Gail Jones Tells
Of Her Horses
30 July, 1962
A FOOTNOTE TO HISTORY
Wilson ' s Allen At Stud- $ 25, Remember Those Days In ' 39
WILSON’ S ALLEN, AGE 22, SOLD FOR 82,500
( Reprinted from the Nashville, Tennessean 1939— column by Margaret Lindsley Warden)
Major Walking Horse news of the day is the sale of the 22-vear-old Wilson’ s Allen for S2.500. The end of July, E. H. Hoover of Murfreesboro and Steve Hill of Beech Grove bought him from B. F. Wilson of Pelham in Grundy County, and he is now at the Hill barn.
By general assent, this is the leading sire of the breed. His get includes Pride of Memphis which sold for a record price of 55,000; owned by Claude Whiteman; and Strolling Jim. the present undefeated champion which his trainer-rider, Floyd Carothers, thinks is the greatest of Walking Horses.
Wilson ' s Allen, a rich chestnut with near hind coronet white, is believed to be the only living grandson of Allan( F-l), He is by Roan Allen from Birdie Messick by Allan. He was foaled the property of Steve Hill’ s father, Johnson Hill, at Beech Grove. B. F. Wilson of Pelham has owned him for the last 16 years.( Later developments showed that Merry Boy was also a double grandson of Allan F-l, being by Roan Allen F-38 out of Merry Legs F-4. Both the horses were sired by Allan F-I out of Gertrude F-84 and Nell Dement F-4 respectively.)
It is said Wilson bought the stallion( Wilson’ s Allen) from Bib Kerbey of Wartrace for Si00 and a’ possum dog. Now, old and famous, he has fetched one of the high prices of the breed, not for a rich man’ s fancy, but on value carefully calculated by business horsemen.
Wilson’ s Allen, foaled in 1917, according to the register, does not look old. Only slightly dipped in the back, he is in good flesh and muscle, clean limbed, alert, and moves off with a long, loose walk stride that his get, especially Strolling Jim, have made famous. He is taller, slraighler-legged, and has more quality all over than most Walking Horses. His long neck and shoulder and straight hocks can be followed in his offspring.
Since his arrival at the Hill barn, 26 mares have been sent to the court of this noted stallion at § 25 a service. Most good Walking Horse sires stand at SI0 to 515.
Steve Hill, one of the best known breeders and developers in the state, will have four sires at stud next season. Besides Wilson’ s Allen there are the brothers— Giovanni King and Victor Giovanni( by Giovanni— Bess Crouch by Roan Allen) and a young son of Merry Boy. Victor Giovanni in about 75 shows has never been unplaced.
( Remember— all this was written 28 years ago. BAG.)
Gail Jones Tells
The Voice Editor can shut his eyes and see the bright-faced teen-ager who wrote this letter. She is Gail Jones, 616 W. Lelia St., Florence, Tenn. and she knows the joy of having a Tennessee Walking Horse for her very own. Her stationery shows two horses’ heads, a mare and her colt. Gail tells us:
“ Congratulations on your wonderful new magazine,‘ The Voice.’
“ 1 read your book,‘ the Biography of the Tennessee Walking Horse’ and enjoyed it thoroughly. I am really looking forward to your next book on training and care of Walking Horses. Good luck on it.
MORE PARTY LINE“ Right *’ With Mrs. Wright Mrs. K. M. Wright of Spring Creek, Duke, Mo., tells us she liked our Biography, has seen the Voice and wants to gel it regularly starting with the March issue. Her letter was mailed from Newburg, Mo. We believe some good friend showed her the Voice, and here’ s appreciation from us. Thanks.
$ * * A Coasl-To-Coasl Friend
One of our valued new subscribers is Lackey W. Moody, Box 546, Batesvilie, Ark. 1-1 is stationery shows he is district sales manager at Batesville for the United Farm Agency, a coast-tocoast agency dealing in farms, ranches, and country real estate. This appears to be a very large firm with offices in Kansas City, Dallas, St. Louis, Chicago, L. A., Frisco, Detroit and Orlando. Welcome Lackey. BAG.
Of Her Horses
“ I have been riding since 1958, when we bought a little Walking Horse, Old Glory’ s Sensation— 561036. He died a few months later with an unusual blood disease.
“ We now own a gelding, Walk With Me Henry, a mare, Valiant Lily— 561184, and a two-year-old stallion, Maugray’ s Big Man— 620709.
“ My family and I go to horse shows close to home and we have attended the Celebration several times.
“ Again, I wish you the best of luck on‘ The Voice’ and the books you propose to publish.”
( Note— Such girls and boys and people inspire us. They appreciate the Tennessee Walking Horse with love and understanding. Thanks. Gail, for a line letter. BAG.)
Pedigreed Walkers For Sole Registered Walkers For Sale Choice Yearling Studs, Fillies and Mares. Come and see the 1962 foals.
Bar 7 T Ranch
PEARL TOMPKINS
On the shores of Beautiful FLATHEAD LAKE, On U. S. 93— 35 miles south of Kalipsell, Montana
ELMO, Montana