view raw text
DEATH OF PROMINENT CANADIAN BREEDER. Detroit, Mich., December 24. George M. Hendric, pioneer street railway man, capitalist, bank director and sportsman, died at Gearholm, his home at Crosse Pointo Farms, following a second stroke of paralysis. He was in his eightieth year. Mr. Hen-dries Illness dated back to May 1011, when he suffered the first stroke. Possibly no man was more widely known in Detroit business circles than Mr. Hendrie. He held Jircctorships in many of the leading banking concerns, including the Union Trust Company, and was chairman of the board of directors of the D. and C. Navigation Company, besides being interested in several smaller companies. He was prominently identified witli most of the leading clubs in the city and for years was president of the St. Andrews Society of Detroit and a prominent member of the Knights Templar. George Hendrie was the tirst successful operator of street railways in Detroit, as well as on the Canadian side of the river, and for nearly thirty years he to a great degree guided the destinies of Detroits transportation system. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1834. and migrated to Hamilton, Ontario, with his brother William when still a boy. In 1S59 he came to Detroit, where he engaged in the cartage business, and made the first contract witli the Detroit and Milwaukee, and the Great Western Railway for the regular collection of freight for their patrons. The surviving family consists of the widow, three sons, Strathearn, George and William, and four daughters.- Three sisters also survive. Mrs. W. K. Muir of Detroit, Mrs. Leggatt and Mrs. Gartsliore of Hamilton. Like all of his family. "Uncle George," as he was affectionately known far and wide, was a good sportsman. At his Koyal Oak Farm In Wavuo County he was an extensive breeder of fine horses, cattle and poultry. He loved the thoroughbred horse, the game cock and the terrier for the sturdy qualities they typify. For many years he raced thoroughbred horses in the yellow and tartan livery, finding the keenest enjoyment In the performances of those bred or selected by himself. A big man in heart, as well as iu physique and business capacity, all his relations were marked by that first element of a gentleman consideration for others no matter how humble the sphere of those others. Few men earn or so completely deserve the deep regard that attached to Mr. Hendrie all with whom ho came in contact. His unfailing cheery spirit was never more strikingly manifested than during his visits to the Windsor races last summer. Unable to leave his motor car, he watched with real interest the sport on several afternoons, holding court In the center field, and going home much refreshed and benefited by the outings, and the greetings of old friends. "Uncle George" never grew old with the passage of time, and when he died he was eighty years young. Until two years ago, when his declining health necessitated his partial retirement from active connection with the sport, "Uncle George" raced a stable which generally contained one or more performers of stake quality. Possibly the highest class horse owned by Mr. Hendrie was Reservation, by Cayuga Arragou. Reservation won many stakes and overnight handicaps during the years 1904-07. Sprlugwells, which carried the Hendrie colors, yellow cap, tartan jacket and sleeves, by Derwentwater Noblesse, held the six-furlongs record of 1:12ts, at Windsor for several years previous to 1905. Red Robe won the Canadian Derby of 1902 for "Uncle George." This horse was bred by Mr. Hendrie, who owned both the sire and dam. Loyalist, the sire, was one of the most distinguished stallions at the Royal Oak Stud. The Foreman, in the Hendrie colors, won the Latonia Derby of 1905, and afterwards joined the sires and matrons at Royal Oak. This Derby winner was sent to the Canadian breeding bureau several years ago. Another Derby winner carrying the yellow and tartan was King of Troy in the Canadian Derby of 1905. Other well-known winners in the stable were Grand Dame and Khaki, two most serviceable thoroughbreds in their time. George Hendrie In the early part of his racing career was associated with several of the Canadian Jockey clubs, including the Woodbine track in Toronto, which he aided materially in developing into the splendid institution it now is. His interest in the turf never waned for a single instant.
