C. Speck Motors

Phantom is Dead

This may be an old story to some. But it's worth retelling; because the vast loneliness of the Simone Mountains doesn't produce a horse like the "Phantom" every day. And the Indians, including George Charlie, who first snared the little Palomino-coated tiger horse six years ago, Say Phantom is dead. He was shot at 17 years. Why, nobody seems to know.

Phantom was not a tall horse, but he was handsome, sturdy, smart, and as wild as the storms that tore through the sage stubble on Signal Peak. White men and red had tried to capture him. The Phantom eluded their traps and snares many, many times. But George Charlie got Phantom one day and took him- dejected, whipped and hopelessly sad- to a horse buyer.

The Phantom was mean. He was a killer. He was never broken, and there is no record that man ever got a leg on him. But the stallion's great heart was shrunken and his spirit withered in a corral. His owner held a high price on him as a stud animal. But the brooding beast had no interest in mares. Although thin and weakened by frustration and grief, the Phantom once fought his way over a high corral fence and all but slaughtered a polo pony in a raging attack. The cow pokes denied that any stallion would kick the Phantom's brains out, were he ever to regain freedom.

Clayton Speck, a Sunnyside businessman and sportsman, had seen Phantom several times while the great-spirited little devil was on the loose. And "Clayt" developed a sentimental attachment for the animal. After an unsuccessful effort to buy the horse from Brady Layman, to free the Phantom, Mr. Speck later bought him from the deceased owner's estate, and after Phantom had been in captivity only a few months. Then Clayton Speck and his son took the sorrowing and bewildered little stallion back to the open ranges of his nativity, to set him free, without brand.

Mr. Speck said it was raining and blowing hard, when the Phantom was given his liberty, he backed away and eyed his liberators with confused but dawning comprehension. He jogged to a rise of land and there, silhouetted against a slate sky, turned again to gaze upon the man and the boy- the horse's mane and flowing tail whipping in the rain-laden wind. Then, with a wild whistle and a throw of the head, the Phantom plunged away into the murk- toward the hills, plains and hidden valleys where he lived, fought and grown strong for more than a decade. Sixteen months ago, give years after Clayton Speck freed the powerful, beautiful, high-tempered horse, he was seen again. His heard of 15 mares and colts was down to nine. But the Phantom was still the wild, free kind of his domain.

Now he is dead, so they say. Was he shot by a human he out-smarted? The Phantom was never known to mind business other than his own. But though the Phantom lives no more, both the spirit of the wild animal and the understanding of the man who restored its freedom live on. And no fence will ever hold them.

• Avoid quick starts and aggressive driving: A smooth, steady speed saves gasoline and reduces wear and tear on the engine, tires, transmission, and brakes.
• Slow down!  Fuel economy decreases about 1% for each mph over 55.  Driving 65 mph vs. 75 mph, for example, increases fuel economy by about 10%.
• Use overdrive and cruise control:  Overdrive gears slow engine speeds, saving gasoline and reducing wear.  By helping to maintain a constant speed, cruise control reduces gasoline consumption.  Use both features only when safe and appropriate. 
  
• Combine trips when possible: Your engine runs more efficiently once it's warmed up, so avoid making multiple short trips.  Stop-and-go driving also burns more gasoline.  Avoid driving during rush hour whenever you can.
• Reduce drag: Remove roof racks and other items from your vehicle when you're not using them.
• Avoid unnecessary idling: In addition to contributing to engine wear and tear air pollution, consider that when your vehicle is idling, you are getting 0 miles per gallon of gasoline you use.