When the girls had stripped to their undergarments and approached the boys. The boys were struck with humility, they hadn’t experienced prior to that moment. They stopped their fun to turn away from the girls, speechless at the sight.
Katie went right to the rope Gilbert was holding and took it from his hands. “What is with you two? It was fine for you to go half naked, but not us? What did you expect us to do?”
“Yeah,” Clara interrupted, “go swimming in our dresses.”
“Bu-bu-bu-but Katie, I c-c-c- can see the top of your- your- your bosom.” Barney said as his face turned red and he turned his head away.
“Barney,” Katie put her hand on his face, “If you don’t like them, don’t look.”
“I don’t think he doesn’t like them,” Gilbert said as he looked at her chest, “he thinks you shouldn’t be showing them.”
Clara gave Gilbert a striking glare, “Well, you certainly shouldn’t be looking.” She then slapped him playfully on the face.
“Sorry, Katie,” Gilbert apologized. “I am truly ashamed.”
Katie looked down at herself, “You can hardly see anything.” She pulled her garment away from her chest and looked down at herself. “Nothin’ there to see.” She was making light of the situation, since she was obviously well bless with a healthy set of breasts. She ran off the bank of the river holding the rope, but slipped off the rope prematurely belly flopping into the river. Her head popped out of the water coughing and spitting out water. The other three started to laugh. Gilbert grabbed the rope as it returned to them on the bank.
Gilbert hollered to her, “That was graceful!”
Katie screamed as soon as she caught her breath, “The water is freezing, why didn’t you tell me!” She started coughing again as she dragged her drenched shaking body out of the water.
“Did you not see us shivering?” Gilbert said in their defense.
“We did notice that,” Clara admitted. Gilbert handed her the rope. She took it in defiance to show she wasn’t afraid. She ran off the bank and swung magnificently over the river. They heard a undistinguishable scream from her as she flew majestically up. As she reached the peek of her swing she let go and fell into the river with an awkward looking flop. Her head popped out of the water, then immediately swept the water off her face as eloquently as possible. She smoothly swam toward shore, then stood up with chattering teeth.
“Fun?” Gilbert asked.
“Wow,” she said, “That was fu-fu-fu-fu-fu-n.” She could hardly talk with her uncontrollable shaking.
“Give me that,” Katie said as she grabbed the rope.
“Hey,” Gilbert protested.
Katie jokingly spued out, “Oh, go dry off little boy,” Katie said, “you two have been having your fun. Now it is our turn.”
Clara chattered out in an inflamed anger, “Don’t ca-ca-ca-call him a little boy!”
Katie was hurt by the attack since she sincerely didn’t mean it in a mean sense. “I’m sorry, Gilbert, I was just kidding around.” She genuinely apologized, “You are really a big man in my eyes.”
“Mine too,” Barney added.
Clara relaxed and quietly spoke to Katie, “Sorry, I overreacted.”
“Forget it,” she smiled and ran off the bank, “Let’s have fun!”
Gilbert and Barney sat down on the bank to watch their girls have fun swinging over and flopping into the river. Clara one time didn’t let go and swung back over the bank. She ended up flopping lazily near the bank of the river. She got up laughing with a face full of mud.
Gilbert wasn’t really bothered by Katie calling him a little boy. He knew she was just kidding around. But it was hauntingly apparent to him that it bothered Clara. He could understand she would wish he was taller. That thought seemed ridicules to him. She wouldn’t be ashamed of his height, would she?
The afternoon went by much too quickly for all the fun they were having. They stayed out of the water for a while to let themselves dry a bit before returning to town.
When Clara left for Dubuque, Gilbert found it much easier to work with the horses and not feel anxious to get done. He hadn’t, by any means, neglected his duties. He spent much of his time working with Allerton. Mr. Williams wanted to capture the World Stallion Record like he had with Axtell.
