News: Spencer History – Horse Racing

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gardiner, Heath

Source: Spencer Centennial Book (1874 – 1974)

Among the very earliest of sportsmen was the horse fancier, lovers of horses. Spencer had many early citizens who raised race horses for sulky races. John Gardiner had a one half mile sulky race track on his farm where the school is now located, Frank Heath had a stable next to the railroad track behind what is now the Gamble Store where he housed race horses.

In the Spencer Tribune of 1883 an item reads as follows:

"Spencer Horses and Horsemen returned from Medford having captured all the money in sight. Frank Heath entered "Anterew" and the track having been turned by him in 2 minutes, 22lA seconds."