Some unknown Carleton Place chaps- Photo from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

March 1897 Carleton Place Herald—On Saturday night last, two Carleton Place residents appeared to be desirous and exciting and the envy of our townsmen by showing up the fast abilities of a horse they were driving.

After one or two turns up and down Mill Street the horse, with only one of the company, came up the street at a terrific pace, turned the corner quickly depositing driver, robes, &c., in the snow and continued on at a gait that if kept up, promised to make that place in the shortest time on record.

Mr. Leslie, who had been so suddenly ejected, at once procured the aid of “ Watty,” (Walter McIlquham.) and started in pursuit of the runaway. By the time the animal had reached that point he had come to the conclusion that there was no necessity tor hurrying, and had sobered down to a walk, which he was quietly taking homeward. The cutter had not sustained any damage by the headlong flight of the motive power.