More on the History of the Pelham Bridge Hotel that Burned Down on October 28, 1882

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On the evening of Tuesday, October 13, 1874, the Democrat delegates of the First Assembly District were in their places ready to begin their annual convention at Pelham Bridge Hotel to nominate a candidate for member of Assembly to represent the district during the upcoming year.  Though the Pelham Bridge Hotel was lovely and convenient, there was the annoyance of the notorious hotel bar that was the scene of so many fights and shocking incidents.  That night, it turned out, there was another such incident.

 The convention was called to order and two men were nominated to serve as Chair of the meeting.  That was as far as the meeting got.  "[S]everal outsiders who were under the influence of bad liquor" began heckling and interfering with the meeting.  Pelham Bridge Hotel was "far away from the protection of any police."  Thus, the delegates rose to resist the disturbance and "a regular melee ensued."  It seemed like something out of an old western as a fight broke out in the saloon and cowboys began fighting each other and smashing all the furniture in sight, finally drawing their revolvers on each other.

According to one account:  "Furniture and other articles were smashed, revolvers were drawn, and a hasty retreat through the windows was resorted to by many."  Having the edge in numbers, the delegates finally "overpowered and subdued" the "outsiders" so that the convention could proceed.

It was just another evening in the life of the little Pelham Bridge Hotel.

I have written about the hotel before.  See Mon., Aug. 01, 2016:  Pelham Bridge Hotel Used by Col. Delancey Astor Kane's Pelham Coach Burned Down in 1882.  Today's Historic Pelham article provides additional information regarding the history of the once-famous (some would say infamous) Pelham Bridge Hotel.  

By the time of the melee during the Democrats' annual convention at Pelham Bridge Hotel in 1874, the hotel had become a popular location for political meetings.  It offered not only a convenient location, but also the sustenance of strong drink to fuel spirited political debates. 

The Pelham Bridge Hotel was built in about the early 1850s.  It stood on the side of the road at the southern end of Pelham Bridge.  By 1882, the hotel complex included two buildings, one on each side of the road at the southern end of the bridge.

The first proprietor of the Pelham Bridge Hotel was a man named Larry Fowler.  Fowler was succeeded by George P. Arcularius who ran the hotel for a number of years.  In 1880, the owner of the hotel property offered it for lease to a new proprietor.  That new proprietor was Robert S. Spurge who operated the hotel until it burned down on October 28, 1882. 


Spurge reinvigorated the aging hotel.  He repaired it and furnished it lavishly.  He arranged for Colonel Delancey Kane to stop his Pelham "Tally Ho" coach at the hotel on its way from the Hotel Brunswick in New York City to New Rochelle (its terminus in 1881 and 1882). 


Only weeks before the Pelham Bridge Hotel burned to the ground, Spurge invested in construction of a new causeway that extended one hundred feet into the waters of Eastchester Bay so that boats could access his establishment even at low tide.  Ever the entrepreneur, Spurge also made the causeway available to fishermen "to enjoy themselves without rowing out into the bay."  Such sportsmen, of course, would need to avail themselves of strong refreshments after a hard day of angling.
A terrible fire, about which I have written before, burned down the hotel in the early morning hours of October 28, 1882.  Though the cause of the fire was never determined, it was believed to have begun in the kitchen of the hotel.
Care must be taken when researching the history of Pelham Bridge Hotel.  Although the one that burned on October 28, 1882 was named the Pelham Bridge Hotel, there were other hotels located at Pelham Bridge over the years.  Occasionally, references to other such hotels as "Pelham Bridge Hotel" were merely shorthand for the fact that it was a hotel located at Pelham Bridge.  Indeed, in the years after the actual Pelham Bridge Hotel burned, the Grand View Hotel managed by William John Elliott frequently was referenced as the "Pelham Bridge Hotel."

 Detail from Engraving Published in 1884 Showing Old Iron Pelham Bridge

Where David Blizzard and Augustus Lawrence Served as Bridge Keepers.

Source:  "PELHAM PARK, NEW YORK. -- DRAWN BY CHARLES GRAHAM.", Harper's

Weekly, Vol. XXVIII, No. 1442, 1884, pp. 514 & 521. Note that the iron arches of the bridge

are visible in the distance on the right edge of the image.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"POLITICAL ITEMS. . . .

The Democratic Assembly Convention of this district will meet at the Central Hotel, White Plains, next Tuesday.

The Democratic Assembly Convention of the First District will meet on the same day at Pelham Bridge Hotel.  The convention will also elect eight delegates to the congressional convention. . . ."

Source:  POLITICAL ITEMS, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 9, 1874, p. 1, col. 2.

"FIRST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT.

The delegates from the city of Yonkers, the town of Westchester, and the three old towns of West Farms, Kingsbridge, and Morrisania, (now constituting the 23rd and 24th wards of the city,) to the convention called to nominate a candidate for member of assembly met at Pelham Bridge Hotel Tuesday, and had rather a stirring time, in consequence of the presence of several outsiders who were under the influence of bad liquor, and of the unfortunate circumstance that they were far away from the protection of any policy.

Mr. Wm. Havens, of Westchester, called the meeting to order, and the names of Mr. Hugh Lunny and Mr. Abraham S. Radcliffe were proposed for Chairman of the convention.  Then the disturbance was commenced by outsiders, and was resisted by the delegates, so that a regular melee ensued.  Furniture and other articles were smashed, revolvers were drawn, and a hasty retreat through the windows was resorted to by many.  The outsiders were finally overpowered and subdued, so that the business of the convention was proceeded with, and Mr. Lunny was elected Chairman.  From the 23d and 24th wards of the city of New York, and two wards of the city of Yonkers, there were two sets of delegates, the respective claims of which to seats in the convention were adjusted by a committee appointed for that purpose, and the following were admitted.

