Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-02-14
TALES OF GOTHAM.
Men Seen in a Days Walk in
the Great City.
MORRIS, THE LOTTERY KING.
Bis Immense Fortune and How He En-
joys It-Anthony Comstoek's
Bravery-Famous Minis
tiers as Editors.

NEW YORK, Feb 10.-The breaking of the
Louisiana state lottery, which viii take
mace as soon as its present charter expires,
draws attention TO the Iaan who has for
several years been practically its owner,
and who has drawn from the mammoth
organization wealth beyond the dreams of
avarice. THIS man is John a. Morris, one
of the most remarkable men in his way now
before the public. Beside his interest in
the great lottery he is as well known as one
Of the greatest breeders of bloOded run
ming horses that this country has known.
He has owned some of the most famous and
successful horses seen on the turf in late
Norris is the man who projected Morris
Park, now by far the finest racing track in
the United States. 1t required1nerVe to put
this enterprise through, but Morris had
III required grit and some TO spare. He
paid one million and a quarter out of his
own pocket on the track before il was
opened to the public, and many wiseacres
had il that the big lottery man had bad
contract OF his hands. 1t would appear
that they were wrong Morris Park is as
sessed at 81. 000,000 and its success is as
sured. A large fortune is invested in the
Morris racing stable, and its winnings last
wear were more than Sl5O,000. An idea of
The figure he will cut on the turf this year
can be judged from the fact that he has
iust put sixty two-year-old colts into train
ing for this years events In addition to
these interests, Mr.. Morris holds a very
large interest in the Monmouth Park racing
association in New Jersey He is known
T. turfmen the world over, as was his
father, Francis Morris, before him.
We often read Of the luxury that used to
surround princes before princes became a
drug on the market. Mr.. Norris could
Guido them if he wished, and in q degree
he does He has magnificent home at
:. l.. l.
born. His racing establishments and
breeding farms in Maryland are worth up
wards OF 81, 100000. He owns three fine es-
adjustments in Boston and another in New
Orleans. He mas a shooting box that is the
envy of all sportsmen in the game region of
Louisiana Then in addition he owns
breeding farms IN England and baronial
castle near Hanover in Germany. 1t may
be needless to say that he also possesses /
yachts and other tlifies Of that kind.
Mr.. Norris is now near to seventy years
Of age, out he comes of sturdy stock and
bears his years lightly. he is . man of
medium stature, stoutly built with gray
hair and gray beard, which is always well
trimmed and ''groOmed," as he himself
would say. It is his own wish that the
Louisiana state lottery should so out of
business. He will by this lose an income
said to amount to S200000 year or more
but at his age he can afford to do it. He is
worth some S30000,O coo, which ought to be
enough to support him for the rest of his
days.
Mr.. Morris only hobby is the turf He
IS not much seen at the theaters or the
clubs, or in any public place save the race
track, and despite his many houses, and the
luxury in which they are maintained, his
own personal habits are of the simplest
Take him all in all he is very fair type of
the successful Americana type Of mar
which seems to stand out in a light of its
own.