Cary T. Grayson to WT Waggoner
Title
Cary T. Grayson to WT Waggoner
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP16637
Date
1929 November 21
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Mr. WT Waggoner
Fort Worth, Texas
My dear Mr. Waggoner, -
I want to thank you for my delightful visit to Fort Worth and Arlington Downs. It was a pleasure to serve as Steward of your Race meeting. Your race tracks, buildings and other facilities are ideal in every particular. I have never before known of one man putting through such an enterprise single-handed. The establishing by you of Arlington Downs and your beautiful stock farm between Fort Worth and Dallas is not only a great thing for the State of Texas but is patriotic pioneering. You pioneelred in the cattle business, in the farming industry and in the oil business. The great things you have now done at Arlington Downs are in line with the splendid spirit of pioneering that has so distinctly characterized Texas ever since the days of Stephen F. Austin.
This effort you are making to restore in Texas the horse brededing industry, now almost gone, is typical of the present Texas progress and development. If this plan of adiding in the horse breeding and farming industry can be made the success for which you hope, the benefits will be widespread. With such race courses and facilities as are at Arlington Downs, Texas will attract the breeders of thoroughbred horses from the north and from the east for winter training and racing. This is obvious when the central location of Texas is considered with reference to the other great race courses, such as those of Kentucky, Florida, Illinois, New York, Cuba and Tia Juana. The thoroughbred horse is a delicate animal and may not always, because of climatic conditions, be changed from one place or State to another. The Texas climate, fortunately, is such that horses can be moved in or out of the State at any time of the year with little hazard of pneumonia and other like diseases. Texas soil, grass, water and climate produce horses with unusually good feet and bone. The large Texas pasturage gives them the best opportunity to develop their lungs and muscles. This has been proved by the high records for speed and stamina made by Texas-raised horses on the race courses of the north and the east.
The thoroughbred sire is the foundation stock for the rasiising of cavalry horses. Suitable cavalry horses are now scarce and difficult to find. The obtaining of suitable horses for the army is of great concern to our military organizations, in times of peace as well as war. Large numbers of polo ponies raised in Texas are sold each year at fancy prices. It is recognized that the blood of the thoroughbred is a chief point of value in the desirable polo pony. There is, in my opinion, no reason why Texas farmers should not, with great profit, raise horses of thoroughbred blood.
It is only by racing that the qualities of the thoroughbred may be known and proper breeding developed.
I have never witnessed such enthusiasm over the racing of horses as that of the splendid people attending your recent meeting at Arlington Downs. I believe that regulated racing, along the general lines permitted by the laws of some of our States, encourage a wholesome, out-door sport and stimulates an important agricultural industry. Without such laws it would be most difficult to attract the necessary public interests to obtain the required financial support for maintaining these race courses. Wisely regulated races will afford thousands of people the air, sunshine and out-door recreation which they need. I know these things have helped me during my recent visit to Texas, and I have returned home rested, refreshed and full of enthusiasm for your most successful venture and your great State of Texas!
With kind regards and best wishes, I am
Sincerely yours,
CTG/n
Fort Worth, Texas
My dear Mr. Waggoner, -
I want to thank you for my delightful visit to Fort Worth and Arlington Downs. It was a pleasure to serve as Steward of your Race meeting. Your race tracks, buildings and other facilities are ideal in every particular. I have never before known of one man putting through such an enterprise single-handed. The establishing by you of Arlington Downs and your beautiful stock farm between Fort Worth and Dallas is not only a great thing for the State of Texas but is patriotic pioneering. You pioneelred in the cattle business, in the farming industry and in the oil business. The great things you have now done at Arlington Downs are in line with the splendid spirit of pioneering that has so distinctly characterized Texas ever since the days of Stephen F. Austin.
This effort you are making to restore in Texas the horse brededing industry, now almost gone, is typical of the present Texas progress and development. If this plan of adiding in the horse breeding and farming industry can be made the success for which you hope, the benefits will be widespread. With such race courses and facilities as are at Arlington Downs, Texas will attract the breeders of thoroughbred horses from the north and from the east for winter training and racing. This is obvious when the central location of Texas is considered with reference to the other great race courses, such as those of Kentucky, Florida, Illinois, New York, Cuba and Tia Juana. The thoroughbred horse is a delicate animal and may not always, because of climatic conditions, be changed from one place or State to another. The Texas climate, fortunately, is such that horses can be moved in or out of the State at any time of the year with little hazard of pneumonia and other like diseases. Texas soil, grass, water and climate produce horses with unusually good feet and bone. The large Texas pasturage gives them the best opportunity to develop their lungs and muscles. This has been proved by the high records for speed and stamina made by Texas-raised horses on the race courses of the north and the east.
The thoroughbred sire is the foundation stock for the rasiising of cavalry horses. Suitable cavalry horses are now scarce and difficult to find. The obtaining of suitable horses for the army is of great concern to our military organizations, in times of peace as well as war. Large numbers of polo ponies raised in Texas are sold each year at fancy prices. It is recognized that the blood of the thoroughbred is a chief point of value in the desirable polo pony. There is, in my opinion, no reason why Texas farmers should not, with great profit, raise horses of thoroughbred blood.
It is only by racing that the qualities of the thoroughbred may be known and proper breeding developed.
I have never witnessed such enthusiasm over the racing of horses as that of the splendid people attending your recent meeting at Arlington Downs. I believe that regulated racing, along the general lines permitted by the laws of some of our States, encourage a wholesome, out-door sport and stimulates an important agricultural industry. Without such laws it would be most difficult to attract the necessary public interests to obtain the required financial support for maintaining these race courses. Wisely regulated races will afford thousands of people the air, sunshine and out-door recreation which they need. I know these things have helped me during my recent visit to Texas, and I have returned home rested, refreshed and full of enthusiasm for your most successful venture and your great State of Texas!
With kind regards and best wishes, I am
Sincerely yours,
CTG/n
Original Format
Letter
To
Waggoner, William Thomas (1852–1934)
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson to WT Waggoner,” 1929 November 21, WWP16637, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.