The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-17
star Corrsspondence Of the Journal.

stan Correspondence OF the Journal.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind, Jan. 16.-This
beautiful and classic city has many things
OF which 20 be proud. In a year or two it
viii be known as he principal harness
horse breeding center in the United States.
II b. Gentry's stock farm is located just
two miles cast OF this city. Already this
stock farm has taken the first place an 'ns
breeding interests in Indiana and in the
course OF a very short time II will occupy
as prominent a place in the world as does
the leading farms OF Lexington, KY. 1t is
the home OF Mckinney. 2:11A. the grandest
OF all extreme speed sires; Ed Winter.
2:12A one Of the greatest OF the younger
stations In the country. and of several
famous brood mares that have been added
20 the farm within the past year BY Mr..
Gentry.
This is not the best time of year TO pay
visit to the famous stock farm. but the
writer was anxious to the conditions
OF the farm and the noted animals during
an OF season as well as when the farm is
clothed in rich verdure and the stock has
the sickness Of careful grooming of a sum-
mer season. Mr.. Gentry accompanied the
writer 10 the farm and led the tour around
the three large barns In which housed
thoroughbred animals that are famous the
world over, valuable brood mares and
young colts that will some day excite the
sporting world by record-breaking miles
in races OF speed trials.
The stock farm contains 400 acres of rich
bluegrass land just two miles east Of this
city. Less than two years ago this tract
OF land contained no buildings. and part of
II was woodland. Mr.. Gentry has erected
a handsome summer home the farm,
three immense barns containing the most
modern conveniences for the safety and
comfort Of horses, and other small build
ings His plans for beautiful farm are
not yet completed, but he now possesses
one of the best appointed stock farms I'm the
State. Other improvements will be made
the ground surrounding the barns and the
paddocks will be sodded, the vast stretch
OF land lying TO the north and south of the
barns will be converted into rich pasture
land. and it is the intention OF the owner to
build half-mie track for exercising pur-
poses.
MKINNEY'S APARTMENTS.
Even in the midst OF winter there is
something very imposing about the big
farm. After making a careful visit around
the various barns and seeing the valuable
stock. one realize that there is an in
ney is quartered in Barn l. He has a large.
separate apartment to himself in the east
side Of the big building. Large pieces of
bunting are tastefully draped from the roof
10 the side walls, and on the walls are
photographs and Autographs of the famous
sire An attendant at the farm took the
blankets from the animal, and he was
beautiful in his rough coat of brown, that
resembled rich sealskin. He is one of the
most perfect specimens of horse flesh ever
produced in the world He cost Mr.. Gentry
$4,000 In cash. and his owner has refused
an offer Of $4,000 for him. Mckinney is
allowed TO rough il this winter but he is
strong and in excellent condition.
Directly opposite the room occupied by
Mckinney Is similar apartment for Ed
Winter. the young speed sire that will
some day be famous. Ed Winter is a
bay stallion. with a record of 2:12A and a
trial in 2:0S- He is full brother to Haw-
thorne. 2:O6h. the second largest money
winner OF 1903. He was foaled in 1885, bred
by X. l. Nash and Dr. Bennett, Lexington.
KY His full pedigree appears later in this
story I'D Winter IS another beautiful ami
maj, and because OF his excellent breeding
tering
In the same barn are housed some of the
finest and best brood mares on Mr.. Gentry's
farm- A few or the mares have young colts
There are also one or two yearling colts by
Mckinney in the barn. In the other two
barns are housed fine brood mares owned
by Mr.. Gentry and a few that are owned
by other well-known horsemen. A list of
Mr. Gentry's mares and colts appears in
this article.
The desire TO own a noted stock farm.
the most famous OF extreme speed sres and
the finest OF brood mares not the re-
suit Of single days consideration or
dream by II. b. Gentry, but the culmina-
ion OF life study and work with the So
lad ord Of min IL u -
try - one Of the four Gentry brothers who
own and control the wslI-known Gentry
Bros dog and pony shows 1t was I'm that
amusement business that he amassed his
fortune and made IL possible for him to
carry into execution his desire to enter the
horse-breeding business on a large scale
He decided 10 establish an immense farm
10 carry out his desire. but the same
time he had In mind the financial side of
the anair de believed that the raising of
the best stock possible TO obtain would be
a profitable business. He purchased his
farm and then set out TO stock that farm
as he wished to see IL stocked. He resolved
10 buy, If possible, the best stallion in the
world. He attended stock sales i'm New
York and other places. made all possible
inquiry or stock men as TO how he should
obtain such a horse. and after much de-
liberation and inquiry found that Mckinney
possessed more OF the qualities he desired
IN horse than any other horse known
IN looking around for a sire OF course he
had many brought to his attention, but the
old adage OF anything that is worth doing
in mis- case and he selected Mckinney out
or many sires throughout the country, be-
cause OF his phenomenal record. of which
there Is no other stallion living at his age
can equal
GREATEST SPEED SIRE.
Mckinney has been justly styled the
greatest sire of extreme speed. title that
was awarded him when. as an eight-year-
old. he was the sire of three Els perform
srs. which. as a nine-year-Old. he increased
TO five. and so on he has kept on down the
list Even with his marvellous showing il
cannot be said of Mckinney that he has
had the best. or even fair opportunities in
the stud. for lot of his performers are
out OF mares OF untraced breeding Then
too. the most of his early stud life covers
period OF great depression in trotting-
horse breeding, during which few sires had
average opportunities. During the last
two years only of his life in California
was he favored with an average OF good
mares and I'm that State. where he is best
known. IL Is predicted that from his recent
services will come a band OF race horses in
comparison with which his present showing
Will be mediocre BY all measures OF com
parssOn his short life considered Alcvone
the sire OF Mckinney. is by all odds the
greatest speed prOgenitOr of all the sons Of
George Wilkes, and Of course Mckinney is