Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1879-03-08

A Cslifornla NilIionaire's Priced
Animals.


A CsliFernia NilIionaire's Prised
Animals.
There Is no region in the State 1t
once SO pleasant and picturesque as
Santa Clara Valley, and no similar
suburban distric. Of any State that has
snch possibilities. IL is already dotted
with residences and half filed with
garden like estates Of capitalists from
San Francisco to San Jose, q distance Of
so miles. The whole valley is made
picturesque by nature with natural
groves, a splendid range Of mountains
on one side, the finest bay in the world
skirting the other edge, and another
equally picturesque range OF hills ris-
ing beyond the bay on the east. or
course, the work Is not half done In the
valley, but tho country residence Of D.
o. Mills, at Milbrae, and the estates Of
8. b. Whipple, John H. Redington,
Alvinza Hayward, Robert Gansel, Jas.
Flood, Milton 8. Latham, and many
others, scattered along the line Of the
Southern Pacific, show what may be
expected In another quarter Of a CEN
tury. The vicinity of the Menlo has
hitherto proved most attractive to our
wealthy residents inclined to country
life, because the valley at this point
broadens out, giving more room for the
large estates. Here are the residences
of Mr.. Latham, the new house of James
C. Flood, and the stock ranch and Sum-
mer residence OF Leland Stanford.
The last Is in some respects the most
noticeable country estate in the United
States. The ranch includes 1000 acres
Of the most fertile land in the valley,
made up Of the Gordon and Hoag ranch.
IS, purchased by Mr.. Stanford about
three years ago. 1t begins al Menlo at
San Frsncisquite Creek, and extends
toward the southwest along the creek,
the southern and tapping over low
spur Of the coast range west Of May field.
Three or four hundred acres lie along
the hillside, affording an eligible bust
ness site, with view Of the bay and
the hills Of San Francisco. The rest Of
the farm is level or slightly elevated,
and abounds In trees separate or in
groups that suggest the cooperation
OF nature with the skillful landscape
gardener. The summer residence OF
Gov. Stanford is about a mile from
MeAio, and reached by drive along
the country road and shady avenue
that winds along the creek. Itwas up
on the Gordon ranch when purchased,
but has since been enlarged and i'm
proved. 1t is built in villa style, with
broad verandas, and has an ample out
look. There has been little time for
improvement since it came into present t
hands, but 40 acres about it have been
out in lawn, garden and vineyard. The
house has every appointment proper to
vell-stocksd library.
The stables are scarcely inferior to
the house in convenience aud neatness
of finish. The carriage house will &C
sommodats score Of vehicles, and there
are stalls for a dozen or more horses,
about the number kept in immediate
use when the family are spending the
Summer In the country. The farm
buildings proper are near the family
residence. Tho whole ranch is under
the supsrintendsncs Of Alfred Poett.
Senator Keyes has charge OF the agri'
cultural department. The stock sta
bles. the chief point Of interest, are
near the south end, not far from the
foot hills, and in charge Of H. R. Covsy,
who is assisted BY his son F.. w. Covey.
They are most remarkable for number
and variety of blood stock. There il
no collection Of horses in New York, q
State given to horse flesh. which ap.
prosches It, The Alexander stock
farm in Kentucky is the only one that
nearlv souals II in sxtsnt and valn.
Gov stanford's love Of horses dates
from his early childhood: in fact. It /,
hereditary. Ha come, from a mart in
Nav York WHARF the admiration Of fin.
Lorses IL imbibed in infancy.
H. had A good stud of horses wher
hs bought the present prop.rtv, and
since then. till Mr.. Coyey made the
last purchase Of 10 blood-mares in Ken.
lucky he ha, purchased whatever h.
laid ewes on that pleased his fancy
/. His ranch, and especially his horses
have for the last year bean bis chic
pleasure. II has bssn bis custom vher
living at the ranch during the summer
TO snend several hours au,our then
after leaving The railroad Office at tn,
cornsr ~ Fonrtb and Tovnsend streets
Of an afternoon and dnrino III. winter
to make tbsm veeklv visits. takins
visb him a fri.nd ar two TO whom h,
could noint ont thsir hsau,ies and re-
hsarss thair narsntaus. II issaid thai
he knows avsrv colt bv name. and can
t.l h;s n.d;ar.s N N. t.nth usn.ra
,on
"'A' am .,., .o..sot.