Historic Pelham

Presenting the rich history of Pelham, NY in Westchester County: current historical research, descriptions of how to research Pelham history online and genealogy discussions of Pelham families.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Score of June 1, 1887 Baseball Game Between The Country Club and The Knickerbocker Club


Regular readers of the Historic Pelham Blog know that I have tried to document every reference I find about baseball played in Pelham during the 19th century.  For some of the postings, see:

Friday, March 20, 2009:  Another Reference to 19th Century Baseball in Pelham.

Monday, November 26, 2007: Box Score of a Baseball Game Played on Travers Island in Pelham Manor in July 1896.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007: Baseball on Travers Island During the Summer of 1897.

Friday, July 20, 2007: Account of Early Baseball in Pelham: Pelham vs. the New York Athletic Club on Travers Island in 1897

Friday, November 10, 2006: The Location of Another Early Baseball Field in Pelham

Monday, October 9, 2006: Reminiscences of Val Miller Shed Light on Late 19th Century Baseball in Pelham and the Early Development of the Village of North Pelham

Thursday, March 23, 2006: Baseball Fields Opened on the Grounds of the Westchester Country Club in Pelham on April 4, 1884

Tuesday, January 31, 2006: Another Account of Baseball Played in Pelham in the 1880s Is Uncovered

Thursday, October 6, 2005: Does This Photograph Show Members of the "Pelham Manor Junior Base Ball Team"?

Thursday, September 15, 2005: Newspaper Item Published in 1942 Sheds Light on Baseball in 19th Century Pelham

Thursday, February 10, 2005: New Discoveries Regarding Baseball in 19th Century Pelham

Bell, Blake A., Baseball in Late 19th Century Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 17, Apr. 23, 2004, p. 8, col. 2.

I have located another brief reference that reflects a baseball game played between the Country Club baseball team and the famed Knickerbocker Club on Wednesday, June 1, 1887.  The brief reference indicates that the Pelham-based team beat the Knickerbocker Club 37 to 34.  Here is the reference:

"The Country Club, at Bartow-on-the-Sound, is to have tennis tournaments on Monday and Tuesday, in which the Staten Island and New-Rochelle clubs will participate.  The Country Club defeated the Knickerbocker Club nine at baseball by a score of 37 to 34, on Wednesday."

Source:  The Week in Society, New-York Daily Tribune, Jun. 7, 1885, p. 2, col. 6.


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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The Towns of Pelham and Eastchester Decide to Build a Drawbridge Across the Hutchinson River in 1873


Just beyond the new Pelham Manor Shopping Plaza on the Pelham Parkway is a drawbridge.  The first effort to build a drawbridge on that site began in 1873 when the Towns of Pelham and Eastchester approved the expenditure of funds to build such a drawbridge.  A brief article concerning the matter appeared in The New York Times.  An excerpt of the article appears below, followed by a citation to its source.

"WESTCHESTER . . . .

The town authorities of East Chester and Pelham have jointly decided to construct a drawbridge over East Chester Creek, (which forms the boundary line of the two towns, and familiarly known as Lockwood's Dock Bridge,) at an expense of $6,000, one-half of which is to be paid by each of the towns named.  No vessels pass about the bridge at the present time, but in case of rendering the creek navigable to a point some distance above, as proposed, the draw-bridge will be ready for use. . . . "

Source:  Westchester, N.Y. Times, Dec. 28, 1873, p. 8.

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Monday, September 28, 2009

Brief Account of Republican Rally Held in Pelham in 1876


During the year of the nation's centennial celebration, patriotism and political fervor were rampant.  Pelham was no exception.  In advance of the 1876 elections, Pelham Republicans held a festive rally in the Town Hall.  A brief account of the rally appeared in the September 8, 1876 issue of The New York Times.  The account appears below.

"REPUBLICAN RALLY AT CITY ISLAND.

On Wednesday evening the Republicans of City Island, Westchester County, held one of the most successful meetings of the campaign.  A splendid banner was raised on the main street in the presence of a large concourse, and a large meeting was organized in the Town Hall, which was filled to overflowing with enthusiastic people, gathered from all parts of the surrounding country.  David Carr presided, and the speaker of the evening was Col. F. S. Lambert, of New-York, who made a rousing speech on the issues of the day.  The meeting was in all respects a signal success, and there is great promise of the most desirable results."

Source:  Republican Rally at City Island, N.Y. Times, Sep. 8, 1876, p. 5.

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Friday, September 25, 2009

Pelham's Playground: John H. Starin Develops Starin's Glen Island in 1879


During the late 1870s, John H. Starin acquired and developed "Locust Island" just off the coast of New Rochelle.  He renamed the island "Starin's Glen Island" and built the world's most successful amusement park up to that time.  Starin eventually operated a fleet of steamboats that brought hundreds of thousands of visitors to Glen Island each year.  By its sixth year of operation, more than a million visitors a year visited the amusement park.

Starin's Glen Island became Pelham's playground as well.  Pelham residents had but a short walk or carriage ride along today's Shore Road into New Rochelle where they could turn toward the shore to a mainland dock from which a chain ferry could carry them the short distance to the island.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting transcribes an account of the early efforts by John H. Starin to acquire and develop the island as a new resort.  The transcription is followed by a citation to its source.

"A NEW PICNIC RESORT.

THE ATTRACTIONS OF STARIN'S GLEN ISLAND, ON THE SOUND.

For the past two years the Hon. John H. Starin, so well known as being at the head of the transportation business on the North and East Rivers and the harbor, has been in search of a suitable locality near this City at which to establish a picnic ground that should be to the people of this City what Rock Point is to the people of Providence, R. I.  He and his agents examined innumerable sites, but found none that suited them until very recently, when they discovered one that more than realizes their requirements.  The locality thus discovered, and which so exactly conforms to what Mr. Starin hoped to obtain, is the beautiful island in Long Island Sound lying just opposite the Neptune House, in New-Rochelle, and heretofore known as Locust Island.  It contains something over 50 acres of ground, is well shaded by a heavy growth of maple and locust trees, and is most charmingly laid out as a landscape garden, with winding walks, clumps of shrubbery, grottoes, arbors, and the like.  Nearly $150,000 has been expended in beautifying the place.  For many years Locust, or, as it is to be hereafter known, Starin's Glen Island, was occupied by a gentleman of means as his Summer residence, and his house, standing on the most elevated portion of the island, is not the least attractive feature of this future pleasure resort.  It has extensive outbuildings, greenhouses, &c., all of which have been kept in good order and repair during the past two years, while the place has been in the market for sale.  The outlook from the house, and, in fact, from the whole island, is superb, commanding, as it does, an unobstructed sweep of the Sound, with its white sails and passing steamers, and beyond, in the distance, the blue hills that rise so abruptly along the northern coast of Long Island.  A breeze from any quarter cannot ruffle the blue waters surrounding the island without sweeping over it also, and under its shade trees oppressive heat is almost unknown. 

Mr. Starin's purpose is to make his island the most popular picnic resort in the country, and not only that, but to maintain it as the most orderly one and to banish from it all disturbing elements that are so frequently found at similar places.  On and after the first of next month the island will be opened for the exclusive use of Sunday-school picnic parties, which will be conveyed to it in Mr. Starin's own steamers.  Controlling thus the island and the means of communication with it, Mr. Starin will be able, not only to make, but to enforce, his own rules, one of the most stringent of which will be that on neither boat nor island shall a drop of liquor be sold.  It is to be a temperance resort in every sense of the word.  A force of men is to be set to work on the island at once to make the alterations and improvements necessary to fit it for its new uses.  Among other plans already projected is one for using several of the little coves for bathing places.  Bathing-houses will be erected, and life-lines will be stretched across the mouths of the coves, so that they will be absolutely safe for even the most inexperienced bathers.  Not the least of the attractions of the picnics will be the delightful sail along the entire length of the East River and over the most beautiful portion of the Sound in going to and returning from the grounds.  The whole trip will be interesting from first to last.  Up the East River the excursion-boats will pass under the great cables of the Brooklyn Bridge, past the Navy-yard, and on into one of the narrow channels separating Blackwell's Island from the mainland and from Long Island.  Further on, after passing Ward's and Randall's Islands on the one side, and the beautiful villas of Astoria on the other, come Flushing Bay, with its islands and the distant spires of Flushing, Port Morris, and the fine estates that extend to the water's edge on this side, North and South Brother Islands, on the former of which stands the little light-house known as 'Mary Ann's,' Riker's Island, the village of Whitestone, and the narrow passage between the fortifications of Willett's Point on the right and Fort Schuyler on the left.  Here the excursionists are fairly in the Sound, and the view is widely extended.  The first object of interest in the Sound is the new light-house on the Stepping-stones, after passing which City Island, with its yachts and coasters, is pointed out on the left, and just beyond Hart's Island.  This once passed, Starin's Glen Island is quickly reached, and the sail is ended, but only to be repeated in the glow of sunset or by moonlight, when the long day is over.

