The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-15

stableman sleeps under the same shed with his charge, and springs up from d light doze at the whimperngs of Dan Patch, as if the horse was a teethng babe.
 The Sunday Attraction.
 The crowds of people at the fair grounds yesterday with a common intent surged about the stalls of the great pacer Every one endeavored to get q glimpse of the animal concerning which so much has been said and written. When finally, MT. Hummer allowed several guests to see the horse, it was necessary to use force to keep the room from being crowded to overfowing.
 When seen by the representative of The Age Herald the great pacer was quietly munching hay. He was clothed in heavy woolen cloth, which was strapped securely about his person. About his head, hung a halter of the finest leather and his four legs, from the hoof to the knee, were swathed in a material akin to osenberg.
 Dan Patch, with almost human intel ligence, turned his face towards his guests and seemed to bid them a welcome with as much accuracy as he was able. The horses body was as smooth as glass, and no where on his surface was there the slightest blemish. No hair of his mane or tail was crumpled. He appeared a mag nifcent animal, luxuriously kept.
 $19o,Ooo His Value.
 Much has been written of Dan Patcn. but everything about such a horse is of special interest. He was born in Indiana, ten years ago. He is owned by the h. ternational Food company, of which M. w. Savage is president and chief stock holder His various remarkable feats are well known, and in writing of this partic- ular feature oI the great animals career, 1t should be sufficient to say that he is now halding the worlds record on mile track, :55 In this connection, it will be of interest to local admirers of splendid animals, to know that the record for a mile on the half-mile track which is held by Dan Patch, was established in Blr- mingham three years ago, at Smith s park.
 The last cash offer made to the owners of the horse was S1S00OO. This offer was rejected. His life Is insured for $l5O,00O, and for this reason his head stableman must sleep with him, and guard him from any harm whatsoever. In weather such as Birmingham has today, no air is allowed to touch him save when he is driven for exercise
 Ii is probable that Dan Patch eats more than any other horse in the world. MT. Hummer stated yesterday afternoon that he is served four times per day. His first meal is given him at o'clock in the morning. His dinner Is served at Il o'clock. At o'clock in the afternoon he Is again given food, and at o'clock two quarts of the bran stuff prepared by the International Food company is fed him. His portion of the same material in the day is three quarts at each meal.
 The horse is mahogany bay, his color being d rich seal brown
 With His Family.
 Dan Patch is not without ldth and kin dred in Birmingham Four of his off springs are at the fair ground. These animals are Judy Patch. Ed Patch. Creceus and Gabriel, the latter two be- ing running mates of their great sire and the first two being pacers of note. All will be seen at the State Fair, and Ed and Judy Patch are to be entered in several of the races.
 As Is generally known, the sire of Dan t,l, fa Jpa patphpn The offspring of these two famous animals, who in their respective day broke all then existing records, are numerous. and the majority have made for themselves names of which their great forbears need not blush.
 As a breeder of fine animals, Dan Patch is sought from one part of the country to the other Last Week he was in Lex jngton. XIV, and there went Il mile in 1:5s. Towards the end of the week he was in Fort Worth, and there gave an exhibition race against time. From Fort Worth the great animal was brought to Birmingham where he remains until Fri day. He races against his own record at the State Fair Thursday, which day is of ficially styled Dan Patch Day.
 May Break Record.
 "rhere's no telling what Dan Patch will do." said MT. Hummer. "I expect him 10 break his own record Thursday, He is in excellent condition and the track is superb No, there's absolutely no telling what this old boy will do,' and he patted the flank of the animal with touch that was as gentle as a caress.
 Just as the speaker returned to his audience, the horse shook his head sev- eral times and made a futile effort to touch his hip with his teeth. Instantly