Goldsboro semi-weekly argus., 1909-10-23
PdIdlIal kLslt bLiit cit ,.eIl
Links COnstTuttGd.
Five Hundred Thousand Dollars Ex-
pended by Brother Charley for
Brother BiIly's Entertain
ment ON Charley's Ranch.

DIUbuCI EuLeFGdlD.
ment ON Charley's Ranch.
Gregory, Tex, Oct. 19.-This is i
President Taft's first day of rest anu
enjoyment on his brothers 125, ,0O0-
acre ranch. After the, strenuous days
Of his long tour, the President for the
first time has an opportunity to lay
aside all cares and seek rest or exer-
else, serious occupation or amusement
according to his taste and whim, not
i'll strict accordance with timetables
ami ironclad program. He has a mag
nihcent palace with every imaginable
modern convenience to live in, a ranch
as large as some counties in the East
to roam over at will, either on horse
back or in an automobile. A fine
steam yacht ready for his pleasure,
should he feel like going fishing or
taking a sail along the picturesque
coast. He has only to step out of the
front door and walk a few steps to
the finest golf links in Texas, laid out
especially for his use by two Texas
in his favorite exercise. 1t is true,
there are no 'possums to hunt, but,
should the President have an inclina-
tloD for more strenuous pastime, there
is bigger game for him to shoot, not
hons or elephants, but prairie wolves,
coyotes, deer and wildcats. Wildcat
shooting is one of the favorite pas
times of the sportsmen nthis part Of
the country and hunt of that kind
has been arranged for tonight. A pack
of "cat dogs" was obtained for the
purpose and if the President is not
too tired tonight, he may enjoy fine
sport and novel experience.
The ranch, which forms part of the
400,000-acre estate which David Sin
ton, Charles P. Taft's father-in-law,
purchased many years ago, when
Texas ranch land was worth about
county, near the bays of Corpus Chris
ii and San Patricio. The ranch, which
includes the towns of Sinton, Taft,
Gregory and Portland, occupies the
greater part Of the county, and is one
OF the finest properties in Texas. 1t
is well stocked and cultivated and
brings Mr.. Charles P. Taft round
million dollars a year. When it was
decided a few months ago that the
President would spend four days OF
rest upon his brothers farm, Mr.
Charles P. Taft began to make exten-
civ hn
The old ranch house, known by the
Spanish name Of LA Quinta," was
torn down and in it's place magnif-
cent palace was built, equipped with
everything that the most fastidious
taste may desire in modern dwell
ing. It has thirty-six rooms and
crowns 100-foot cliff, beneath which
the surf breaks with an eternal roar
For the accommodation of the Pres
ident's travelling party another build
ing, resembling seashore hotel with
wide verandas, was built short dis
tance from La Quinta."
Some distance in the rear a garage
was built, large enough to shelter hall
a dozen automobiles, and it was stock
ed with four brand new machines. TIC
supply the house with sea water fo1
bathing purposes, a pumping station
was erected and also an electric pow
er plant for Illuminating the buildings
In the bay long pier was constructed
to provide mooring place for the
steam yacht added to the equipment
of the ranch. The final touch to the
preparations was given by the laying
out of golf course of nine holes. The
superintendents in charge of the ranch
and its different departments knew
of golf only from hearsay and when
they received orders from the Presi-
, dents brother to provide for suitable
, golf links, they were stumped. But
: the order had to be obeyed, and, as ex-
!; pense was not to be considered, they
. engaged two of the finest golf experts
, in Texas to come to the Taft ranch
and lay out the course in accordance
with the traditions of the game. 1
J is a conservative estimate that the i'm
provements made on the ranch in an
: ticipation of the Presidents visit cos
, his brother not less than $500,O00
, quite nice little fortune, but not ex
: orbitant. considering the annua
, profits derived from the ranch.
SPECULATION DEBT INVALID.