A PERIOD OF PROFOUND DEPRESSION 353 



velous recovery from years of depression. Mark W. 

 Dunham's death removed the one leader in whom 

 all interests had confidence, the one who could have 

 brought order out of cha-os in the breeding field and 

 in record association affairs. The bitter strife which 

 split Percheron breeders into three rival camps and 

 did incalculable damage between 1900 and 1911 

 would undoubtedly have been averted had he sur- 

 vived. No more honorable breeder ever lived, and 

 there were few indeed, in any land, who possessed his 

 genius for constructive work and his ability to com- 

 mand support from all classes of men. Time, giving 

 true perspective, reveals him as the great Percheron 

 leader of his period, and the fleeting years only in- 

 crease the estimate which thoughtful Percheron 

 breeders place on his work. 



At the time of Mark W. Dunham's death his son 

 Wirth S. was but 21 years old, and the two daughters 

 were young. Mrs. Dunham had died some years be- 

 fore. It was Mr. Dunham's request that the business 

 should devolve on Wirth, but that he should take 

 James M. Fletcher and C R. Coleman into partner- 

 ship in the selling organization, retaining control of 

 the farm and brood mares under the name of the 

 estate. 



James M. Fletcher, a nephew of Mark W. Dunham, 

 attained a high place in Percheron affairs. He was a 

 horseman by birth and training, and was developed 

 by frequent trips to France with Leonard Johnson 

 and by association with Mr. Dunham's operations at 

 Oaklawn. He spoke French fluently and from 1887 



