The Hunter’s Horn
September, 1966
Page Nineteen
Notes on U.S. Open History
Smokey L. Johnson
By Arthur Cook, U.S. Open secretary, Box 434, Florence, Alabama
Here at Florence, Ala., on Dec. 1, 1952, 92 foxhounds had been entered for the running of the 7th annual U.S.
Open field trials.
It has been dry for most of the fall. In fact, the National was to run the week of November 11 but it was so dry at
Gatlinburg, Tenn., at this time that the National was postponed until the last week of November. The people
that arrived at Gatlinburg found plenty of moisture, with a big blanket of snow.
A few hounds were brought directly from the National to the USO. Smokey L. Johnson ran the three days of the
National all age, placing 10th in trailing and 10th in endurance. He was a good looking, strong, well made
hound. He proved he had stamina and desire, running three days at the National, then coming on to win the
USO after only two days rest.
The first three days of the USO were run under very adverse weather conditions for a field trial. Alabama’s red
hills and fields were rain-soaked. It sleeted and rained, making it bad for the hounds to run as well as being
very uncomfortable for the judges and spectators.
Friday, the fourth and last day, was beautiful. Scenting conditions seemed to be excellent, as the hounds ran
red fox the full five hours with all ease. When the hunt was called off Smokey L. Johnson didn’t seem to
weaken, as he was seen still hunting the open fields with lots of go left.
Smokey was a great son of Coy Flowers, the sire of so many winners. His dam, Big Sister H., was a daughter of
Eddie Blanton, coming from the Big Stride and Hub Dawson hounds. You see the cross of Smokey L. Johnson
in lots of our present day hounds. C. L. Johnson stood Smokey at $100.00 stud fee; otherwise he would
probably have been bred to more extensively for lots of hunters just can’t pay this large stud fee and express
charges.
The new champion did well all across the board almost every day, scoring 180 points in speed and driving the
last day. Though not placing first in any bracket, he was a good, persistent hound.
Mrs. Perkins placed first in hunting, Sarah Hughes was first in trailing, and Texas Moon placed first in speed
and driving and endurance.
Henry Bell Covington was master of hounds. The judges were Sowell Yates, Wilmer Endsley, George Petty,
Harold Mattison, Robert Covington, Arthur Cook, Carl Lightfoot, Charley Smith, Lyle Pippin, Jim King, Eugene
Davis, Jack Hosch, Philip Wyatt, Romie Green, Alfred Rees and Lemah Hopper. The winners:
1. Smokey L. Johnson (Coy Flowers ex Big Sister H) C. L. Johnson, Statesville, N.C.
2. Texas Moon (Howard Pickett ex Dasey Hawk) C. G. Green, Clarksville, Tex
3. Sarah Hughes (N FCh Bing Bristol ex Mary Lee Raider) Nichols and Swayze, Vaughan, Miss
4. Palmetto White Girl (Little Brown Eye ex Oma Mary) Dr. M. N. Camp, Ft. Lauderdale,, Fla
5. Scott Henslee Jr. (Scott Henslee ex Princess Hi Haggin) W. A. Henslee, Atlanta, Ga.
6. Mrs. Perkins (Howard Pickett ex Dasey Hawk) C. G. Green
7. Morning Star (Mid Nite Alarm ex Vanest’s Hawk) W. Milligan, Marshall, Ill
8. Jim Murphy (Little Brown Eye ex Oma Mary) R. B. Murphy, Bahama, N.C.
9. Prince Elmo (Howard Pickett ex Molly Hale) B.C. Scott, Weatherford, Tex
10. Spot (USO Ch Pine Ridge Fred ex Sue Mullis) F.D. Nunnamaker, Durham, NC
It looks like Coy Flowers is the top sire of USO hounds, with Howard Pickett a close second.
Eighteen hounds finished the hard four-day hunt. Thirty-two hounds loafed, 22 were caught babbling, nine
running rabbits, four running dog tracks, two withdrawn, two lost, one caught howling, one running covered
track and one scratched for cunning running. We had plenty of rabbits as well as red fox, as I believe nine
were the most ever caught running the short-tails.
The 18 that finished compiled a total of 1475 points hunting, 495 points trailing, 2400 points speed and drive
and 485 for endurance.
At the annual business meeting J. Alonzo Burris, Lincolnton, N.C., was elected president for 1953. John All,
Iuka, Miss., was elected secretary.