Axtell had held the record for sometime, before it was broken by a horse named Nelson, who turned a mile in 2:11½ in Kankakee, Illinois. The Kankakee track was a kite shaped track built shortly after the track in Independence. That track was not regarded as being as safe because the turf there was not as elastic and kind to the horses. Then later Nelson broke his own record when he trotted 2:10 3/4 at Cambridge City, Indiana. Nelson was owned and driven by his owner C. H. Nelson.
After Allerton had lost his race to the ‘Queen of the Turf’, Nancy Hanks, Mr. Williams was inclined to get him back into prominence. It was Mr. Williams’s intention to keep Allerton and Rush Park in the trotting world news, so he took every opportunity to make news. He wanted to keep Allerton using the safer track at Independence to race against time. He also was not fond of the dangers of traveling by rail. Especially after experiencing the train accident the previous winter.
Allerton was raced against time on August 31, 1891, soon after the big meeting and the loss to Nancy Hanks. He was able to beat his own personal best time of 2:12 by doing the mile in an official 2:11. This was still a quarter of a second slower than the record held by Nelson at 2:10 3/4.
He was given a few days rest before they tried again on September 4th. This time Mr. Hussey would accompany Allerton with a runner to push the stallion. He would be riding Ned Gordon, a thoroughbred from Mr. Williams stable.
Before the start, Allerton showed signs of eagerness to go and the large crowd came to witness the event were equally as eager to see him regain attention. He did not need any coaxing from Mr. Williams when he started. They received the word for a good start, and Allerton trotted the first quarter in :32 1/4. It was a great start, and everyone expected the pace to get faster as the race went on.
The second quarter was fast but slightly slower when compared to the first quarter. The half mile was trotted in 1:05 ½. The crowd knew Allerton normally performed his best in the quarters still to come. He completed the three quarters of a mile in 1:38. The crowd realized Allerton would have to finish the mile in a 2:00 gait to beat the record. Mr Hussey brought on Ned Gordon to push Allerton to his limit. Allerton seemed to respond and did not break his stride as he pushed for home. He sped past the wire at his strongest pace ever. The crowd cheered with excitement knowing he had to be close to beating the record. When the judges made their time official they put up the numbers, 2:10.
The crowd went into a wild frenzy as the proud Mr. Williams brought his cherished horse around to the front of the stands. They cheered as he bowed and tipped his hat. He now held the stallion record himself, just as his former stable mate Axtell had done two years before.
The city went wild with excitement. The citizens had been quiet and serene after the big race meeting in August. It had been very exhausting effort for them to accommodate the needs of all the visitors. Now the streets were full of happy proud people again talking about horse racing and preparing for the meetings in October.
The exuberance was short lived when in the following days, horsemen around the country were critical of the biased treatment Allerton was getting from hometown favoritism. They felt the Independence track was not a regulation track. In other words, Allerton’s record was not regarded by all as an official record. The record was further disputed when Nelson matched the 2:10 time in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on a regular mile oval track. The majority of horsemen around the country, were more willing to accept the record set by Nelson in Grand Rapids. It was considered more authentic since it was set on a regulation track.
There was an offer from C. H. Nelson for Mr. William
s to bring his horse to Grand Rapids for a head to head race between Nelson and Allerton. It would be the race of the century many said. Mr. Williams still reluctant to travel with his prize horse politely declined the offer. He invited Nelson to come to Independence for the race. This offer was turned down by Mr. Nelson. So, the battle would continue from hundreds of miles apart.
Mr. Williams felt forced to prove Allerton was the greatest stallion in the world. He again raced Allerton against time at Independence on September 19th. This time he had all different and impartial judges brought to Independence to conduct the attempt.
Before the race started Gilbert felt Allerton could sense the importance of his performance. An hour before the exhibition, Gilbert jogged him around the half mile track, but could not hold him to a jog. He stood still to let them shoe him. He didn’t fight the wrapping of his ankles as he had before. He appeared to be focused entirely on the business at hand.