Twenty-third Ward -- Charles Monk, Michael Lennon, John F. Rice, James Reilley, John Robertson, John Mooney, P. Kane, D. Malone, T. Conners, Lawrence Green, Lawrence Dacy, Pat O'Hare, Wm. Balmer, Wm. Lennehan.

Twenty-fourth Ward -- John Bussing, P. McCarthy, M. E. Reilley, Fred Meyer, Charles Clark, B. B. Valentinie, Chris Keenan, Pat Gormly, J. Coffin, Wm. Martin.

Westchester -- Hugh Lunny, Pat. J. Kellett, Thomas Bible, Thomas O'Brien, W. H. Waters.

Yonkers -- John Lacy, Thomas Eigan, John Kennedy, G. W. Rau, Jacob Reid, John McCall, Michael Welsh, J.J. Widman E. Whalon, Robert Neville, Pat Curran, John McGowan, M. Mooney. 

The names of Hon. J. C. Courter and Dennis R. Shiel were proposed as candidates for member of Assembly.

It was stated by some of the friends of Mr. Courter that he did not desire the nomination, and on taking the first ballot Mr. Shield received 30 of the 43 votes cast, whereupon his nomination, and on taking the first ballot Mr. Shield received 30 of the 43 votes cast, whereupon his nomination was declared unanimous, and the nominated appropriately acknowledged the compliment.

The following persons were chosen delegates to the Congressional Convention:  Charles Monks and John Rogge of Morrisania; M. E. Reilley and B. B. Valentine of West Farms; Patrick Gormley, of Kingsbridge; Hugh Lunny, of Westchester; Thomas Eagan, and Peter U. Fowler of Yonkers."

Source:  FIRST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 16, 1874, p. 2, col. 1.  

"LOCAL NEWS. . . .

Mr. R. S. Spurge, the well-known and hospitable host of the Pelham Bridge Hotel, has built a new causeway, extending 100 feet into the water; and making his float accessible for boats at the lowest tide.  It also enables fishermen to enjoy themselves without rowing out into the bay. . . ."

Source:  LOCAL NEWS, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 8, 1882, p. 3, col. 1.


"CITY ISLAND AND PELHAM.

At two o'clock last Saturday morning, the old Pelham Bridge Hotel comprising two buildings, one on each side of the road at the southern end of Pelham Bridge was burned to the ground.  Thirty years ago, Larry Fowler became landlord.  After Fowler, Geo. P. Arcularius ran the house for a number of years.  Recently, R. S. Spurge has kept the place.  Col. Delancey Kane's Tally-ho coach always stopped at the inn, when running to New Rochelle.  The cause of the fire is unknown.  The loss is $15,000.  Mr. Spurge's principal loss is on the furniture on which there was but a small amount of insurance. . . ."

Source:  CITY ISLAND AND PELHAM, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 3, 1882, p. 3, col. 3.  

"A Landmark Removed. 

As briefly stated in our last issue, at 4 o'clock on Saturday morning last, the old Pelham Bridge Hotel, at Pelham Bridge, was burned to the gournd.  Thirty years ago Larry Fowler became landlord.  The house was then in its glory.  Not a driving party thought of going by without stopping.  Commodore Vanderbilt always stopped to have his horses watered, and all the sporting men of New York, New Rochelle and throughout Westchester County, occasionally passed a merry evening there.  It was on the only good drive from the city.  The road began at Corporal Thompson's place, which was a frame building, where the Fifth Avenue Hotel now stands, and cutting diagonally across Madison Square Garden to Harlem Bridge, and so along to the inn, six miles beyond.  After Fowler, Harry Arcularius ran the house for a number of years.  Last spring, R. S. Spurge, who formerly ran the Huguenot Hotel of this village, leased the hotel and premises now burned, and furnished and kept the same in magnificent style.  Col. De Lancy [sic] Kane's Tallyho coach always stopped at the inn when running to New Rochelle.  Mr. Spurge was in the city at the time of the fire.  It is thought that the fire broke out in the kitchen.  The loss is supposed to be between $10,000 and $15,000.  William Layton was the owner." 

Source:  A Landmark Removed, The New Rochelle Pioneer, Nov. 4, 1882, p. 3, col. 3.

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Wonderful Description of Coaching to Pelham on the Tally-Ho's First Trip of the Season on May 1, 1882

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I have posted many items to the Historic Pelham Blog regarding the spectacle of "coaching to Pelham" in four-in-hand horse-drawn carriages during the 1870s and 1880s. Colonel Delancey Kane began the practice during the 1870s.  Many followed in his footsteps. To read a little about the curious fad, see the lengthy list of previous articles and postings at the end of this article.

In 1876 a horse-drawn road coach known as “The Pelham Coach” began running between New York City’s Hotel Brunswick and the “Pelham Manor” of yore.  This road coach was not a simple hired coach that ferried passengers from New York City in the days before Henry Ford mass produced his Model T.  Rather, this road coach was driven by Colonel Delancey Kane, one of the so-called “millionaire coachmen,” who engaged in a sport known as “public coaching” or “road coaching” as it sometimes was called.  The purpose of the sport was to rush the carriage between designated points on a specified schedule and to maintain that schedule rigorously.

