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.

Friday, June 30, 2017

More on the Suicide of the Manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Club on Prospect Hill in 1899


Yesterday's Historic Pelham article detailed a little of the history of the Pelham Manor Golf Club founded in 1895 by a group of leading socialites from Pelham Manor and New Rochelle.  The tiny golf course was located between today's Washington Avenue and the New York City Boundary and opened on November 6, 1895.  The article noted that the golf course seems to have ended operations after the 1899 season, less than four years after its founding.  The demise of the club seems to have been tied to the founding of the first Pelham Country Club in 1898 with its beautiful nine hole golf course located nearby and the suicide of the manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Club after the close of the golf season in 1899.  Today's Historic Pelham article sheds more light on the terrible suicide of that club manager, Frederick B. Russell.

Frederick B. Russell was the manager, groundskeeper, greenskeeper, and superintendent of the Pelham Manor Golf Club during what appears to be the club's last season in 1899.  He was born in Hudson, New York.  Some reports say he was 35 years old in 1899.  Others say he was 40.  All agree that he was unmarried and had no children.  Russell came from an affluent New York family.

For many years, Russell was employed as a clerk with Davis Collamore & Co.  According to one source:

"Davis Collamore & Co. was a high-end New York City importer of porcelain and glass, headed by Davis Collamore (7 October 1820 — 13 August 1887). The firm, rivals to Tiffany & Co. and Black, Starr & Frost, commissioned designs from Copeland Spode and Thomas Minton Sons, that featured hand-painted details over transfer-printed outlines and often rich gilding."

Source:  "Davis Collamore & Co." in Wikipedia -- The Free Encyclopedia (visited Jun. 17, 2017).  

Russell seems to have lost his clerk position at Davis Collamore & Co. in about 1896.  He turned to the Russell family lawyer, William C. Findlay, for help.  

Findlay had a law office at 19 Liberty Street in New York City.  He provided Frederick Russell with a desk and space in his law office to permit Russell to operate a small real estate business from his law offices.

Russell's real estate business turned out to be a bust.  Over time he attended to the business less and less.  He also spent less and less time at Findlay's offices.  At least one source suggests he was drinking.

It is not known for certain when Russell began working as manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Club.  Sources suggest that although he was in ill health during the summer of 1899, he was hired to manage the club on July 29, 1895 by notable Pelham Manor resident and club member William B. Randall.  It appears that Russell served the club from that date until the end of the 1899 golf season (in November of that year).

While working as Pelham Manor Golf Club manager, Russell lived with an elderly relative named H. H. Hadley at 451 South Seventh Avenue in Mount Vernon.  Hadley was a retired lawyer.  Russell occasionally worked as secretary to Hadley. 

On Monday, December 4, 1895, Russell entered Henry Dreyfus' "Devil's Island Hotel" (known as the Dreyfus House) on Main Street in New Rochelle.  Dreyfus later claimed that Russell told him that he had been employed as manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Club and that his financial accounts were $60 short (some reports said $65 short).  He claimed that the Club had "threatened him with arrest" unless he repaid the money by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 1899.  

Early in the morning on Wednesday, December 6, Russell approached Dreyfus again and asked to borrow $60.  Dreyfus refused to loan him the money.  Dreyfus later claimed that upon refusal of the requested loan, Russell said that he "would commit suicide before he would allow himself to be arrested."   

A little before 2:00 p.m. that same day, Frederick Russell went to Brady's Hotel on Main Street in New Rochelle.  Brady's Hotel was operated by Alderman Daniel B. Brady who also served as bartender in the hotel bar.  Russell ordered a drink and seated himself in the bar area for a while.  Once the bartender's attention was diverted by another customer, Russell quietly slipped into an anteroom and sat down there.

At about 2:00 p.m., Frederick B. Russell pulled out a loaded pistol and held it to his chest.    He pointed the muzzle directly at his heart and pulled the trigger.

The crack of the gunshot startled all.  Russell was found on the floor with a gunshot wound to his chest.  Dr. O. N. Raymond, who lived across the street from Brady's Hotel, was summoned and was on the scene within three minutes.  It was too late.  Russell already was dead.  

The body was taken charge by Coroner Banning of Mount Vernon.  It was removed to Davis' morgue in Mount Vernon.  

