davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

racetrack was constructed and popping
champagne entertained the visitors, for
A bbey saw to it that any and all VlSi-
tors who were acquainted with MIS-
Lang try and Gerhard were royalty en-
tertained.
The first important improvements
were purchases Of studs and brood
mares. Inasmuch as Mrs. Langtry had
expended the most money for land,
Freddy appears to have elected TO
make the largest expenditures for
stock. He bought the now noted stall
lon ST. Zavier, who has made record
for himself in some of the Eastern
hardt barn; the not-so-not but
splendidly bred stallion Imported
Greenback, and the son, Owas, of the
celebrated stallion Iroquois. Mrs. Lang
try contributed the Well-known stallion
Friar Tuck. Between twenty and
thirty brood mares were secured, most
of them from the best farms in Ken
lucky.
With this four-footed start there was
opportunity for some good breeding
and eventually for some fine appear
ances on the country's race tracks. BY
mutual consent the barns and the race
course and the other essentials to bust
ness were concentrated on the Geb-
hard lands. Stable men, some of
WHO'LL III tHclI IJtSlOI-tONtlCQ Sloly Soii
be seen in the accompanying illustra-
ton, were engaged. small boys, capped
with the Gerhard colors, were en-
ployed as training Jockeys, and the
champagne was accumulated in the
cellars.
Many of those who were boys then
and are youths now got their first nick
names from Doc Abbey while they
were joclSeying for him. Many a small
cy,,alI ohonOa WAS 6ronna1 into
another mans palm over the training
contests on the mile race course. Fred
DIV Gerhard sent his clubroom friends
from the East to "see my horses" out
in Lake County. and the entertainment
of none of these was neglected by the
aSsiduous yiceroy. Freddy's friends
were frequently Mrs Langtry's friends,
and the entertainment was, of course.
a joint responsibility.
There were gun scraps" now and
then and miShapS, and the other usual
accomplishments of prosperity. A por-
ton of the Gerhard House was bored
full of holes in a vain endeavor to per-
forate the body of Indian joe" an en-
ploye with whom some of the white
men had disagreed.
A negro employed on the Langtry
homestead fell off a porch at an ele-
walton of about four feet, landed with
his chin on wire clothesline and cut
his black head nearly off.
Harry Alsop Borrowe, the now noted
dynamite gun operator of the Rough
Riders, was bested by a littl revolver
after little alteration with one of the
horsemen of the ranch. He was visit
ing as Gebhards guest at the time.
There was some horse luck, too.
Abbey went East 70 purchase horses.
He says he bought thirteen. He also
SAYS he loaded them on a train of thir-
teen cars The engine was No Is, and
the train started on the 18th day of the
month. What happened is shown in the
Illustration. Thirteen cars went over
the banks Of the Potomac River, and
thirteen thoroughbred horses never
reached their destination in Lake Coun-
ty. Thereafter Abbey is said never to
have eaten on the 18th day of any
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