Next year, while maintaining its character for order and respectability, Mr. Starin intends to make his island a more general resort by running a regular line of steamers between it and this City.  These steamers, of which he intends putting two on the line, will each make a round trip every four hours, touching at Whitestone and New-Rochelle.  The distance of Starin's Glen Island from this City, or the lower part of it, is about 20 miles, and the trip to it by water will take about an hour and a half."

Source:  A New Picnic Resort, N.Y. Times, May 2, 1879, p. 2.

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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Brief Newspaper Account of the January 1, 1883 Annual Meeting of the Pelham Manor Protective Club


Occasionally I have published to the Historic Pelham Blog information about the work of the Pelham Manor Protective Club first established in 1881 as a "Vigilance Committee" to oversee the health and welfare of Pelham Manor residents a decade before the incorporation of the Village of Pelham Manor.  For a few examples, see:

Friday, April 3, 2009:  Biography and Photograph of Henry Beidleman Bascom Stapler, an Active Member of the Pelham Manor Protective Club in its Latter Years.

Friday, November 16, 2007:  Photograph and Biography of William E. Barnett, a Founding Member of the Pelham Manor Protective Club.

Thursday, February 15, 2007:  Text of January 1, 1885 Annual Report of the Pelham Manor Protective Club.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006:  The Pelham Manor Protective Club Flexed its Muscles in the 1886 Town Elections.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006: 1890 Circular of The Pelham Manor Protective Club on Lamp Lighting

Wednesday, February 23, 2005: The Westchester County Historical Society Acquires Records of The Pelham Manor Protective Club from Dealer in Tarrytown, NY

Monday, January 23, 2006: The Beginnings of Organized Fire Fighting in Pelham Manor?

Today's posting transcribes the text of two articles that appeared in a January 1883 issue of the Mount Vernon, New York Chronicle.  Because the local newspaper did not include the date or page numbers at the top of its pages, the date of the issue must be inferred.  It clearly is dated shortly after January 8, 1883 and before January 13, 1883. 

Significantly, one of the two articles briefly describes the January 1, 1883 annual meeting of the Pelham Manor Protective Club held at the home of George H. Reynolds.  The entire text of the two articles appears below.

"PELHAMVILLE.

A meeting of the inhabitants of Pelhamville was held at the residence of Mr. Vincent Barker, on Monday night last, for the purpose of adopting measures to have the low lands drained.  A committee considting of Messrs. Wm. H. Sparks, John Case and Wm. H. Penfield was appointed to take the matter into consideration and properly present the case to the town Board of Health.

A village improvement association is about to be organized in Pelhamville, the object of which is to improve the village, by the erection of a good class of dwelling houses.  It is proposed to erect three or four houses, which will be offered for sale at their cost price, and as each one is disposed of, another will be erected.  If the project goes through, we see no reason why Pelhamville may not become a thriving little village. 

The annual meeting of the Pelham Manor Protective Club, was held at the residence of Mr. George H. Reynolds, New Year's day.  A large number of gentlemen residing at the Manor were present, besides many invited guests.  After business matters relating to the Club were finished, a bountiful repast by the generous host was fully enjoyed.  The Protective Club is a live organization, accomplishing the purpose for which it was organized, and doing much to promote good order in the Manor, and helping to make it one of the most desirable country resorts adjoining New York city.--Pioneer.

-----

CITY ISLAND.

On Thursday evening of this week, a party of young people gave a surprise to the Misses Scofield.

The collector of taxes has given notice that he will sit to receive taxes for thirty days, from January 13th, inst., from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M., as follows:  January 13th, 20th, 27th and February 3d, at the court-house, City Island; January 18th, 25th and February 1st and 8th, at the store of Robert Scott, Bartow Station.

It is stated that from three to four hundred tons of coal are stolen, annually, from eastward bound vessels, while in the vicinity of City Island.  Complaint has been made from time to time, of the shrinkage in weight of consignments of coal to eastern merchants.  By careful estimate, it is calculated that in some seasons, during recent years, the shrinkage has been as high as 400 tons.  In many instances, those in charge of the cargoes permit small vessels to come along side and, for a nominal consideration, the visitor is sent away loaded to the waters edge with coal, paid for by some enterprising eastern merchant.  In other instances, it is thought that those in charge of the cargoes are in league with the thieves and deal out to them, coal in such an amount as is not likely to be missed by the owner.  A large part of this business goes on while the vessels are at anchor over night, or sheltered from approaching storms.  By this practice, tons and tons of coal, it is alleged, are sold along the shore, both on the Long Island and Westchester side of the Sound, as far eastward as New Rochelle, for less per ton than its best cost.  City Island coal dealers feel most keenly the effect of this business.  The great anchorage for vessels being so conveniently near at hand, a little extra precaution would in a measure, check this wholesale robbery.

A serious accident, to the occupants of one of Vickery's stages was largely averted on Wednesday last.  Owing to the extreme high tide which overflowed the road across the flat, to the depth of about two feet, the driver, Philip Flood, was obliged to make a detour to the eastward, through the seldom traveled streets of the King estate. He had barely completed the detour, when, of a sudden, with the horses on a swinging trot, horses and stage were precipitated into a hole three or four feet deep, which had been left by commissioner Cochran last sumer after taking out a rock.  The driver was thrown from his seat down into the hole, between the horses and the single occupant of the stage was hurled with great violance against the forward part of it, sustaining severe bruises.  One of the horses was considerably cut, and the stage was badly racked. 

Senator Covert has already introduced his bill of last year, abolishing compulsory pilotage through Hell Gate."

Source:  Pelhamville . . . City Island, Mount Vernon [New York] Chronicle, Jan. 1883, p. unknown, col. 2 (Because the local newspaper did not include the date or page numbers at the top of its pages, the date of the issue must be inferred; it clearly is dated shortly after January 8, 1883 and before January 13, 1883).

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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Jacob Heisser's Summary of the Early History of Pelhamville Published in 1913


In 1913, The Pelham Sun published reminiscences of the early history of Pelhamville written by Jacob Heisser.  Transcribed below is the text of Heisser's reminiscences.

"The Ancient Pelhamville
-----

It was in the year 1862 that I came to Pelhamville.  The place had a population of about fifty at that time.  Not many of those here then are alive today.  And those who have come here in later years will hardly believe me when I tell them that our present beautiful Fifth avenue was then a cow path.  There were only very few houses, and those were not pretentious.

There were the stone house, corner of Sixth street and First avenue, now occupied by Mr. Snyder, and the most pretentious in those old days; the house now owned by Mr. A. W. Crane, also on Sixth street; the house belonging to Justice Edward A. Patterson, on First avenue, right near Gannon's woods, not far away from there Dan Dockin's house.  On second avenue was John Lynch's little house, where Robert Martini's new house now stands; my father's farmhouse was up where Smith Brothers now have their stables; on Seventh avenue James W. Roosevelt owned and lived in the old house now occupied by Bruce Dick; James Schoebottom's house on Ninth avenue; Frederick Wahl's house on Fourth avenue, near Second street, now owned by J. H. Young; Jacob Speidel's house on corner of First street and Third avenue, now John Rohr's; Walter Ely's on Seventh avenue, now owned by Mrs. M. O'Flynn; Patrick Farrell's on First avenue; Mr. Green's on Second avenue, corner Second street, now occupied by Mr. Temple; Mrs. Bogert's next door, now owned by C. W. Foster.  Then there was the old Wolf homestead, now moved to Sixth avenue and occupied and owned by Henry Straehle, and a couple of others.

A house like the Farrell house back of St. Catherine's Church was the style.  By the aid of good neighbors such a house was put up for between $400 and $500.  They all helped to dig and build.