Within days newspapers throughout the region blared headlines and news that Russell had shot himself over a $60 (or $65) debt owed to the Pelham Manor Golf Club.  One headline, for example, read:  "SHOT HIMSELF FOR LACK OF $60. -- Manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Links Committed Suicide Rather Than Face Arrest."

Suicide over a minor debt made for sensational news, even if the news was not true.  On December 9, 1895, though only two days before it had published a prominent story about the suicide and the debt that reputedly was owed on page 2, the New York Times published a tiny reference buried on page 16 stating, in its entirety, as follows:

"The statement that Frederick B. Russell, manager of the Pelham Manor golf links, who committed suicide  in a hotel at New Rochelle on Wednesday, was worried over his inability to raise $65 which he desired to pay to the club, has elicited from George K. Perry, Secretary of the club, a statement that nothing was owing to it by Mr. Russell.  Mr. Perry says the dead man left the club's employ at the termination of the Summer season with his accounts correct."

We may never know why Frederick B. Russell, manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Club, killed himself that day.  Some reports indicated he was in ill health and may have lapsed into dementia.  Others suggested he was in financial distress.  It does not appear, however, that he was threatened with arrest for a minor debt owed to the Pelham Manor Golf Club.



Hand Colored Half Tone Depicting a Golf Match in 1895.
"A LONG PUTT TO HALVE THE HOLE. -- DRAWN BY A. B. FROST."
1895 Hand Colored Half-Tone.  15 1/2 x 11 Inches.
NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.  

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Below is the text of a number of articles that touch on the subject of today's Historic Pelham article.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"SUICIDE IN BRADY'S HOTEL.
-----
Frederick B. Russell, a Native of Hudson, N.Y., Kills Himself.

Frederick B. Russell, until recently greenkeeper [sic] of the Pelham Manor Golf Club, committed suicide Wednesday afternoon in this city.  He went into the saloon of Alderman Daniel B. Brady, in Main street, and while the attention of the bartender was attracted to another customer seated himself at a table in a rear apartment and put a bullet through his heart.

Doctor O. N. Raymond, whose residence is diagonally opposite the hotel, was summoned.  When he arrived, in less than three minutes after the shooting, Russell was dead.

Russell was about forty years old, and for many years had been a clerk with Davis Collamore & Co., importers of crockery, in New York city.  A few years ago he opened a real estate office at No. 19 Liberty street but as business grew slowly he closed it up.  On July 29 last his health became poor and he took charge of the links of the Pelham Country Club [sic] as superintendent and greenkeeper [sic], and continued there until about two weeks ago, when he lost his place, it is said, from drinking.  Russell was well educated and came of a good family, and it is supposed that he brooded over his misfortunes and failing health until he became demented.  The body was taken in charge by Coroner Banning, of Mount Vernon, and removed to Davis' morgue.

Russel's home was at No. 451 South Seventh ave., Mount Vernon, where he had an elderly relative, H. H. Hadley, a retired lawyer, to whom he sometimes acted as secretary.  Russell came originally from Hudson.  He was not married.

Henry Dreyfus, proprietor of the Dreyfus House on Main street near Drake avenue, which Russell frequented, made a statement that Russell had informed him that he had fallen $65 behind in his accounts with the golf club, and would have to settle at 2 o'clock Wednesday.  He told Dreyfus, so the latter says, that unless he obtained the money before that time he would kill himself.  The officials of the club deny that Russell was short in his accounts.  The body will be taken to Hudson this morning."

Source:  SUICIDE IN BRADY'S HOTEL -- Frederick B. Russell, a Native of Hudson, N.Y., Kills Himself, New Rochelle Pioneer, Dec. 9, 1899, Vol. 41, 38, p. 1, col. 1.  

"SHOT HIMSELF FOR LACK OF $60.
-----
Manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Links Committed Suicide Rather Than Face Arrest.
-----

NEW ROCHELLE, N. Y., Wednesday. -- Frederick B. Russell, who, according to cards found in his pockets, had a real estate office at No. 19 Liberty street, New York city, committed suicide by shooting himself through the heart in Alderman Daniel B. Brady's hotel on the Boston Post road, at two o'clock this afternoon.

Very little is known of Russell in this city.  He was employed as manager at the Pelham Manor golf links.  

