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AN OLD SPORTSMANS DEATH. Another link with the far-off days connecting the famous mare Blink Bonny and the history of spotting Malton has just been snapped by the death, at the ripe old age of ninety years, of Jim Clarke, a fine old retainer of the I Anson family. Clarke was well known in the racing world, and was certainly a character in his day. At Doncaster he was almost as well known as at Malton, and ho had seen no less than forty successive St. Lcgcrs, at some of whicli, in his earlier days, he had a direct business connection. Clarke was born near Doncaster, and went to Malton seventy-six years ago. His first experience in racing stables was with old Sam King at Grove House, where James Fagan is now located. Next h" went to Mr. Cobbs, of Sutton House, Norton, where the notorious Running Rein was bred. Mr. Clarke ii!cd to say he had a relic of that sensational Derby. Then after being a short time with Mr. William Preston, of Burythorpe House, he came under the kindly influence of the late William I Anson, who iu 1S49 had begun that famous career at Spring Cottage. Malton, which was one round of great and rapid progress till his death. Clarke was with him in the Blink Bonny and Blair Athol days, and he claimed to have ridden the gallant little mare in her exercises on Langton Wold. He was, however, too heavy for much riding, but he used to be of service in occasional trials, and as a young man walked the horses to Doncaster in the pre-railway days. After Mr. IAnson seniors death he remained as general factotum, and it was a great pleasure to the old man to entertain visitors to Highfield or to Iiungerford House with stories of the good old times in Malton. Somo fifteen or sixteen years ago Mr. Miles IAnson gave the old veteran a pension, and lie retired into a little freehold of his own at Norton. His wife predeceased him, and his great age and failing health Induced him about a month ago to leave Norton and go to live with a married daughter at Barnsley, where he died. London Sporting Life.