Colonel Delancey Kane became quite famous for his handling of The Pelham Coach, a bright canary yellow coach that was cheered along its route from the Hotel Brunswick in New York City to Pelham Bridge in the Town of Pelham.  The iconic image that appeared on song sheets, in etchings and engravings distributed throughout the United States shows The Pelham Coach.

Colonel Delancey Kane and The Pelham Coach

During a "Coaching to Pelham" Excursion.

Colonel Kane and The Pelham Coach, later known as the "Tally-Ho," were known near and far.  Numerous songs were written devoted to the topic of coaching to Pelham.  At least one toy was inspired by coach, a mechanical toy known as the "Tally-Ho" released in 1885.  The toy, a rare cast iron mechanical toy between 27 and 28 inches long depicts Colonel Kane's canary yellow "Tally Ho."  One example of the rare toy has sold at auction for $86,000.00.

1885 Carpenter Cast Iron Mechanical Toy.

The "Tally Ho," Between 27 and 28 Inches Long.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of an article published in the May 2, 1882 issue of the New York Herald.  The article describes in lovely detail what it was like to ride the Tally Ho to Pelham Bridge on May 1, 1882, the opening day of the 1882 coaching season.  The article does an excellent job of describing the pageantry, the route and even the sounds of the ride that day.

"AGAIN ON THE ROAD.
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The Tally-Ho's First Trip Through Freshening Country.
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A MERRY COACHING PARTY.
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Colonel De Lancey Kane's Lively Spin from New York to Pelham.
-----

A glorious May morning, cloudless, bright, crisp and sunshiny, for the first trip of the Pelham Coach.  It was the quintessence of a coaching day.  There was a snap in the air.  There was cheer in the sunlight.  The dust was laid and the road was open.

At half-past ten o'clock sharp the Tally-Ho stood in front of the Brunswick.  Spick-and-span [sic] looked the canary drag, and right smart was Colonel Delancey Kane as he took the ribbons and Fownes, the guard, as he flourished the horn, both in their new English coaching coats and yellow favors.  Mrs. Delancey Kane took the box seat.  Mr. Frederick Bronson and Mr. Robert Hone sat next, with Mrs. Colonel Jay and Mrs. Hugo Fritsch.  On the back seats were Mr. C. O. Beach with Mrs. Frederick Bronson and Mrs. Adrian Iselin, Jr.  A throng stood around the door of the Brunswick.  Faces peered from windows across the way.  An equipage or two flashed in the glittering vista of the avenue.  All ready for Pelham!  So crack whip, wind horn and away.  Colonel Kane shook out the ribbons.  The leaders plunged forward, and then with a hurrah from the onlookers, a waved adieu from a cloud of handkerchiefs and a cheery note from the guard, the Tally Ho rolled off upon its opening trip.

A light chestnut, Nora, was the near wheeler; a dark chestnut, Countess, the off wheeler.  Spider, an iron gray, and Gamecock, a light chestnut, were the near and off leaders.  Away they went over the stones of the avenue, between the long line of brown stone houses from which hands were waved and faces smiled.  The way was clear.  Not a dozen carriages were abroad.  The canary coach rolled straight along without swerving.

THROUGH THE PARK.

And now the wheels crunch on the gravel of Central Park, and the trees nod on either side, and the green turf, just freshening at the touch of the springtime sun, sweeps away over the hills and hollows.  The sky is a delicate blue.  White clouds scud across it like strayed revellers [sic] hurrying from the light.  The fresh, clear air of morning is puffed full in the faces of the coaching party.  It is delicious.  Whoever is astir hurries after the Tally-Ho.  Here a Park keeper, gray as his uniform, salutes it.  There a nurse and her little charge gaze at it open-mouthed.  Cheery salutes are wafted from vehicles going by, and now with a great clamor and clapping of hands a flock of children gone merry-making leave the May-pole rigged on the green and come flying down helter-skelter to greet the bright colored drag rolling by them.  They chase it, clap their hands gleefully and throw childish responses after the handkerchiefs waved to them from it.

An open space, a cheer up above and the coach sweeps past the gray stone needle of Cleopatra pointing skyward, with an irreverent cluster of moderns at its base frantically tossing their hats.  Presently it is out of the Park altogether and draws up at the Point View House, at 110th street to change horses, Gray Fenian and Bay Lorillard are the near and off wheelers now; Gray Ginger and Bay Cockade the near and off leaders.  The horn winds, the whip cracks and they are off skimming along the boulevard.  they wheel into 123d street, pass Mount Morris Park, swing about into Fifth avenue and so on up to 129th street, where they cross to Third avenue.  The music of the guard's horn rings through the thickly peopled streets.  The windows are full of faces.  There are gaping clusters on the street corners.  In a twinkling more the wheels awake hollow echoes from the Harlem River Bridge, and the Tally Ho rolls out upon the Southern Boulevard.

What a day it is there!  The horizon is steel blue.  The gloomy profiles of the institutions on the Island are sharply defined against it.  And the round circle of the sun glows over them like an escaped spirit glorying in its release.  Away swings the coach at a rattling pace, whip cracking, horn winding and hoof-beats ringing musically below.  Between the side stretches of grass land sweeping up to the hills, through reaches of wood where the trees stand thick and fast and the gray of winter is not thawed from their holes and branches, between nicely clipped lawns bordered with box, or quaint old lodges with fantastic gateways, past stately gray mansions upon heights and far off villas peeping through the trees, it rocks and sways; now the cynosure of a lot of wayside eyes, now alone and unnoticed and again hailed and pursued by cheery hurrahs.  From one or two taverns by the way are pictures of the coach itself suspended with flags and bunting about it.  Groups of rustic-looking people came out to see it.  Men in the fields stop their work to wave it a greeting.