Railroad accomodation in those days was not exactly what it is now.  From 1862 to 1873 there were no regular stops at Pelham, and but few trains were running.  If I remember aright, trains ran 7.30 and 10.30 a.m. and 3.30 and 7.30 p.m.  But you had to wave a red flag to make them stop here, and then you had to pay 50 cents to New York each way.  In 1873, however the New Haven railroad placed a regular ticket agent here, the trains made stops and the number of them gradually increased.  In 1877 the total population was 245 souls.

The first improvements made in Pelhamville were done by an improvement society that was started by Mr. E. A. Gurney in 1886.  A plank sidewalk was laid from First street to Second street on Fifth avenue; lamps were put up at the various residences, that is at such residences whose owners agreed to care for them.  If two families lived near each other, they would divide up the lamp business, one keeping it clean and lighting it and the other supply the oil.

By and by a few progressive inhabitants began to clamor for improvements, and in 1896 the idea of incorporating the village took a good hold.  The following were especially active in getting a favorable vote upon the question of incorporation:  Otto Stroetzel, John H. Young, C. A. Barker, Jacob Heisser, Alex. Kennedy, G. I. Karbach, James W. Penny (Penny used to keep a pair of rubber boots in Daggett's saloon where he called for them on coming from New York and put them on in an effort to safely reach his house in Chester Park), George Glover, George Pearson, Aug. Godfrey, Mrs. Broege, S. T. Lyman, Louis C. Young, W. J. Evert, M. J. Woods, William Edinger, Isaac C. Hill, John Case, S. Gregoor, J. A. Greer and S. E. Field.

The most active opponents of incorporation were M. J. Lynch and Michael McHugh.

Still, the proposition was carried by 2 votes, 67 voting for and 63 against. 

I was the first President elected and George McGaillard, Louis C. Young and S. E. Lyon were elected Trustees.  B. F. Crewell was elected Treasurer; William Edinger, Collector, and John Case was appointed Clerk.

We had no money, but we set about getting some.  The taxpayers voted a bond issue of $39,000 for street improvements.

That amount and more was spent the next year when J. M. Lynch was elected President, beating me by 11 votes.  Sidewalks were laid in front of houses and thus scattered all around the village. 

No real improvements came for some years, but since 1908 and up to the present time, the people appear to have risen to the occasion and voted money for improvements, which we should have had years ago.

When I think back to 1862 and picture in my mind what old Pelhamville looked like and now go out of my house and cross over to Fifth avenue and take a glance around, I am really astounded not over what improvements I see, but astounded that it took so many, many years to get the old settlers to understand that just such improvements were necessary to build up the community.

JACOB HEISSER."

Source:  The Ancient Pelhamville, The Pelham Sun, 1913, p. 11, col. 6 (undated newspaper page in the collections of the Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham, NY; digital copy in author's files).

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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Names of Early "Keepers of Pelham Bridge" Appointed by Westchester County


Occasionally I have written about Pelham Bridge.  After many years, maintenance of the bridge became a burden  for the Town.  Ultimately, an effort was undertaken to arrange for Westchester County to take over ownership and maintenance of the bridge.  See Senate, N.Y. Times, Feb. 16, 1860, p. 4 ("the bill authorizing the Supervisors of Westchester County to purchase the Pelham Bridge [was passed]").  Eventually, the effort was successful, and the County took over the bridge.

With that responsibility, the County began appointed a "Keeper" of the bridge annual. By the late 1870s, the annual salary for the Keeper of Pelham Bridge was $250.

In December 1874, Westchester County appointed a man named Joseph Donaldson as Keeper of Pelham Bridge.  See Westchester County, N.Y. Times, Dec. 27, 1874, p. 12 ("Mr. Joseph Donaldson has been appointed keeper of Pelham Bridge.").  Similarly, in 1879, the County appointed a man named Lewis Baxter as Keeper of Pelham Bridge.  See Westchester County, N.Y. Times, Dec. 16, 1879, p. 8 ("Yesterday the Board of Supervisors of Westchester County appointed Lewis Baxter Keeper of Pelham Bridge, at a salary of $250 per annum.").

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Monday, September 21, 2009

January 1882 Account of the 1881 Christmas Festival Held at the Union Sabbath School in Pelhamville


A quaint January 1882 newspaper account of a Christmas Festival held for the entertainment of young students at the Union Sabbath School at Pelhamville appeared in an issue of the Mount Vernon [New York] Chronicle.  The account, contained in a letter to the editor of the newspaper, is transcribed below.

"Pelhamville.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHRONICLE

Dear Sir--Last Friday evening, the Union Sabbath school at Pelhamville were indebted to the Mt. Vernonites for a very pleasant Christmas festival. 

We wish the generous donors had been present to have enjoyed it.  One of your large hearted men is doing much for this interest.

Gifts were made to all the members of the school, also a large orange and a box of candies.  A few ladies furnished cake and lemonade for the audience.  About forty persons from Mt. Vernon, including some young minces from the Baptist Church, under the care of Miss J. Andrews, furnished a spirited entertainment, with Mr. Hill, for Santa Claus, and Mrs. Hill as organist.  Whenever you want the humorous and ridiculous to come in, just call on the master of the public school at Pelhamville.

This little meeting in the chapel is now greatly in need of steady permanent help.  We are very thankful to those who have assisted us, but there ought to be a reading or temperance gathering at least one evening every week.  There are no resorts for simple amusements in this place, and no one to lead them.

There are at least twenty five or thirty boys, perhaps more, at that critical age which often staggers even the best and most devoted of parents as to what shall be done to interest and 'save my son.'

Now, are there not gentlemen and ladies, both young and old, willing to work in this part of God's vineyard.

The Sunday school meets at 3:30 P.M., every Sunday, and a prayer or praise meeting is held in the evening. 

We are less than two miles from your depot.  A beautiful and invigorating walk on the rail road track, no danger of being run over on the Sabbath. 

An English man or woman would think nothing of walking twice this distance, so do not spend money for carriage hire, but for the love of Christ, and in His name 'come and help us.'"

Source:  Pelham Manor Protective Club, Mount Vernon [New York] Chronicle, Jan. ?, 1882, p. ?, col. 5 (the date of the issue and, possibly, the page number, have been obscured by tape applied to the paper near the upper left corner before the image of the page was created; copy in the possession of this author).

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Friday, September 18, 2009

City Island News Published in January, 1882


In early January, 1882, a brief account of news from City Island in the Town of Pelham appeared in the Mount Vernon [New York] Chronicle.  The brief account appears below.

"City Island.

Grace Church Sunday-school held their Christmas festival on Wednesday evening, and after a short address from the Rev. Joshua Morsell, came the distribution of the presents.  A goodly number of little ones were made happy.  The church was trimmed very nicely and looked well.

Mr. Robert Browe, proprietor of the Tally-Ho Hotel, Bartow, went out shooting on Monday following Christmas.  The gun exploded and mutilated his hand to such an extent, that it is doubtful if he ever gets the entire use of it again.

At Carll's yard, the schooner Richard Morrel is hauled out for caulking and painting.  The schooner Ella Jane, which ran into a barge in the North River, losing her foremast, mainmast and bowsprit, is at the yard for repairs.  The damage is estimated at about $2,000.  The schooner J. T. Long is being rebuilt.  The U.S. steamer Cactus is hauled out for general repairs."

Source:  Pelham Manor Protective Club, Mount Vernon [New York] Chronicle, Jan. ?, 1882, p. ?, col. 6 (the date of the issue and, possibly, the page number, have been obscured by tape applied to the paper near the upper left corner before the image of the page was created; copy in the possession of this author).

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Thursday, September 17, 2009

Controversy in 1887 When The Country Club Tries to Dedicate a Large Area of Pelham as a Game Preserve


Controversy erupted in the Pelham area in 1887 when The Country Club announced that it planned to create a game preserve in an area around its grounds that included portions of the newly-created Pelham Bay Park.  An editorial appeared in The Chronicle published in Mount Vernon.  That editorial is transcribed below, followed by a citation to its source.

"WHAT RIGHT HAVE THEY?

