Wichita eagle., 1889-12-24
ASHLAND WILKES AT HOME.
The Horseman Contains an Extended Account
of the Toler Farm and Its GOers.


Illuminated cover aud an illustrated poem
entitled the Laird's Daughter. The OBJ
vense cover contains three "goers" to
sleighs with "Xmas 'S9'' of snow crowned
letters on brilliant holly leaves. This
number of the Horseman contains pictures
of all the noted horses of the day. A fine
half page picture of Ashland Wilkes,
sketched by the artist, Frank Whitney,
together with a three column description
of H. G. Toler's Wichita farm and of Ash
land Wilkes appears in this superb Christ
mas number. 1t gives the pedigree OF a
number of the leading fillies and mares of
the farm and notes of some promising
young goers, besides eulogistic paragraphs
on John Steener and Nutwood. We make
the following extracts about Ashland
Wilkes:
In almost all parts great interest is
growing up in the business of breeding
trotters, and among the most prominent of
the western breeding places is the Toler
Stock Farm. which is located near Wich-
ita, Kan. This enterprise has only been OF
few years growth and the organization
of the farm of recent date, still it has
already sprung into notice as one of the
places where trotters are owned and bred.
This establishment is located at Toler-
vile, on the Missouri Pacific road, and is
about three miles from the city limits.
There are within its boundaries 200 acres
of pasture land 100 acres of meadow and
eighty acres of wheat and rye intended Tor
winter pasturage. The farm is well
watered by four unfailing wells of pure
water, which is carried to conveniently
located tanks by means of selfreguiatlng
wind mills. The buildings are models OF
convenience and utility. There are hve
barns, the main one being 40xl6O feet, and
contains twenty-fonr. 14xl6 box-stalls.
There is colt barn 40x60 feet for wean-
lings A trough extends through the Gen.
ter of this building, and in It a liberal
supply of feed is always kept, and TO
which the youngsters have access at all
times. as one of the special features OF
Mr.. Toler's theory of raising colts is to feed
them well on rich, wholesome food.
The premier stallion at the farm is the
noted horse Ashland Wilkes, 2:22. He is
handsome bay, of symmetrical conforma-
ton, with pure trottlng action and great
substance combined with a degree OF fin
ish rarely surpassed in trotting-bred
horse. He is 81 hands high, and IN trot-
ting condition weighs about l 1850 pounds.
He is long horse; still, on account OF his
great muscular development looks to be
compact in form. He has bright. bony,
intelligent head, full, round body, power
full quarters, smooth, strong coupling and
superb feet and legs
Ashland Wilkes is bred in the purple,
and has the famous double Mambrino
Chief cross mingled with the blood OF the
great George Wilkes. His sire is Red
Wilkes, his dam daughter of Admins
traitor; his second dam by imported Knight
of St. George; third dam by Pilot, Jr., and
fourth dam by Woodpecker.
Ashland Wilkes is trotter of merit.
I'D In mot n
to a record of 2:291a. In 1889 he made his
usual season, was again put in training,
and won some good races in fast time,
finally securing at Kansas City record OF
2:22. At St. Louis he was worked
out and trotted a quarter in 50
seconds. He was entered in race at
TerIe Haute against a large field OF last
horses, and his owner, as well as McHenry,
his trainer, felt great confidence in his
winning, and believed he could trot mile
in 2:17 On the morning of the race, how
ever, it was discovered that he was lame,
and after being examined by veterinary
surgeon it was decided not to start him.
His great speed, however, Will be devel-
oped next year.
NJ. Z. McHenry, who drove Ashland
Wilkes in his races this fall, believes HIM
not only to be fast but possessed OF all
qualities required to make up racehorse.
In other articles in this issue the blood
lines which go to make up the speed ele-
ments of Ashland Wilkes pedigree have
been discussed, and it is sufficient to state
that he is, IN point of breeding and lndi-
vldual merit, one of the very best sons OF
Red Wilkes His cross to Administrator,
however, is of great value, as that horse
has of late come to the front as a promi-
nent sire Of speed-producers. Ii might be
remembered that the great sire OF brood
mares, Mambrino Pachen, suffered perl
iod of neglect similar to that of Admins
TRAITOR At one time he was the most
famous horse in Kentucky, than his owner
saw the lights of the public turned away
from him. Only a few years ago his
daughters could be bought at business
horse prices, but they began producing
speed, and now every drop OF their blood
IS estimated as pure gold. There Is no
reason why Administrator mares should
not become valuable as dams of trotters,
and in fact it seems that the daughters OF
any grandson of mambrino Chief will be-
come good brood mares. Just what esti-
mate to place upon the knight of st.
George cross in AS land Wilkes it is diff
cult to say, 1t is there, and will please one
class of theorists who think that sort OF
breeding is the pink of perfection. At all
events it has not stopped this horse, as he
is good actor and fights his races out like
a bull dog, never being beaten until the
last foot of the last heat has been covered.
The Pilot, Jr., cross in his third dam is a
positive quantity and Of great value. These
blood lines make up a pedigree at once
fashionable and full Of successful speed
producing strains, and are united in a
horse that is a trotter and has given evil
dence of being sire of speed.
In winding up the long article the writer
in the Horseman says of the stud and
farm in a general way:
In laying the foundation for his stud
Mr.. Toler has given the subject much
thought, and has made his selections with
great care To him belongs the honor OF
owning the first son of Red Wilkes to
demonstrate tie fact that his power of
speed transmission extends beyond the
first generation. This /. a question of
vital Importance. and of more consequence
to the interests of the family than half a
dozen new 2:30 trotters. There was really
no serious question about it, but Ashland
Wilkes through the performance of his
son, President Wilkes, has effectualiy
covered the ground. The lamenesS that
showed at Terre Haute was a great dlsap-
pointment to his owner as the horse was
developing speed so rapidly, and had in
the few races in which he had been en-
gagged displayed such sterling race horse
qualities that he had good reason to expect
a first-class race and very fast record.
Mr.. 1oler as not yet completed the
organization of his stud. He occasionally
ADDS choice FLY to the lot already at the
farm, aud if she is old enough starts her
up before placing her in the breeding
ranks He is. however, we'll satisfied with
his colts, and feels sure he has his share of
stake winners among them. Still, as he
breeds to sell and understands the require
ments of the western country, where size,
style, good bone and pure trotsing action
are absolutely necessary, his prices are
reasonable. He also conducts his business
on business PRINCIPLES, and always hopes