If one were to look up when standing in front of the ticket booth at the Braden Theatre on Main Street in Presque Isle, one would see a “cornerstone” of the Braden Theatre placed when the building was erected in 1950 paying tribute to the beloved local harness horse for which this theatre was named.
John R Braden was foaled in 1912 in Tennessee. It was customary at the time to name horses with part of the sire’s name and part of the dam’s name. His sire was John R Gentry, a champion pacing stallion. His dam was Braden Girl.
Early lessons given to John R Braden did not indicate that he had the ability to become a great race horse.
The highest interest in "the Fair" came in the 1920's when the local Mooseleuk Club purchased the race horse, John R. Braden, for $4,010. Groups from Caribou and Houlton had also purchased competitive horses. (Shown here is a receipt of partial ownership in Braden)
Mooseleuk is not an unknown name in Maine. There is a Mooseleuk Stream, a Mooseleuk Lake, and a Mooseleuk Mountain. These are found southwest of Masardis just across the line into Piscataquis County.
John R Braden, Presque Isle
Presque Isle Historical Society
The Mooseleuk Club, established in 1900, was a group of local business men, farmers, and horsemen. They were once referred to as “promoters of clean sport”.
Allegedly, there was a club room on Main Street boasting a dining room, poolroom, bowling alley, and a fireplace. Each member carried his own key, but had to know the secret password, “Tombstone Thompson” to gain entry.
Harness racing was at its peak in the Maritime Provinces at this time as well. The exploits of John R Braden were just as popular on the Canadian circuit as here at home. An estimated crowd of 25,000 watched him defeat world champion Margaret Dillon and competitor Directum J in three consecutive heats at the Island Park Raceway in Woodstock, New Brunswick.
John R Braden competed in his first race in Presque Isle on July 4, 1921.
After four seasons of racing, he started in 68 races and won 31 of those. During this period, he earned the nickname of “The Iron Horse from Tennessee”. Other nicknames included “The Little Iron Horse” and the “Cock of the North”.
John R Braden competed in his first race in Presque Isle on July 4, 1921.
After four seasons of racing, he started in 68 races and won 31 of those. During this period, he earned the nickname of “The Iron Horse from Tennessee”. Other nicknames included “The Little Iron Horse” and the “Cock of the North”.
Harness racing was so popular during this time that even sporting teams did not elicit the same amount of interest that the contests between the local horses did. The people of Presque Isle opened a bank account in the name of John R Braden, a novel concept. His winnings were deposited to this account. Over the course of his career, John R Braden earned over $48,000.
The Mooseleuk Club voted at board meetings to which charities they would donate part of the horse’s winnings. The Anti-Tuberculosis Association was one recipient.
John R Braden trophy, Bangor, 1922
Presque Isle Historical Society
Inscription: Presented to Mooseleuk Club, Presque Isle by the Bangor Fair as a souvenir of the Free For All Race won at Bangor, Maine Sept 21, 1922 by John R Braden (John Willard, Driver) lowering the track record from 206 ¾ made by Earl Jr 1913 to 206 1/4
As in any competition, there are those that can’t stand to lose. Such was the case with those that frequently competed against John R Braden. In fact, the owners of the horses that did regularly race against Braden were actively seeking pacers that might have a chance to defeat Presque Isle’s pride and joy.
It is rumored that the horse Jackson Grattan was purchased for that reason – and at a grand price. Allegedly, the purchase price for Grattan was $25,000!
No matter, John R Braden still easily defeated him.
It was often said at the time that Braden stall more resembled a royal dwelling than a horse stable. After racing season, he was “presented” and took a place in his stall while visitors flocked to see him.
Driver: John Willard
Groom: George Thomas.
Farrier: Bill Morrison
Harness-maker: Oliver Hemphill
Caretaker: T.E. Fogg
Fogg slept on a cot next to Braden’s stable. It is said that Braden rose with the farmers and expected his breakfast right away. If Fogg was not yet up, Braden would nudge his cot and wake him up.
John N.W. Willard was born in Oxbow, Maine on June 22, 1857. The middle initials stand for Newman Winslow. Willard’s mother gave him those middle names in exchange for a baby lamb from their neighbor, Mr. Winslow. Willard moved to Presque Isle at the age of 16 and went to work for P.H. Phair in the lumber and starch business where he toiled for 30 years.
The Mooseleuk Club decided at the time they purchased Braden that “Uncle” John Willard would be his driver. Willard drove Braden in fifty-six races, of which he won forty-six. Willard retired from racing in 1935 and passed away in Bucksport on January 16, 1947.
Byron Verge once wrote a song for John R Braden and dedicated it to the Mooseleuk Club. Verge was known as the “Maine Shipyard Song Writer”.
The John R Braden March Song
© 1922 (sung to the tune of “Boom Our State” also by Byron Verge)
VERSE ONE
There’s a song of triumph rising clear with a chorus full and strong,
You can hear it ring to the very skies with an echo loud and long,
There’s a mighty band from “Aroostook land” with heart and hand so true
They are with you to stay and they’re backing you today - -
John R. Braden! Aroostook is with you!
