The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-10-22
TAFT TO VISIT. TAFT
PRESIDENT TO PUT IN TIME Al
HOME OF HIS BROTHER.
La Quinta, the Magnificent Country
Residence of Charles p; the Estate
Comprises Many Thousands of
Acres; Dwelling Was Completed
Last Year at a Cost of More Than
Two Hundred Thousand.

San Antonio, Tex, Oct, l8.-A mill
tary review and reception at Fort Sam
Houston and great public demon
stration in Alma Plaza, where the
heroes of Texas fought and died, con-
stituted President Taft's program for
today. The city was filled with visi-
tors, the quaint buildings of the old
Spanish city were swathed in bunting
and many bands played constantly.
The president left this afternoon
over the San Antonio and Arkansas
Pass road for Corpus Christi, where
he will spend four days on the ranch
OF his brother.
At the Taft Ranch.
Taft, Tex, Oct. lS.-While the presi-
dent has travelled thousands of miles
and has been given glorious receptions
in some of the largest cities OF the
country, it is in this village of 400
people that he will probably feel moss
at home. While the town is built on
land included in the vast estate of the
presidents brother, Charles p. Taft,
it was named for the chief executive.
Despite the fact that democracy is
the prevailing political party in Tex
as, the town gave solid vote for Taft
for president. The town is too small
to indulge in the riotous display and
extravaganza of the cities, but the
president will doubtless appreciate
rest. This morning the cowboys OF
no at H.
crate costumes in anticipation OF
the arrival of the Big Boss this even.
ing, and he will be given a typical
wild west" greeting
La Quinta, the Country Residence.
1t is at La Quinta, the magnificent
country residence of Charles p Taft
that the president will make his home
during his visit. He will have $4,000
acres of land to roam over. No one
but members of his party and invited
guests will be permitted to cross the
line fence that separates the railroad
from the property.
La Qninta residence is situated
three miles from the town and post
office of Gregory, from which place it
is reached by an excellent road. The
town of Gregory belongs to the ranch
property. 1t has population of about
six hundred persons, all of whom are
in some way connected with the ranch.
The temporary offices of the president
will be located in a new howell at Gre
CORY during the distinguished visitors
stay at La Quinta. The newspaper
correspondents and most of the mem
bers of the presidents party will
make their headquarters at this hotel.
1t is connected with La Quinta by
telephone. Should President Taft be
off on trip over any part of the
ranch it will be an easy matter to
keep in close touch with him, as the
telephone system extends to every.
part of the property.
Magnificent Country Home
The ranch residence, La Quinta, Is
said to be the most magnificent coun-
completed about a year ago at a cost
of 100000. 1t occupies a beautiful
site, overlooking Corpus Christi Bay
on one side and many miles of ranch
upon the others, with the towns of
Taft, Gregory, Sinton and Portland,
all a part of the big estate, showing
plainly in the distance. Here and
there may be seen herds of thorough
bred cattle lazly grazing upon the
grass, which grows luxuriantly in al!
of the pastures. Along the railroad
are many cultivated fields, dotted here
and there with pretty farm houses and
large barns. Nearly two thousand
acres of the ranch have been converted
into farms, and Mr.. Taft recently gave
orders for increasing the cultivated
I.,.u - L.. ,,,I