Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 110, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1904 — The Wild Horse Race. [ARTICLE]

The Wild Horse Race.

In the track before the grand stand, tlie ten riders, eacli with liis saddle upon the ground and linckamore in hand, and each accompanied by the one helper allowed him, wait in picturesque groups for the horses which are presently being dragged across the field through a liaze of dust, each animal holding back on the rope, kicking, striking, fighting for freedom every inch of the way. Not until lie is blinded by a handkerchief or bit of gunny sacking can lie be held still at all, and then only in a tremulous uncertainty that turns to a frenzy of bucking the instant the saddle touches his back. In the mad mix-up of men and horses, ropes and saddles, presently developed, the wonder is that anything can be accomplished. But sooner than would have seemed possible to one Is in th« saddle, —or, to speak with accuracy, more or less in tlie air above it; an-

other fellows and then another, thf horses all bucking,wearing and pitching more wildly than ever. Then one lias somehow worked his way' through the “milling” mass; others are fast after him, the riders, permitted only lmckamore bridles, that scarce may guide the crazed animals at all, triumphantly waving liats and quirts aS they make off by such eccentric sc quenco of bone tacking jumps, pitches and “crow-liopping,” that no wonder some have to “pull leather” while others come to grief upon the ground.— Leslie's Monthly.