CHORUS
So you’ll “take the pole” today in your nifty little way,
While Aroostook County cheers you “to a man.”
With John Willard on the seat, shake your light and dainty feet
O, you can do it boy! Right well we know you can
Let each horse that steps with you then see the glitter of your shoe, when
You have set the pace they follow in your dust
John R Braden you’re a winner just as sure as I’m a sinner
And in horse and driver lays our trust
VERSE TWO
John R Braden, lad, you’ve made us glad, in the days now gone before;
May your fleet winged-feet beat the music sweet of a well won race once more.
You’re a noble boy, you’re our pride and joy, we love you, yes we do,
You have won every heart, we’ll be with you at the start,
At the finish we’re waiting to cheer you.
CHORUS
The trophy seen earlier was won at Bass Park in Bangor in a race against his arch rivals Jackson Grattan of Houlton and Roy Grattan of Caribou. Braden won all three heats that day. The Bangor Daily Commercial reported that this much interest in a racing event had not been seen since the Hank’s Grand Circuit race in 1913 featuring Earl Jr. The win earned Braden $3000.
Raymond C. Rodgers wrote a poem printed in The Trot and Pacer, Christmas 1922 which describes the rivalry between the three pacers.
A Ballad of “The Braden Hoss”
The Maine folk are game folk, and the losers wear a smile.
At Houlton, too, and Caribou, and the town that’s called Presque Isle.
The Grattan Tribe’s a game tribe, and speedy, too, as well.
But when they beat “That Braden Hoss” they have to step like H____.
The Bidwell horse is game, too, but Braden’s more than game.
Four times he beat “The Colonel: and then another came.
Canadian-Bred Roy Grattan, he did his level best.
The Caribous they came in crews, to watch him stand the test.
Then Houlton sent for Jackson, and the Grattan Stallion came.
Fresh from Grand Circuit Laurels, to try a harder game.
Five times the three kings battled, and on the final score
The Braden Hoss was at the top, and looked around for more.
Race on most gallant Braden, Presque Isle, right well may sing.
Your praises at her banquets, for you’re indeed a king.
Though Roy sometimes did head you, and Jackson tried his best.
Your shield was never atanished, your battling score was best.
Here’s to you, John R Braden, you’re all horse, every inch.
Keep up your winning records, for beating You’s No Cinch.
Full well you’ve earned the title, “The Gamest of the Game”.
And carved your name forever in the Racing Hall of Fame.
This photo, from 1921, features John R Braden and his handler on the left and Calgary Earl, another champion harness horse, with his handler on the right. Note the old grandstands and judges’ stand in the background. These were destroyed by arson in the 1940s.
The last complete racing season for John R Braden was in 1926. After retirement, he was placed out for stud services. Due to the size of his bank account, he was well cared for during his retirement.
Beloved racehorse John R Braden passed away on November 20, 1929. He was 17 years old when he died.
John R Braden was very popular in the area. In fact, he was often invited to attend functions as if he were a dignitary. At the end of his career, a banquet was thrown in his honor in one of the area hotels at which he was served a glass of champagne.
Another fan wrote this ode:
A horse we loved of famed renown
Has quietly, sadly left our town
A gentle stallion with flying mane,
John R Braden was his name.
This Iron Horse from Tennessee
Took our hearts, given willingly.
He worked so hard for his claim to fame
With John R. Willard at his rein.
Now he is dead at aged seventeen
The finest bay we have ever seen.
We’ll miss this wonder of the track
Would give our all to have him back.
But he’ll live with us in memory
His record there for all to see
Two, two and three-quarters was his mark
Engraved on his stone at Presque Isle Park.
He did not stay to say good-bye
But moved on silently without a wish
We hope he found eternal rest
This thoroughbred who deserved the best.
Braden Memorabilia - a pencil and a tobacco label stamp.
The pencil says, “You will make no mistake if you smoke The John R Braden Cigar. ‘It Can’t Be Beat’. That’s why we left off the eraser.”
The famous horse was originally buried near the homestretch of the track where he ran some of his greatest races. A concrete vault was built for his final resting place. It has since been moved to a garden spot behind the Forum building due to the expansion of the track for tractor pulls and other events.
Sources:
Bangor Daily Commercial, Sept 22, 1922, page 1.
Bangor Daily News, April 7, 1995, page C2.
Graves, Richard A. III. Forgotten Times - Presque Isle’s First 150 Years. Presque Isle, Maine: Northeast Publishing, 2006.
Greaves, Jackie H. and Stan P., Sleeper, Frank H. Images of America: Presque Isle, Caribou and New Sweden. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 1994.
Stimpson, Rita M. “The Little Iron Horse”
www.canadianhorseracimghalloffame.com/standardbred/2001/
John_R_Braden.html
www.mi-harness.com/publct/jhnrbrdn.html
www.northernmainefairgrounds.com