month.
Yet. Notwithstanding the grand
times" and the jockeys and the home
race course months went by ana
months heightened out into years with
out putting any of the stock of the
Langtry-Gebhard farm on the great
race tracks. With four splendid stat
lions and more than score of the fin
est thoroughbred mares, there was
nothing afforded to give either Geb-
hard or Mrs, Langtry the envied fame
of a horse raiser. Nothing tangible
seemed ever to reach either or the own
ers save bills. Year by year the pllls
enlarged. Even the liberal Gebhard at
last became discouraged, and he tight
ened his purse strings.
Then Abbey became dissatisfied. de
went East to confer with Freddy. Inc
manner in which he and Freddy came
back is familiar story. 1t was race
to see which could first reach the ac-
count books
AS the story was told at the time,
Gabhard claimed that Abbey was In
debted to the ranch in the sum
of about $4,000. Abbey did not
see things that way. He presented a
bill of from $4,000 TO $4,000 against Fred
dy The outcome of the contest is some
what smothered in the subsequent mix
up. but Abbey no longer continued as
superintendent of the Gerhard stock
farm.
Meanwhile Mrs Langtry also be-
came discouraged. She refused point
blank to lay out more money upon the
profitless stock farm. Abbey's only re-
course was to refuse TO work the farm
and this he did
For a little while the broad, sun
shiny, rich-soiled acres lay in the sun
and the rain and soaked and baked.
They might have been there indefinite
ly without filling but for the foresight
of a Lake County rancher who knew
his business. Frank Smythe, now
Supervisor and one Of the few sue
cessful Democratic politicians in the
county, sized up the land and offered
to put in crop. Abbey disclaimed au-
thority and told Smythe to do as he
pleased. Snythe did so.
A few months later Mrs. Langtry
had new agent on the property,
young and fulsome Britisher, whom
many people of San Francisco prob
ably remember, A. G. 2. McNalty.
McNalty asked Smythe' for his su-
thority for placing the crop. Smythe
confessed that he had none. McNalty
INQUIRED as to who would get the crop.
Smythe laconically remarked that
probably the man who cut it would get
it. McNalty decided to adjust things
that way. Smythe gave up portion
of the crop as rental. And thus, for
the first time in five years, Mrs. Lang
try's investment of over 100000 yielded
her revenue.
With the termination of the Abbey
regime had come the termination of
the horse and stock breeding. Geb-
hard had already begun to sell off his
best animals. Langtry's coursers went
by the board also. The big property
changed from horse farm to grain
farm The romantic notions Of 1889
were metamorphosed into the BUSH
ness conditions and necessities of 1894
McNalty remained as Mrs. Langtrys
representative for a couple of seasons.
He wanted the farm run on British
principles. but British principles are,
fundamentally financial, whereas the
principles Of the Langtry farm were
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

black powder and on top that was
placed one of the dynamite cartridges,
the lieutenant ramming it home with a
careless vigor that caused a hurried
remonstrance from the now nervous
onlookerS.
Thestarget set up at a distance Of a
couple of hundred feet and the gun
pointed the lieutenant politely offered
to the leading capi,-,list the proud
privilege of firing the first shot. The
offer was graciously but firmly de-
clined. In turn all tie invi ed members
in the cere- ny. The matter was
finally compro Used by the visitors
taking shelter behind convenient cliff
in the rear of the gun, while the lieu
tenant himself pulled the forty-yards-
long lanya- !.
There was loud report as the gun
was discharged, followed instantly by
a terrible crash as the cartridge struck
the target.
A quick rush to inspect the target
disclosed the fact that it had completely
disappeared, disappearance which
was only accounted for by the subse-
quent discovery that for a few hundred
yards around the ground was strewn
with splinters hardly large enough for
toothntcks. The gu was not injured in
the slightest.
AilOlAe1 IiI ScL was SCI up liIC
charge of powder increased to two
pounds, a larger cartridge again
rammed home, and the lanyard again
pulled by the lieutenant. The second
target met the fate of the first.
Target after target was demolished
until the supply was exhausted. Then
the lieutenant used his surplus Of cart
ridges by firing them into a bank of
earth, each discharge bringing down
TONS of rock and CLAW
The test finished the delighted cap
itaIists hurried back to this city to per-
feet close corporation to take control
of the patent and perfect plans for sell
ing it to the Government at price way
up in the millions.
The lieutenant, however, did not re-
turn to the city with the capitalists.
Instead, he insisted on the reporters
accompanying him to a Temescal cafe,
where he had previously arranged for
refreshments. Perhaps it was a warm
day; anyhow the lieutenant seemed to
drink good deal.
This trait in the lieutenant's make
up became soon apparent to the MEM
bers of the newly formed corporation.
Meeting after meeting was called by
the directors, only to adjourn without
result. "Reminiscences were in vain.
At last the crash came. At a meeting
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

