The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-21
TODD SL0AN'S BOYHOOD
GREW UP ON KOKOMO STREETS AND
REFUSED TO ATTEND SCHOOL.
Was a GOOd-for-Nothing Boy, but Now
Getting Richer as King Jockey.
IreciaI n The Indianapolis Journal.

Srecial to the Indianapolis Journal.
KOKOMO, Ind, Nov 2O.--Tod Sloan, the
famous American jockey, who is now as
tonishing the people Of London by his good
clothes and sensational riding, was born
and raised in Kokomo. and his early life
was as picturesque as his latter day
achievements that are the marvel and adj
miration Of the sporting world. Before he
was five years old everybody in Kokomo
and Howard county knew him either by
sight or reputation, and he was very much
in evidence in BOTH He was a celebrity in
frocks, noted for miles around for his hair
raising pranks and sensational and thrill
ing performances. AT two years of age he
was adopted into the family of d. G.. and
Mrs. Blouser, a couple in moderate cir
cumstances, his mother having previously
died and his father, Samuel Sloan, being an
inmate of the National Soldiers Home at
Dayton, O. Little Tod, while holding his
foster parents in the highest regard, de-
clined to attend school, and was never to
be found when wanted. He was wholly un-
like other boys of his age, and invariably
selected grown men as his associates. Hack
barns and livery stables were his favorite
haunts watching for chances to ride the
horses. Nothing was too dangerous for him
to attempt, nothing in the barns too vicious
and unruly for him to mount Tod's first
notable mount is well remembered. One
day a vicious looking Kentucky stallion
was brought into the barn, and repeated at
tempts Of strong men to control the beast
resulted in failure. During the absence of
the attendants Tod jumped on the horse
from the top of the stall and turned him
out into the street. For an hour the reck-
less youngster chung to the name of the
furious animal as it plunged madly through
the streets of the town to the dismay of the
inhabitants. Finally the stallion, thorough
ly winded and exhausted and covered
with foam, stopped, completely conquered.
After that anybody could ride him. Tod
was then nine years old, at that time, as
now, small Of his age. His hazardous
pranks kept his good foster parents in a
state of constant alarm. He had a fond
ness for large-sized cigars and navy
plugs" of James river tobacco.
At eleven years OF age he went off with
gang of gas-well drillers and was in the
thick of the great natural-gas explosion
here in December. 1885, when fourteen men
were burned. Todd, with his usual good
luck, got out without scratch. Life get
ting too dull and uneventful with the we'll
drilling gang, Todd deserted them and went
off with Professor Talbert the well-known
aeronaut and for two seasons made balloon
ascensons in several Staes, following that
perilous business until Professor Talbert
fell from the balloon and was dashed to
pieces. In 1890 Todd went to st. Louis, where
he Joined his older brother, Cash Sloan, a
well-known jockey. After much effort he
succeeded in getting mount on the East
St. Louis course. He demonstrated his abn-
ity as a rider at the outset and his star
arose with remarkable velocity. After rid
field Park track Chicago, and then to Calf
fornia and rode for Lucky" Baldwin.
from that time is a familiar story.
Since fortune has smiled on the now
world famous jockey he has not forgotten
his foster parents, who nurtured him in his
babyhood. At frequent intervals they re-
ceive handsome and substantial presents.
and his comfortable bank account here is at