WEST FARMS AROUSED.

And now low-lying Casanova and the Hoes and the Simpsons' estates all passed the Tally-Ho rolls up a hill, wheels around and comes slap-dash into the heart of West Farms.  There it is 'Hurrah!' from the window.  'Hurrah!' from the door.  The shopman steps out and waves his hand.  His customers crowd after him and do likewise.  Children bawl themselves hoarse.  Dogs bark.  The sleepy town awakes in a clamor and chased by its merry noises the coach rolls on and crosses the Bronx.  This is the first time it has gone over it here.  The direct road to Pelham from the southern Boulevard is being macadamized, the bridge is under repair and a detour of a mile and a half has had to be taken in consequence.  Up hill now and down dale through that heavy road from West Farms.  The trees shut in the view on either side.  Pools glimmer by the way.  The hoarse croaking of frogs comes from the marshes.  Over another hill, and now the great red front of the Catholic Protectory suddenly bursts out in the sunlight upon its bare plateau like the geni-begotten palace of Aladdin.  The coach plunges past it, past its factories and outhouses, rising around so spruce and bright and cleanly, and then the horn rings out and the horses bring up before the Swan Inn, at Unionport.  Now two bays, Major and Olly, are the leaders.  Brown Jumbo is the off wheeler and Tom, a light bay, the near wheeler.  The whip cracks.  'Tooty-too-too' goes the horn and away they sweep again.  The coach has been expected here.  Every one knows the bright yellow drag.  Old men hobble to the doors to wave big bandannas.  Old women shake aprons and shawls.  Little bits of toddlers stand dumbfounded with eyes like saucers, and a batch of children just out of school run themselves out of breath after it.  The water of Westchester Creek shimmers under a yellow flood pouring full from the zenith.  The lands beyond are bright as they can be.  The coach posts along bravely, for it must be close on time.  Over a bright level stretch of green are Hunter's Racing Stables.  The acres of the Waterbury estate come down to the stone wall at the road side, where the young of the family are stationed afoot and on ponyback to greet the Tally-Ho.  Lorillard's place comes next, with the old Arcularius Hotel, once the stopping place of the coach, now given over and standing on the hill without its old life and bustle.  It is high noon by the sun.  The horses, touched by the whip, forge ahead.  The harness rings.  The wheels turn up the dust.  The coach sways and bounds, and shoots ahead.  In the purple haze before it something is shining.  It is water -- the water of Pelham Bay.  And just beside it, gay with flags and streamers, and festooned with bunting from roof to doorway, is the Pelham Bridge Hotel.  Fownes toots merrily, a lot of onlookers hurrah and the horses merrily, a lot of onlookers hurrah and the horses, brought up on their haunches, stand at the door, whence Landlord Robert Spurge comes to bid all welcome.

AT EASE IN THE INN.

Landlord Spurge, who kept Colonel Kane's old stopping place, the Huguenot House, at New Rochelle, has come down to Pelham Bridge now, and his hotel is to be the terminus of the Tally Ho's route hereafter.  It is reached on this opening trip a few minutes after noon, as that space was devoted to making the detour occasioned by the repairing of the old Pelham road.  But all is ready here.  The house is in gala dress to honor the occasion.  The neighbors are around all smiling and agape.  And having rested, the party are marshalled by Landlord Spurge into the dining room.  What a quaint bit of a room it is! -- the room of all rooms for a coaching party.  There are odd old pictures on the walls; curious and antique looking pieces of furniture are scattered around; grotesque, old-fashioned plates and bowls are tucked in racks and shelves.  There are stuffed birds, with legends hitched to them, and a general flavor of homely, sociable ease about it all that eminently befits the occasion.  Dinner is served.  And such a dinner!  Nothing with foreign names and tastes.  Not a bit of it.  Robust, hearty fare fit for the road and roadsters.  Rare, juicy beef, fowl done to a nicety, mellow strawberries and cream, with such an atmosphere and such surroundings as would make a glutton of the veriest dyspeptic.

There was a rest after dinner.  The coach is scheduled to leave Pelham at 3:45 P. M.  Meantime the party scattered about the spot which, with its inlet sweeping off Soundward, its green fields and remote woodland patches, is as lovely a scene as Westchester county contains.  Mr. Oliver Iselin, sweeping by with his equipage, made a flying call upon the party.  Another friend dropped in and then the road home was taken.

Once the Tally-Ho had passed the people living by the way knew it was soon to return and they awaited it.  The rumble of the canary drag and the note of the guard's horn were everywhere the signal for the good folk of the neighborhood to swarm out of doors and wave their good wishes.  Troops of little children had plucked bunches of flowers and tossed them into the flying vehicle or pursued it in hopes to hand them to the guard.  What with flowers and music Fownes had his hands full for a long time.  And now up the road something flashes and gleams in the sunlight, and borne on the crisp air come the notes of instruments and the rattle of drums.  As the coach nears its stopping place, the Swan Inn, it is explained.  The juvenile brass band of the Catholic Protectory have come down to serenade the coaching party in broad daylight, and as the horses are being changed the little fellows blow and finger cornet and trombone right knowingly and sturdily thump the drums.  The proficiency of the little band is a surprise, and their music floats after the Tally-Ho as it sweeps homeward with bay Dandy at the near wheel, dark brown Guardsman at the off one, and two chestnuts, Billy and Pelham, leading.  It goes spinning along the Southern Boulevard, and all is gay and pleasurable till the coach approaches the track of the freight car-road running down to Port Morris.

