that it is worth your time to know, so I am going to tell of 

 it. 



This horse, Major Dent, came down the line from 

 Mitchell, South Dakota. He had started in four or five 

 places which had been discouraging, as Mr. Cooper, the 

 driver, said: "This horse hasn't been in the money since 

 we left home; only in Canton we got third money." I hap- 

 pened to be at the Canton races myself and saw it all and I 

 asked Mr. Cooper, How many horses were in that race? 

 Well, said he, there were only three in it, but, said Mr. Coop- 

 er, I have confidence in him if we can keep him from hit- 

 ting his knees he can make up for what he lost. I shod him 

 Wednesday, and his race was to come off on Friday, but he 

 worked the horse some the same day I shod him while he 

 didn't say much he said he was pleased with the change. 

 This was at Sheldon, Iowa, where he was entered on the 

 25 pace, but rain prevented his starting. Mr. Cooper had 

 entered his string at Sioux City, Iowa, and shipped from 

 Sheldon there and before the races at that place Mr. Cooper 

 sent word to me to be sure and come to see Major Dent 

 race, and to bring an extra pair of front shoes of the same 

 pattern. I knew then I had made something new that was 

 useful, so I, with others, went to the fair. It was again Mr. 

 Cooper's bad luck or otherwise Major Dent had to start on 

 Friday. He drew fifth place and was on the outside in the 

 first tier, as there were nine starters. After a couple times 

 scoring, they got the word they were the fastest bunch for 

 that class that had ever faced a Sioux City starter. They 

 hung together pretty well to the half and before they got 

 to the first turn Mr. Cooper was trailing the pole horse 

 apparently going easy. All were trying hard for a place be- 

 cause there was a $1000.00 purse and at the three-quarter 

 pole, Major Dent was still trailing the pole horse, while 

 others had fallen back. After the last turn, Mr. Cooper 

 drove away from the fence and soon it was neck and neck 

 with those two horses coming down the home stretch till 



73 