Russell was in Henry Dreyfus' Devil's Island Hotel, in Main street, on Monday.  Dreyfus said to-night that Russell had been employed for the Pelham Manor Club by William B. Randall and his accounts were $60 short.  The club had given him until this afternoon to make good his default and had threatened him with arrest unless he did so.  He tried to borrow $60 from Dreyfus this morning, and when the loan was refused he said he would commit suicide before he would allow himself to be arrested.  Dreyfus believed he made this remark simply to show that he was desperately in need of the money.  Russell was thirty-five years old and unmarried.

-----

Russell Had Been a Real Estate Broker in William C. Findlay's Office.  

At the office of William C. Findlay, in No. 19 Liberty street, who is attorney for the Russell family, it was said yesterday that Russell had had desk room with Mr. Findlay up to about three months ago.  He had done something as a real estate broker, but had not been very successful."

Source:  SHOT HIMSELF FOR LACK OF $60 -- Manager of the Pelham Manor Golf Links Committed Suicide Rather Than Face Arrest, N.Y. Herald, Dec. 7, 1899, p. 8, col. 5.  

"GOLF CLUB MANAGER'S SUICIDE.
-----
Frederick B. Russell of the Pelham Manor Links Shoots Himself.

NEW ROCHELLE, N. Y., Dec. 6. -- Frederick B. Russell, manager of the Pelham Manor golf links and formerly a real estate broker, with an office at 19 Liberty Street, Manhattan, shot and killed himself to-day in Alderman Daniel D. Brady's hotel here.  He had been connected with the golf club about two months.  He had a room there, and took table board at the home of a relative at 451 South Seventh Street, Mount Vernon.  Business troubles are supposed to have led to the suicide.

According to Henry Dreyfus, proprietor of the Dreyfus House, who made a statement to the police, Mr. Russell was worried over his inability to raise $65, which he desired to pay to the club.

Mr. Russell was about forty years old, and had been employed with Davis, Collamore & Co., glassware up to about three years ago.  William C. Findlay, attorney for the Russell family, said that Mr. Russell had not been well of late, and he knew of no reason for the suicide unless ill-health had brought about despondency.  Mr. Russell came originally from Hudson, N. Y."

Source:  GOLF CLUB MANAGER'S SUICIDE -- Frederick B. Russell of the Pelham Manor Links Shoots Himself, N.Y. Times, Dec. 7, 1899, p. 2, col. 3.  

"BROKER COMMITS SUICIDE.
-----
Frederick B. Russell, of This City, Shoots Himself in a Cafe at New Rochelle.
-----

Frederick B. Russell shot himself through the heart yesterday afternoon in an anteroom of Alderman Daniel A. Brady's hotel at New Rochelle.  Russell was a real estate broker, and had an office at 19 Liberty street, Manhattan.  He entered the hotel about an hour before he shot himself and called for a drink.  He remained about the cafe, and when he entered the anteroom nothing was thought of it.

Russell had been in this vicinity only a few days, passing most of his time on the links of the Pelham Manor Golf Club.  He stopped at a hotel on the Boston post road.  There were no papers in his pockets to show why he killed himself.

Mr. Russell, it was said, lived in Seventh avenue, Mount Vernon, and came of a prominent family.  It is understood that his health was not of the best, and that of late he had gone to his office at infrequent intervals."

Source:  BROKER COMMITS SUICIDE -- Frederick B. Russell, of This City, Shoots Himself in a Cafe at New Rochelle, The Morning Telegraph [NY, NY], Dec. 7, 1899, p. 4, col. 6.  

"Mr. Russell Not in Debt to the Club.

The statement that Frederick B. Russell, manager of the Pelham Manor golf links, who committed suicide  in a hotel at New Rochelle on Wednesday, was worried over his inability to raise $65 which he desired to pay to the club, has elicited from George K. Perry, Secretary of the club, a statement that nothing was owing to it by Mr. Russell.  Mr. Perry says the dead man left the club's employ at the termination of the Summer season with his accounts correct."

Source:  Mr. Russell Not in Debt to the Club, N.Y. Times, Dec. 9, 1899, p. 16, col. 2.  

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Thursday, June 29, 2017

More on the Prospect Hill Golf Course of the Pelham Manor Golf Club


Many in Pelham know that there once was a golf course in the area of today's Fowler Avenue opened in 1898 by the first Pelham Country Club, a predecessor to today's Wykagyl Country Club in the City of New Rochelle.  See Tue., Nov. 29, 2016:  1902 Report on Activities of The First Pelham Country Club on Fowler Avenue.  Fewer, however, know that several years earlier a golf course opened on Prospect Hill in Pelham Manor.  Pelham, it seems, was in the midst of the golf craze that swept over the New York Region in the mid-1890s.  