Mr. Hussey accompanied Mr. Williams around the track to check it out. They determined the track was in great condition, the wind was calm. They felt things couldn’t be looking better for setting a new record. Gilbert and Barney brought Allerton out to the track. The crowd clapped for several minutes as Mr. Williams talked to Allerton, then mounted the sulky seat. Mr. Williams held out his hand for the reins given to him by Gilbert.
“Thank you, Gilbert.”
“Good luck, sir.”
“We’re going to do it. I can feel it.”
Gilbert patted Allerton on the neck, “So can he.”
Mr. Williams flipped the reins and Allerton started to jog around the track. He kept wanting to go faster and faster. Mr. Williams had to hold him back. He knew holding a horse back was more exhausting for the horse than if he were to let him go. So halfway around the track Mr. Williams let him go at the pace he wanted. As they came to the judges stand Mr. Williams indicated he and Allerton were ready. The announcement went out to inform the crowd they were ready to go.
The crowd scurried to get into a place to watch. A few minutes later, Mr. Williams started Allerton around the small loop. The crowd stood on their feet and cheered as they came toward the judge’s stand. Mr. Williams looked intently for the judges to give the word. It was given and he pushed Allerton hard at the start. Allerton needed no coaxing from Mr. Williams to show his brush early in the race.
There were so many watches at the track everyone knew the time. Allerton’s gait was fast and proud as he headed for the first quarter mark. Gilbert had made his way to the top of the fence in the infield of the track near the finish line. He could see Allerton get smaller in the distance, then the judge at the first quarter mark raised his flag as Allerton passed. Gilbert looked briefly at his watch. It looked as though he was around .33. Soon the official time was placed on the board: :32 3/4 for the first quarter.
Mr. Williams let Allerton pace himself and he concentrated on keeping him close to the rail. Allerton trotted easy and forceful. The half mile mark was passed in a great time of 1:05 ½. Gilbert felt Mr. Williams would have to push Allerton hard when they come around for the final stretch. He was in fear Allerton would break and the whole attempt would be lost. They rounded the curve and now Allerton was coming right at him as he watched in wide eyed excitement. Cheering of the crowd grew with every step closer to the finish.
The flag went up for the three quarter mark. It was obvious Allerton had characteristically picked up the pace with a time of 1:37 ½. He would still have to trot his fastest quarter to the finish to break the record. Mr. Williams brought down a soft whip to Allerton’s back and he responded with determination. Gilbert was so excited he kept losing his balance, so he jumped down from the fence to watch. The crowd was deafening as Allerton stayed with a strong steady pace passing the wire. There was excited anticipation for the results. Gilbert was sure he had done it. His watch had read he had done it. The judges conferred briefly before announcing a new world stallion record time of 2:09 1/4.
From this day on everyone in Independence declared Allerton as ‘King of the Stallions’ no matter what the rest of the world thought. But, the rest of the world still had the skeptics. It appeared there was no way Mr. Williams would ever convince the world Allerton was the greatest stallion that ever lived, unless he went head to head with all challengers.
The skeptics main claim against Allerton, was the track in Independence was not a true mile in length and at least two seconds faster than the track in Grand Rapids. Once again, to dispel this claim, a team of impartial engineers was hired to confirm that the track was actually slightly longer than a mile.
Allerton was raced against time pulling a wagon. He was able to set a new world record at 2:15, beating the mark Delmarch had made in Independence in 1890 at 2:20.
Once again the challenge was set forth to have the two horses, Nelson and Allerton, meet to determine the ‘King of the Stallions’, once and for all. They would go head to head against one another. There could be no critics to try and strip away the titles and/or any records set. It was arranged to take place in Grand Rapids for a purse of $10,000. This time Mr. Williams accepted the offer.
On the day of the race in Grand Rapids, the townspeople in Independence flocked to the newspaper offices and the office of ‘The American Trotter’, to wait for the results. They stayed calm and silent, aching to hear the results as they came in from Grand Rapids. Independence citizens were not the only ones gathering to hear the results of the race; people around the country were waiting anxiously as well.