A SPICE OF DANGER.

It has capped a hilly rise and is going down upon the rail when a sudden spout of steam rises over a knoll on the right and the ominous snort of a steam engine is heard.  The horses have full headway and are making for the track.  And now the locomotive shows its grim, dark length moving steadily down upon the carriage way.  It is a trying moment.  But Colonel Kane is equal to it.  He gives the horses their head, lays on the whip and like a flash the rail is cleared and the Tally-Ho goes rolling on while the steam engine, with the driver standing startled at the valve, drags past far behind it.  There is a noisy reception at Harlem, cheers along the road and the coach rolls through the Central Park, which is swarming with equipages.  There are salutes for it on every side, greetings for it everywhere, and through the crowd and jingle and murmur of Fifth avenue it passes up to the door of the Brunswick, where, at a quarter past five P. M., Fownes' horn blows the last note of the opening trip of the Pelham coach for the season of '82."

Source:  AGAIN ON THE ROAD -- The Tally-Ho's First Trip Through the Freshening Country, N.Y. Herald, May 2, 1882, Quadruple Sheet, p. 10, cols. 1-2.  

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Below is a list of articles and blog postings that I previously have posted regarding the subject of "Coaching to Pelham."  

Bell, Blake A., Col. Delancey Kane and "The Pelham Coach" (Sep. 2003).

Wed., Apr. 14, 2010:  Col. Delancey Kane Changes the Timing and Route of The Pelham Coach in 1876.

Tue., Sep. 08, 2009:  1877 Advertisement with Timetable for the Tally Ho Coach to Pelham.

Mon., Mar. 23, 2009:  The Greyhound and the Tantivy-- The Four-in-Hand Coaches that Succeeded Col. Delancey Kane's "Tally-Ho" to Pelham.

Fri., Jan. 16, 2009: The Final Trip of the First Season of Col. Delancey Kane's "New-Rochelle and Pelham Four-in-Hand Coach Line" in 1876.

Thu., Jan. 15, 2009:  The First Trip of Col. Delancey Kane's "New-Rochelle and Pelham Four-in-Hand Coach Line" on May 1, 1876.

Thu., Mar. 06, 2008:  Auctioning the Tantivy's Horses at the Close of the 1886 Coaching Season.

Wed., Mar. 05, 2008:  Coaching to Pelham: The Tantivy Has an Accident on its Way to Pelham in 1886.  

Thu., Jan. 24, 2008:  An Account of the First Trip of Colonel Delancey Kane's Tally-Ho to Open the 1880 Coaching Season.

Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008: Brief "History of Coaching" Published in 1891 Shows Ties of Sport to Pelham, New York

Thursday, August 3, 2006: Images of Colonel Delancey Kane and His "Pelham Coach" Published in 1878.

Wednesday, September 28, 2005: Taunting the Tantivy Coach on its Way to Pelham: 1886.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005: 1882 Engraving Shows Opening of Coaching Season From Hotel Brunswick to Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Jun. 09, 2005:  Coaching to Pelham: Colonel Delancey Astor Kane Did Not Operate the Only Coach to Pelham.

Fri., Feb. 11, 2005:  Col. Delancey Kane's "Pelham Coach", Also Known as The Tally-Ho, Is Located.

Bell, Blake A., Col. Delancey Kane and "The Pelham Coach", The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XII, No. 38, Sept. 26, 2003, p. 1, col. 1.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."  

Pelham Was the Scene of Illegal Prize Fights During the Early Days of the "Sweet Science" of Boxing

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

I have written extensively of the early days of baseball, tennis and golf during the latter decades of the 1800s in Pelham.  I have not, however, written as much about the early days of the "Sweet Science" of boxing in the Town of Pelham.  

By the 1880s, the population of the area near Pelham Bridge and on nearby City Island within the Town of Pelham had grown so much that the area began to attract sports betting on local prize fights.  Indeed, by 1884 a tiny community that included a hotel had sprung up around Pelham Bridge. In a shed behind the hotel men would gather to watch prize fights. These prize fights, however, were illegal in Westchester County and soon caught the attention of local authorities.

I previously have written about the February 20, 1884 prize fight between James Murray and Thomas Henry.  The Westchester County Sheriff raided the fight and arrested both fighters who were still wearing their ring dress just as the fight ended.  See Wed., Mar. 23, 2005:  Prize Fighting At Pelham Bridge in 1884.  I also have written about the prize fight between Joe Gleacher and Joe Kerwin held in the spring of 1902.  Gleacher was found in Mt. Vernon after the fight and was arrested, although Kerwin apparently escaped to Philadelphia before his arrest.  See Tue., Oct. 04, 2005:  Front Page of the May 12, 1902 Issue of The Pelham Republican.  

In today's Historic Pelham Blog posting, I have collected additional early references to prize fights and prize fight training in the Town of Pelham.  Each transcription is followed by a citation to its source.  The first item is an additional, more extensive, account of the prize fight between James Murray and Thomas Henry at Pelham Bridge on February 20, 1884.  It gives a true sense of what such a brutal sport was like at Pelham Bridge in the 1880s.  

