iSyi, he was bred to a small chestnut mare with white 

 markings, of unknown breeding, the product being the 

 filly Mattie Hunter, foaled in 1872. I know that 

 many turf writers in speaking of Mattie Hunter have 

 said that her dam was a Texas pony, while others 

 have said she was by Driver, but I have never known 

 or seen anything to warrant these statements, and 

 from all the information I have been able to gather 

 upon the subject I believe she was a small chestnut 

 saddle mare and a natural pacer. Early in 1878 the 

 owner of Mattie Hunter brought her to me to train 

 and race that season. I had never ridden or driven 

 her before then. She had been broken to harness, but 

 had been speeded but little in harness. She developed 

 speed very rapidly, and I soon discovered that she had 

 more speed than any horse I had yet handled, and was 

 one of the purest-gaited pacers I have ever seen. Her 

 temperament was of the best, and it was not long 

 before she could show a 2.20 gait. In the fall of 1878 

 I concluded to take some of the horses I had in train- 

 ing to several fairs in the Southern States, among 

 them being Mattie Hunter. On this trip I met Sleepy 

 George in a number of contests. He was driven by 

 Mr. Crawford, known as '* Counselor " Crawford, who 

 was an accomplished reinsman. At that time Sleepy 

 George had a record, as I remember, of about 2.15, 

 and was considered the fastest pacer then upon the 

 turf. In the first race or two Sleepy George, by reason 

 of his being an experienced campaigner, was able 

 to defeat the mare ; but as soon as she had had a little 

 experience she could outpace him, and I won several 

 good races from him with her. She retired that fall 

 with a record of 2.19^. This does not seem to be 

 very fast time for a horse of her ability ; but it must 



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