RECOLLECTIONS OF MEN AND HORSES 



2.26J. These blood lines were attractive, and two 

 of the daughters of Mambrino Boy found, for a 

 while, a place in the Stout brood-mare band. One 

 was Gussie Wilkes, dam Nora Wilkes by George 

 Wilkes; second dam by imp. Consternation, and 

 third dam Helen Mar by Downing's Bay Messenger. 

 The other was Lou, dam Bird Mitchell by Mam- 

 brino Royal. The Stouts so underrated the ability 

 of these daughters of Mambrino Boy that they sold 

 them for a song to a young telegraph operator, C. 

 W. Williams. Gussie Wilkes was sent to Kentucky 

 and bred to Jay Bird (son of George Wilkes and 

 Lady Frank by Mambrino Star) , and Lou, who ac- 

 companied her, was bred to William L. (brother of 

 Guy Wilkes) , son of George Wilkes and Lady Bun- 

 ker by Mambrino Patchen. In both cases kindred 

 strains were reinforced, and the results were aston- 

 ishing. Lou produced Axtell, who as a three-year-old 

 in October, 1889, trotted to a record of 2.12, and 

 was sold to a syndicate, of which W. P. Ijams was 

 a prominent member, for $105,000. Axtell is the 

 sire of 113 with records, and prominent among his 

 trotters are Ozanam, 2.07 ; Elloree, 2.08^, and 

 Praytell, 2.09^. Thus far his best speed-producing 

 son is Axworthy. Gussie Wilkes produced Allerton, 

 who, as a five-year-old in 1891, trotted to a high- 

 wheel record of 2.09^, and who is a remarkable sire. 

 Fast pacers, as well as fast trotters, have come from 

 him, and each season adds to his roll of honor. Mr. 

 Williams proved a good trainer and driver, and for 



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