A Bare-Knuckled Prize Fight, Circa 1880s

"A GOOD FIGHT.
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The Contest Between Murray and Henry at Pelham Bridge.
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A Fair-and-Square Encounter Between Two Good Men-Arrest of the Pugilists.
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The long-pending prize fight with gloves, arranged at the POLICE GAZETTE office, between Jim Murray, of New York and Tom Henry, of Manchester, Eng., was decided at an early hour on Feb. 20, at Blizzard's Hotel, Pelham, New York.

By 5 A.M. the ring had been erected in the driving shed of the hotel, and the crowd swarmed round the inclosure.  Delegation after delegation arrived in all kinds of vehicles, and many tramped in, the coaches having broken down.  

At 6:30 A.M. the pugilists were ordered to prepare for the mill.  The rain was pouring in torrents and the crowd, who had been standing shivering ince 5 A.M., were eager to see the pugilists enter the ring.

Murray quickly pulled on his blue drawers and white hose, whil Mike Cleary, assisted by Bob Farrell, laced Henry's fighting-shoes.  

Luke Welsh, Barney Aaron and Mike Henry helped to dress Murray.

At 6:55 A.M., the pugilists, wrapped in blankets, entered the ring.  Both were loudly cheered.  Murray occupied the southwest and Henry the northwest corner.  

Shortly after the pugilists were seated offers of $100 even were laid on Murray.  Gus Kenny, of Washington square, made four bets of $50 even on Murray.  Mike Cleary backed Henry.  It was with great difficulty the ring was cleared, and it was all John Flood, Tom McAlpine, Frank Stevenson and Ed. Haggerty could do to clear it.

Bob Farrell, cousin of Joe Coburn, and Mike Cleary then stepped into the inclosure to handle Henry.  Andy Hanley, of Philadelphia, was his umpire.  Barney Aaron, the retired light-weight champion, hero of many a hard fought battle, had been secured to second Murray with Mike Costello.

Luke Welsh was bottle-holder for Murray, while Johnny Roach, of the Fourth ward, who trained Paddy Ryan to fight Sullivan, was umpire for Murray.  Billy Bennett, the noted Sixth avenue sporting man, was time-keeper.

Among the celebrities round the ring were:  Mark Moore, Supervisor Snyder, J.H. Campbell, Bob Smith, Dan O'Brien, Denny Sullivan, John Leary, Tom McCabe, Billy Bennett, John Flood, Tom Draper, Ed. Haggerty, Dennis McAuley, J. Cusick, Billy Edwards, Arthur Mullen, George Fulljames, Frank Stevenson, Sam Feiter, Lew Merigold, Gus Kenny, and a host of prominent club men.

Matt Moore entered the ring about 7 A.M., and stated that he had come from New York to act as referee, and that he was going to decide the contest on the merits of the pugilists, the seconds advanced to the center of the ring, all crossed hands and then retired.  Time was then called and both men faced each other.  The position of Henry was very fine, his left hand being a little advanced from his body, while his right lay across his breast.  That of Murray was low, his left hand being near his thigh, with his right very little higher up, leaving his fae and body much exposed, he seemingly not caring for blows as long as he can deliver hard ones himself.  He appears defiant of punishment as long as he can get at his opponent.  After a minute's sparring Henry led with his left mawley, but he was short, and then he thew in his right, which landed on Murray's left ear.  The latter then rushed in, and left and right deliveries followed in rapid succession, until they were in each other's arms, when the referee ordered them to break away; then there was some sparring and feinting, when Murray led and was short.  This Henry took advantage of, and delivered a heavy right-hander on Murray's left ear.  The men then fought rapidly left and right until they came to a clinch, when the referee ordered them to break away.  Coming close together agin, they both delivered right-handers at each other's heads and made rapid exchanges all over the limited space they had to fight in, until they clinched again and were ordered once more to break away.  Getting together again,, Henry planted a hard left hander on Murray's stomach, for which favor he received a hot right-hander on his left ear.  Then rapid exchangesfollowed right and left, until they came to a clinch.  Again they were ordered to break away, but in an instant they were at close quarters again, and Henry delivered a sever right-hander on the left side of Murray's head; then blow for blow followed, until the men were again in each other's arms.  They were made to break away, and, after a few more left and righ-handers, Henry planted his right heavily on Murray's mount, which knocked him down.  Just as the three minutes were up, when his seconds, in defiance of the rules, ran and picked him up.

ROUND 2. - The men responded quickly to the call of time, and after a little sparring for an opening Murray let fly with his left, but this was short, and Henry, being more steady, got in a damaging right hander, which landed on Murray's left ear.  Then there were several exchanges, left and right, at the head until the men were in each other's arms, when they were ordered to break away.  The men seemed now to be well warmed up for their work, and they rushed at each other in the gamest manner, delivering left and right-handers at each other's heads, but many of these were wasted by being too high.  The men soon fought to a close, and were ordered to break away, which they did promptly only to get a breath and go at it again.  Two gamer fellows never faced each other in a prize ring, and they seemed to be about equally matched in every way.  Coming together again, Henry landed his right hand heavily on Murray's neck, and in an instant they were delivering left and right handers all around the ring, Murray driving Henry before him until they clinched at the ropes.  Breaking away, they had a short breathing spell, when Murray, seeing an opening, let fly and caught Henry a stinger on the mouth.  For this favor, however,, he got a heavy right-hander, and then they drew toward each other and were delivering half-arm hits when they were ordered to their corners.  