They expected a crowd of nearly twenty thousand people to witness the race of the century. The favorite of the bettors the night before the races was Allerton at $100 and Nelson $66.
The conditions favored the horse from Waterville, Maine, who had raced all year on oval tracks. Allerton, with his limited travel, had only raced on an oval track once that year. The track in Grand Rapids was new and was built on clay loam. The track had to be kept wet or it becomes mealy and cuppy.
Allerton had been brought out to the track early in the morning and jogged around it several times. It was determined to re-shoe him. Seven and one- half ounce shoes were placed in front and five ounce shoes in back. These were heavier shoes than usual for the horse, but according to Mr. Williams and Mr. Hussey, they were the shoes best suited for that day’s condition.
People started showing up at the track by nine o’clock in the morning in anticipation of a great race. The stands were grand with chairs for ten thousand and another five thousand could be seated in another section on chairs. The stands and grounds were packed by one o’clock that afternoon. The rails were lined with spectators for the entire length.
Nelson appeared at one o’clock, receiving a great applause from the crowd. He was jogged around the track the wrong way by his groom. He looked strong and energetic as he came around to the judges’stand. Allerton entered a minute later with Mr. Williams driving greeted by a polite applause. Mr. Williams lifted his cap cordially. The crowd sentiment was certainly with Nelson, which was understandable under the circumstances. Nelson had set his record there, and the people knew him.
The judge, Mr. Leathers, rang the bell at 1:30 p.m., and then he addressed the crowd. He referred to this race as the greatest contest ever witnessed. At two o’clock the two driver’s, Mr. Williams and Mr. Nelson, weighed in. Betting pools had fluctuated that morning, but Allerton remained the favorite.
After the weigh-in another announcement was made by the judge, “The rules of the Association state, that when drivers are twenty pounds overweight that it shall be announced. We find that Mr. Nelson is one hundred seventy pounds and this is twenty pounds overweight. Mr. Williams weighs one hundred sixty-five pounds and this is fifteen pounds overweight.”
The two owners and drivers chatted to one another in a gentlemanly fashion as they waited. Mr. Nelson wore bright colored clothing for the race and Mr. Williams wore his normal plain grey suit. They mounte
d their sulky’s and prepared for the race to begin.
Nelson had drawn the pole, and they were sent off on the third score at a fast trot. The crowd involved themselves verbally from the very beginning. It was obvious any encouragement the drivers wanted to express to their horses, would have to be in a physical manner. Nelson trotted a fine start holding a half length lead along the rail to the first turn. The first quarter of the race was timed at a blistering :32. Allerton fell to a full length behind Nelson at the half in a slightly slower pace for a time of 1:05 1/4.
Nelson continued to increase his lead to two lengths before Allerton raised the crowd to their toes as he closed to within a half length at the three quarter post. They were both trotting hard as the time at the three quarter was 1:39 ½. Allerton suddenly broke, giving Nelson a three length lead. His driver Mr. Nelson, sure of a victory rejoiced, but his exuberance was premature. Allerton hadn’t given up as he regained his gait and with a burst of speed closed in on Nelson’s lead. Allerton ran out of real estate, and Nelson wins the first heat by a half length in the time of 2:13.
The crowd was not persuaded that Nelson should be the new favorite. Nelson had won the first heat, but Allerton’s speed was very apparent. If Allerton could keep his feet, he could easily win any race. Allerton sold for $25 to Nelson’s $17 in the betting pools following the first race. The second heat was started on the first score, and the heated battle was renewed. Nelson again burst to a half length lead as they passed the first quarter mark at :32 1/4. As they passed the half Nelson’s lead had increased, over Allerton, to two lengths in a time of 1:06. By the three quarter mark Nelson still held the lead in a time of 1:41 1/4. The stretch found Nelson under the whip, but he could not keep his pace as Allerton caught him twenty yards from the finish. Allerton won the heat by a half length in a time of 2:14 ½. There were cheers for both horses as they gathered for the third heat.
Allerton and Axtell Page 38