the horse, but as I had 

 faith in what my employer said, and he was paying all the 

 bills, I was perfectly satisfied to do just as he directed. 



When sj^ring came we took Kansas Chief to Prospect 

 Park, and one day we went out on the boulevard to drive, 

 Mr. Simmons being behind the Chief, while I had a good 

 bay horse that could trot some and run right well. We 

 stepped them down the road aways, and soon found that 

 Kansas could trot faster than mine could run, so that I 

 made up my mind that Mr. Simmons' treatment of him had 

 been right. We kex3t on with him in this way until about 

 the first of June, I driving him under Mr. Simmons' direc- 

 tions. Up to this time his fastest mile on the track had 

 been about 2:25. When the season was so far advanced 

 that all the stables were being organized Mr. Simmons 

 thought it would be best to have the Chief trotted a few races 

 in the country, thus giving me a chance to drive him, and 

 also ascertain whether or not he was good enough to be 

 entered through the grand circuit. There was a circuit of 

 meetings through the West, commencing at Jackson, Mich., 

 which was considered the Bufi'alo of the Western country. 

 There were well-known men managing the Jackson track 

 in those days, among them Don Robinson, D. B. Hibbard, 

 S. S. Vauglm, and others who have since become prominent 

 in the same line. Associated with trotting in Michigan 

 were some of the best-known men and horses in the land, 

 and the first of them that comes to my mind is William 

 McLaughlin. He was the Dan Mace of the Western country. 

 In personal appearance and manner McLaughlin was a 