ROUND 3. - When the men came to the scratch they both looked the worse for the liberties they had been taking with each other.  Henry was the first to make play with a right-hander on the left side of Murray's jaw.  The latter replied with a right-hander, but his blow went over the Englishman's head.  Then there were some strong give-and-take left and right deliveries, each getting in four times with the right on the left side of the head of his opponent at long range, then, getting closer, they pegged away left and right until they got to a lcinch, when they were ordered to break away.  Coming again like game-cocks, Henry planted a heavy left-hander on Murray's stomach, which made him wince, but Henry in return got a right-hander on the left side of his head and another right hander on his ribs, when again the men came to a clinch and fought half-arm at each other's head until ordered to break away.  Coming together again, Henry put in a hard right-hander on Murray's mouth and nose, which turned on the tap, but for which liberty Murray got in two hard facers.  Murray had the best of this round, and seemingly was gaining strength.

ROUND 4. - Murray came up with a cheerful grin, and his backers were still willing to bet odds on his winning the fight.  The men, after a little sparring for an opening, made play, Henry at the victualing department, where he planted a hard one with his right, getting away from Murray's right at the head.  Fierce left and right-hand fighting then took place until they tumbled into each other's arms and were ordered to break away.  This order they obeyed, but only for a moment, when they were again busy at half-arm work at each others' heads at the ropes.  The fighting that followed anogher break was as game as any seen by any men.  They fought left and right all over the ring, and had to be separated twice by the call of the referee.  The round ended by Murray planting a heavy right-hander on Henry's jaw, and the latter fell just as the time was up for the end of the round.

ROUND 5 AND LAST. - When the men came to the scratch they appeared very exhausted, but were eager to get at each other, and there was no time wasted in getting to work.  Murray appeared the more gay, and he lled off with a right-hander on the left side of Henry's head.  For this favor he got one of the same sort on his left ear, and then the men soon got to close quarters, where hit for hit, left and right, was the order, until they got too close and were ordered to break away by the referee.  Coming together again, a few exchanges took place, when, after Murray had delivered a swinging right-hander on Henry's left ear, the latter swung in his right, which landed on the point of Murray's chin, and he fell as if hit with a club.  He lay on his back deaf to the call of time, and Henry was then declared the winner of the fight.  Murray was oblivious for two or three minutes, and when he came to his senses he was terribly chagrined at the unlooked-for result.  The fight lasted just 22 minutes.

When Murray was picked up and brought out into the air he revived, and when told he had lost he struck at one of his attendants and almost cried, saying:  'I'm not whipped yet.'

Both men were taken to their rooms, and Frank Stevenson, of New York, kept watch over them.  Sheriff Horton, of White Plains, with his deputies arrived, pushed open the door, and, advancing toward Murray, who sat on the edge of the bed, still wearing his ring costume, he said:

'I am Sheriff of this county.  You are my prisoner.'

'Ah, now, none of yer kiddin',' snarled out Murray.  

'Get on your clothes and be quick about it,' said the Sheriff.

'What are ye goin' to do wid me?' Murray asked.

'I amd going to take you to White Plains,' the Sheriff said.

To Deputy Duffy the Sheriff shouted:  'Arrest the other man!'  Henry was in a room across the hall, to which Duffy was denied admission.  

'Break that door down!' said the Sheriff.

Deputy Duffy smashed the door to smithereens in short order, and, advancing to Henry, snapped a pair of handcuffs on his wrists.  The Sheriff was informed that the mob had gathered ouside the hotel, and threats had been made to rescue the prisoners as soon as they appeared in charge of the officers.  Leaving his prisoners with his deputies, Sheriff Horton went down stairs, and facing the crowd, which numbered about fifty, he said:

'I have arrested the principals in a prize fight here this morning.  I have arrested them by virtue of the authority vested in me as Sheriff of Westchester County, and now I command you to immediately disperse.  I am going to take my prisoners to White Plains, and I give you men fair warning that I shall not be interefered with.  I shall shoot the first man that raises a hand against me.  I have come prepared, and I want you to understand that I am not to be intimidated by any of your threats.'  This had the desired effect and the mob hurried to Bartow station, where they expected the Sheriff would take a train, but he outwitted them.  He took his prisoners to New Rochelle, thence to New York and to White Plains, arriving there at half-past twelve o'clock.  Murray and Henry were arraigned before Justice Long and committed to the White Plains jail.

After the announcement was made at the POLICE GAZETTE office that the Sheriff of New Rochelle [sic] had arrested Jimmy Murray and Tom Henry, Richard K. Fox at once sent a dispatch to the Sheriff, Stephen D. Horton, at New Rochelle, asking what disposition had been made of the prisoners.  The Sheriff replied that they had been sent to White Plains and committed in default of $1,000 bail.  Mr. Fox at once left for New Rochelle to furnish the required bonds.  It was the opinion of the majority of the sporting men who witnessed the hurricane battle at Blizzard's Hotel that if it had not been for the chance blow Henry delivered on his opponent's jaw in the fifth round, Murray would have won the fight."

Source:  A Good Fight - The Contest Between Murray and Henry at Pelham Bridge, The Police Gazette:  New York, Mar. 8, 1884, p. 7, cols. 1-2.  

"WHITE PLAINS.-Thomas Henry and James Murray, charged with being the principals in a prize-fight which took place at Pelham Bridge on Wednesday morning, were examined by Justice Long yesterday.  William Molloy, special Deputy Sheriff of New-Rochelle, testified that he saw the defendants boxing, but could not tell whether they wore hard or soft gloves.  He saw about fifty blows struck.  Benedict May gave similar testimony, and the examination was adjourned until to-morrow."