The Country Club, of Westchester County, are giving notice by publication in a contemporary, discribing [sic] certain lands in Pelham and adjoining, which it is proposed to use as a private park, for the purpose of propagating and protecting fish, birds and gains.  The boundaries are given as follows:

'Beginning at the junction of Pelhamdale avenue and Pelham avenue, running thence southerly to Long Island Sound and City Island Narrows, including Hunter's Island, to the southwest point of Pelham Neck; thence northerly and northwesterly along the east shore of Pelham Bay and the easterly bank of Eastchester Creek and Hutchinson River to its junction with the boundry [sic] line between the lands of John Lord and lands now or late of Lewis Hargous; thence along said boundary line, if continued, would intersect the northwesterly boundary line of the lands of the Pelham Manor Protective Association; thence along said boundary of said Association as the same winds and turns along the northerly and easterly side thereof, including the whole of Pelham Manor, until the said boundary intersects Pelhamdale avenue, and thence along said avenue to the point or place of beginning.  And also the following lands in the town of Eastchester, viz:  the two hamocks or hummocks of land now or late belonging to the estage of E. S. Shieffelin and Mrs. Kidd, lying west of Eastchester Creek and near to and north of the pelham and Westchester Road.' 

It seems to us that this is a subject which needs looking into.  What right has the Country Club to assume that it can dedicate a part of the great Pelham Park to private use?  And yet that is just what they propose to do."

Source:  What Right Have They?, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Vol. XVIII, No. 1010, Aug. 12, 1887, p. 1, col. 5.

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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

September 1884 Advertisement for The Country Club Steeplechase


Below is an image of an advertisement for the "Great Steeplechase Meeting To Be Held at Pelham" on October 18, 1884.  The advertisement appeared in September, 1884 in the New Rochelle Pioneer.  The text of the advertisement is transcribed below the image.



"GREAT
STEEPLECHASE
MEETING
--TO BE HELD AT--
PELHAM.
--UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE--
Country Club of Westchester Co.,
Saturday, October 18, '84.
THE GREAT
HANDICAP SWEEPSTAKES,
$30 entrance, h. f.:  $10 if declared:
$8,000 ADDED,
Of shich $500 to second, and $250 to third out of stakes; professional jockeys to cary 7 lbs. extra.  Full steeplechase course, about three miles, over a natural grass country.  Capt. J. O. Custer and J. G. K. Lawrence, Esq. have kindly consented to act as handicappers.

ALSO, HEAVY WEIGHT AND LIGHT WEIGHT STEEPLE CHASES, PONY STEEPLECHASE, POLO PONY FLAT RACE.  ALSO,
FARMER'S DASH
FOR A PURSE OF $100, AND $25 TO SECOND.
ENTRANCE FREE.
The horses used for farming purposes and owned and ridden by farmers or their sons, residing in Westchester County.  Catch weights.  Distance 1/2 mile on the flat.  Entrance must be made on or before October 11.  Address S.D. HEARY OF THE RACE COMMITTEE, No. 140 Front Street, New York City, or COUNTRY CLUB, Bartow on Sound, Westchester County, N.Y."

Source:  Great Steeplechase Meeting To Be Held at Pelham [Advertisement], New Rochelle Pioneer, Sep. 18 or 19, 1884, p. unknown, col. 7 (Page is undated, but text on page indicates the issue must be either September 18, 1884 or September 19, 1884).


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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

An Earthquake in Pelham and Surrounding Areas on Sunday, August 10, 1884

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I previously have written about an earthquake that struck Pelham and surrounding areas on July 11, 1872.  See:

Monday, August 8, 2005:  The Day the Earth Shook in Pelham:  July 11, 1872.

A dozen years later, on August 10, 1884, Pelham and much of Westchester County experienced another such earthquake.  An extensive account of the temblor soon appeared in the New Rochelle Pioneer.  That account is transcribed below.

"The Earthquake

On Sunday at about two o'clock, the usual quietness of the village was disturbed by a rumble and roar, as of a number of heavy laden vehicles traveling over a paved street at a rapid rate, and by the vibration of the earth and rattling of windows and crockery in the houses.  The inmates hastened into the open air to ascertain, if possible, the cause.  Many were the conjectures as to the disturbance.  Some suggested that it was an explosion of the dynamite factory at Baychester, others that it was a boiler explosion on the Sound.  The greater number, however, were of the opinion that an earthquake was the cause of the commotion.  The shock was felt in every town and village in the county, and great consternation prevailed for a considerable time.  Some of the more superstitious believing all things terrestrial were about to come to an end, fell upon their knees in supplication.  The sick suffered greatly from the shock, and serious relapses, it was feared, would take place.  No particular damage was done in the village, as far as could be ascertained.  Several articles in the Club Room were thrown down, and a small lamp for lighting cigars was overturned.  The large pendulum clock in Mr. Levison's jewelry store was stopped.  It was stated that another shock was felt later in the afternoon, but there were not many who could testify as to the accuracy of the report.  Little knots of people could be seen in the afternoon about the streets, the all absorbing topic of conversation being the earthquake.

At White Plains the shock was so great as to twice distinctly ring the going in the hall door of the Orawaupum Hotel.  Professor John Swinburne, who has boarded in the hotel for thirty years past, has taken great pains to select a very valuable collection of minerals, agates, rare stones, shells and specimens of all the ores and quartz known to the world.  When he examined the case he found many of the specimens displaced.

At Chappaqua immense trees were swayed to and fro.  Houses trembled to their very foundations, shaking loose articles from their fastenings and causing general consternation among the inhabitants.  People rushed from their houses to the streets, asking each other the cause of their own fright.  The course of the earthquake was from the northwest to the southeast.  A similar shock, but of much less force, visited this place nine years ago, its course being about the same.

There was another slight shock on the following day, but it was not so severe as the one on Sunday.  Many are the theories as to the cause of earthquakes.  Major John W. Powell, director of the geological survey, seems to be of the opinion that they may be chiefly attributed to a contraction of the interior of our globe, by a gradual cooling of fluid which is maintained in the earth at a great heat.  Professor W. B. Taylor, of the Smithsonian Institute, is also of the same opinion that an earthquake is simply the relief from tension in the earth's crust in the process of shrinkage.  Professor Wm. Harness, of the United States Naval observatory, says that analysis has shown that the interior of the earth is not entirely in a molten condition.  Little was known as to the cause of earthquakes, but they were doubtless due to concussions of some kind or other taking place at a great depth below the surface of the ground.  Although it seems rash to say that earthquakes are dependent upon volcanic action, it is nevertheless clear that both earthquake and volcanoes are due to some common cause, and as the great earthquake regions and the great volcanic regions are nearly coincident with each other, and almost without exception in the neighborhood of the sea, there seems some reason to suppose that steam generated at considerable depths by the informal heat of the earth may play a prominent part in the phenomena.  General Viele, in speaking of the earthquake said the Lisbon earthquake was distinctly felt in the St. Lawrence River, and it may be that the shock felt here was only a reverberation of a very severe earthquake in some other portion of the earth.  If that is the case the place where it was most severe must have been terribly shaken.  Still there is no doubt that this part of the country was, in pre-historic times, visited by large numbers of earthquakes which may not have been felt anywhere else.

It is not out of place to mention here some previous earthquakes in this vicinity.  On Aug. 7, 1868, a shock was experienced that extended into Connecticut, and 1850 a similar shock occurred.  On July 11, 1872, a sever shock was felt in New Rochelle, Pelham, Mt. Vernon, Rye, Portchester, and other contiguous villages, when the inhabitants were startled from their beds at four o'clock in the morning by the visible vibrations of their dwellings."

Source:  The Earthquake, New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 16, 1884, p. ?, col. 4 (date and page number cut off from upper part of page, but text makes clear it was published Saturday, Aug. 16, 1884).


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Monday, September 14, 2009

News in the Town of Pelham in January, 1888: Newly-Opened Sparks Avenue Causes Real Estate Rush (and More)

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Below is the text of a column that appeared in The Chronicle of Mount Vernon in January, 1888 detailing news in the Town of Pelham.  There are a number of interesting little tidbits, including a reference to the recent opening of Sparks Avenue and the mini-boom in real estate in the area that the opening caused.

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND.

On the 19th inst., the Unity Club of Mount Vernon, assisted by the Galaxy Glee Club, will repeat, in Gurney's Hall, Pelhamville, the concert recently given in Fuller's Hall.  Proceeds for the benefit of Church of the Redeemer.

