OLD-TIME TROTTERS. 217 



She was an animal of great courage and wonderful endurance, 

 and possessed natural speed enough to pull a wagon a 3.30 gait. 

 She was undoubtedly a mare of good breeding, although her 

 pedigree could never be established. She died foaling her first 

 colt — George Wilkes — and he was at first a puny -looking 

 little fellow. It seemed doubtful if he were worth the effort of 

 raising by hand, but after a little stimulant in the s"hape of 

 whisky weakened and sweetened, he gained strength enough to 

 partake of a little cow's milk, and was brought up with that as 

 his principal food. 



Although quite small at birth he grew up to be a finely- 

 shaped, compact, hardy animal, about fifteen hands high at the 

 withers and somewhat higher behind, with a muscular develop- 

 ment of loins, quarters, and gaskins that could not be surpassed, 

 and which gave him a propelling power that enabled him to 

 successfully compete with the best trotters of his day. "When 

 in his prime he was a good model of a horse, and as pure gaited 

 a trotter as ever stepped on the track. 



The development of his speed commenced at quite an early 

 age. He won his first race at Fashion, L. I., August 1, 1861, 

 where he trotted under the name of Eobert Fullingham (by 

 which he was known for several years during his turf career). 



September 10, 1862, he defeated the renowned stallion, 

 Ethan Allen, over the above course in straight heats ; time, 

 2.24f, 2.25|, and 2.31, winning a purse of $10,000. June 2, 

 1863, he defeated Rockingham to harness over the Fashion 

 course, and a week later beat the same horse to saddle ; best 

 time, 2.24. 



At Philadelphia, October 10, 1863, he defeated Lancet, a 

 son of "Vermont Black Hawk, to harness, distancing him in the 

 second heat, which was trotted in 2.24. This was the last race 

 which he won under the name of Robert Fullingham. 



Over the Union course, Long Island, October 26, 1865, he 

 defeated Commodore Yanderbilt to harness, and November 6th 

 of the same year he beat him again in a race to wagons. June 

 8, 1868, he beat the famous trotting more, Lady Thorne, over 



