The day book. [volume], July 01, 1912, Image 14

About The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917

Image provided by: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL

                
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Massachusetts to see the little
newsgirl. She met her and then
she turned to Bates and said,
''You have chosen wisely, my son.
She is a real woman and will
make a good wife."
All Bates' family were present
when Nan was married and they
showered her with costly gifts.
Bates gave her a casket of jewels
and an automobile. When the
ceremony was ended he made
over a great deal of his property
to the little girl who, just two
weeks ago, was selling the papers
over the counter at the Vanden
bilt hotel.
JOCKEY COBURN DYING.
San Francisco,. Cal., Juljr 1.
Willie "Monk" Coburn,, once
greatest of jockeys, idol df the,
turf and rider for King Edward
VII., is dying, penniless, in this
city.
Up to a few days ago he was a
public charge, an inmate- of the
tubercular ward of the City and
County Hospital. But'his mother
moved him to her humble home at
966 Pine street. She wanted to
save him the humility of spending.
his last few days a pauper and
public ward.
Physicians attending him say
he can not possibly live another
month.
Coburn is his heyday was one
of the greatest jockeys who ever
threw leg over a racehorse. At
Emeryville he was given his first
mount by "Tommy" Lottridge.
He rode a horse named February.
February was 100 to 1, but in that
first race "Monk" Coburn showed J
there were few jockeys around,
that track who were his equpl. In -a
desperate finish February won
and Johnny Rieff, who rode the
Derby winner in England two
weeks ago, had been outridden by
the exercise boy, "Monk" Co
burn: Then' up the ladder of prosper-L
ity Coburn literally flew. Every
horse owner wanted him to ride.
land his engagements were booked
far in advance.
Coburn's reputation spread to
England. He was induced to go
there and in a short time was rid
ing under the colors of King Ed
ward of England. It is said Ed
ward VII. took-a great fancy to
Coburn and showered him wfth
gifts. The lad's pictures were in
the magazines and he was the idol
of the hour. Coburn made several
thousands of 'dollars and spent
the money just as rapidly and as
easily as he made it.
' ,But weight began creeping on
the "Monk." He often had to go
to the Turkish baths to reduce.
He had to take long runs. All this
was weakening him. Then the
cough "a mere nothing," he.,
said at first, "just a cold." But:.
tuberculosis had settled in his
lungs. His strength began to fail. .
No longer had he the firm hold on
the bridle his hands had lost
their cunning.
A few weeks ago "Monk" Co--burn
dragged himself back to his -old
home San Francisco. His ,
mother was the only one who.,
greeted him at the Ferry build--ing.
His friends of earlier pros
perity were not there. Those men
...(.. .-jk..