The marriage of Cecilia C., only daughter of Mr. George W. Sembler, to Mr. S. S. Hall of Locust Valley, N.Y., was the leading social even on City Island last week.  A large number of guests witnessed the ceremony, which was performed by Rev. W. P. Eates.

The opening of the new road, very properly named Sparks avenue, from Wolf's lane to Eastchester Creek, has boomed real estate somewhat.  Two houses have already been put up on the new avanue, and another is begun.

There was a pigeon shoot at Secord's, Bartow, last Monday, during which the tie for the silver trophy, between Messrs. McCourt and Trott, was shot off, and in the contest which follwed, there was another tie between Messrs. McNicholl and Elliott.  As a result, there will be another match to-morrow.

'BARTOW!' change cars for City Island,'  The above is the way the brakemen on trains of the Harlem River Branch Road notify passengers that they are at Bartow.  The 'change cars' means from steam to horse-cars of the Pelham Park Railroad, which runs to City Island.

At Secord's hotel, Bartow, there is quite a curiosity.  It is a patchwork quile, 5 feet 3 inches square, in which there is said to be 35,000 pieces.  We take the number for granted, as we did not take the time to count.  The pieces are all of uniform size, and were put together by an old lady, somewhere in this neighborhood, and the quilt is to be raffled for her benefit, as soon as 100 chances are taken, at 25 cents a chance.

It is exceedingly dull just now, in the City Island shipyards.  Robinson & Waterhouse are laying the keel for a tug, beyond which they have little or no work.  There is almost a standstill at Piepgras's.  Wood & Sons have some small work; but theirs is of a class that keeps them usually busy.  They have a steam launch 30 feet long, well under way, for Mr. Cyrus D. Pell.  A little matter worthy of note is the fact that a large rowboat, built by them, nearly five years ago, for a firm at St. Thomas's, West India Islands, has been sent on here for repairs.

The cars of the Pelham Park Railway are being repainted.  The officers of this road believe in keeping rolling stock in order; and as for their horses -- well, we would like to have the managers of some of our country horse railroads take a look at them.  They look like well kept coach horses from some gentleman's stable, and it is really a pleasure to ride in the cars, so smoothly do they run, without any apparent jar or jolt, and with an utter absence of that incessant rattle so common, especially on the Mt. Vernon horse-cars.

An effort will be made at the present session of the county legislature to have the salary of keeper of Pelham Bridge increased.  It seems to us that there would be justice in an increase provided it be a reasonable one.  The present salary, $300, certainly appears inadequate when the traffic is taken into consideration.  Years ago, the keeper of Pelham Bridge received double the compensation now paid, and the traffic was not half.  Of late years considerable ground in Eastchester Bay and the creek, inside the bridge, has been devoted to oyster planting, and this in itself necessitates the frequent opening of the draw for sloops; besides, the rapid growth of Mt. Vernon has increased the consumption of coal accordingly, and the towing of barges up the creek, in open weather, is almost of daily occurrence, to say nothing of the traffic by small sailboats.

Mrs. Samuel Graham, daughter of Captain Joshua and Phebe Ann Leviness, departed this life on the evening of January 5th, after an illness of about ten days.  Her sudden departure is sincerely mourned by a large circle of relatives and loving friends.  She was an amiable christian lady whose life was devoted to ddeds of tender and loving kindness.  City Island is genuinely in mourning.  The above is not the only case of bereavement on City Island, within the past few days.  On the same day as occurred the death of Mrs. Graham, also occurred the death of Mr. Nicholas Smith, of pneumonia.  He leaves a widow and eight children.  Deceased was a member of the Pelham Lodge, F. & A. M., which organization took charge of the interment.  On the same day, the infant of Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Vickery died of membranous croup.  On Saturday last, Daniel Donnelly, aged 18 years, grandson of the late Hugh Morris, died of heart disease, at the residence of his grandmother, with whom he resided, near Bartow.  The funeral took place on Tuesday, and was attended by a large concourse of young friends of deceased by whom he was greatly admired.

As soon as the new year was ushered in, the politicians of Pelham began preparing for the spring campaign.  Among the aspirantes for the supervisorship is said to be Mr. John F. Adema; but be that as it may, a Democratic club was recently organized at Bartow, ostensibly as an anti-Pell club.  This is denied by some who seem to know the 'true forwardness' of the movement.  There is no disputing the fact, however, that Mr. Pell incurred the displeasure of some members of his party last spring, when he voted, in town board, for Mr. Robert H. Scott, a Republican, for one of the Board of Auditors.  How he could have conscientiously done otherwise, we fail to see, and we can but admire the stand he took, even in the face of his party opposition.  The town of Pelham is Democratic, by a bare majority, and the Town Board is a Democratic board, but this does not give them the right to totally ignore the common courtesy of giving the Republicans a representative in the Board of Auditors.  Mr. Pell realized this, and acted accordingly, and his fairness will doubtless be remembered in his next candidacy."

Source:  Pelham and City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 6-16, 1888, p. ?, col. 2 (the newspaper page does not include the date or page number, but references in the text make clear that the page is from an issue published after January 5, 1888, but before January 17, 1888).


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Friday, September 11, 2009

Rerouting Fifth Avenue in Pelham Beneath the New Haven Line Railroad Tracks in 1887

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A very brief item appeared in a July 1887 issue of The Chronicle of Mount Vernon, New York noting that work to reroute Fifth Avenue in Pelham to run beneath the New Haven Line Railroad Tracks was underway and likely would be completed by mid-August of that year.

The item has been difficult to date because I only have available to me the newspaper page on which the item appeared.  The newspaper page at the time did not include the date or page number.  References in the stories on the page make clear that the issue was published after Thursday, June 30, 1887 and before mid-August, 1887.  References further suggest, but do not establish, that the issue was published in early July, 1887 and, most likely, on July 5, 1887.  The brief item referencing the work reads as follows:

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND.

It is probable that by the middle of August if not sooner, vehicles will be able to drive through Fifth avenue, beneath the railroad track, instead of going over it as now.  The work of excavating is progressing nicely.

Yesterday as per previous announcement, there was a grand time in Pelhamville.  The flag pole having been previously raised, at six o'clock in the morning the flag was unfurled and swung to the breezes, while the brass band played a national air.  Speeches and songs followed and there was a grand time generally."

Source:  Pelham and City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon], July ?, 1887, p. ?, col. 2 (references make clear that the issue was published after Thursday, June 30, 1887 and before mid-August, 1887; references further suggest, but do not establish, that the issue was published in early July, 1887 and, most likely, on July 5, 1887).

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

1909 Dispute Among Pell Family Members Over Who Would be the Rightful Recipient of the Fatt Calfe from New Rochelle

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On September 20, 1689, John Pell and his wife, Rachel, sold to Jacob Leisler of New York City 6,000 acres of in the Manor of Pelham.  At the same time, they gifted an additional 100 acres for use as church grounds. 

Leisler reportedly was commissioned to acquire the land on behalf of French Huguenots hoping to relocate to the area, many of whom reportedly had fled from La Rochelle in France following persecution by French Catholics.  The acreage became today's New Rochelle, named in honor of La Rochelle.

A condition of the sale in 1689 was that Jacob Leisler, his heirs and assigns should deliver to "John Pell his heirs and assigns Lords of the said Manor of Pelham. . . as an Acknowledgment to the said Manor one fatt calfe on every fouer and twentieth day of June Yearly and Every Year forever (if demanded)."

Periodically, members of the Pell family have demanded delivery of a "fatt calfe" from today's City of New Rochelle, typically in connection with significant celebrations.  The tradition has led to some odd circumstances.

Consider, for example, a demand for the fatt calfe made by George H. Pell of Bronxville in 1909.  After arranging a massive ceremony and issuing more than 500 invitations, the entire event was canceled at the last minute due to a fear that "sharp lawyers" might use intervening "failures" to deliver calves as a means to question the titles of thousands of lots owned by New Rochelle residents to extort a monetary settlement.  See Friday, March 4, 2005:  In 1909 Fear of "Sharp Lawyers" Prompted Cancellation of the Pell Family's "Fatt Calfe" Ceremony.

Something must have been in the local water in 1909.  It seems that after news accounts described George H. Pell's efforts to demand a fatt calfe from New Rochelle, a different member of the Pell family stepped forward to claim that he -- not George H. Pell -- was the latest living descendant of John Pell and that he should be the rightful recipient of the fatt calfe.

