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Story
April 13, 1837
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Satirical account of an upcoming horse race between Little John (Republican nag from King George) and Heavy John (Jacksonian horse) over the Northern Neck Course in Prince William County, Virginia, on the fourth Thursday in April 1837, highlighting political rivalry through riders' attire.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
[Communicated.]
King George, and Heavy John of Prince March Race between Little John of William, to come off over the Northern Neck Course on the fourth Thursday in this month.
A very incorrect account of the above expected match race having been written by a "green horn" who did not even know the names of the horses, the following statement is submitted.
Little John is a tough, farmer's nag, of no very showy appearance, but of excellent blood and breeding. He is of the old Republican stock, was raised in King George, and, in former days, was the crack horse of the Democrats who thought highly of his speed and bottom. Though more advanced in years he is the same now that he was then both of which he exhibited on many occasions.
Heavy John is a horse, good in his way, but not likely to run well on so fine a course as that of the Northern Neck. He has been beaten badly once or twice before, but his backers persist in giving him another chance, and he himself "is nothing loth." especially since he has a new field. He requires constantly the application of "Hickory" to get him along at all; and it is thought that if his rider were to lose that he would be double distanced.
His friends expect to push him ahead on the day of trial by shouting Hurra for Jackson! but the knowing ones say it will be a "no go."
Little John's rider will be dressed in Virginia homespun, with a simple belt round his waist, inscribed "Republican principles."
Heavy John's rider will be fantastically decked off with an 'Executive domination' cap-"Expunging" jacket-"R. M. Whitney" boots of a North Carolina Brown color-and "New York Caucus" breeches, and a heavy "Hickory" in his hand.
As this is not to be presented in a "Handbill," to gratify any ridiculous pride of its writer, the members of the Northern Neck Club in Prince William, are requested to "pass this paper on," so as to give the people an opportunity of seeing the particulars of the expected race, and especially that they may know the horses by the dresses of their riders.
Prince Wm. Co., Va., April 11, 1837.
King George, and Heavy John of Prince March Race between Little John of William, to come off over the Northern Neck Course on the fourth Thursday in this month.
A very incorrect account of the above expected match race having been written by a "green horn" who did not even know the names of the horses, the following statement is submitted.
Little John is a tough, farmer's nag, of no very showy appearance, but of excellent blood and breeding. He is of the old Republican stock, was raised in King George, and, in former days, was the crack horse of the Democrats who thought highly of his speed and bottom. Though more advanced in years he is the same now that he was then both of which he exhibited on many occasions.
Heavy John is a horse, good in his way, but not likely to run well on so fine a course as that of the Northern Neck. He has been beaten badly once or twice before, but his backers persist in giving him another chance, and he himself "is nothing loth." especially since he has a new field. He requires constantly the application of "Hickory" to get him along at all; and it is thought that if his rider were to lose that he would be double distanced.
His friends expect to push him ahead on the day of trial by shouting Hurra for Jackson! but the knowing ones say it will be a "no go."
Little John's rider will be dressed in Virginia homespun, with a simple belt round his waist, inscribed "Republican principles."
Heavy John's rider will be fantastically decked off with an 'Executive domination' cap-"Expunging" jacket-"R. M. Whitney" boots of a North Carolina Brown color-and "New York Caucus" breeches, and a heavy "Hickory" in his hand.
As this is not to be presented in a "Handbill," to gratify any ridiculous pride of its writer, the members of the Northern Neck Club in Prince William, are requested to "pass this paper on," so as to give the people an opportunity of seeing the particulars of the expected race, and especially that they may know the horses by the dresses of their riders.
Prince Wm. Co., Va., April 11, 1837.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Horse Race
Political Satire
Republican Horse
Jacksonian Horse
Northern Neck Course
What entities or persons were involved?
Little John
Heavy John
Where did it happen?
Northern Neck Course, Prince William County, Virginia
Story Details
Key Persons
Little John
Heavy John
Location
Northern Neck Course, Prince William County, Virginia
Event Date
Fourth Thursday In April 1837
Story Details
Satirical description of a political horse race between Little John, a sturdy Republican horse, and Heavy John, a faltering Jacksonian mount, with riders attired to represent party symbols, expected to highlight partisan rivalry.