The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-10
CIl. ROBERT PATE BROKE
HONESTY LED TO A MAGNIFICENT
AND COSTLY FAILURE In
MEXICO
LOST HIS ENTIRE FORTUNE
Result of an Attempt to Introduce
Racing-Leaves the Land of
the Aztees Broke, But
Respected.

CITY OF MEXICO May 26, 190e-When
the Mexican National train pulled out for
the North the other night there was a
man on board who had done more to ad-
vertise Mexico before its grand resources
We're known than any one person. He left
this country broken in health and fortune,
| but he still has many friends of wealth,
and if he ever returns he has one great
friend, and that is the government
This man was Col Robert c. Pate, of
st. Louis, known all over the United
States among sporting men as Col. Bob
Pate
Ten years ago no man was better known
in the state than Col. Bob Pate, of ST.
Louis. His wealth was estimated at half
million. His stable of thoroughbreds
was known on every frst-class race
course in the states, and his reputation
was such that any time Col. Pate's horses
started the public never hesitated to
wager, as it knew the colonel always
started to win. Col. Pate's business inter
ests were great, and his racing stable,
While run for the sport, was also operated
on business principles and was self-sus-
tanning. At that time to own a race
course was considered to posses a gold
mine The courses in and around New
York, Chicago, Cincinnati and ST. Louis
were reaping rich rewards for their oper-
ators. The fever to bet had such a hold
upon the public that after the close of
the legitimate race tracks other places
were opened, and races were carried on
all winter. Those who ran the winter
tracks at Guttenburg and Gloucester, in
/ the East, and Madison and East st. Louis
in Illinois, and at New Orleans got rich in
hurry. About this time Col Pate took
a trip to this country. While out hunting
he conceived the idea of opening a large
wire nail factory. company was formed
and the factory erected and operated
successfully from the start
Col. Pate then came to this city. The
climate and surroundings were such that
he conceived the idea Of giving a race
meeting during the winter months He
figured that he could induce many Ameri-
can owners to ship their horses to this
country to race during the winter. The
patronage was to come from the home
people, reinforced. as Col. Pate figured
by the many American tourists and those
who would be attracted to the city
through their desire to bet So Col Pate
consulted the government and laid his
plans before the secretary of finance. He
approved of them, and Informed Col.
Pate that he would receive any conces-
sion from the government that was nee
essary to make the race course a success.
The colonel then made a search for loca-
tion and obtained possession of a large
tract Of land twenty-five miles west of
this city. This he named Indianella Park
Col. Pate's plans were all right, and had
they been carried out the track would
have been successful, and Col. Pate in
CT of IOJ,
tune, would be today a very rich man.
But those he depended upon were the
cause of his downfall. He had been prom
ised that a beautiful boulevard would be
built from the city to the park, and it
was agreed that a double street car line
should also be built to the track With
these promises Col. Pate went back to
the states and Informed the public of his
plans
The press took up the matter and COM
mented upon Pate's daring in going into
venture in country of which so little
was known. But he told of the wonder
full resources and his concessions that
Mexico received more favorable mention
In week than 1t ever had received In
years and years. His visit to the States
was for the purpose Of getting owners
to ship their horses to his Mexican race
track. Many knowing Col Pate's rep
utation for honesty never hesitated to
promise, and those who wavered were
called upon by the colonel who person.
ally agreed to see that they would be Civ
en- every cent coming to them. The re-
suit was men owning hundreds of fine
race horses agreed to ship. and Col. Pate
returned and proceeded to build his
track. He presumably superintended the
construction, and the result was a strict
ly up-tO-date race course. But the
others failed to keep their promises
| There was no boulevard and no street
car line, and without either there was no
chance for the track, as the public could
not get there. But in the meantime hun
dreds Of American horses had arrived and
were stabbed at IndianelIa Park Many
Of Pates friends saw that he was going
to make a failure, and requested him to
| abandon the propect and save about
800, ,000 in stakes and purses and other ex-
penses. But Col Pate said he would
go through with 1t, as he had given his
word to the American hOrsemen that he
would give a meeting, and he would see
that they got their money. So he went
ahead, and the first day, when Col. Pate
entered the starters box with his drum
his future was gone, and he knew the
race trick venture was a failure But
he had promised the American horsemen
that the programme would be carried out,
and it was But Col Pate had other
4 >
ting ring wanted certain things done that
would detract from the races, which
would make the betting the feature in
stead of the legitimate racing. but Pate
insisted on protecting the public, and the
result was he was forced to abandon the
undertaking His fortune was gone and
| he was wrecked in health.
But his honesty made him many friends,
and from that time on all legitimate
sport was never patronized unless Col.
Pate's name was connected with it. It
was finally decided to try coursing at the
opposed by certain influences, VINO in
| the number of hares killed the decision
| was made on points which was not un-
! derstood by the. Mexicans. and the result
| was another failure.
| Col. Pate attempted to introduce sew
eral other sports, but the Mexicans could
| see nothing but their own bull fights, and
the result was a failure in everything at
tempted.
| Col. Pate appreciates the favors he has
| received from the government and the
encouragement given him in all his pro-
| jects by the prominent Mexicans, and &C
! cepts his i'll fortune uncompainingiy
He leaves Mexico for Texas, where he
expects to recover his health. and if he
ever returns to Mexico, and 1t is hoped
| he will. he is sure to find the same stead
4 fast friends ready to help him in any Of
1 his projects.
I1EETrRITCAN NNTT0NAI CONVEY