An article about the dispute appeared in the July 31, 1909 issue of the New Rochelle Pioneer.  The article is quoted below:

"AGAIN THE FATTED CALF
-----
H.W. Pell, of Rome, N.Y., Declares Himself Only Living Descendant of Lords of Manor.--He Reads of Proposed Ceremony at New Rochelle and Writes Asserting Claim to a Position.
(From the N.Y. Herald, July 22.)

Had Mayor Raymond presented the fated [sic] calf and three peppercorns to George H. Pell, as seventh lord of the Manor of Pelham, as had been arranged recently, it would have been doubtful if the real heir to the now obsolete title would have received the gifts, according to the statement of H. W. Pell, of Rome, N.Y., who asserts that George H. Pell has no claim to the title and is not a descendant of the lords of Pelham Manor.

In a letter to a friend here, H. W. Pell states that he has read about the proposed presentation of the fatted calf and of the subsequent refusal on the part of Mayor Raymond to carry out the ceremony, also noting the statement that George H. Pell claims to be a true descendant of the lords of Pelham Manor.

'There must be some mistake in that,' goes on the letter.  'My family records give the geneology [sic] of our family as follows:  Henry W. Pell, born June 23, 1835 (which is the writer of this); Thomas Pell, M.D., his father, born April 15, 1806, died November 1, 1869; Thomas Pell, his father, born at Manor Pelham, March 1, 1775; Thomas Pell, his father, owner of Pelham Manor, born 1744.  He had but three children, Thomas, Helena and Margaret; Joseph Pell, lord of Pelham Manor, born 1701, his father; Thomas Pell, his father, second lord of Pelham Manor, born 1675; Sir John Pell, his father, born in London, 1643.  He came to America in 1671 [sic -- actually, 1670], and in 1685 was appointed by James II, a Justice of the Peace fort the county of Westchester, N.Y., and Judge in 1688.  In 1687, he was created lord of the Manor of Pelham, N.Y., by letters patent from the Crown.  He married Rachel Pinckney and was succeeded by his son.

'This is far enough to assure you that I am the only living and true descendant of Lord John Pell, of Pelham Manor.  I have the geneology [sic] back to the origin of the name. 

'Lord Pell transmitted his punch bowl to his successor.  It came to my father and was of lignum vitae, bound with silver.  The hoops came off, after which the bowl was broken and lost.  I have played with it time and again, therefore I remember it perfectly."

Source:  Againt the Fatted Calf, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jul. 31, 1909. 


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Wednesday, September 09, 2009

1884 Engraving of Winner of the Great Pelham Steeplechase, Barometer, and His Owner and Rider, J. D. Cheever


Periodically I have written about the Steeplechase Races held at The Country Club in Pelham during the 1880s.  See, for example:


Bell, Blake A., The Pelham Steeplechase Races of the 1880s, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIV, Issue 12, March 25, 2005, p. 10, col. 2.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009:  September 1884 Advertisement for The Country Club Steeplechase.  


Interestingly, I have now run across an engraving of the winner of the great Steeplechase Race held on October 18, 1884.  It appeared on the front page of the October 25, 1884 issue of The Spirit of The Times.  The engraving depicts the winner of the race, Barometer, and his owner and rider, J. D. Cheever.  At present, this is the only known image of a participant in the races of which I am aware.  The image appears immediately below, followed by a citation to its source.







Source:  Barometer, Winner of the Great Pelham Steeplchase, Owned and Ridden by J. D. Cheever, Esq., The Spirit of the Times, Vol. 108, No. 18, Oct. 25, 1884, p. 409, col. 1.

Below is the text of the article that accompanied the image:


"BAROMETER, WINNER OF THE GREAT PELHAM STEEPLECHASE Owned and Ridden by J. D. Cheever, Esq.


WITH more favorable weather there can hardly be a doubt that the steeplechase meeting of the Country Club at Pelham, Saturday last, 18th inst., would have been the occasion of drawing together one of the largest attendances seen at a race meeting during the past season.  October is certainly the queen of months in this latitude, and the present autumn had been so open and genial as to warrant the expectation of a pleasant day for the races.  The morning broke beautifully warm and bright after a white frost, but at eleven o'clock huge clouds which had been gathering in the west descended in the form of a severe shower, and the air and temperature at unce underwent a complete change, for it became intensely cold with high winds, and there were still ominous-looking clouds hovering over the northwest.  This put an effectual damper upon the long cherished plans of the numerous array of fashionables who had looked forward to the day with the keenest delight, and it is safe to say more than two-thirds of those who had fully intended being present, abandoned the trip.  Still the special trains from the Grand Central Depot, and also from the Harlem River branch were filled, and, after another shower about one o'clock, the sky cleared, but the day was so keen and blustery as to render it rather uncomfortable to any one not constantly in motion.  


Pelham is one of the oldest and most aristocratic of the old Westchester towns.  It was first settled in 1640 by the Hutchinsons, who sought a refuge from the Puritan intolerance of Massachusetts, only to fall victims of Indian barbarism.  The country at the time was in the possession of the Siwonay [sic] band of the Mohegan Indians, whose territoryextend from Norwalk to the Harlem River.  But in 1654 Thomas Pell, of Fairfield, Connecticut, obtained a grant from the Indian proprietors which covered from the Bronx River to the Sound, and became lord of the manor of Pelham.  'The name is of Saxon origin pel meaning remote, while ham signifies a mansion, and the former being the surname of its owner, afforded a good reason for its adoption in connection with the last.  Here also settled several of the most influential Huguenot families, among them the family of Herteaut, which has since been corrupted into Bartow, one of the ladies of which family became the wife of Aaron Burr, Vice-President of the United States.  The Lawrences, the Pinckneys, the Prevosts, the Morrises, Roosevelts, and the Hunters all settled here also.  The neighborhood is rich in historic lore, for here it was at Pell's Point that in October, 1776, the British forces were landed, and a severe engagement was fought, which was followed ten days later by the memorable battle of White Plains. 


The neighborhood is also not without its turf history.  About a mile to the north, and in site of the spire of the old Eastchester Church is the broad heath which, in the past generation, was known as the Race Field.  Here it was that nearly a century since the Pells, the Morrises, the Delanceys, and others of the old Westchester families tested their thoroughbreds.  Racing had a well-defined existence even at that early day, as many of the settlers had brought with them their fondness for the sport.  But in more recent years the neighborhood has played its part on the theatre of the turf.  Near by is Annieswood, the estate of Mr. John Hunter, where Kentucky and Leamington stood, and where Alarm and Rhadamanthus were foaled.  It was here that Leamington held his court the year 1871, when he sired Olitipa, Rhadamanthus, Aris ides, Milner, James A., Bob Woolley, and Katie Pearce.  At Throgg's Neck, near at hand, Mr. Francis Morris for years upheld racing in the East, and bred Ruthless, Remoseless, Relentless, Regardless, and Battle Axe.  Here, too, Eph Snedeker, the famous trainer, first saw light and still resides.  Near by Messrs. Pierre and George Lorillard were bred and born, and the elder Lorillard first founded the great tobacco factory on the Bronx, which has developed into the greatest of its kind in all America.  The racing spirit is inherent in the soil, and Mr. Pierre Lorillard, Jr., has recently sought to revive it on his ancestral acres, where he is collecting a select stud, at the head of which is the English stallion Siddartha (son of Pero Gomez and The Pearl), by Newminster, grandam the famous Caller Og, the St. Leger heroine of 1851.  The soil is of a limestone nature, and admirably adapted to the breeding of thoroughbreds, as the breeding of Messrs. Hunter and Morris has proved, for, barring Erdenheim, it has produced more good race-horses than any section of the East.


The grounds of the Country Club are pleasantly located within a [Page 409 / Page 410] mile of Pelham Bridge, occupying a broad plateau of pasture land flanked on every side by ancient forests of nut and oak, interspersed with grassy glades, and from the club-house a magnificent view of the valley and adjacent country can be obtained, with the meanderings of the Aqueanouncke, on its way to the Sound.  The roads for miles had been well billed with 'This way to the Pelham Races,' and at noon were crowded with the country people en route with their families.  Riding parties of ladies and gentlemen were numerous, and from the gates of the lordly country residences of the opulent Cestreans the stately four-in-hand drags rolled forth, to the cheerful note of the horn, filled with gay parties bound for the tryst of sport.  The hotels at Pelham were crowded with driving and riding parties, partaking of luncheon, whle the wind whistled rather mournfully outside, rendering the wood-fire in the grate exceedingly comfortable.  The road leading from the railroad depot and Westchester Village was choked with vehicles and pedestrians.  One of the first we encountered was the familiar form of Eph Snedeker with his family.


