by Laurel | July 21st, 2009
July 21, 1899, Page 3
There was an exciting episode on the Springdale trotting park at Holyoke yesterday, in which Driver Rogers broke a collarbone, two sulkies were injured, and one horse ran around the track three times, dodging fences and other steeds skillfully enough, until it was finally caught by Thomas Holmes in so sensational a manner as to bring a round of applause from the 1800 people present. It happened in the second heat of the 2.24 class. After repeated scoring, in which one or two of the horses could hardly be kept on their feet, Starter Piper got the field off. There was a hot race for the lead, and many were watching that struggle. Suddenly as they rounded the turn there was a shout and one horse went down, followed by another, in a cloud of dust. Guyon’s driver was thrown , and the driverless horse breaking into a run, started down the track, with the crowd yelling “Look out! Stop him!” and a number of other things. Excited people leaped over the fence and rushed out on the track to help the fallen horses. Part of the field continued in the race, accompanied by Guyon at a mad run. At the third time round Thomas Holmes, a colored driver, stood ready for him, and as the horse came alongside he ran a few steps and sprang at the bridle, catching it. The horse as swung off from its feet and Holmes and the sulky rolled over in a heap, unhurt. The crowd yelled in delight. As near as could be learned from the officials, the collision was occasioned by Driver Rogers trying to keep from running his horse, Frank W., into the fence. A collision with Ben Wilkes involved Melvena, who also ran some little distance without a driver before being captured. Ben Wilkes was flat on the track and was held down there some time. The horse of W. S. Miller of this city, Bonnie V. Hera, was drawn, as she was cut on one of her quarters, and Mr. Miller did not desire to run her in that condition.
Excerpt from the Springfield Republican.
