Death of Old-Time Plunger, Daily Racing Form, 1911-04-22

article


view raw text

DEATH OF OLD-TIME PLUNGER. New York, April ill. Francis Theodore Walton, better known as "Plunger" Walton, died today at Ills home in this city in iiis 74th year. His widow and sou, Francis T. Walton, Jr., were at his bedside at the end. Heart disease and the encroachments of age caused his death. lie was formerly noted on the turf because of his heavy betting transactions. In 1S81 he wont to England, where he made some sensational winnings, his coups on single races ranging from SJ5,000 to 00,000. One day he lost 00 on the first race and on the next race he is credited with getting back his 00, together with -?73.000 "interest" from the bookmakers. He was W especially successful in backing some of James R. - Keeues horses in England and is said to have won 00,000 in one season, only to return It all to the bookmakers during the succeeding years. When "Lucky" Baldwins Vol ante won the American Derby in 1SS3 Walton is said to have wou In excess of 0,000 on the result. In 1S04. after a disastrous experience in the hotel business, he made an assignment, giving his liabilities as 10,000 and his assets at $.100,000. That was the beginning of the end of his meteoric career. At one time lie figured as an owner of race horses.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1910s/drf1911042201/drf1911042201_1_5
Local Identifier: drf1911042201_1_5
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800