The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-01-29
MESSAGE FROM A KING
Johnny Rcif. the EittIe Jockey Hears
From Edward va,


All over the world newspapers and
prominent personages are publishing
messages they have received from King
( Edward IN reply TO cables Of coincidence
( they have sent to the new sovereign of
England Most Of these replies are sent
/ by secretary, and start out: His
majesty directs me to say )" It is diff
ferent with a Wichita boy-Johnny Rein.
He sent q message OF coincidence to King
Edward and the reply he received was
from the king himself and longer and
with more characteristic sentiment in It
than any probably sent out by the king,
at least any so far published.
So runs the world A little redheaded
boy who was rolling about in the sand
on the West Side Wichita few years
ago, is now on terms OF chumship with
the biggest imperator on earth. This is
the message the king sent:
"Cowes, Isle Of Wight, Jan. 2.-My
Dear Little Johnny: Your tender MESA &c
Of sympathy TO me in this. the saddest
hour OF my affiction that I have ever
known viii be one Of my most cherished
assurances Of a brave American boys
love thank you. Your true friend and
comrade in the old days,
EDWARD VII
This was received at Toledo where the
Reiffs now are The little Jockey once
rode one Of the kings horses in a win
ming race when the queens son was the
Prince Of Wales. This may account for
his majesty's graciousness.
Little Johnnie Reiff has been the
wonder of the British turf for the last
two seasons. The lad is only fifteen years
old. and last season was able to ride as
low as seventy-five pounds,
His greatest feat was the winning OF the
Prince Of Wales stake Of 10000 soveigns
on July 3 last. He rode Merry Gal. ard
defeated the new English kings great
colt, Diamond jubilee The Prince OF
Wales Witnessed the race and even in
, the moment Of his defeat could not help
showing his admiration Of the youthful
rider
a few DAYS later. Johnnie" wrote a
+ letter to his mother. the simplicity OF
which reveals that he IS only child.
( The letter ran:
Dear Mother: I win write vou a few
lines and let you know how I am getting
along Did you have much fun on the
Fourth o. Julv9 There were races at
Newmarket that day, and so I wore an
American flag and so did Lester Lester
rode a race in his. but I did not The
English did not like that very much. and
most OF them asked ne what it was for.
I said. Why. II IS Fourth of july and
they said. What does this mean? 7
said. IF YOU viii study history you viii
find OUT and that made them pretty
sore.
TT won one Of the biggest races Of the
/ year. The name Of the race was the
/ Prince Of Wales Stakes worth s50eo0. II
sounds pretty big, but that was what it
was worth. and a old cup. value g 80 ?
have got nothing for winning 1t yet. but
7 expect S5oo0. If he does not give me
that much he Is a pretty cheap fellow.
+ Lester was third in the same race. and
the Prince Of Wales horse that Won the
! Derby this year was second, and I was
so glad TO beat hin.
Deb is wen and sends his love TO all.
and SO does Lester. Well. I must close
From your son. JOHN ". RIEFF.
To ma and pa"
The 'fDeb" referred to Is "Johuny's''
lA juicy VIC -Af-c iA-elA N- EA-t-llti-
F Cookers English staole Lester Is his
other Brother. the Jockey. who first went
to England I've years ago and was 50
successful that lie decided TO take the
little fellow along With him in Use
Last year Lester and Johnny earned
( together nearly $1,000 They are sensi-
bic BOYS whose heads have not been
turned by their success. They are IN
VOWED in the trouble which led 10 the
( disqualification % Tod Sloan Iast
year bat the Rieffs came oct q the az
fair with flying coiors Johnny's name
was NOT included IN the formal charges.
They heard u the decision Of the English
racing authorities on landing in this
country on December 6 last As the
! steamer approac hed her pier little Johnny
mounted on The raj received 5he good
+ udinrs He ran TO tel his brother, and
returning. shouted:
81 tus- told Lester that he's been ex-
onerated Wen Re back in England next
year, ard guess Wen DO as good as
/ we old this year. Testers on top now:
mayoe hen ee next year. wouIdn' Z
! leave England for anything nov