'Hallo, Eph, thought you were in Baltimore,' we called out.


'No, hadn't anything to take.  Duchese is turned out, and you know we couldn't get 'the Saint' ready' he returned.


'If you had Loftin and Louisette wouldn't have taken the stakes, eh?'


'No, sir; that's my luck, you know.  But I thourht you were in Baltimore, Mr. 'Vigilant.'  This is a strange country to you, ain't it?'


'Not much:  I have relatives lying in the church-yard yonder.  But that's a grave subject -- no pun -- tell me what will win the big event?'


'Charlemagne, I guess; Pat Maney's going to ride him, so they tell me.'


Arrived at the grounds, the scene was picturesque in the extreme.  The grand stand was packed, and the members' boxes presented a bewildering array of beauty and fashion, while to the south the four-in-hands were drawn up in regal style.  Away to the left there was a vast gathering of equipage.  The field was crowded, and along the edges, by the side of the stone walls, and under the trees, the good country people had assembled in holiday attire, and having brought their luncheon with them, partook of it with relish, under the influence of keen air.  The whole ensemble of the grounds had the pastoral appearance of an English country fair, recalling to the recollection of many travelers 'Merry Carlisle' or Newcastle on a Cup day, while the mounted parties of ladies and gentleme, moving constantly about the vedettes, gave it a brightness and animation peculiarly pleasant.  But horsemen there were plenty.  Sir Roderick Cameron was there, showing as much interest as in the days of yore.  Mr. Withers was in the judges' stand, looking profoundly, as usual, as if he were resolving in his mind some abstruse point of racing law.  Capt. Connor saluted us with his cheery 'Hell, 'Mr. Vigilant,'' and points us out among the crowd a short, thick-set gentleman, and for the first time we set eyes upon General Beauregard, the Rupert of the Confederate army.  Mr. Lawrence is one of the judges, and hob-nobs with Mr. Larry Jerome.  Here is Jacob Pincus, always social, but as non-commital as an oyster, and Billy Donohue, spick and span 'just from Baltimore, Mr. V.''' as he begs to inform us.  Then comes Mr. Waterbury, president of the club, and doing the honors of the occasion, while the young Lorillards, Mr. Cheever, Mr. Mortemer, Mr. Thorn, Mr. Foxhall Keene, and Mr. Belmont Purdy made up the coterie of gentlemen riders as they group together in all the glory of silk and top-boots discussing the prospects of the day.


We would that we could record a series of splendid contests, but to do so would be very far from recording the truth, for, apart from the great event of the day, the races were poor affairs, although there is no doubt that, to the non-professional element, they gave plenty of amusement, if not satisfaction.  The opening race for farmers' horses to be ridden by farmers or their sons, brought out a motley group of screws, and Billy Donohue's face was a study as he gazed at the 'colors of the riders.'  Bed flannel was the excellent substitute one of these worthy young men chose for silk, while another wore paper muslim in lieu of satin, while still another wore a self-evident base-ball suit, including long hose in place of boots.  Still the eyes of the neighborhood were upon them, and from the shouts of approval that went out to meet them as they indulged in 'the preliminary canter,' each evidently felt quite' as big a man as old McLaughlin,' despite the fact that the race-course element guyed them unmercifully.  Each had evidently torn a leaf out of McLaughlin's book about starting, for at the first attempt they broke away and despite the fact the flag had not fallen they raced away for dear life, amid wild yells of delight from the crowd, but the winner had the chagrin to be ordered back to the post, and Pete won the race after an exhibition of finishing which set the stand in a roar.


The pony race was a tame affair, Mr. Thorn winning as he liked with Wild Tom.  The light-weight steeplechase was a roaring farce.  Vampire refused at the outset, and all refused the double, to the intense delight of the crowd.  Then Ivy had a winning lead, only to bolt at the water jump, leaving Kitty in the lead.  She looked like a winner, but at the double fell, throwing Mr. Thorn and campering away, pursued by a band of mounted police, who were cheered on by an army of small boys, and in their desperate endeavors one of the guardians of the peace was thrown and badly hurt.  The outcome was that the Canadian mare, Ivy, won, with Mr. Foxhall Keene and Fleurette second.  The pony steeplechase was a tame affair.  Mr. Thorn winning handily with Puck.  Then came the heavy-weight steeplechase, in which all fell, and after an exhibition of ground and lofty tumbling, during which each of the contestants in turn looked a winner, Mr. Sands steered Dundee in ahead.

Now came the concluding race and the event of the day in the Great Pelham Steeplechase.  Charlemagne and Disturbance alternated as favorites, but Echo and Rose were well backed, and Trombone had quite a following among those in the secret, that at home he had given Hobson's Choice 20 lbs. and beaten him a quarter of a mile.  Mr. Thorn was to have ridden him, but as he had ridden in nearly all the day's events, he resigned in favor of the reliable Blute, who had ridden the colt in all his races at Monmouth, but which meant 7 lbs. more weight.  The horses presented a very pretty picture as they marshalled at the post, just as the sun was sinking behind the Westchester hills.  It was quite a sectional contest.  Disturbance represented Amsterdam, N.Y.:  Rose, Charlemagne, and Echo were from Canada:  Paris represented the Elkridge Hunt of Baltimore:  Trombone the Meadowbrook Hunt, of Hempstead (Long Island), and Barometer the Rockaway Hunt Club.  Dungeon and Peanuts sported the 'lemon and red cap' of the Myopia Hunt of Boston, and Response represented the Essex County Hunt, of New Jersey.  Echo and Rose led for a distance.  Dungeon was far away the best jumper, but he was wholly wanting in pace, for, though he took his jumps like an Irish steeplechaser, he could not rate with the others.  Charlemagne fenced well, as did Barometer, but Trombone showed the most speed, and was rushing to the lead, was never headed, for Mr. Cheever brought him home a winner, to the wildest cheering from his many friends, as it was a popular victory, being that of an amateur over the professional element.  Pat Maney brought Charlemagne up in great style at the head of the stretch, but the 39 lbs. difference was too much to overcome.  Response finishted third, but as his jockey neglected to weigh in, he was disqualified, and third money reverts to the club.  It was the old story of Rockaway, the light weight won, with the heavy weight next, and there is hardly any room for doubt that Barometer had been overlooked in the handicap, while Echo and Response got rather the worst of it.  Thus ended a very agreeable day's sport, and one which will be repeated next season.  The evening was most agreeably spent at the club-house, where dancing continued until a late hour.


PELHAM, N.Y., Oct. 18.--Steeplechase meeting of the Country Club of Westchester County.  Weather cold and windy.


First Race.


Purse $100; $25 to second; entrance free; for horses used for farming purposes, owned and ridden by farmers or their sons residing in Westchester County; catch weights; half a mile.


M. Galvin's b h Pete, 4 yrs...............................(Dunn) 1
W. Callaghan's b g Bright Boy, aged.................(Stout) 2
J.B. Colford's br h Charlie C., aged....................(-------) 3


W. Callaghan's ch m Baby, 5 yrs (Walton); M. Colford's ch g Disowned, aged (Colford), and L. Bernard's br g Dutch Charlie, aged (Owner), ran unplaced.


Betting:  Even money agst Pete, 8 to 5 agst Charlie C., [illegible] to 1 agst Baby, 5 to 1 agst Bright Boy, 8 to 1 agst Disowned, 10 to 1 agst Dutch Charlie.  French mutuels paid $26.60.  To a false start five horses rand the full course.  Baby finished first, Dutch Charlie second, and Bright Boy fell.  They were immediately sent to the post, when Charlie C. took the lead, followed by Dutch Charlie.  Pete waited till the straight, when he came away and won by five lengths, followed by Bright Boy, four in front of Charlie C. and Baby.