On Wednesday, November 6, 1895, Mrs. John Cunningham Hazen (of Pelham Hall, also known as Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls) and her daughter, Miss Edith Cunningham Hazen, opened a tiny golf course on Prospect Hill in Pelham Manor.  The Hazen women, working with others, decided to market the new golf club as an incredibly exclusive club limited to only one hundred upper crust members from Pelham Manor and New Rochelle.  I have written about the Pelham Manor Golf Club before.  See, e.g.:

Tue., Apr. 29, 2014:  More on Golf in Pelham During the 19th Century.  

Tue., Oct. 20, 2009:  Manager of Pelham Manor Golf Links Committed Suicide in 1899

Mon., Mar. 09, 2009:  Another Brief Account of Golf at Pelham Manor in 1895

Mon., Jan. 14, 2008:  Golf at Pelham Manor in 1895

Bell, Blake, The Early Days of Golf in Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 36, Sep. 10, 2004, p. 12, col. 2.

The opening of the new course was held in a tent near the first tee.  The course seems to have been located in an area between today's Washington Avenue and the New York City boundary adjacent to an area denoted in some newspaper articles as "Prospect Hill Park."  The principal organizers of the new club, all women, received guests in the tent.  They included "Mrs. John C. Hazen, Mrs. Robert C. Black, Mrs. Jabish Holmes, and Mrs. Frank Hunter of Pelham Manor, and Mrs. Robert Lathers, Jr., Mrs. Henry Loomis Nelson, and Mrs. Henry D. Noyes of New Rochelle."

Among the notable members of the club who once hacked around the rolling countryside of Prospect Hill were famed western artist Frederic Remington (who lived and painted in New Rochelle) and publishing magnate Howard Scribner, a Pelham resident.

The records of the Pelham Manor Golf Club no longer exist.  Because little was written about the club, it has been exceedingly difficult to piece together its history.  The club seems to have operated until about 1899 when the manager of the club committed suicide after the close of the club's summer season.  At about the same time, of course, the first Pelham Country Club founded in 1898 was offering its members a lovely new nine hole golf course in the area of today's Fowler Avenue.  These two developments seem to have spelled the end of the Pelham Manor Golf Club.

Below is a very brief news item published on November 11, 1895 noting the opening of the new course.  



Hand Colored Half Tone Depicting a Golf Match in 1895.
"A LONG PUTT TO HALVE THE HOLE. -- DRAWN BY A. B. FROST."
1895 Hand Colored Half-Tone.  15 1/2 x 11 Inches.
NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.  

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"THE PROGRESS OF GOLF.
-----
NEWS AND GOSSIP FROM THE CLUBS IN NEW YORK DISTRICT. . . .

The links of the Pelham Manor Golf Club on Prospect Hill adjoining Pelhamville [sic] Park, were formally opened on Wednesday and a reception was held in a tent near the first tee.  The guests were received by Mrs. John C. Hazen, Mrs. Robert C. Black, Mrs. Jabish Holmes, and Mrs. Frank Hunter of Pelham Manor, and Mrs. Robert Lathers, Jr., Mrs. Henry Loomis Nelson, and Mrs. Henry D. Noyes of New Rochelle. . . ."

Source:  THE PROGRESS OF GOLF -- NEWS AND GOSSIP FROM THE CLUBS IN NEW YORK DISTRICT, The Sun [NY, NY], Nov. 11, 1895, p. 8, col. 4.  

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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

More on Golf in Pelham During the 19th Century


Pelham has a long tradition of supporting the ancient sport of golf.  I have written before about golf in 19th century Pelham. For examples, see

Mon., Jan. 11, 2010:  The First Pelham Country Club's Plans for a July 4, 1898 Opening of its New Nine-Hole Golf Course Accessible by a New Trolley Line.

Thu., Nov. 26, 2009:  The First "Pelham Country Club" Established in 1898 Built a Nine-Hole Golf Course in Pelham in 1898.

Tue., Oct. 20, 2009:  Manager of Pelham Manor Golf Links Committed Suicide Over Debt to Club in 1899.

Mon., Mar. 09, 2009:  Another Brief Account of Golf at Pelham Manor in 1895.

