Mexico weekly ledger., 1896-05-28
A HANDSOME GIFT.
Col. Jno. T. Hughes, of Lexington,
KY, Presents the Mexico Fair
Association With 500.

Col. John T. Hughes, of Lexington,
KY, proprietor of the Elton Stock
Farm, perhaps the largest stock
breeding establishment in the "Blue
Grass State, makes a handsome do
nation to the Mexico Fair, as will be
seen from a letter, printed below, to
Mr.. b. b. Runkle, of this office.
Col. Hughes is thoroughly in love
with Mexico for several reasons.
When here at our meeting last year
he said our women were as fair as
those of his own famed State; our
men were as hospitable, gallant and
courteous as any he had ever met,
and our horses were just as we'll bred
and we had as many good ones as
Kentucky could boast of. He paid us
a high compliment when he said we
knew how t run a fair.
The ladies' of this section are re-
minded that Col. Hughes is a bach
elor, is a fine Kentucky gentleman,
and owns and lives on the largest and
finest blue grass farm in the State of
Kentucky.
1t nearly broke the Coionel's heart
to think that, within the confines of
Audrain County, Missouri, there was
owned the finest saddle stallion
in the world. This was the famous
Rex Mcdonald S33, then the property
of r. T. Freeman & Son, south of this
city. Col. Hughes coveted Rex above
all other horses in the land, and at
st. Louis he said 10 this writer: "Say,
if that old Teller up in your county
ever gets ready to sell that black boss,
you let me know by telegraph at my
expense" 1t was not a great while
afterward that Rex Mcdonald be-
came the property of Jno. T. Hughes
at the highest price eve paid for a
saddle horse, mare or gelding. And
this one fact gave Mexico fame all
over the State of Kentucky as we'll as
elsewhere.
Col. Hughes especially commended
the $500 saddle stake opened by G.. f.
Clark, the year this gentleman gave
Mexico one of the best fairs it ever
had-the stake at that time being the
largest that had ever been attempted
and stated that the efforts of an in
dividual or an association that would
risk such q venture in the interest of
the saddle horse were worthy of his
encouragement. Recognizing Mexico
in the lead in this matter, Col. Hughes
remembers it substantially.
Since Col. Hughes has been show
ing horses at the st. Louis Fair, he
has taken over $50, 900 in premiums,
given by that association.
The Mexico Fair Association and
the people of Mexico and Audrain
County highly appreciate Col. Hughes
generous gift and hope he will be with
us at the Fair, August 1923.
The following letter is self-explan-
atory:
| Mr.. b. b. RunkIe, Mexico. Mo.
LEXINGTON, KY, May %, 1s96.-En-
closed find my check for one hundred
dollars, which you will please hand to
MI. C.. f. Clark, the money to be
used by the Mexico Fair Association
for any purpose the association may
see fit.
fully recognize what Mexico and
your county have done for the horse
breeding interests of not only your
own State, but others, hence this do
nation to your fair.
have been intending to write to
you ever since | received your letter
and the LEDGER speaking about the
Mexico Fair, but | have been very
busy. I thought | would have been in
your town before this and probably
may be there sometime in June, as
expect to go to Missouri on a bust
ness trip as soon as l can find time.
| said to Mr.. G. F. Clark, and also
to yourself, that / would give YOU
Fair Association 500 for the interest
you people have taken in encourag'
ing the breeding of first-class horses
both saddle and harness.
| sincerely hope you may have ;
first class fair this year, as you die
last year. 1 will try to be with yot
again with my stock. Please send me-
entry blanks and premium list.
l wish here to say that last yea
J you had one of the best and mos
pleasant fairs I ever attended and
never was treated more Hospitality
in my life than by your people.
Hoping this may find you we'll ant
happy, / remain,
Truly Your Friend,