Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-02-13

THE MAN WHOSE NAME AT LEAST rs WELL
KNOWN ALI. OVER THE COUNTRY.


KNOWN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
New York World
The swinging blow which Harry
Hill has struck at the system Of
blackmail which he alleges the police
have subjected him to has brought
the name of this remarkable man
once more prominently before the
public. To the average man and
woman the genial, ruddy-faced father
of two generations of sporting men
is type of character wholly misun-
derstood. As hermits in their
gloomy cells preserved the noblest
arts during the dark ages and hand
ed them down to liberal and en-.
lightened world, so Harry Hill has
preserved honest and manly sport
through its worst days.
Harry Hill was born in Epson.
England. His boyhood was spent
upon the famous racing track at that
place. The hardy young fellow came
to America with Mr. Woolsey, and
landed at his employers private dock
in Astoria, where he first dropped
an CHI on free soil. To-day Mr.. Hill
proudly points out this spot from
the decks Of his own steamboats,.
To-day he is the favorito stakeholder
Of America. During the fight be-
tween Sullivan and Ryan at New
Orleans Mr.. Hill held over $4,000
IN stakes, many ofwhich were dcpos-
tied with him by complete strangers.
1t is very common thing for men
who grow tipsy while seeing the
sights Of the city to deposit their
money and valuables with him over
night. In one case stranger gave
him $84 900 to take care OF. The
next day he got the money back
with short sermon upon the bless.
ings of sobriety. Itwas in Mr.. Hills
hall that the great temperance to-
vival of the female crusaders was
held rent free, week after week.
Harry Hill owns over mile of
water front on Flushing Bay, with
dock ], 800 feet long, from which his
three steamboats, run to this city,
These boats carry most Of the freight
which passes between New York and
Flushing Bay. Mr.. Hill has two
hotels, one at Flushing and one at
the waters edge. The latter is con-
Quoted as regular, old-fashioned
English road house. His private
residence is surrounded by beauti-
fnl grounds, on which there is over
half an acre of greenhouses and con-
servatories. Hundreds of rare flow
ers are cultivated for the pleasure of
the owner. In midwinter he eats
big strawberries Of his own raising
and asparagus and mushrooms that
would thrill a gourmand's soul.
Almost every blossom or vegetable
that is fair to look upon or delicious
to the palate blooms or sprouts in
this paradise. Two hundred fat and
sleek pigs Of the choicest breeds
grunt out their chorus at deep and
well-filled troughs. All about the
grounds strut duck-legged chickens,
Bermudas, Cochin Chinas, Shang-
hais, guinea hens, Dominicks and
every form valuable poultry. Pea
cocks wander on the lawns and
hundreds Of pigeons wheel overhead.
One can hardly stir twenty feet
without seeing somenew sort ofdogs.
There are settlers, pointers, terriers
black-and-tans, deer-hounds, blood
hounds, st. Demands, mastiffs, span
iels, poodles and pugs everywhere.
Mr.. Hill has over hundred dogs in
his kennels. Then there are cows
and bulls OF every kind and color,
with shining coats and cosy quarters.
In the stables are scores of fine
horses. Among them are Iron Duke,
the big brown horse who trots in
2.25; Sweepstake, the brown stallion
who trots in 2.20, and Curiosity, the
humpbacked chestnut who has trot-
ted in 2.S0. There are to be found
in the stables finely bred coach
horses, "cobs" with tails banged to
suit the most fastidious dog-cart
owner, and all sorts of running stock.
Mr.. Hill breeds largely for the mar
ket. There is also upon the estate
dairy-farm with model plant, and
all the milk yielded is converted into
butter and cheese.