September, 1966
Page Nineteen
Notes on U.S. Open History
Smokey L. Johnson
By Arthur Cook, U.S. Open secretary, Box 434, Florence, Alabama
Here at Florence, Ala., on Dec. 1, 1952, 92 foxhounds had been entered for the running of the 7th annual U.S.
Open field trials.
It has been dry for most of the fall. In fact, the National was to run the week of November 11 but it was so dry at
Gatlinburg, Tenn., at this time that the National was postponed until the last week of November. The people
that arrived at Gatlinburg found plenty of moisture, with a big blanket of snow.
A few hounds were brought directly from the National to the USO. Smokey L. Johnson ran the three days of the
National all age, placing 10th in trailing and 10th in endurance. He was a good looking, strong, well made
hound. He proved he had stamina and desire, running three days at the National, then coming on to win the
USO after only two days rest.
The first three days of the USO were run under very adverse weather conditions for a field trial. Alabama’s red
hills and fields were rain-soaked. It sleeted and rained, making it bad for the hounds to run as well as being
very uncomfortable for the judges and spectators.
Friday, the fourth and last day, was beautiful. Scenting conditions seemed to be excellent, as the hounds ran
red fox the full five hours with all ease. When the hunt was called off Smokey L. Johnson didn’t seem to
weaken, as he was seen still hunting the open fields with lots of go left.
Smokey was a great son of Coy Flowers, the sire of so many winners. His dam, Big Sister H., was a daughter of
Eddie Blanton, coming from the Big Stride and Hub Dawson hounds. You see the cross of Smokey L. Johnson
in lots of our present day hounds. C. L. Johnson stood Smokey at $100.00 stud fee; otherwise he would
probably have been bred to more extensively for lots of hunters just can’t pay this large stud fee and express
charges.
The new champion did well all across the board almost every day, scoring 180 points in speed and driving the
last day. Though not placing first in any bracket, he was a good, persistent hound.
Mrs. Perkins placed first in hunting, Sarah Hughes was first in trailing, and Texas Moon placed first in speed
and driving and endurance.
Henry Bell Covington was master of hounds. The judges were Sowell Yates, Wilmer Endsley, George Petty,
Harold Mattison, Robert Covington, Arthur Cook, Carl Lightfoot, Charley Smith, Lyle Pippin, Jim King, Eugene
Davis, Jack Hosch, Philip Wyatt, Romie Green, Alfred Rees and Lemah Hopper. The winners:
1. Smokey L. Johnson (Coy Flowers ex Big Sister H) C. L. Johnson, Statesville, N.C.
2. Texas Moon (Howard Pickett ex Dasey Hawk) C. G. Green, Clarksville, Tex
3. Sarah Hughes (N FCh Bing Bristol ex Mary Lee Raider) Nichols and Swayze, Vaughan, Miss
4. Palmetto White Girl (Little Brown Eye ex Oma Mary) Dr. M. N. Camp, Ft. Lauderdale,, Fla
5. Scott Henslee Jr. (Scott Henslee ex Princess Hi Haggin) W. A. Henslee, Atlanta, Ga.
6. Mrs. Perkins (Howard Pickett ex Dasey Hawk) C. G. Green
7. Morning Star (Mid Nite Alarm ex Vanest’s Hawk) W. Milligan, Marshall, Ill
8. Jim Murphy (Little Brown Eye ex Oma Mary) R. B. Murphy, Bahama, N.C.
9. Prince Elmo (Howard Pickett ex Molly Hale) B.C. Scott, Weatherford, Tex
10. Spot (USO Ch Pine Ridge Fred ex Sue Mullis) F.D. Nunnamaker, Durham, NC
It looks like Coy Flowers is the top sire of USO hounds, with Howard Pickett a close second.
Eighteen hounds finished the hard four-day hunt. Thirty-two hounds loafed, 22 were caught babbling, nine
running rabbits, four running dog tracks, two withdrawn, two lost, one caught howling, one running covered
track and one scratched for cunning running. We had plenty of rabbits as well as red fox, as I believe nine
were the most ever caught running the short-tails.
The 18 that finished compiled a total of 1475 points hunting, 495 points trailing, 2400 points speed and drive
and 485 for endurance.
At the annual business meeting J. Alonzo Burris, Lincolnton, N.C., was elected president for 1953. John All,
Iuka, Miss., was elected secretary.