Mon., Jan. 14, 2008:  Golf at Pelham Manor in 1895.

Thu., Jul. 19, 2007:  Members of The New York Athletic Club Were Duped Into Believing the Club Created a Small Nine-Hole Golf Course in Pelham Manor in 1897.  

Bell, Blake, The Early Days of Golf in Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 36, Sep. 10, 2004, p. 12, col. 2. 

I also have written on many other occasions about golf in the first decade or so of the 20th century as well.  I have listed examples of such additional writings with links at the end of today's Historic Pelham blog posting.

One of the early efforts to establish golf in the Village of Pelham Manor occurred in 1895 when Mrs. John Cunningham Hazen (of Hazen's School for Girls) and her daughter, Miss Edith Cunningham Hazen established a club and laid out a tiny course on Prospect Hill in Pelham Manor.  In truly "Trump-Like" fashion, the Hazen women decided to market the new golf club as an incredibly exclusive club limited to only one hundred members from Pelham Manor and New Rochelle combined.  

A brief article on the organization of the exclusive golf club and the opening of its new links appeared in the November 8, 1895 issue of the Daily Argus published in Mount Vernon, New York.  The text of the article is transcribed below, followed by a citation to its source.

"Pelham's One Hundred to Play Golf.
-----

PELHAM MANOR, N.Y., Nov. 6.--The Golf links, on Prospect Hill, belonging to the Pelham Manor Golf Club were formally opened yesterday afternoon.  A big tent was put up at the grounds, and an informal reception was held from 2 o'clock p.m. until 6 o'clock p.m.  Several of the most prominent women of Pelham Manor and New Rochelle received the guests.  Altogether the event was very swagger.  Only the smartest set of Pelham Manor and New Rochelle were present.

The Pelham Manor Golf Club was organized by Mrs. John Cunninham [sic] Hazen and Miss Edith Cunninham [sic] Hazen.  It is a strictly society club.  The membership is to be limited to one hundred, and persons are admitted to membership only by invitation.  In fact it is intended that the Golf Club shall consist of the 'One Hundred,' of Pelham Manor and New Rochelle.  It is going to be quite dangerous to ask any one if he is a member of the Golf Club unless it is certain that he has been taken into the field.  Otherwise the question will prove embarrassing as no one will be able to admit with good grace that he is not a member.

The Golfers will play every pleasant day until cold weather sets in."

Source:  Pelham's One Hundred to Play Golf, Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 8, 1895, Vol. XV, No. 1101, p. 3, col. 2.  

 
Horace Rawlins, Winner of the Inaugural U.S. Open in 1895
Source:  Golf Illustrated & Outdoor America, Vol. III, No. 4,
"Photographs" Section (Jul. 1915).


 
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For more examples of blog postings about golf in Pelham during the first years of the early 20th century, see:

Tue., Apr. 13, 2010:  The New Pelham Bay Golf Course Became Popular in 1903.  

Fri., Oct. 02, 2009:  Failed Efforts in 1900 to Build a Golf Course on Hunter's Island Rather than on the Mainland in Pelham Bay Park.  

Thu., Oct. 01, 2009:  Pelham Country Club Secures Land for New Golf Course in 1904.

Thu., Mar. 19, 2009:  More on the Early Efforts To Develop the First Nine Holes of the First Pelham Bay Golf Course.  

Tue., Jan. 15, 2008:  Golf at Pelham Manor in 1903.

Tue., Dec. 20, 2005:  An Early Description of Construction of the First Nine Holes of the Pelham Bay Golf Course.  

Mon., Sep. 26, 2005:  Brief History of The Pelham Country Club Published in 1954


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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Manager of Pelham Manor Golf Links Committed Suicide in 1899


A sad article appeared in the December 7, 1899 issue of the New York Times.  It recounted the suicide of Frederick B. Russell, manager of the Pelham Manor Links.  It seems certain the reference to "Pelham Manor Links" is a reference to "The Pelham Manor Golf Club" organized by Mrs. John Cunningham Hazen and Miss Edith Cunningham Hazen in 1895.  The origins of the nearby Pelham Bay Golf Course that sometimes was referred to as the "Pelham Manor Golf Club" in some reports date to 1900.  

