Arizona republican., 1898-04-01
AN OLD KENTUCKY HOME.
Walnut Hall, Fine Example of
 Southern Architecture.

A conspicuous figure at the semi annual meetings of the Trotting as sociation at Lexington, Ky, is La more V. Hardness, one of New York's multi i-millionaires and the owner of Walnut Hall, perhaps the handsomest stock farm in the Blue Grass region. Glancing afield one sees a handsome tally-ho coach with mettlesOme four in-hand. Seated upon the box and holding the ribbons is usually seen the master of Walnut Hall, with Mrs. Hardness, their two charming daugh- ters, and a party of friends, and the appearance of the stylish equipage al ways causes a ripple of excitement in the grand stand.
 A drive of six and half miles over one of the best turnpikes leading out of Lexington brings one to Walnut Hall and a glimpse of it's beauties fully repays the visitor. Walnut Hall itself is a handsome old colonial mansion, amid lordly acres and was in ante bellum days the home of Major Victor Flournoy, a Kentucky gentleman of the old school.
 Since it has passed out of the hands of it's first owner, Walnut Hall has known a number of proprietors, and it has been the pleasure of it's present owner not only to restore much of it's early beauty, but to add many improve mentS to the grand old homestead To it's broad acres of waving blue grass and magnificent timber land he has added many more, until now perhaps the largest land owner in this locality is MT. Hardness. Several adjoining homesteads are now embraced in the Walnut Hall estate, the tract con- sisting of over 1,60O fertile acres in the heart of the blue grass.
 MT. Hardness IS a great admirer of the horse, and upon his beautiful farm are some specimens of which any own CT could we'll be proud. In the rich pastures of waving blue grass, beneath the wide-spreading branches of old forest trees, are to be seen many il- lustrious dams. Chestnut Belle," the dam of Lady McGregor," is among them, and such aged noted mares as 'Kittie Hooker" Mary Sprague," Queen Russell" and many others are peacefully grazing at Walnut Hall.
 At the head of the stable is Allie Wilkes,' with a record of 2:15. This noble animal is 16 years old, bright bay, with left front coronets and hind ankles white His conformation is ideal, and his perfect disposition makes him a great favorite with grooms and visitors alike
 MT. Hardness seems never tired of improving his prince1y place. which bids fair to become the model stock farm of Kentucky. Each visit from the owner insures yet other improve ments.
 A magnificent barn-the largest, perhaps. in this region-has just been completed and an artificial lake is also being made which will be yet another joy to the merry house parties when they assemble there
 MT. Harknss and his family spend comparatively little of their time at their beautiful Kentucky home, but the spring and autumn trotting meets always find them with a party of guests and retinue of servants en- toying it's delights.
 Last fall MT. Hardness contributed massive silver loving cup, costing $500, as the reward Gin conjunction with the purse) of the winner of the Walnut Hall stake. The Monk was the favorite horse who bore his mas ter's colors to victory, and after the race the cup, filled with sparkling champagne, was sent by the owner to the merry party on the tally-ho. who drank to the further fortunes of the gallant horse.