The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-12-22

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nents.
General jackson and Mrs. Marks
had but lately returned from a trip to
England, where the General was re-
ceiyed and recognized as an American
gentleman to the manner born. The
Duke of Devonshire entertained the
master of Belle Meade at Chatsworth
Castle. the imost magnificent and or
nate show place in the old country.
The Duke of Westminster made him
at home at Eaton Hall, and had his
Derby winners trotted out for his in
spection. The Prince Of Wales hob
nobbed with him at the Turf Club at
Newmarket, and asked him for an
opinion about his great horse, Per-
simmons, winner of the Derby and St.
Leger of 1896.
~ was somewhat disappointed with
Persimmons, - said the General, when
speaking Of his introduction to the
Prince. II doubt whether he is
really great race horse, such as Or
monde was. / should class him,
rather, as Lord Lyon or Galtee
Moore than as Gladiateur.
On Newmarket Heath, where all the
great classic English races are de-
cided, the Derby and St. Leger only
excepted, General Jackson met Rich
ard Croker, Of New York.
''I was more than pleased with
Tammany's signal victory in Greater
New York, which, of course, was
largely due to Mr.. Croker's great gen.
eralship."
The breakfast was about ended,
and General jackson felt converse
tional.
ssI am particularly glad of the
Tammany chieftain's success, for |
am great admirer Of Mr.. Croker.
Indeed, I ought to like him, for
my business dealings with him during
the last few years have certainly been
very profitable to me.
"Mr. Croker came to Belle Meade
just as you gentlemen came this
morning. He wished to see my es-
tablishment and I sent MIN word tc
come out. 1 had had no previous
dealings and, indeed, had only casu-
al acquaintance with him. He was
visiting the South ON pleasure beat,
and when L conducted him over my
farm I had no thought that We weuld
ever join in a partnership. AS We
looked over the stock he would from
time to time make inquiry as to the
prices obtained at my sale Of yearlings.
I told him that at one sale in New
York 200 Of my yearlings had sold for
an aggregate Of 1903, 200 He ap-
peared interested in my statement, but
made no comment.
'sThat evening, when enjoying our
post prandial cigar, Mr. Croker said to
me:
(" General, would liketo purchase
half interest in the thoroughbred
product of Belle Meade. Will you
name price?' I answered aAirma-
lively. Mr.. Croker inquired, How
much?'
II reflected for moment. and then.
never dreaming my proposition would
be accepted, said I would sell half
interest in the product Of my thorough
bred sires and dams for $25O,OOO. Mr..
Croker asked for pen and ink, drew a
checkbook from his pocket, filled out
a check and handed it to me with the
simple statement, 4We are now part
ners. Kindly send me your acknowl-
edgement tomorrow. Hooked at the
check, found it called for $3.50, 900,
and expressed the hope that our part
nership might be a mutually profitable
one. I sent my receipt to Mr.. Croker
next morning and he continued his
trip South that evening
;''rhc first year of our partnership
we divided $55, 900. Of course, this
was terrible fall from our record
made when the yearlings averaged
81 ,016 apiece, but the country was en-
tering upon a period of particularly
hard times and the horse-breeding in
dustry, perhaps, was the worst one
hit. Times continued to grow worse,
and when the time for our second
partnership sale came along, values Of
young and old thoroughbred stock
were down to bedrock. That year MIR.
Croker and myself divided $4,000.
Mr.. Croker appreciated the situation
and made no complaint of the poor
showing.