By: Mary E. Mortimer
The Logan County Fair was founded in 1850 and horses have always been a big part of the fair, especially harness racing. After a four-year absence, harness racing has returned this year to the Logan County Fair.
Over the years, harness racing was held multiple days of the fair and drew large crowds. The 1922 Logan County Fair was held from September 26th through September 30th. They advertised “A real Agricultural Fair, showing the very cream of farm products and livestock raised in this section of the state. Wonderful grange and farm displays. It’s worth going miles to see. Without a doubt, the very best racing this week on any half-mile track in Ohio.”
Special attractions that year included “Polo, a wonderful, exciting game with trained polo players and ponies from Cincinnati and Dayton. High jumping horses, trained ponies and dogs, and bucking mules.”
The harness racing schedule for the 1922 fair:
Wednesday, September 27th
- 2:19 Trot: The Chamber of Commerce Stake Purse $1,000
- 2:22 Pace – Purse $250
- 2:11 Pace – The Hotel Ingalls Stake Purse $1,000
- County Trot – Purse $1,000
Thursday, September 28th
- 2:17 Pace: The Index-Republican Stake Purse $1,000
- 2:13 Pace – Purse $350 – 2:24 Trot – Purse $350
- 2:15 Trot: The Bellefontaine Examiner Stake Purse $1,000
Friday, September 29th
- 2:20 Trot: (3-year-old) The H&B Advertising Co. Stake Purse $500
- 2:16 Pace – Purse $350 – 2:17 Trot – Purse $350
Saturday, September 30th
- 2-Year-old trot: The Logan Co. Farm Bureau Stake Purse $500
- 2:09 Pace – Purse $350 – 2:13 Trot – Purse $350
For the first night of harness racing a large crowd gathered at the grandstand for the Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Ingalls Stakes. Bonnie, owned by J. O’Connor of Tiffin and driven by Billy Goggin, won the first two heats in 2:13 ½ winning the $1,000 purse. King Stout, owned and driven by Ross F. Stout, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, won the third heat of the Chamber of Commerce Stake at 2:09 ½ breaking the track record.
The Bellefontaine Examiner reported the following account of the race:
“Bonnie, who scored on the outside, quickly cut across, and at the eighth had the pole with King Stout. John Spencer and Otto Axworthy are closely bunched. In this position, they went to the half in 1:06 ½. From there on the fight was between John Spencer and King Stout for second place as Bonnie could turn on a little more each time they got to her. Bonnie won the heat and John Spencer beat King Stout for second.
The second heat they went away boiling, passed the half in 1:05, and then Stout shook his horse up and it was a pretty race from their home. Stout made a great drive for the heat but Goggin managed to land Bonnie there, a winner by a nose.
The third heat Stout sent King Stout away at a furious clip but Bonnie, trotting like the great trotter that she is, managed to stall off the rush and kept the lead. They went to the quarter in 32 ½ seconds, and passed the half in 1:05. The clip at this point was fast but instead of diminishing it actually increased. Stout was driving King Stout strenuously with whip and reins. They reached the three-quarters in 1:37 ½ and from their home the Stout entry gradually gained on the leader. It seemed that Bonnie, conscious of the peril she was in, gathered herself for one final effort, but King Stout trotting straight and true, won the heat in the last few feet by a neck. A great roar went up from the crowd when the time of 2:09 ½ was hung out showing the track record was reduced from 2:12 ½. A beautiful silver cup was presented to the owner of Bonnie by the Logan County Chamber of Commerce.
The Hotel Ingalls Stake was just as exciting as the Chamber of Commerce Stake. Lucy L., owned by A.T. Morrison of Tilbury, Ontario won all three heats. “They went away at a 2:00 clip and Morrison, behind Lucy L., uncorked one of the fastest eighths ever seen here and had the pole at the eighth. It was a hot battle all the way with Lucy L. winning rather easy in 2:09 ½. Lillian S. beat Baroness Edgewood for second place.
The second heat was a repetition of the first, the horses finishing in the same positions at 2:09 ½. The third heat Thornton got Lillian S. away to a good start and led the bunch to within a few feet of the wire, where Morrison, with Lucy L. coming with a rush, beat Lillian S. to the wire with just her head in front, with the cheers of the spectators urging them on.
The Chamber of Commerce 2:22 Pace was won by Helen Worthy, owned by William Albin, Springfield, Ohio. Mack Ehlen, owned by R. Allen, Bellefontaine, won the County Trot in straight heats.
When visiting the Logan County Fair be sure to visit the History Center booth in the Merchants Building. We have High School class composite books, and you can test your Indian Lake knowledge with our trivia board.
Visit the Logan County History Center at 521 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311, to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History.
The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
