Among the Fine Bloods
[Horses at Union, KY in 19th Century]
Covington Journal, 1872
One day last week, by the kindness of Mr. Sam Moreland, one of the livery stable-men of Covington, we were permitted to visit some of the fine residences along the Lexington pike. 'The Lexington pike leading out from Covington is a splendid road – better than most of our Ohio pikes. The country is rough for many miles, but is very thickly settled, and the houses, with but few exceptions, are large, handsome structures with good out buildings, indicating prosperity and comfort.
The first town after leaving Covington is Florence, a description which our readers have already been favored with. Our party only gave it a passing bow on the way to Union, the next small village on the road, a short distance below, where we found one object of our search, namely, the farm, the stock, and the person of A. Stansifer, whom we all familiarly accosted as Abe. We lost no time in making a round of the stables in which Abe claims to keep some of the finest horses in Kentucky. We were first introduced to the young Hambletonian horse, Duke of Orange, jr. He’s a dark bay, with three white feet, long, black main [sic] and tail, and sixteen hands high. He is large boned, but neatly and powerfully formed. He is now four years old and has trotted in 2:40.
Another four year old in the adjoining apartment next attracted our attention. "George," as he was called by his owner, is a beautiful black, fifteen and a half hands in height, and sired by Cassius M. Clay, jr. He has the elements of speed and only lacks the practice to equal his next-door neighbor, a "Woeful" horse, seven years old, that has a reputation as a trotter. He is a dark bay, fifteen hands, one inch high, and from a specimen of his moving on the road we should judge he could go a mile in about 2:30.
An old gray horse called Gen. Grant was next brought out, and racked along the road to show that he had not lost his speed.
We noticed in the pasture a very handsome dapple gray. Stockbridge horse, raised by Mr. Stansifer, that has already trotted in 2:36, and it is thought with training will beat this several minutes.
Our friend Abe, besides his horses, takes considerable pride in the possession of a large collection of game fowls, and some fine hogs of McGee stock.
We next visited the farm of Dr. Lassing, a short distance up the road. We found this gentleman strolling about his yard, evidently not caring much "whether school kept or not." He gave our party a cordial welcome, and showed us a collection of young colts of celebrated blood. He has a fine healthy place on a hill top that with the pleasant company of the owner is well worth going to see and enjoy.
On our homeward trip we stopped a short time at the farm of Wm. Timberlake, to see his celebrated thoroughbred stallion, "Hissford," a beautiful bay, sixteen Hands high, by Goodwood. For beauty of form we have never seen his equal. He also showed us a beautiful filly by Edwin Forrest, that has taken the premium at every fair where he has been exhibited for five years.
[Covington Journal April 13, 1872, p. 1, col 2.]