Town: Lecompte, Rapides Parish, Louisiana Submitted by: Gaytha Carver Thompson Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana Nashville and Chicago, The Southern Publishing Company 1890 Additional notes by Gaytha Thompson ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** LECOMPTE Lecompte or Lecomte is another ancient town of which a good deal has been written. One of the first railroads constructed in the United States was that from Alexandria to this point --- a primitive road sixteen miles long. In 1886 the Catholic Church building of Kanomie was moved to Lecompte. Here also is the Circuit Church of the Methodists, which, in connection with Boyce and other circuit churches, claims 110 members. In 1888 the Baptist society was organized here by Rev. E. O. Ware. Additional notes on Lecompte: According to most versions, a promising colt was given to Jefferson Wells by his friend, Ambrose Lecomte, a planter living near Natchitoches. Accordingly, Wells named the fine young animal Lecomte, the spelling later being accidentally changed so that it has forever been recorded Lecompte. Jefferson Wells raised the colt at Dentley where he specialized in fine livestock and, especially in developing race horses. He had a particularly talented black trainer at Dentley, a man by the name of Harkness, who rightfully, shares some of Lecomte's glory. On April 1, 1854, a memorable horse race was held at the famous Metaire Course. The race, advertised at "The Great State Post Stakes," became a state rivalry between Louisiana and Kentucky. Although there were four horses from four southern states, the Louisiana and Kentucky horses were on the lips and the tops of the pens of writers throughout the U.S. Lecompte made history when he met his half-brother Lexington, the Kentucky entry. Everyone who was anyone was on hand for this great event---governors, mayors, and congressmen from numerous states, business and professional elite, along with no other than U.S. President Millard Filmore, who stated, "There is no way I would miss this great sporting event. A match race in those days was a grueling test of speed and endurance in four mile heats, with the winner being the horse with the best time in the three runnings. On this particular day the track was muddy, and Lexington's victory was considered by many a freak. The horse was a lucky "mudder". A rematch was demanded. This time Lecompte was not only the winner, but won in record time. Again there were calls for a rematch. On April 14, 1855, Tom Wells, owner of Lecomte, challenged Lexington in a head to head "rubber" match, with the winner being awarded $20,000. This time there was no question: Lexington was declared the winner, with a time of 7:23 - 3/4. When it was all over, it was heard in the crowd "Besides the $20,000 purse, there were surely some plantations that changed hands today." Lecomte won the first heat with a world-record breaking 7:26 time. The second heat he won at 7:38 3/4 and was crowned the champion of the American turf. Richard Tenbroeck bought Lecomte for $10,000 and shipped the animal to England in the spring of 1856. Lecomte developed pneumonia on the ocean voyage and died shortly after arriving. Lecomte is remembered through a town located south of Alexandria that was named in his honor, even though the name was misspelled. Lexington's skeleton can be seen today properly mounted in the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C. This description of Lecomte was published in "Spirit of the Times," November 9, 1856: "Lecomte is a rich chestnut, with white on one hind leg, which reaches a little above the pastern joint. He stands fifteen hands three inches in height. Is in a fine racing form, and well spread throughout his frame, with such an abundance of bone, tendon, and muscle, that he would be a useful horse for any purpose. His temper is excellent; he is easily placed in a race, and yet responds to the extent of his ability. He never tears himself and his jockey to pieces y attempting to run away. His action is low, smooth, and easy. His stride is about twenty-three feet, and he gets away from the score like a quarter-horse. He has a constitution of iron, the appetite of a lion, would eat sixteen quarts of feed if it was given to him, and can stand as much work as a team of mules. In a word, he has all the good points and qualities of both sire and dam, without their defects; consequently, he is about as fine a specimen of a thoroughbred as can be found in this or any other country." LECOMPTE The race of April 14, 1855, was the last for both horses. They both gave great enjoyment to many when they competed.