The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-12-20

age-or thoroughbreds from Kentucky, or
the pets creNew York milli0naires. They
are aristocratB Of the harness. who have
come from every corner OF the Republic
and the Dominion for training or breeding
purposes Ut the home OF the king of the
trutterS.
The farm wGs stocked and laid out as
a breeding farm in 1888. It's beginning was
far from successful, and just before Crcs-
ccuss advent az trotter It's usually san
guine owner had become somewhat dis
eouraged under the disappointments of
breeding racers and turned his attention to
fruit growing. Mr.. Ketcham had prudent
ly concluded to drop u sheet anchor to
windward by devotinx a part OF the farm
to new industry. and one In which he
could figure success out with certainty. 30
he planted a third of the farm in apple
orchards Of one variety Of fruit while he
waited for Cresceus. who should have been
called Baldwin after the universal apple OF
into ancient history and borrowing a
name from the favorite charioteer OF n
Roman Emperor.
LUCK IN HORSE OWNING.
Mr.. Ketcham has been the toy Of luck
in his horse dealings. Sometimes 1t was
bad. but more often II was good. and In
the case of Cresceus 1t has been phenom-
email. That such horse should be born
on his farm was luck to begin with When
the colt was so far gone with epizootic
that his trainer was ordered to shoot him
1t was luck that Tim" was a tender
hearted lrishman and put of the killing,
fully cold one that concealed the wounded
throat and froze out the microbes
That Cresceus should be able to come
Ser n o fse sa aSk at Ga after
his enemies is something like luck. too
even If the slate didn't remain broken
for long.
MIR. ketcham is typical Western man
in his broad business ideas and methods
open-handed and generous in his dealings
anG perhaps a little too confident in lis
taek som s, mes He was banker and
breeding horses. He owned steamers on
the lakes and yacht in New York Har-
Dor. and sunk money in hotels by way of
controls a chain Of Western theaters rn-
der. the syndicate system, completely
equipped with stage operators. orchestTas
and other employees. where New York
leaves half the gate money behind for
the privilege.
Mr.. Ketcham is one of those organizers
ly. and then hold them responsible. with
out interference. In their several depart
ments. His theatrical business Is con-
trolled by a manager. who has his office
In Columbus, midway between Cincinnati
The Valentine block. the largest bust
ness building in Toledo, containing the
ketcham on borrowed capital and ulL
derwritten by Cresceus afterwards. It was
a good investment, however, and with ili:.
usual liberaiity and originality he
tensive library for the use Of the tenants.
One-half of the foundation was a law
library which is still at the service OF the
hru NJ nj bn wifi
drawn from popular use and remains a
private collection. occupying a room adj
joining Mr.. ketcham's office: This library
contains many rare and valuable works.
which are steadily being added TO by tie
owner. who has become quite a collector.
Mr. Ketcham's originality is always
cropping out in some new direction. Two
years ago he constructed van for sum
mer touring a la gypsy after his own
plans. 1t was outfittcd with conveniences
for cooking and sleeping. with tents Of
sossamer for fair weather camping. and
four strong mules to draw it. This was
for g. vacation change from the auto,no-
bling and fast driving. The winter before
Mr.. ketcham had taken Cresceus to CAT
the stable outfit occupying a private car.
SOME GIFTS RECEIVED.
If there is any recreation that Mr..
Ketcham is more fond of than another 1t
is burning the dry grass on the farm
pastures in the spring, even at the ex-
pense of his fences. Burning brush heaps
in the orchard belongs to the same family
of amusements. and to this Mr.. Ketcham
is also devoted.
During his triumphant career on the turf
Cresceus has been the recipient Of no end
of presents from his enthusiastic admir-
crs. such as racing tOggery. harness, cups
and pitchers and local souvenirs of all
sorts. Another class OF presents. with an
nj -i iva hnh 10 pi
been steadily refused. One Of the most
remarkable propositions, frankly for ad-
vertisng. came from retail firm who Of
fered to stable Cresceus In a display win
dow of their store. He was to be shown
in his racing boots and harness. with trot-
ting sulky.
His WORKOUT shoes are constantly
sought by visitors to the farm and by ap-
plicants through the mails. In fact. any
thing that Cresceus has worn Ii eagerly
sought, either as donation or by pur-
chase.
A New York store at one time offered
In exchange for Il set Of harness that
cresceus had worn the finest racing har-
ness that house could turn out: with a ND
erai supply of boots and blankets thrown
in. All such offers were politely declined
by M. Ketc!.am.
Thete Is forge on the farm. and two
stalwart blacksmiths come down from
shoeing and resettins, and as they are
blacksnliths to the King their shop in
town Is. by permission OF his Majesty,
THE Ketcham Farm Horseshoeing EStab-
lishment.''
Cresceus has long been one Of the fore
most citizens of Northern Ohio and
Ketcham Farm sort of Mecca for pill
srims from the racing centers and from
all the country around. An enthusiastic
turfman once located Toledo seven
miles from Ketcham Farm.
PAGER CHARLIE FREEL.
Thirteen years ago Mr.. Ketcham's fast
horse was a chestnut PAGER. Charlie Frecl.
who did his mile In 2l4 and was a favor
tie on the haff-mile track at the Toledo
Fair Grounds. Charlie wear. coat OF fur
now. instead of a closely clipped hide. and
tho carriage horses of the same period.