The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-01
BALDWIN is DEAD
The Man Known by the Nick
name OF Lucky
Expires Today on His Ranch at
Age of 81 Years.

Los Angles, Cal. March 1.-E. j.
(Luckyl Baldwin died at his home at
Arcadia, on Baldwin's ranch, at 7
O'Clock this morning after an illness
of several weeks. He was 81 years of
age.
No man identified with horse breed
ing and the raising of thoroughbreds
was more widely known throughout
the country than Z. J. (Lucky) Bald
win. Even the weight of his 81 years
did not suffice to diminish his interest
in turf matters, and While horses bred
by his trainers were winning races on
the distanct track. the owner of the
vast estate near Los Angeles lived the
luxurious life of an old Spanish don,
with an army of employees and re-
tainers on his great ranch. which has
become one of the show places of
southern California
Wonderful Versatility of the Man.
Lucky Baldwin was born on
farm six miles outside of Hamilton.
Illinois, and on his fathers estate ac-
quired the taste for fast horses that
made him a familiar figure at many
a track.
During his boyhood the family
moved into Indiana and thence to
Racine, where Baldwin engaged in
the merchandise business. In 1853
Baldy Baldwin sold out and came to
San francisco.
Almost from the first his ventures
were attended with the success that
won him the sobriquet by which he is
best known in the west.
1t was at Saratoga, n. Y, while
watching the races that he decided to
acquire a stoble of his own. Many
of his earlier purchases were made in
the ring, after he had cashed a bet on
the animal he favored.
Grimstead and Rutherford were two
Of nj in n
ner. He won the American derbv four
times with The Emperor of Norfolk.
Silver Cloud. voIante and Rey Ell
Santa Anita.
sBidwin viii be buried in san
Francisco, but the date of the funeral
has not yet been determined.
The fortune left by Lucky Bald
win is estimated by H. A. Thrush. his
a million or two dolalrs on either side
of this sum. Little is known of the
details of the will left by the noted
turfnan disposing of this amount. 1t
is certain, however, that his wife and
daughter have been libreally provided
for.
Many rumors of impending contests
of the vii lhave been rife during
Baldwins illness. but they have not
yet appeared in tangible form. 1t is
Re ported that the will contains a spe-
cific statement denying the existence
Of more than a single widow, thus
from that direction.
Few men have ever displayed Bald
wins versatility of occupation and
business acumen; his mastery of de-
tail. and his perseverance. At times
in his career he has been a farmer,
canal boatman, groceryman, bookkeep-
er. liveryman, brick manufacturer,
miner, mining operator, horse breeder,
horse racer. speculator. theatrical man
ager and rancher.
Baldwin's Early Career.
Born in Butler county, Ohio, April S.
1923, Elias Jackson Baldwin followed
the occupation of his father, and titled
the soil during his early years near
South Bend, Ind. whence his parents
had moved. The trading spirit was,
however, strong in the young man,
and he soon engaged in canal boating
on the Illinois and Michigan canal. His
frequent trips to Chicago with boat
loads of grain brought him into close
great center. He speculated and won.
While yet young man ne became
wealthy through his speculations
In 1850 he started from Racine, Wis.
to drive the plains across TO Cali
fornia- His experience on this journey,
so terrible in those days. no so fraugn'
with danger and death. We're much like
those of other hardy pioneers
A Dramatic Incident.
The most dramatic incident of
on canvas, and hangs in the parlor
of the old mans hotel, the Arcadia,
at Santa Anita ranch 1t was painted
by a famous California artist on a
special commission from Baldwin.
who took him to the scene 1t pre-
sents a battle between Baldwin s
party and a band of Indians at a point
in the great Salt Lake valley. The
master of Santa Anita was very fond
of relating how he and his party re-
pulsed with great loss the hostile
band and how he believes to this
this day. that they were Mormons, and
not Indians; that they we're dis
guised as Indians, and were after a
considerable amount of whisky which
the party carried in the wagons.
Arriving at California Baldwin en-
gagged in various kinds of busin ess, al
ways with a certain amount of sue
cess. Not until the days of the Com
stock discovery however, and the re-
sulting whirlwind of speculation;
when struggling miners became mill
lionaires. perhaps multi-millionaireS,
between suns, did he reach the dis
tinction of being classed as a rich
man, even among rich men.