St. Paul daily globe., 1888-05-21
Comments of Eastern Papers
on Commodore Kittson's
Death.
The Sale Of the Horses at
Midway to Take Place
June 27.
Grattan Gives Owners Of
Trotting Horses Some Good
Advice.
More Entries for the Breeders
Stakes--Mr. Hughes Buys
Herod Mares.

The death of the late Commodore Kit
son furnishes fruitful source of COM
ment to the Eastern papers, especially
TO those devoted to the breeding of
horses. This is very natural as Mr..
Kittson spent large portion of his time
in the East, and was we'll and personally
acquainted with Mr.. Bonner and all
other leading gentlemen connected with
the turf, including the editors and pro-
prietors of the principal turf journals of
the country. In speaking of his death
the Chicago Horseman speaks as fol-
lows:
One of the most remarkable and pro-
gressive men of the great Northwest
passed suddenly away on Thursday, May
10. Commodore \. w. KittSon was one
of those grand. self-made neil. whose
marvellous energy and far-reaching con-
hdence in the unlimited capacity of the
mighty West enabled him not only to
build up colossal fortune, but also to
invest it wisely in great public enter
priSes which developed and cOnsoli-
dated the prosperity of the vast section
with which his name was so thoroughly
identified. Mr.. Kittson was born
in the Province of Quebec of
n ROOu ldlUIlN. HIS
having served under Gen. Wolfe
at the famous siege of Quebec. Between
the far-otf province and the Northwest
ern territories there has always been
the close affinity which similarity of
climate engenderS, and in spite of the
immense distance between them there
has always been steady immigration
westward. Full of ambition young Kilt
son when sixteen years old turned his
back on the old French province, and as
an emplOye of the American Fur COM
pany he arrived at Fort Smelling in 1884.
With an energy which never tired, and
determination which never failed, he
advanced the interests of the COM
became partner. During this
period he would traverse hundreds
of miles on snow shoes, or with dog
sleighs, through the district which is
now supplied with excellent tranSpOrta-
ton by the st. Paul, Minneapolis d
Manitoba railroad. He went into busi-
ness for himself, and prosperity at
tended him. Recognizing the want of
transporting facilities on the Red River
he established line of steamers, which
proved immensely successful. But the
financial coup of his business career
was in connection with the reorganiZa-
lion of the st. Paul. Minneapolis &
Manitoba railroad, from which he
realized magnificent fortune. In his
amusementS Mr.. Kittson was as
thorough as lie was in his business pur-
suits. Always an admirer of both the
thoroughbred and the trOtter, having
unlimited wealth, and leisure TO enjoy
it, he determined to indulge his passion
for btooded stock.
He purchased the celebrated thor
oughbred stock farm Erdenheim, near
Philadelphia, formerly the property of
AriStides Welch, and began breeding
and training Oh large scale. At Mid
way, between Minneapolis and st. Paul,
Minn., he established a stock farm for
trotterS, and purchased for racing pur-
poses some Of the most sensational per-
formers of their day. He bought Little
Brown jug, 2:11M, for $1,000; John
ston, 2:0614, for $50, 200, the latter MAX
ng his great record after his purchase.
lie bought Pilgrim, S13, 900; Won Arnim,
10000; So SO, 2:1714, $4,000; Fanny
Witherspoon, 2:lG14, $4,000, and other
last public performers. In the va
'ious breeders organizations he
vas always active in word
md deed, being keenly alive
10 every movement which would pro-
mote the honor and popularity of the
5urf. Conscious of falling health. he
had decided to sell his entire trotting
stud. The deceased gentleman was for
some years in the legislature of Mime
sofa, and had the honor of being elected
mayor of st. Paul. He leaves behind
aim family to mourn his loss, and a
vast circle of friends who. will never
forget the indomitable energy, the i'm
mcnse business grasp, the large-hearted
generosity and the commanding ability
lf the man who was essentially one of
he grand pioneer generals of the great
West