The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-09

| pecially the attention Of ladies and child
rem. No one ever visited Maud S. who did
] not fall in love with her on the spot. In
| fact, the famous mare is very fond Of
attention and applause, and she indicates
| this in pretty manner that is irresist-
ible. During the summer, when anybody
approaches her paddock she will follow
| him along the railing, looking at him,
and now and again giving a little Yhtn-
ny in a friendly effort to get acquainted.
In fact, while Maud S. can assume the
| air of the grande dame to perfection on
| public occasions, she is, at heart, a quiet
| little home body, whose affectionate dis
position caves kindness and attention.
In speaking of her to me the other day
Mr.. Robert E. Bonner said: 81 believe
that Maude S. is the most human horse
that ever lived. Notice her beautiful
head. her luminous eye, her dainty man.
ners. Do not they bespeak the intelli-
gence and disposition that only good blood
and education can confer upon either man
or horse 1t is impossible to describe the
bond of affection that exists between her
and my father. He knew the good points
in an animal as well as any man. He
loved horses ard it is not strange that
he loved her the best of all In fact, TO
all Of US she is a dear friend, rather than
a piece Of property, nor does she fail to
understand and reciprocate this feeling
I remember once going to the farm when
I had not seen her for two years She
remembered me, came to me immediate
ly and showed as plainly as any human
being could have done her pleasure in
the meeting. II is the same way with
every member of the family, but be-
tween her and my father there existed
the closest friendship and most perfect
understanding. 1 need not add that there
Is not money enough in the world today
to buy Maud S., because, as I say, We
look upon her as a member of the fam
ilv.''
Like many members Of our equine aris-
tocracy, Maud S. was bred in the Blue
Grass region of old kentucky. Beautiful
Woodburn Farm at Spring Station was
her birthplace. Miss Russell, the dam Of
Maud s.. from whom she derived many
of her noble qualities, was the daughter
Of Pilot, Jr., and the sire of Maud S. was
the celebrated stallion Harold. When she
was two years old A J. Alexander, who
bred the mare, sold her to a Mrs. Burgher
her to Captain George H. Stone Cap
tain Stone gave her the name of Maud
S. after his daughter.
In her third year the young mare began
to display her speed by trotting in 2:46
over half-mile track at Cincinnati In
the following year she made the mark of
2:1724 at Lexington. This was d remark
able performance for that time and at
tracted the attention of William H. Van
derbilt, who paid Captain Stone $4,000
for her.
Under Mr. Vanderbilt's ownership the
mare was carefully developed. The mil
lionaire had not bought her for racing
purposes, but merely to crafty his pride
in fine horsef1esh. In response to urgent
demands, however, he permitted her to
start in a few races. One of these took |
place in Chicago in 1880, when she de- |
feated Trinket, establishing a mark Of |
2131A. On September Is of the same year
she turned a mile in 2:10%, establishing |
a new record. This feat, of course, made |
her known all over the country and she |
became as famous as Vanderbilt himself. |
After the season of 1880 she rested for |
three years, appearing only in a few ex-
Mr. Vanderbilt drove her himself, and the |
combination was one that never failed to |
attract attention in Central Park and on
the old roads about New York.
No less an authority than former Gov
ernor George S. Boutwell,, of A1assachu-
sets, is responsible for the statement |
that Mr. Vanderbilt finally disposed of
Maud S. because he was jealous of her.
According to Mr.. Boutwell, Mr.. Wander
bilt remarked in his hearing: when
drive through the Park people do not say,
There goes Vanderbilt They say, There
COS Maud s. Although the remark twas
made in Jest, Governor Boutwell, believed |
that there was an element of seriousness
in it. and that the great financier was ac-
tually jealous of the attention bestowed
upon the beautiful and distinguished
mare
Mr. Robert E. Bonner assured me that
this was not the case, and in going over
the history of the trotting queen few
evenings since he gave me the exact YER
sion of tho manner in which his father
came into possession of Maud S.
''Mr. Vanderbilt certainly thought the
world of the mare he said. "but he was
continually badgered and bothered with
requests to start her racing. He did not
wish to race her, but it was difficult to
refuse all these requests as he had per-
mitted her to start in a few races. l be-
lieve that it was to save himself from
this annoyance and TO secue the future
of the mare herself that he was led to
offer her to Mr.. Bonner.
'sThe sale was negotiated through Mr..
William Turnbull, a Wall street broker,
and a close friend Of Mr.. Vanderbilt. One |
day Mr. Turnbull came into the Ledger
office and, addressing my father, said:
Bonner, do you want to buy the fastest
horse in the world?' My father did not
understand his meaning at first, but in
the course of a few further remarks it
was made plain to him that reference
was had to Maud s. The thought Of own
ing her was naturally, attractive TO him.
He entered into negotiations Immediate
ly. Presently the question Of price was
reached. Ny father suggested $4,000.
No said Turnbuu, Vanderbilt will
not accept that. He is not selling Maud
5 for money. He has been offered $780,
20 for her by Cincinnati syndicate, but
he will not sell to them because he knows
that they intend to race her. He wants
her TO get into the hands Of some man
ike yourslf who ne Is certain will always |
take good care OF her and viii not race
her for money. At the same time he has
a certain amount Of pride about this.
Maud 5. Is without DOUBT the fastest and
finest horse in the world. You paid $250sso
for Dexter and $4,000 for Rarus. Maud
5 is entitled 10 more than either OF them.
Mr. Vanderbilt is willing 70 let you have
her if you will pay little more than you
have paid for any other horse It was in
this way that the price OF $1,000 was