Second Race


Handicap polo pony sweepstakes; $25 each, h. f.; added to a cup presented by Mr. L. L. Lorillard; second to save entrance; for polo ponies owned by members of any recognized polo club, and qualified under the rules of the Westchester Polo Club; 9 subs.; about half a mile.


W.K. Thorn, Jr.'s b g Wild Tom, 4 yrs. [illegible] 5 lbs......(Owner)  1
H.B. Richardson's b m Tomboy, 5 yrs. [illegible] 5 lbs.....(Stevens) 2
F.P. Keene's b g Jacko, aged, 150 lbs...........................(Owner) 3


J. M. Waterbury's rn g Dude, aged [illegible] lbs. (N.G. Lorillard); P. Lorillard, Jr.'s ch m Bounce, aged, 140 lbs (Mr. Harwood); J. M. Waterbury's b g Cuddy, aged, 155 lbs. (Mr. Beresford); G. A. Saportas' br g Harry Herber, aged, 150 lbs. (Owner), and C. Pfizer, Jr.'s b m Olinda, aged, 150 lbs. (Mr. Holmes), ran unplaced.


Betting:  Even money agst Wild Tom, 2 to 1 agst Tomboy, 3 to 1 agst Bounce, 7 to 1 agst Olinda, 8 to 1 against Jacko, and 10 to 1 each Harry Herbert, Cuddy and Dude.  French mutuels paid $16.90.  Jacko led, but before they had run a hundred yards Mr. Thorn led with Wild Tom, and, although Tomboy came with a rush at the cords, Wild Tom held the lead to the end, winning by two lengths, with Tomboy eight in front of Jacko.


Third Race.


Lightweight steeplechase sweepstakes, for hunters:  $25 each, p. n., added to a cup presented by the club; minimum weight, 140 lbs.; thoroughbreds, 15 lbs. extra; winners in 1884, 10 lbs. additional; 7 subs.; about three miles.


S. Penniston's ch m Ivy, aged, by Judge Curtis, 150 lbs. (Owner) 1
Queen's County Stable's b m Fleurette, aged, 150 lbs. (F. P. Keene) 2


J. D. Cheever's Liholiho, aged, 150 lbs. (Owner); G. Work's b g Vampire, 5 yrs. 155 lbs. (Mr. Harwood), and W.K. Thorn, Jr.'s, blk m Kitty, 6 yrs, 150 lbs. (Owner), did not go the course.


Betting:  7 to 5 agst Ivy, 2 to 1 agst Vampire, 5 to 2 agst. Fleurette, 6 to 1 agst Liholiho, 8 to 1 against Kitty.  French mutuels paid $9.70.  Vampire refused at the first jump and was out of it.  The others continued on to the double, which all refused.  Kitty led, followed by Ivy.  In the run round the last turn of the course Ivy took the lead and led past the stand by eight lengths.  She retained the advantage, but bolted at the water.  Kitty showed the way until reaching the double, when she fell, and, throwing Mr. Thorn, galloped away.  Meantime, Mr. Penniston had go Ivy over the water, and keeping on to the double he cantered the remainder of the course alone and won by nearly half a mile, Fleurette second.


Fourth Race.


Pony steeplechase sweepstakes; $15 each, p. p. added to a cup presented by Mr. Pierrepont Edwards, for poines 14.01 or under; weight 150 lbs., with an allowance of 7 lbs for each inch under the standard; winners in 1884 to carry 5 lbs. extra; 4 subs.; about one mile.


W.K. Thorn Jr.'s, b g Puck, aged, 150 lbs., carried 158 lbs., (Owner) 1
H.B. Richardson's b m Tomboy, 5 yrs, 150 lbs. (Mr. Latrobe) 2
F. P. Keene's gr g Fox, 150 lbs.......................(Owner) 3


G.A. Saportas' br g Harry Herbert, aged, 150 lbs. (Owner), refused at first jump.  Betting:  7 to 5 agst Tomboy, 2 to 1 agst Fox, 3 to 1 agst Puck, and 5 to 1 each agst Harry Herbert and Buttercup.  French mutuals paid $15.15.  Puck led.  There was no change to the end.  Puck winning by so scant length and a half, with Tomboy a dozen lengths in front of Fox.


Fifth Race.


Heavy-weight steeplechase sweepstakes; $25 each. p. p., added to a cup presented by the President of the club, for half-bred hunters; minimum weight 170 lbs.; winners in 1884 10 lbs. extra; 4 subs.; about three miles.


Queens County Stable's ch g Dundee, aged. 180 lbs., including 10 lbs. penalty............(Mr. Sands) 1
S. Penniston's ch g Pilot, 180 lbs., including 10 lbs. penalty.......................................(Owner) 2
S. Mortimer's br g Hobson's Choice, aged, 180 lbs., including 10 lbs. penalty...............(Owner) 3


C. Pfizer, Jr.'s gr m Gray Bonnet, aged, 170 lbs. (Mr. Holmes), fell and did not go the course.


Betting:  5 to 4 on Hobson's Choice, 7 to 5 agst Pilot, 2 to 1 agst Dundee, and 4 to 1 agst Gray Bonnet.  French mutuels paid $21.90.  Gray Bonnett took the lead, but at the second jump was passed by Hobson's Choice, who with a big lead showed the way to the third jump, where Pilot fell, but was quickly on his feet again.  Hobson showed the way over the double, followed by Gray Bonnet and Dundee.  At the seventh jump Gray Bonnet fell.  Hobson's Choice continued in the lead, followed by Dundee, Pilot third.  At the double Hobson's Choice fell, and Dundee went to the front, but fell at the next jump.  Mr. Sands remounted, however, and was able to continue on and to win by nearly a quarter of a mile from Pilot and Hobson's Choice, Mr. Mortimer remounting.


Sixth Race.


Great Pelham Handicap Steeplechase, for all ages; $50 each, h. f.; $10 if declared by Oct. 15:  $2,000 added; $500 to second; $250 to third; professionals to carry 7 lbs. extra; closed with 18 subs., of which 6 declared; three miles.


Rockaway Stable's b g Barometer, aged, by Bonnie Scotland - Blondin, 135 lbs.........(Mr. J. D. Cheever) 1
J.P. Dawes' ch g Charlemagne, aged, by Pat Malloy - Alice Buford, 174 lbs...............(P. Maney) 2


F. C. O'Reilly's b g Response, 4 yrs, 142 lbs. (Alfred); Irving Stable's ch g Disturbance, aged, 157 lbs. (McGrath); H. Drysdale's ch g Echo, aged, 150 lbs. (Mr. Penniston); Myopia Hunt Club's blk g Dungeon, aged, 142 lbs. (Jennings), and A. Brown's ch g Paris, aged, 142 lbs. (Mr. Harwood), ran unplaced.  S. Mortimer's b c Trombone, 4 yrs., 157 lbs. (Blute); Myopia Hunt Club's ch g Peanuts, aged 142 lbs. (Gifford), and J.P. Dawes' ch m Rose, aged, 146 lbs. (Mr. Purdy), did not go the course.


Betting 7 to 5 agst Disturbance, 2 to 1 agst Charlemagne, 3 to 1 agst Echo, 7 to 1 each agst Rose and Trombone, 10 to 1 each agst Peanuts and Barometer, and 15 to 1 each agst Dungeon, Response, and Paris.  French mutuels paid $24.40.  Echo was the first to show, taking the lead at the first jump.  The others were close up, however.  At the double Echo led, closely followed by Response, Charlemagne, Barometer, and Disturbance, and they held it between them in the run round the east turn, with its three jumps, the order as they passed the stand being Echo first, with Charlemagne and Disturbance well up, followed by Trombone, Barometer, Response, and Dungeon.  In the run round the west turn Trombone ran up, and showed the way over the water half a length in front of Barometer, he the same in front of Charlemagne, with Echo fourth, several lengths back, attended by Disturbance and Response.  In the run round the east turn, the reverse way of the course, Barometer took the lead, and securing a big lead.  Mr. Cheever was able to take a steady pull and thus to jump the several obstacles without rushing at them.  At the bank next the double Trombone, in taking the lead, fell, which left Charlemagne to go on and catch Barometer, and although he got within three lengths at the last jump, the weight enable Mr. Cheever to win by three lengths.  A dozen lengths behind Charlemagne was Response, followed at intervals by Disturvance, Echo, Dungeon, and Paris.  Value to winner $1,810."



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