which was sufficient to allure any one
who happened to have the least leaning
toward stock breeding. Besides, he had
horse overseer and trainer, Doc"
Abbey, who was "onto his job" The
Langtry and the Gerhard fell under
the overseer's guidance. He understood
his patients. And, so the story goes,
there was nothing that was right and
glorious and fascinating on the Bald
win farm that was not oraciously and
touchingly exhibited to the distin-
guished visitors. They were easily
of their own was quickly formed, and
doc" Abbey was commissioned to see
that 1t should be made one of the great
est places of it's kind on earth.
Aside from the consideration of iSo-
lation the commissioner certainly could
not have made a more ideal purchase.
Eight miles from Middletown, in the
heart of the beautiful, we'll inclosed
Guenoc Valley he found a number of
properties which could be united into
a grand farm of a little more than 1000
acres. A third of the property was rich
bottom land, another third of it was
hill and mountain grazing land, and
still another third was excellent fruit
land. fit for grapes and wine especially
The pioneering had all been done;
houses-not bad ones either-were in
place; fences were up; a winery was in
operation; practically everything need
ed except barns and a race course was
ready for the proposed new occupants.
whether or not Mrs. Langtry planned
at that time to use the ranch as basis
for a divorce suit is not known. The
actual suit was not filed until some
wears after the purchase. The horse
raising business was inaugurated as IL
It were the sole purpose of the property
owners.
For q few years the combination ran
ercellently. The Langtry- Gerhard
farm acquired some noted studs and
brood mares. 1t was brilliantly man
aged by the viceroy, DOC Abbey, who
could spend quite as much money as
his erratic employers. Turing became
a fad among the astonished farmers in
the vicinity and the joint stock farm
was dotted all over with little Jockeys
flying about on thoroughbreds. A mile
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

represented in big figures lost in in
efficient management. Experts say
800, 900 would not cover what has been
sunk in the place; so the divorce easily
cost Lily that sum.
Lily Langtry was in her bloom when
the investment was made, and so was
Fred Gerhard. In the nine years that
have since ensued Mrs. Langtry has
largely withdrawn from her spectacular
international career, she and the Gep-
hard have quarreled, and California,
save for the 1000 acres in Lake county,
is to all intents and purposes forgotten
by her. Doubtless the original outlook
Of the horse-farming business was an
alluring one, but the course OF time mas
changed things and there is little re-
naming of the Langtry-Gebhard
ranch to show that wealthy owners
ever possessed it or that it ever was
noted on the turf. Gone are the thor
oughbreds, jockeys, high livers and gay
people Who spent money iaYiShiy TO
bring 1t fame and fortune.
All that is left on the Gerhard prop
erty is the uncared-for relic of a mile
racetrack, together with a stud-barn
and brood-mare barn, whose closed
doors and empty lofts stand in contrast
to the activities of earlier days.
over on the Langtry farm is poor,
lone coaching stallion, a handsome
1600-pound Cleveland bay, with nothing
to do but to eat, no one to love him,
and history rapidly slipping beyond his
grasp. He is an after-thought of the
Brief period when Mrs. Langtry ap-
peared to be making one final effort to
maintain the equine aspect of the
property.
OUTSIDE of these two features there is
nothing characteristic or indicative of
the owners first purposes.
No one seems to know just why Mrs.
Langtry bought ranch in Lake
County.-There are other sections of
California where the railroad facilities
and the social ehvirons would seem far
better adapted to the preferences and
idiosyncrasies of the most noted beauty
of her day. Lake County had had no
reputation as q breeder of fine horses,
although since the Langtry- Gerhard
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

the burden at whatever cost. But to
Mrs Langtry at this particular season
a divorce probably appeared to have no
small value. She made one more eff
fort TO do something with her lands.
She placed her divorce affairs and her
land affairs in the same hands, namely
with Attorney McPike. Within another
year she not only had her divorce but
was making some money but of her one
time stock farm.
The successful Smythe leased the en-
tire ranch at cash rental, bought all
that remained of the Langtry working
stock except the ridiculous piece OF
horse investment made by McNalty,
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28
From a. photograph.