It would seem that The Pelham Manor Golf Club never became thoroughly established.  Its records appear to have disappeared and there is little written about it after the summer and fall of 1895 during which "golf fever" supposedly struck Pelham Manor.  To read more, see Bell, Blake A., The Early Days of Golf in Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 36, Sep. 10, 2004, p. 12, col. 2. 

If the reference in the article transcribed below relates to The Pelham Manor Golf Club, it sheds some light on two issues:  (1) the Club appears to have operated for at least four years; and (2) the death of the manager, Frederick B. Russell, may have played some role in the end of the Club.

Below is the article, followed by a citation to its source: 

"GOLF CLUB MANAGER'S SUICIDE.

-----

Frederick B. Russell of the Pelham Manor Links Shoots Himself.

NEW ROCHELLE, N. Y., Dec. 6. -- Frederick B. Russell, manager of the Pelham Manor golf links and formerly a real estate broker, with an office at 19 Liberty Street, Manhattan, shot and killed himself to-day in Alderman Daniel D. Brady's hotel here.  He had been connected with the golf club about two months.  He had a room of a relative at 451 South Seventh Street, Mount Vernon.  Business troubles are supposed to have led to the suicide.

According to Henry Dreyfus, proprietor of the Dreyfus House, who made a statement to the police, Mr. Russell was worried over his inability to raise $65, which he desired to pay to the club.

Mr. Russell was about forty years old, and had been employed with Davis, Collamore & Co., glassware, up to about three years ago.  William C. Findlay, attorney for the Russell family, said that Mr. Russell had not been well of late, and he knew of no reason for the suicide unless ill-health had brought about despondency.  Mr. Russell came originally from Hudson, N. Y."

Source:  Golf Club Manager's Suicide, N.Y. Times, Dec. 7, 1899, p. 2, col. 3.

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Monday, March 09, 2009

Another Brief Account of Golf at Pelham Manor in 1895


I have written before about the long tradition of golf in Pelham Manor. See, e.g., The Early Days of Golf in Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 36, Sept. 10, 2004, p. 12, col. 2.

On January 14, 2008, I posted to the Historic Pelham Blog an item that appeared in the November 10, 1895 issue of The New York Times describing the opening of the Pelham Manor Golf Club season on November 9. See Monday, January 14, 2008: Golf at Pelham Manor. Below is a brief excerpt from an article published in the November 11 issue of The Sun on the same topic.

"THE PROGRESS OF GOLF.

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The links of the Pelham Manor Golf Club, on Prospect Hill adjoining Pelhamville Park, were formally opened on Wednesday and a reception was held in a tent near the first tee. The guests were received by Mrs. John C. Hazen, Mrs. Robert C. Black, Mrs. Jabish Holmes, and Mrs. Frank Hunter of Pelham Manor, and Mrs. Robert Lathers, Jr., Mrs. Henry Loomis Nelson, and Mrs. Henry D. Noyes of New Rochelle. . . . ."

Source: The Progress of Golf, The Sun, Nov. 11, 1895, p. 8, col. 4.

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Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Golf at Pelham Manor in 1903

Yesterday on the Historic Pelham Blog I wrote about "Golf in Pelham Manor in 1895". Today's posting addresses golf in Pelham Manor in 1903 and demonstrates how truly dangerous it could be.

It seems that in 1903, the Pelham Manor Golf Club had laid out a small course near the Pelham Bay Park boundary not far from Long Island Sound. The groundskeeper for the course heard shooting in an area known as "Golf Club Woods" and investigated only to find three men hunting rabbits and "song birds". When he confronted them, he was shot in the hand. The story below describes the incident and appeared in The New York Times on November 14, 1903.

"SHOT BY ANGRY HUNTER.

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Pelham Manor Golf Links Foreman May Lose His Wounded Hand.

NEW ROCHELLE, N. Y., Nov. 13. -- Frank Glasser, foreman on the grounds of the Pelham Manor Golf Club, was inspecting the golf links this afternoon, and when near the Hunter Island Inn heard shooting in Golf Club woods.

He found three Italians with a bag of rabbits and song birds and ordered them away, fearing some of the shot might carry onto the links and hit the players. The Italians refused, and Mr. Glasser attempted to arrest one when the fellow turned on him and fired.

Many of the shot in the gun passed completely through Mr. Glasser's hand. His family doctor says the Hand may have to be amputated. The Italians escaped."

Source: Shot by Angry Hunter, N.Y. Times, Nov. 14, 1903, p. 5.

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