The Indianapolis journal., 1898-12-24
TOD SLOAN AT I1OKOMO.
The Premier Jockey 10 Spend Christ
mas with Foster Parents.

mas with roster PARENTS.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
KOKOMO, Ind, Dec. 23.-Jockey Tod
Sloan and party reached Kokomo to-day in
a private car to spend the holidays at the
early home of the now world famous turf
rider. Tod was accompanied by Eddie Bald
the champion wheeIman, and c. F. Dwyer
son of the noted turfman Sloan has en-
gagged for week four of the best rooms at
the Clinton Hotel, where an informal recep-
ton was held this evening. This is his first
home coming since the beginning of his
turf career eleven years ago, and he was
given a royal welcome by the acquaintances
of his early youth.
When Sloan left Kokomo in 1888 to make
his debut on the East ST. Louis race course
under the tutorship of his elder brother,
Cash Cloan, now riding in San Francisco,
his wardrobe consisted of the clothing on
his back. On his return to-day he had 1900
suits of clothing, 5000 neckties and other
articles to match, carried in thirteen trunks.
The first person to meet the young celebrity
on his arrival home was his foster mother.
Mrs Lizzie Blouser, the good, matronly
lady whose life was made "a burden for years
by the hair-raising pranks of the lad. Tod's
mother died when he was three years Old
the National Soldiers Home, at Dayton. O..
was unable to provide for him. His older
DrotherS and sisters had scattered and
moved away. leaving the child homeless and
lrlendieSS. j. IL. Parker, a wholesale liquor
merchant. took him in and the next two
years Tod spent his time at the wholesale
mousse he was bright and witty, and was
a prime favorite with commercial travel
ers.
When five years old Mr. and Mrs D. G.
Biouser gave him a permanent home. The
and TtaI fox
ably impressed with the regularity of meals
at that place and Mrs. Blousers ability as
COOK. There he rema ned for ten years, or
until the beginning Of his turf career. He
was always full of mischief loved ad-
venture, and was never happier than when
performing some daring feat. Livery sta
bles were his favorite haunts Once an ef-
fort was made to send him to the State Re-
form School, but the foster parents neatly
courthouse and legally adopting him as
their own child. Tod's original name was
James Foreman Sloan. his legal name at
the present time being James Foreman
Blouser. Here ne Is known only as Tod
Blcuser. Owing to his smallness he was at
first called Tot" and finally it became
Tod" Tod always was good to his foster
parents. He minded them i'm everything ex-
cept going to school. He played hockey
inveteratey, and while other boys were por-
ing over books Tod was at the livery barns
talking horse with the stable boys.
His first mount will never be forgotten by
Kokomo people He rode vicious Ken
tucky stallion through the streets for two
hours without saddle or bride It was the
famous meek mount that he still adheres
to, and he conquered the animal that scores
fully. 1t is said that one man lost his life
and several were crippled in previous efforts
to subdue the beast. In early days Tod was
never seriously injured. He was central
figure in the gas well explosion in this city
in 1886. and later his foot was crushed by
the falling of a tent pole. In the gas well
explosion fourteen men were burned. but
Tod escaped injury. Two years later found
him with Professor Talbert. the aeronaut,
and he was with Talbert when the aeronaut
fell from his parachute and was killed:
The return of Sloan to his native heath
Christmas turkey at the Blouser home Sun
day. 1t will be strictly a family affair, at
tended only by near relatives. Tod and Miss
Lillian Russell recently sent each of the
lady members of the family a handsome
dress pattern. and these will be worn on the
occasion. The fair Lillian also sent her
compliments to Tod folks, accompanied by
a fire portrait Of herself.
One of the first remarks Tod made to Mrs.
Blouser on his arrival home was, Now.
Aunt Lizzie, what do you think of my not
going to school when you wanted me to. Do
you know If / had staid here and graduated
/ would now be clerlking in some store. get
ting us much as $40 a week" Mrs Blouser
acknowledged the point. and admitted that
Providence had overruled her for good.
said: "Except in two instances, / was
treated right in England. Twice l was
shamelessly robbed but on the whole l was
treated splendidly and have no right to COM
plain.''
ON being asked if the English Jockeys
were aping his peculiar style of riding. he
exclaimed: 81 don't know; 1 never look
back"
Tod and his party will resume their jour-
ney West after New Years. and will travel
by easy stages until California is reached.
hunting on the way wherever hunting is
good Their private car is profusely
equipped with hunting paraphernalia, hav-
ing dogs and guns galore. Sloan will return
to England in April where for the next two
seasons he will ride for the Beresford and
Prince of Wales stables. Before coming
here Tod spent a week at West Baden. He
came home from England shattered in