The Time Capsule: A statue for a beloved community horse
“Villisca,” the lady said, “put up a statue for a pig. This town should at least do as much for Alix.”
I agreed. We should just do it.
The conversation, which included three mature ladies of Red Oak, was about the treasures this area contains—treasures in past events and the talent and abilities of residents now as well as then. It is important, one remarked, for new generations to have an awareness of what came before—including Alix.
Alix was, of course, just a horse—a horse some considered too small, too dainty, too gentle and kindly of disposition to possess either the physical abilities or competitive toughness to be a winner. As most readers know, those who doubted were wrong. She set records that will never be broken. In her peak years, at the heart of the golden age of harness racing, she was arguably the fastest trotter on the planet. She raced on the west coast and the east, putting together a string of triumphs some sportswriters called the most impressive they witnessed in their lifetime. Her name and picture and articles about her appeared in newspapers and magazines nationwide.
Alix was relentless, running heat races so grueling they were later banned, pounding out mile after mile in contests that lasted for hours rather than minutes, proving herself an unmatched combination of speed and endurance.
She was perhaps Red Oak’s greatest ambassador, better known than any person who lived here, the toast of the racing world, her name sold for advertising. Money from her earnings changed the geography of the town. A street was named for her. The street was bordered on the south by a then-modern racing complex that would not have been built but for her, a complex that became our county fairgrounds.
She was a sportswriter’s delight, headlined as “Sweet Little Alix” and “The People’s Choice.” Carl Sandberg saw her, then wrote an enduring tribute. Fans stood in line to touch her velvet nose, and when she was led about Red Oak our residents cheered as she passed by.
But she was just a horse. When men of greed overused and misused and inflicted unnecessary pain, so intent on squeezing every cent of value from her that they killed her, she was soon forgotten.
Being overlooked doesn’t change the fact that she remains a part of this community’s history.
Diane Brower believes this oversight should be remedied. She feels we can raise the money, find a suitable location and erect a monument.
All right. Let’s give it a try. Jim Hoskinson has agreed to help and Jim is an established artist who gets things done. He’s doing a drawing of the proposed memorial. One way or another I’ll get the drawing in the paper. We’ll raise awareness and look for support.
No one can change what happened to Alix at the end, but we can recognize her for the good years and what she did for Red Oak. If you have an interest helping with this, let Diane or Jim or I know. More later.
Roy Marshall is a local historian and columnist for the Red Oak Express. He can be contacted at news@redoakexpress.com.