The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-15
Largest Horse Ranch in the
World For Cove County.
Located By Captain Tough Along
Union Pacific Line.
CONTAINS $4,000 ACRES
Thirty Sections Of Fertile Soil
Along the Smoky.
To Erect Training Stables and
Build Track.

Kansas City. June 15.-Captain W. S.
Tough. of this city. viii soon establish
the largest horse ranch in the world 1t
viii contain thirty sections of land
10, 200 acres-and will be located in
Cove county, Kansas. The deal has
practically been closed. All that re-
mains to be adjusted are a few details,
and the parties interested say they will
be fixed uD within week
The deal for the land has been made
through z. H Andrus. of the Union Pa
cific land company large portion OF
the lands belonged to the Union Pacific
com pany but Mr.. AndruS had to acquire
a few sections held by outside parties in
order to make a solid tract. The pur-
chase price of the land ranged from So
to $3.50 acre.
Captain Tough has been extending his
holding in ranch property in recent
years. He first established a ranch be-
tween Kansas City and Leavenworth.
Two years ago he bought BismaI ok
Grove at Lawrence and turned it into
horse ranch. Three weeks ago he bought
quarter section of land just across the
Union Pacific tracks from bismarck
Grove, paying S1OO an acre cash for it.
This he win utilize in raising feed for
his horses. His business has increased
SO rapidly, however, and the great posi-
b1l1tleS Tor making money ON horses mas
caused him to close a deal which viii
make him the owner of the largest horse
ranch in the world
Andrus has sold him are along the
Smoky Hill river in Trego county 1t is
very fertile, is well supplied with water
and is especially adapted for the very
purpose for which it is purchased. 1t Will
all be put under fence. and divided into
fields. The most of it will be utilized
for pastures. The rest viii be sown with
alfalfa Large stables will be erected
to protect the animals in the winter, and
a race track viii be built to train
horses both for the track and for city
roadSters-
Cheap lands, good pastures and cheap
feed are the cause of Captain Tough
going so far west to locate his nam
moth ranch. IF located further east
land would cost more and SO would feed
The saving in the cost of putting an
animal in condition for the market in
Cove county more than offsets the ship
ping charges on the animal to the local
market. It is Captain Tough's ambition
to make his Cove county ranch the
model horse ranch of the world.
When asked yesterday concerning the
matter Captain Tough said: There are
a few details to arrange yet and until
they are disposed Of do not care to dis
cuss the matter One is never certain
of a thing until it is fixed.
1T is simply amazing the way western
lands are being sold.'' said Mr. AndruS
In ten days I sold forty-tWo sections
of land along the Union Pacific road
Captain Tough. People are fiocking in
from every section They are even
coming I'D from Oklahoma Iowa ana
Illinois are furnishing the most new
corners though
How much land has the Union Pacific
company in western Kansas he was
asked.
I'VE still have about $50. 900 acres of
the original grant. A large portion of
this has been sold before but we had to
take it back during the hard times.
What seems remarkable. or rather a
mystery to me, is. that with the big de-
mand for lands. any of the present hold
ers would let their lands revert back
to the company. Yet that is going on
every day. It is not as extensive how
ever as it has been in former years. The
only reason that can offer for it is that
everybody is not cut out for a farmer;
that farmers. like poets and statesmen,
are born and If person is not born a
farmer he will not make a success on
8 farm.