Excerpted from the December 30, 1889 Creswell Letter:

Mr. W.E. HASSELL, of Chowan county, spent several days in our place as the guest of his brother, Dr. J. L. HASSELL.  He brought his colt over with him and gave us several exhibitions of his speed.  The colt is 3 years old and moves up well, and with a little more practice and age he will make a record of 2:40 or less.

Source: Roanoke Beacon, 3 January 1890.  Available online at digitalnc.org.