The New York herald., 1879-02-24
GRAND ESTATE In CALIFORNIA.

FoRD-Two THOUSAND ACRES OF LAND
THREE HUNDRED THOROUGHBRED HORSES, oc-
CUpYING ONE MILE OF SHEDS AND STABLES.
From the San Francisco Chronicle Feb. p
The summer residence of Leland Stanford is in
some respects the most noticeable country estate in
the United States The ranch includes 1900 acres of
the most fertile land in the Santa Clara Valley made
up of the Gordon and Hoag ranches. purchased by
Mr.. Stanford about three years ago. 1t begins half
mile from Menlo, at the San Francisquite Creek
and extends toward the southwest along the creek,
the southern end tapping over low spur OF the
coast range west of Mayfeld. Three four nun
dred lie along the hillside. affording eligible
building site with view of the bay and the hills OF
San Francisco The of the farm Is level slightly
elevated. and abounds in trees separately or in
groups that suggest the cooperation of nature with
the skilful landscape gardener. The summer resi-
dence of Governor Stanford is about mile from
Meno. and reached by drive along the country road
and shady avenue that winds along the creek. 1t
was upon the Gordon ranch when purchased, but
has since been enlarged and improved. 1t is built in
villa style. with broad verandas, and has ample
outlook There has been little time for improvement
since 1t came into present hands. but forty acres
about it have been laid out in lawn garden and vine
yard. The house has every appointment proper to a
gentlemans country home, including pictures and
well stocked library.
The stables scarcely inferior to the house in
convenience and neatness Of finish. The carriage
house will accommodate score of vehicles, and
there stalls for dozen more horses. about the
number kept in immediate when the family
spending the summer in the country. The farm
buildings proper are near the family residence.
The whole ranch is under the superintendence Of
Alfred Poett Senator Keyes has charge of the agri-
cultural department. The stock stables, the chief
point of interest, the south end, not far
from the foothills. and in charge of H. r. Covey. who
is assisted by his son. F. w. Covey. They are most
remarkable for number and variety of blood stock.
There Is collection of horses in New York. State
given to horsefesh, which approaches it, The Alex
apder stock farm in Kentucky is the only one that
nearly equals 1t in extent and value. Governor STAN
fords love of horses dates from his early childhood
in fact. it is hereditary. He comes from part of
New York where the admiration of fine horses is i'm
bibed in infancy. He had good stud of horses
when he bought the present property and since
then, till Mr.. Covey made the last purchase Of nine
teen blood brood in Kentucky he has pur-
chased whatever he laid eyes that pleased his
fancy. His ranch. and especially his horses, have
for the last year been his chief pleasure.
1t has been his custom when living at the ranch
during the summer to spend several hours among
them after leaving the railroad offices at the
Of Fourth and Townsend streets, of afternoon,
and during the winter to make them weekly vsits.
taking with him friend or two to whom he could
point their beauties and rehearse their parentage
1t is said that he knows every colt by name and
tell his pedigree to the tenth generation. A stable
with 800 blood horses Of all ages must be curiosity
to the most Indifferent observer of animals. It
takes o mile Of sheds and stables to accommodate
them and host of serving men to supply
their daily wants. The trotting stable is
building 15OxsO feet. us warm. comfortable and
ana dual
this there stables for stations. for brood
and for colts in training with quarter sections in
paddocks and fne hard race track splendid in the
summer and dry and hard during the fair weather
of the winter. Here the younger animals taught
hesh and Elaine the fastest of foury be
speeding in harness on any fine day at any time
OF year. Occident is curously looked at by every
who visits the trotting stable. He welcomes all
corners kindly and receives the caresses of ladies
with gracious and amiable courtesy. 1t
one to hear o jealous horseman talk about his
favorites he is much i'll earnest No be
more in love with his occupation than the elder
Covey Stripped of some of its technicaities that
which he has to say is much as folows:-O brood
mares there 100 in the stables, many of them with
very bright records-records. say. of from 2:27 or
mares includes Aurora, who has troted mile in
2:27; Maid of Clay with record of 2:3S; Barnes
DAISY c., who made 2:3s when three years old Lucy
with record of $780, and these, with the records
nexed mitchell; Ma sao' may fiy M w. NAY
1885, The stallion stable is an expensive luxury.
The stations sleek animals of great
size. strength and beauty. and with the
fiery look which they have inherited from
their ancestors Of the desert 1t useless to in
quire too closely into their pedigree, however de-
it includes such names as Rysdyks Hambletonan,
prospero. Dame Trot. Toronto Gray Messenger,
Blucher, Abde Kader, Abdallah. Old Mambrino Bel
mont Eclipse, with other names, any one of which
kndles the blood Of the horse expert and sets the
knees of the Jocky quiverng. There il Electioneer,
the father of line of princes; Mohawk Chief an
animal OF superb figure and spirit; General Benton.
Of easb Mad for y wn
General Benton's record is believed to extend
backward untarnished to the conquest of Spain
by the Saracens. His keeper claims. with glow of
pardonable pride, that he has fourteen Crosses of
Messenger blood the true source it is said. of the
trotting quality. fourth stallion, Don Victor,
though possessed of less personal grace conspc-
being the only thoroughbred stallion on the
them as we CLEAN from statements made from time
to time in the public prints having costove $4,000
From similar sources we learn that scarcely larger
$4,000. A shrewd mathematician might estimate
the entire worth OF horses and colts on
the place to considerably exceed 100000.
From the list of many swift steeds,
each of which has some claim to distinction, some
must of necessity be omitted here. The groom will
you through the trotting stable and he opens
each stall reel of little story OF fascinating interest
giving some entertaining matter of detail regard
ing Occdent, now specifying the good points of
Elaine narrating incidents in the life of Abe Edg-
ington the gallant gray. Elsewhere may be seen
Mater Occidentis the mother OF Occident an animal
rarely seen and the only honored with purely
Latin title 1t may be said in passing that her beauty
does not correspond with her celebrity. Stalled
near this distinguished matron is the beau
tiful white trick horse Mahomet, a pure
Arab brought from Bengal by Chiarn for Milton S
Latham. 1t is u well known fact to horse breeders
that physical beauty does not always correspond in
animals with their speed or other useful qualities
Governor stanford is endeavorng, by interbreeding
thoroughbred mares with trotting stations, to rem
edy these defects and his late purchases. especially
the last importation from Kentucky. have been made
to that end. Any real improvement in the breed of
horses, is of course, n public benefaction. From
these roy marriages may be expected sristocrac
lineage. The stock has been mostly purchased from
Charles Bachman of Orange county, N. ", and from
well known breeders in the blue grass region OF
Kentucky. We give few specimens of birth and
breeding
Robin Girl. by Enquirer dam Cynthia Sue. by Joe
Stoner.
Piney Lewis. by Longfellow; dam Lew Lewis, by
Endorscr.
Pianetia, by Planet; dam La Henderson. by Lcx-
ngton.
Miss Campbell. by Endorser; dam Cynthia Sue, by
I,o