Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-03
BREEDER
WAS A MAhIARKS|MAH
How He Saved Gen. AveriI's
Life When Both Were on an
Indian Campaign.
Master of Belle Meade Farm,
He Made American Turf
History Before His Death.

handicap winners, recalls the coup that
went astray with the horse at Benning
through careless ride, when he had the
gray horse Oxford beaten and his jockey,
Lee. eased UP to be caught mapping in the
final strides by the game little mare Lau-
retta. The once noted plunger, Riley Gran
nan, bet lot of money here on the colt
for his western connections. And he was
also backed in the rooms at other cities
The colt was ridden at Benning by
Billy" Garths colored jockey, Lee, and
before the kercheval party shipped west
after Benning closed, his trainer, the vet
eran Raleigh Colstar, told Garth that he
would make him and his friends win a
good bet on him this winter. Sure enough,
a friend of Garths in this city, who does
not care TO disclose his identity, following
out letter received by Garth from Cali
fornia about Kercheval, went to Baltimore
on the day of the race and landed couple
of thousand dollars at the prs diling long
odds.
AS one of the last crop of yearlings foal-
ed at famous Belle Meade farm, it was fit
ting indeed that Kercheval should still be
owned by it's late superintendent, r. c.
Brien of Nashville, Tenn, in connection
with w. V. Conran, who is now in Cali
fornia. And while Belle Meade's activity
as a great breeding center is no more,
this son of the great stallion, the Common
er, has revived afresh the memories of his
famous birthplace.
At the Robert E. Lee memorial services
in this city recently Senator Berry of Ar
kansas. Familiarity known as pine Knob
Berry, alluded with touching pathos to the
promise made by Virginia's great son on
full Appomattox, that each man would, like
himself, accept the issues and prove loyal
to the federal government.
OF the many thousands of confederate
soldiers who thus bound themselves to
make good the promise of their beloved
leader nole followed his precepts more
closely than did Gen. William H. Jackson
of Tennessee, commanding a brigade of
Tennesseeans at the close of hostilities.
Back in his home at Nashville he was
appointed district judge and to other prom
inent offices of city and state Then on
the death of his relative, Gen. w.
management of the family estate, Belle
Meade beautiful meadow farm, and by
purchase of adjoining land gradually en-
larged the grand old place to $500 acres,
the largest stock farm in America at the
time. OF later years the Haggin, Baldwin
and Marcus Daily farms have alone sur
passed Belle Meade in size.
Revolver Shot Saves Comrade.
Educated for the army at the Military
Academy at West Point, N. Y, in the
ffties, young Jackson made his debut under
fire as a lieutenant in the United States
service against the Indians in Texas and
New Mexico. And in this campaign he had
the pleasure Of saving the life of Lieut..
w. w. Averill, one of his comrades, by his
skill as a crack revolver marksman.
The two Heutenants, Jackson and Averill,
who were boon companions, became sepa-
rated in running skirmish with band Of
kiowas and Averill. somehow or other,
was cut off from the main body of troops
and attacked by several Indians at once.
w nil
and Jackson, with half dozen other
troopers, started for him at full gallop.
But fast as they went they would been
too late had they waited until they could
reach the hard-pressed lieutenant. For
while he had killed two of his antagonists,
big Kiowas had endorsed him and was
just about to finish him with q Bowie
knife.
Quick action was now necessary. and
while most Of the troopers hesitated about
shooting for fear of hitting their comrade,
Jackson realized that another seconds de-
lay would be fatal, and, taking quick aim,
dropped the Wiowas in his tracks by
shot from his trusty revolver. 1t was a
close call for Averill.
inseparable until the call to arms that
arrayed each against the other on opposite
sides of the bloody chasm" of civil war;
fare. Each agreed when they parted that
possible, and they were fortunate enough
to do this until the next to the closing
year of the war-1S64.
Then Jackson's artillery at an action in
West Virginia began to shell the quarters
Of federal cavalry troop on hill oppo-
site. 1t was Gen. Averill's command, but
Jackson had not yet learned that fact, and
his gunners finally got a range ON the
generals tent, their shells coming uncOm-
fortably near.
This caused Averill to order up some
heavy guns and fierce artillery duel was
soon in progress, only to cease in few
QP
general had suddenly learned that his old
chum was opposite and called off the action
at once.
Richard Cookers Partnership.
Before Gen. Jackson purchased The Com.
moner, sire of the Burns Handicap winner,
Kercheval, he had given Belle Meade and
its output an International fame. His great
stations, Jack Malone. Bonnie Scotland,
Bramble, Great Tom and Luke Blackburn
sent out winner after winner, the last
named string Proctor Knott. the first Flu
turity winner QSS0.
Then he gave $4,000 for Iroquois at the
Rancocos disposal sale, and the only Ameri-
times over during his lifetime at beautiful
Belle Meade. So great was the prestige
of Belle Meade in the nineties that Richard
Croker, enthused over the fame of his
stout colt Dobbins, purchased of Gen. Jack
son half interest in the thoroughbreds for
$3.50 600
This did not include any Of the work
horses or mules at Belle Meade. foot of
the land or plank in the buildings, or one
of the herd of hundred deer that roamed
through the shadowy forest glades Of the
vast deer park. The Croker interest was
only in the stations, mares, yearlings,
weanlings, etc, in the thoroughbred barns
and Daddocks.
For a short two years or so the Croker,
interest in Belle Meade continued, and then
Dobbins' owner, with his removal to England
in prospect, sold Gen. Jackson back his half
interest for less than one-third he had paid
for it-$75,0OO! But as the revenue from
the sales of yearlings during this time was
close to 100000, the Croker loss on the
partnership was reduced proportionately.
No one who has ever enjoyed the hospital.
-ity Of Kerchevafs breeder at Belle Meade
during the heyday Of his prosperity will
ever forget the charm Of the place or the
old southern courtesies as dispensed by
Gen. Jackson and his family at the old
mansion.
In the earlier history Of the farm the an
nual yearling auctions were held on the
premises, and it was great pleasure to wit
ness several of the sales. spending some
times a week at the mansion as one Of the
generals guests.
It was always in the early spring and the
vast grounds formed a veritable forest park
the scent Of the locust bloom. wild jessa-
mine and rose filling the air, while the
Gin cling notes Of the mockinQ bird robin