Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-20


poor clergyman's son, was born at
Cromwell, NJ j. Last Friday, siXty-one
years from that day. Grover Cleveland,
distinguished American citizen, pur-
chased for himself a beautiful gift. He
gave himself a large slice of land TO-
Gated in the very heart of New Jersey,
to be used for a hunting ground for
himself and children as long as they
shall care to hunt In sight Of where
his father sought souls he viii seek rec
reaton.
! In spite of efforts to keep it quiet, the
| the fact has leaked out that for month
past Mr. Cleveland with party Of
| friends, has been negotiating for large
tract of land, to be used for a game
| preserve. Some of the gentlemen inter-
ested with him were Col. A. r. Kuser
who was on Gov Grigg's staff Eber-
hardt Vollmer, Charles C. Engel. John
Kuser. B. c. Kuser, Richard Cooke,
| Charles Zwirlein George Van Doren, H.
j. Dougherty G. p. Allen and others,
mostly all good Pennsylvanians ana
| Jerseymen.
They have met week after week to
discuss a plan and to see how they
could best negotiate this tract of coun-
try at the least expense and with the
| best results.
And this reminds one of an incident
in Mr.. Cleveland's life which is of such
recent date that few even of his person
al friends know of it. For years Mr.
Cleveland has been an ardent sports
man, and whenever he could tear him
self away from his business he has
sone to Trenton, n. j., and from there
AS taken a branch trip into the woods
going ten miles by cart and afterward
on foot! His chosen stopping place was
the farm of John Shook,
After Mr.. Cleveland bought his pres
ent home at Princeton year ago he
made his visits more frequent than be
fore; and as soon as duck shooting time
came he took monthly visits into the
Trenton woods putting UP at the home
of John Shook.
The last time he went the old farmer
greeted him with tears at is the last
time you will ever shoot here" he said.
my house has been sold over my head,
and | will have to move"
Mr.. Cleveland treasured the old farm
er. and later in the day returned with
bill of sale. He had bought the farm
and John Shook is to be his tenant.
The tract of land which the Cleveland
game preserve syndicate controls con-
sists of 1000 acres. 1t takes in several
farms, all of which are admirably
adapted to the purpose in view Many
of these farms have large wood lots
upon them. with the trees growing so
thickly that man has never penetrated
them. In winter time the farmers hew
wood on the outskirts of the little
forests, and leave the interior to grow
thicker and thicker every season.
Running through New Jersey there
are numerous streams which make the
ground very valuable for hunting pur-
poses for the game can run wild with
out lack of food or water. 1t is a
well known fact that any piece of land
can be stocked for game preserve so
long as there is running water But
drain the land and turn the streams
aside and you cannot keep the animals
in prison They will follow the line Of
water wherever 1t goes.
This fact was speedily ascertained by
George Gould when working upon his
game preserve. There were too many
streams to suit him, and he drained
several or turned them aside. He soon
found that the land which he had
drained was worthless for hunting pur-
poses, and that unless he restored the
natural course of the water he would
be limited to very small hunting
ground
The plan of the Cleveland syndicate is
to fence in the thousand acres with a
Wire renee Whlch Snal marx the
boundary of the preserve. There will
be lodges built at frequent stations to
prevent trespasses.
The preserve will be stocked with
quail, pheasants and rabbits. And they
will employ gamekeepers to prevent
poachirg In the centre there will be
club house for members.
1t is proposed to conduct the preserve
on the cooperative plan. The grounds
and buildings, which will cost about
$4,000, will be maintained by subscrip-
tons Only the members of the club
and their friends win be allowed in, and
they can live for months at time at
the club house by paying specified dues,
just as in a town club.
There are several of these great game
preserves in this country although Mr.,
Cleveland is the first statesman to in
dulge in personal one. In England, his
royal highness, who is an excellent shot,
provides shooting for his friends at his
Sandringham house. over 10000 pheas-
ants are reared there, partly by incuba-
tors and partly by hens. The game
room is the largest in the world, hold
I ing 5000 or 1000 head. These are released