RECOLLECTIONS OF MEN AND HORSES 



Alma Mater by Mambrino Patchen, second dam 

 Estella, thoroughbred daughter of imp. Australian. 

 Alcantara trotted to a four-year-old record of 2.23 

 at Louisville, and Alcyone, who was a smaller, but 

 better built, horse than his brother, retired with a rec- 

 ord of 2.27, although he had shown much faster than 

 this In his work. Mares of producing capacity were 

 selected for union with these horses, and It was not 

 long before visitors from all parts of the country were 

 attracted to HIghlawn. Mr. Smith was a thoughtful, 

 unobtrusive man, and the details of the management 

 of the farm were left to his agent, J. G. Davis. I 

 quote from a letter written to me by Mr. Davis 

 February 3, 1886: 



" Our stock each year will be handled at home 

 the first part of the season and sent to Springfield 

 to put on the finish. No one has more quality in 

 their mares. We are not wedded to any particular 

 strain. Have selected from the producing strains 

 of the best families. We have paid particular atten- 

 tion to their nerve force, believing that the foal 

 takes its gait from the sire, and its energy or will 

 power from the dam. No mare can remain here un- 

 less she has individual merit, and speed has cropped 

 out often on the maternal side of her ancestors. 

 You know the history of our stallions. Some people 

 could not imagine why we wanted two brothers. The 

 fact of owning one was the reason for owning the 

 other. Should one die we have the other. High- 

 lawn, with its outside pasturing, now contains about 

 1000 acres, and 700 acres are In a high state of cul- 

 tivation. The farm is divided into numerous small 



284 



