The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-10-15

Owner of Major DeImar Talks
of Horse Racing.
LOVES THE ANIMALS
Something of His and His
Horses Successes.

in race horses? Because I love goo,
horse. There is some, hing about area
horse that appeals to me- There is ;
charm in his every movement and 1 lov,
10 be near him. To me there is 10 Ell
joyment 50 great as a wen-contested rae,
between two fine horses"
When Elmer Z. Smathers. owner of Nc.
Chesney and Major Delmar. uttered
these words at the Morris Park race-track
recently a light came into his eyes ana
an expression on his face that told as
F plainly as words how near great horse
is 10 his heart Mr.. Smather's voice is
soft and mild and there was even more
tenderness when he spoke Of his horses
Standing on the green sward of the club
house lawn Mr.. SmaIhers looked the we'll
groomed banker and broker, as well as
the horseman, amateur reinsman and
plunger.
During the past two years he has forg-
ed TO the front as one Of Americas repre-
sentative sportsmen. There is scarcely a
sport that he is not more or less interest
ed in. But horses and horse-racing stand
first with him. He likes dogs and automo-
fbiles. but he loves horses.
As a horseman he ranks with W. c..
Whitney, August Belmont. T w Lawson
and James r. Keene. What Foxhall p.
Keene IS to the running turf-the crack
gentleman jockey-Mr. Smathers is to
hsht-harness racing. He is one of the
best amateur reinsmen in the United
States. Many road drivers call him the
Geers of the Speedway. He is like Ed
Geers. the famous trotting driver, mas
much as he has the same delicate touch
on the reins. cool judgment, and method
and style OF handling his horse. He usu-
ally allows his opponent to cut out the
pace, and then il the final furlong Of the
contest utilizes his horses speed to secure
the decision. There is method in his ac-
tions in allowing his rival to go to the
front. He has this advantage: he can
see what the other fellow is doing. while
the front man can only guess at what
his opponent is up 10 in the rear. Then
too, he is aware of the fact that the pace
maker acts as a wind-break for him and
IN the xortcx created by the leader he is
willing to remain until such time as the
racemaker is exhausted and the winning
rush can be made.
: 1t is through his horses and heavy
wagons on the turf that Smathers has
come prominently to the front. But he is
not only a haHseman and plunger-he is
a thorough business man as well. As
matter of fact horse racing is merely
side issue with him and serves for his
recreation. That he makes the turf pax
is part of his business principle He has
been in the oil business all his life. and is
today one Of the largest individual oil
IN, 1,. Ia fc i,,4a
in the production of oil from Kane. Pa.
TO Parkersburg, w Va This area OF
ground covers parts Of the states Of Penn
sylvania. Ohio and West Virginia.
Mr. Smathcrs was born in Oil City, Pa,
where his father was a large oil pro-
Queer. lie found the city of his birth too
cramped and too narrow for his day
dreams. and early in life he pulled up
stakes, put his belongings IN a grip and
struck out for wider fields. IN 1857 he
became connected with the oil Exchange
at Bradford, Pa. bat soon after he moved
his headquarters to Pittsburg. 1t was in
the latter city that he took up driving as
fad TO secure the fresh air which his
rundown system was sadly in need Of at
the time 1t was during this period that
he became fascinated with fast horses. I
He went to California TO build up his
shattered health. but returned here after
the death OF his wife. and has been a
resident OF this city since 1896.
Many are the interests Of Mr.. Smath-
ers He not Only speculates in Wan (
street, but he holes large blocks of stock .
in several manufact curing concerns. He is .
largely interested in the Borairde & Ely t
fang Company of Fiusburg, manufac-
tuners OF boilers gas and steam engines r
drilling tools and every thing used in con- .
junction with the oil business. Individu-
ally he owns there a large plant that
employs nearly four hundred men, ard
another at Bradford which has pay
roll of 200 men He is one of the BOARD
Of Directors OF the Consolidated oil Com
rany OF Pittsburs. and the Northern OF
Company Of Bradford. In addition to his
oil manufacturing and stock interests. he
owns and finds time TO attend TO a large
near Buffalo that turns out near
y 5o00o baskets Of grapes every year
He is in daily touch with all his vast
Interests. and there is not q move made
IN connection with his business that he
Is not made familiar with. Everywhere
h. goes-whcther 10 the Empire City
track. Providence. Reedsville. Memphis.
or Chicago or Saratoga. his secretary is
with him. and his business is never neg
lccted.
Nr. Smathers' success I'm business and
on the turf is due TO one thing-hard
work Whatever he enters into. whethrr
II be business or pleasure. he gives it close
attention and learns il. Despite his hard
work and close attention to business he
has youthful appearance. and does not
look t. he moro than thirty-five years
nd He IS about > feet inches in height
with slender physique His face is white
and bloo6less ana has that ashy hue Pc
,uliar to the student who sits up many
hours burning Che midnight oil A small !
Iet-blsck lnustache~ covers his upper lii
snd hair raven black crowns his head.
His face cuts away sharply to the chin, ,
which is pointed. II is the face OF a
'orceful man-strone. powerful. master
hi His hands are strong. and the wrists
ienote hidden strenath and the ability 10 /
'urb any disposition on the part Of {
'ractious horse for a Wild fight Of sresd
Mr.. Smather's voice is his chief chaTm. :
{ Is as soft and soothing Is that CT a
-oung giil of sixteen. The infection OF 7
Is sentences are well modulated- He y
vas never known II raise his voice 70 ,
igh pitcsh. His temperament, friends Y
ay. is much like his voice Come good a
cck or bad luck he Is always the seine .
aim. colectei and pleasant His coUr- (,
eous manner and pleasant address 70 all Z
rhether they he personal friends OF be 6
have won him many admirers
These arc The personal characteristics
T Z. z. Smathers.
T,l,t tiern l. snnther So % Srnathers / J,