398 A HISTORY OF THE PERCHEEON HORSE 



Oaklawn, was champion in 1905. All of these mares 

 were valuable breeding matrons, as were numerous 

 others not selected for showyard fame. 



Oaklawn Farm gave special prominence to ex- 

 hibits of Percherons at the leading state fairs and 

 at the International, being one of the most consistent 

 and heaviest winners of prizes at the Internationals 

 of 1901, 1902, 1903 and 1904 and bringing out the 

 champion stallion for 4 successive years. A large 

 number of the prizes and the reserve championship 

 in stallions were won in 1905 and 1906, while the 

 mare championships fell to this stud in 1901, 1903 

 and 1905. Showing was discontinued in 1907, 1908 

 and 1909, but the Oaklawn entries were back in the 

 ring in 1910. The large and well fitted exhibits of 

 Percherons from Oaklawn Farm spurred others to 

 greater exertions and stimulated draft horse im- 

 provement generally. Extensive publicity in the 

 agricultural journals supplemented the showyard 

 advertising. 



John C. Baker was one of the large Illinois breed- 

 ers of this period. Hercules 19985 was his chief stud 

 stallion. He was a gray, foaled in 1904, and was 

 out of a daughter of Brilliant 1271. He was a very 

 large, massive type; possibly he lacked a bit in sym- 

 metry and finish, but his colts were large, drafty 

 and good sellers. So good was Hercules that he 

 went to the stud of S. S. Russell & Sons when 14 

 years of age. He was also used by Stetson Bros., 

 Neponset, 111. Mr. Baker bred a large number of 

 Percherons, but buyers complained that he was not 