Source:  Westchester County, New-York Dailty Tribune, Feb. 2, 1884, p. 12, col. 4.  

"[Jack Dempsey] has been training at City Island for some time, engaged in a prize fight with Tom Henry at Far Rockaway, on Wednesday.  Henry it will be remembered is the man who fought and whipped Jimmy Murray at Pelham Bridge some [time] ago.  Murray is in Albany Penitentiary serving out his sentence, and Henry is out on bail and engaged in breaking the law.  The authorities will doubtless send him to keep Murray company, when the courts open in September."

Source:  New Rochelle Pioneer, Jul. 12, 1884.

"Three men, one of whom is a Negro, are staying at Bob Brown's hotel [which was located on City Island in the Town of Pelham], and it is rumored about that they are Tom Kean, Jack Dempsey, and 'Black Star,' pugilists training for prize fights."

Source:  New Rochelle Pioneer, Jun. 14, 1884.  

"Last Monday there was a prize fight near Pelham Bridge between Jack Quinn and Jack Buckley, two light weights, for $500 a side.  Buckley was knocked senseless in the twelfth round.  About one hundred persons witnessed the fight but the local police didn't 'catch on.'"

Source:  [Untitled], The Chronicle [Mt. Vernon, New York], Sep. 6, 1889, p. 2, col. 4.  

"Billy Dacey, the prominent light-weight pugilist, is training at Jack Elliott's Hotel, Pelham Bridge.  A well-known up-town sporting man is willing to back Billy in a fight to a finish,, against either Jack McAuliffe of Brooklyn, or Mike Daly of Bangor."

Source:  Pugilistic News, The National Police Gazette:  New York, Jan. 21, 1888, p.11, col. 1.  

"PRIZE FIGHT AT PELHAM.
-----
Crowd of 200 Saw Joe Gleacher of this City Knocked Out.
-----

A knockout fight was pulled off in a barn at North Pelham last night between Joe Gleacher of Mount Vernon and Joe Kerwin of Tuckahoe.

Sports from New York City, Mount Vernon and surrounding places were present to the number of 200 and witnessed one of the gamest fights that has been put up in this section for years.

During the earlier rounds Gleacher seemed to have the best of the battle.  And administered a hard pounding to his man.  In the eighteenth round Kerwin followed up an advantage with a blow on the jaw and knocked Gleacher down and out.

Both men were badly battered and what has lacking in science seemed to have been made up in force.  

The men fought at catch weights, and as there was bad blood between them it was agreed that it should be a fight to the finish.  

The authorities have taken the matter up and warrants are out for the principals and others."

Source:  Prize Fight at Pelham - Crowd of 200 Saw Joe Gleacher of this City Knocked Out, Daily Argus [Mt. Vernon, New York], Vol. XL, No. 3075, Apr. 15,, 1902, p. 1, col. 3.

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Celebration at Pelham Bridge in 1872

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On the evening of Thursday, September 26, 1872, a celebration described as "the most brilliant we ever witnessed in Westchester County" occurred at the Grand View Hotel at Pelham Bridge. The description of that ceremony that appeared nearly a week later in the New York Herald provides an interesting glimpse of an evening entertainment in the Town of Pelham in the days before radio, television, movies, the Web and other such entertainment vehicles. The description of the event is quoted in its entirety immediately below, followed by a citation to its source.

"ON LAST THURSDAY EVENING A SUMPTUOUS EN-tertainment was given by Mr. Griffith Thomas, at the Grand View Hotel, Pelham Bridge, kept by Blizzard & Mahony, and on this occasion, as on all others, his generosity was boundless, and the whole affair was the most brilliant we ever witnessed in Westchester county; 140 variegated lanterns illuminated the arched platform of the hotel, on which the guests assembled, and while the New Rochelle Brass Band filled the air with delightful music, magnificent fireworks were set off in front of the balcony, where his lovely wife and her lady friends were seated. The supper was delicious, the table was splendidly arranged and elegantly decorated with choice flowers. But its chief ornament was Mrs. Thomas, in her surpassing beauty, void of that haughty consciousness that is so painfully perceptible in Nature's favorites, reminding us of Raphael's Madonna. Mr. Thomas is a very wealthy gentleman, and, being one of Nature's noblemen, the wealth could not have fallen into better hands. His sole happiness appears to be centered in making others happy, and his kind deeds will be remembered long after he has joined his loved ones, gone before him to a happier land than this."

Source: [Untitled], N.Y. Herald, Oct. 2, 1872, p. 1, col. 2.

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The Owner of the Pelham Bridge Hotel Sold it for the Princely Sum of $22,000 in 1869

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For many years a little hotel stood near the Pelham Bridge. An image of the hotel, derived from a glass negative in the collections of The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham, appears immediately below.

I have written about the Pelham Bridge Hotel before. See Tuesday, June 28, 2005: The Hotel and Bar Room at Pelham Bridge.

In 1869, a tiny item appeared in the New York Herald reporting that the Pelham Bridge Hotel had been sold for the princely sum of $22,000. As part of my efforts to document the history of the area, I have transcribed the brief text of the report immediately below.

"REAL ESTATE NOTES . . .

Charles Freeman has sold the Pelham Bridge Hotel property in the town of Pelham, to William Florence for $22,000. . . ."

Source: Real Estate Notes, N. Y. Herald, May 28, 1869, p. 8, col. 4.

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