the Cleveland bay stallion Redington
Prior.
In the meanwhile Gerhard lost all
interest in his 5000 acres and by lucky
turn rid himself of it to A. B. McCreary
of San Francisco. How much he lost
no one knows but himself. Local resi-
dents estimate that deterioration in
value of the property alone at $4,000.
The line that formerly was only an
imaginary one between his property
and that of Mrs. Langtry took shape in
a stout fence.
That was in 1897. In 1898 came the
Langtry divorce and everything was
changed.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

now required to be economical. Re-
luctantly he allowed Mr.. Smythe TO
cultivate the property on shares, and
quite as gladly he absorbed all the
money that the Industrious Mr.. Smythe
could harvest. Mrs. Langtry got lit
tie benefit of the change. 1t was ne
who purchased the useless big CieVe-
land bay stallion, which is now on the
property.
The situation was disheartening. Any
woman who was not seeking a divorce
would undoubtedly have relinqu1shed
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

esta blishment was inaugurated 1t has
shown certain superior qualifications IN
that respect. Neither Mrs. Langtry nor
Freddy Gerhard saw the property be-
fore they made their purchase; nor did
either of them see it very often after
they had bought It, With boundless
faith in tents and managers, this
London- New York couple made their
inv estment by proxy and managed it
by proxy.
The story goes that Mrs Langtry and
the Gerhard, on the occasion Of
visit to California, were made the
guests of Lucky Baldwin at that gen.
tleman's famous stock farm. At that
time Baldwin was making fortunes and
attracting national attention in turf
winnings. He had horses the sight of
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28
And ITS Effect on
Certain Local Capitalists.

of the directors the lieutenant was in
formed that his associates had become
tired of his actions, and as they be-
lieved they had the secret they pro-
posed to get along without him.
Then the lion in his breast awoke,
and raising himself to his full height
of about feet inches, the lieutenant
shook his fist defiantly at his asso-
ciates and cried out:
you think you can do without me,
do you? Well, d" you, I've got my
discovery patented, and yo9 can all go
to hades!"
The board realized that it was with
out standing, and motion to disincor-
porate was sadly but unanimously car
ried. Of this board Charles Webb
Howard of the Spring Valley Water
Company was the president. General
w. H. L. Barnes was legal adviser,
while Mr.. Roller, the we'll known ex-
pert on explosives. was to be superin-
tendent, under the direction, of course.
of Graydon.
A few days ago I called Mr.. Towards
thoughts back to the time when he and
his associates We're enjoying great ex-
pectationS, and though Mr.. Howard
smiled at the recollection, it was sad
smile. as he remarked: II lost some
money in it; lost some money in it."
When Graydon was leaving for the
East he declared that either our Gov
eminent would purchase his patent or
it would lie barren, for in no event
would he place such an awful weapon
in the possession of a foreign power.
He evidently meant what he said at
that time, but it is said that recently
he has been giving some experiments
in the same line before the Russian
military officials. Perhaps it would be
as well for some of our officials at the
War Office in Washington to step over
to the Patent Office and ascertain If the
invention is filed there If such should
prove to be the case it would be the
part of wisdom for our officers to util-
ize the patent md then p. Graydon q
reward commensurate with the value
of his discovery.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

th emplo@
knew, unless
employed on
ithal alteration of
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28
From a photograph.

n
the Easta the lime
ired
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

It is estimated that the total number of
telephone subscribers of the whole world
amounts to about $500 900. The United
States stands at the top with 100000. Then
England. with IS 600: Switzerland, with
$1,000: France, with $1,000; Austria-H Hun
gary, with $4,000: the vast Russian en-
Denmark. Il. coo; Italy IA 600; Holland and
Spain. each 12,000; Belgium, II, 900; Japan.
$500; Portugal, Luxembourg and Austria
300. 1t will be seen that there Is still
plenty of room for extension. There are
many countries where the telephone Is
still quite unknown.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

From photograph taken at e4le TINS
n K RS. LANGTRY is going 10 sell
~ III her big ranch in Lake County,
MI now that she has secured her
divorce.
The gossips say that the
Prince of Wales is again recog-
MIXING her. There is little likelihood Of
the Lily ever returning to California to
make her abode. Freddy Gerhard has
sold the adjoining ranch which he
bought when Mrs. Langtry purchased
hers. What was once much talked-o
farm of thoroughbred horses is now
only an ordinary grain and stock ranch.
There is $4,000 sunk in the land, $4,000
to $4,000 swallowed up in thorough
bred stock and an indefinite amount
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28
GRAYDONS DESTROYER

. HE boast of Tesla that he could
devise an engine of war capable
of blowing an enemy's ship out
of the water at the first attempt
- NOV, he true and would not be at
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-10
AFFAIRS Ar MANILA
Introduction of the Old-fashioned
American Wage Strike.

