MARSHLAND AND SHULTSHURST 



failing to start will embarrass you in any way, while 

 I will not enter him myself, the colt may start. I 

 have heard suggestions about his starting against 

 Eva and Wildflower, but, to tell you the truth, I 

 did not think it wise to start him in a race against 

 these two. I understand that they are both sub- 

 stantially under the same management, and I think 

 that they would, if necessary, combine against me. 

 I will allow the colt to start with three in the race, 

 either Wildflower or Eva being in, but not both. 

 I don't want Alroy to trot such a race at this time 

 of year, when he cannot in all probability lower his 

 record if he wins, but, as I have said, if you have 

 given Mr. McFerran assurances that he will start, 

 he may." 



The three-year-old fever was quite strong at that 

 time, and it was Kentucky and California against 

 New York. Eva was owned by John W. Mackay, 

 and Wildflower by Leland Stanford. The names 

 of McFerran, Mackay, Stanford, and Tracy were a 

 tower of strength in those days. Algath was to be 

 the McFerran representative in the four-cornered 

 race. 



When General Tracy again embarked in the breed- 

 ing business, he purchased a farm adjoining Stony 

 Ford in Orange County, and retained the name of 

 Marshland. The land had been neglected and drains 

 had to be opened. The ex-Secretary of the Navy 

 could then be seen day after day in shirt sleeves, 

 big straw hat, and rubber boots out in the moist 

 places superintending the diggers of ditches. It was 



221 