Manila, Sept. 9.-The United States
consul here. G. F. Williams, in behalf
of Captain N. Mayo Dyer of the United
States ship Baltimore. has returned to
General Miranda the sword which the
latter surrendered to the American Off
Ger at the capture of Corregidor is
land. at the entrance of the bay of
Manila The general replied that he
was overwhelmed by the generosity of
Captain Dyer.
The men who went out on strike on
account of an attempt to return to an
equal basis for payment of labor, after
the American authorities in the early
eXigencies of the situation here had
agreed to the extravagant demands of
the laborers, are disappearing, and 1t
has become necessary to employ SOL
diers to take their places in some cases,
while in other cases the matter has
been compromised. One of these
strikes as cabled on Sept. 5, caused the
suspension of traffic on the horse car
lines of Manila, but they resumed op-
erations today.
The recruiting agents of the insur-
gents are causing further trouble. They
have been impressing the employees of
foreign residents, including those of the
British consul, and several of the for
eigners have complained that the ma
tive grooms are taking their employers
horses and joining the insurgents.
The American army chaplains have
instituted Protestant services IN pri-
vate buildings. Such services have
never previously been held in the his
tory of the Philippine islands.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-10
ILLNESS IN PORTO RICO.
More Than one-quarter of the Troops
Unfit For Duty.

New York, Sept. "a dispatch to the
Herald from Ponce, Porto Rico. says:
Illness among the United States
now more than 20 per cent of the men
unfit for duty.
Within a radius of a few miles from
Ponce there are 1000 soldiers in hos
pitals. In some commands there are 80
per cent Of the men down with fever,
principally typhoid.
The City of Chester has arrived with
medical supplies and 46 nurses. The
surgeons here are handling the patients
as well as possible.
Considering the conditions the per-
centage of deaths is small. Gonzales
cents, however, have the climate to
left them the patients fail to recover
their strength. They should be sent
north at once.
Need for transports for GONZALES
cents and for hospital ships is impera-
tive. If there is much more wet weather
the conditions will become much worse
All the United States troops now in
Porto Rico have been placed under the
command of General Guy V. Henry,
General Brooke relinQuishing active di
rection of the army while occupied with
the duties OF the military commission
Before his departure General Wilson
announced his approval of the findings
OF the military commission in the trial
OF the Corto ''firebugs." Jose Burgos
and Ramon Vega were each sentenced
to Is years at hard labor and Leonardo
Colon and Juan Martinez F'loriners to
20 years each at hard labor.
The prisoners have been placed in the
prison of Ponce
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-10

New York, Sept. "a dispatch to the
Herald from Manila says: The atti-
tude of the Philippine insurgent lead
ers is daily becoming more dangerous.
So open is their opposition to the
American authorities that the situation
is strained and reconciliation may be
difficult
What makes the situation the more
troublesome is the undisguised rivalry
between the followers of General
Aguinaldo, the self-proclaimed dicta-
tor. and General Pillar. who covets the
honor which Aguinaldo has acquired.
General Pilo Pillar is in command of
the insurgent troops stationed south OF
Manila He uses them in a way that
is most annoying to Aguinaldo, ana at
the same time makes every effort to
show his utter disregard of the Amer
lean officials.
His forces continue to patrol the city,
encouraging lawlessness in every di-
rection.
Aguinaldo's course is no less annoy
ing. He no longer attempts to conceal
his hostility to the officials who repre-
sent the United States and yesterday
issued an order prohibiting his soldiers
from entering the American lines. This
course was probably deemed necessary
in order to prevent them from becoming
so we'll disposed toward Americans as
to destroy his power by repudiating his
leadership
The attitude of the rival leaders can
not fail in the end to injure the cause
of Philippine independence. Certainly
it will prevent the presentation of a
strong case before the peace commits
sicn in behalf of the Philippines.