Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-09
ENGLISH SPORTS"
TWO FAMED LEADERS OF THE
TURF PASS AWAY.
Rise and Fall of "CrOcky's" Waiter
Jenny Barber's Seventy Years.
Frona "a NJ Yort TeleQram.

From The Neao York Telegram.
LONDON, May 1.-Two of the most re-
markable men who have figured during
the present century in sporting circles
have been removed by death within a few
days. Their names are James Barber, of
Sheffield, and Dorsay Clarke. The latter
(WhC, by the way, was no relative of the
VauXhall Clarke, the noted highwayman
of Newmarket Heath who was hanged at
Snaresbrook ON account of one of his
daring exploits began lite as a waiter at
CrockfOrd's celebrated club. In its day
"Crocky's," as it was Familiarity called,
was fashionable gambling saloon, much
patronized by the swells of the period,
who appear to have enjoyed the good sup
pers,, If not the, high play. much
as the jelneSSe dOree of New York
used to relish John Morrissey's
magnificent spreads at his once famous
headquarters. OF Crockford, Theodore
Hook is believed to have remarked, in al
fusion to his fine suppere: she teedeth
the hungry with good things, and the
rich he hath sent empty away" DOrsay
naturally grew shrewd and adventurous
in consequence of his close intercourse
with the high-betting swells frequenting
his masters establishment. He acquired
keen insight into the characters and
ways of the aristOcratic victims of the
gaming table, and he was not slow to take
advantage of his opportunities. First he
became sort of confidential go-between
for impecuniOus swells who desired to
raise money from the Insurers. 1t was in
this capacity that he attracted the atten-
ton of Mr.. Theobald, of Stockwell, whose
office in Bond street was but too well
known to the best and worst members of
Whites and the Turf Club.
UsURIOUs LIEUTENANT.
Theobald's was the refuge of all the
genteel distressed, and Dorsay Clarke
proved himself to be just the kind of
lieutenant he required for his peculiar
transactions. Together, Dorsay and
TheObald acquired large fortunes, and the
latter placed the utmost reliance upon
the skill and knowledge of the former,
who possessed the peculiar faculty of
smelling out" the right kind OF aristo-
Gratis to accommodate. He rarely made
a mistake; but on one occasion he was I'M
lucky enough to accept some forged bills,
which he had to pay himself by mortgage
ing to his principal all his thorough
bred stock, which included the Baron.
the winner of the st. Leger in 1915, the
PocahOntas, by Glencoe, said to be the
best brood mare upon the pages Of the
"Stud Book" | am not learned in sport
ing matters and do not venture this Opin-
ion on my own responsibility. But it is
certain that DOrsay was not daunted by
his great reverse of fortune, having sub
sequently owned at least two of the fast
est horses of the century. One of them,
Mr.. Sykes, won the Cesarewitch in 1865.
DOrsay was a gOOd-humored but eXcit-
able sportsman, who sometimes wagered
his 100000 to $1,000, and who was
always remarkable for the great blue en-
brella he carried.
JAMES BARBER, OF SHEFFIELD.
The other remarkable sporting man. to
whom | have referred, was the son of
cutlery manager of Sheffield, and eX-
hibited very early in life a penchant for
all sorts Of Sports, being tirst-class bill
hard and card player, as we'll as an eX-
pert hand at the more intellectual game
of chess. In truth, Jenny" Barber was
a man of rather higher and broader quail
ties than the mere sportsman usually
possesses. He was fitted to shine equally
in the bOudoir and on the turf, and was
able TO hold his own with Dukes and
Earls as Well as with the sharpers and
jockeys of the race course. A good
singer, with a rich baritone voice, he was
always ready with lis song; and being
capital r1cOntedr, his anecdotes and jokes
were never unacceptable. He was a fine
looking young fellow in his early days.
and developed into a GLORIOUS old man"
of the genial, rOlilcky, g0Od-humOred type
that delights in viewing the brighter side
Of life, no matter what might be cup"
THREE-sCORE YEARS AND TEN.
An admirer of the old gentleman gives
this piquant little sketch in one of the
evening papers to-day:
"Poor Jenny Barber, who has gone to
his rest, after attaining the years of our
3 81. l.
the turf of his day, and a more remarka-
BILE man l never met. To the last he OBJ
served the same simplicity in dress which
characterized him in his palmy days, and
the high collar, black 'chOker' tie and
swallOw-tail coat which formed his 'Only
WEAR coupled with the stout oak sapling
h. invariably carried in his hand, Pre-
claimed him to be character And be
was, indeed! From 'bOssing the show at
the race game, he eventually sunk into
penurT. And the man who once stood to
win 100000 over a Chester Cup, died a
pauper. There is, doubtless, much to
mOralize over in poor Jemmy's' career.
but prefer not to do 50. He was good
old soul, in bis way, and England never
produced a better Judge of race horse,
or of placing them. In later years how
ever. he devoted his attention principally
to bagatelle, cribba9e and dnminoes, at
NMAtu iahNfl HHiAit ne " as IUCttf lif thCFiSs
Something more about a sporting char
arter of such renown may prove interest
ing, not only TO men who love the race,
but TO readers generally. He was a dar-
ing better, and up to certain period one
Of the most successful Of bis class. Hav-
ing achieved the ''highest hOnors," if such
an expression NAV be used in such con-
nectiOn, in Sheffield, Manchester and
other parts Of England, he started 10 try
his fortune on the continent. While
crossing on the boat to Dover he won so
much money that he purchased a race
horse which was being conveyed to
France on the same boat. This was
Chandelier, which won the race for
which he was entered, as we'll as
thousands Of francs for his new
owner. This was Barber's start in life
as the owner Of race horses; and i'm con-
junction with Joe Saxon he soon became
one Of the most successful turfmen Of the
day. He became the proprietor of Fan,
Hen Webster, Gawker, Disturbance,
Brown Duchess, Clown, Commotion,
Helen Caurire, Black Doctor and Pretty,
besides a number Of horses Of less fame.
Disturbance was one Of the best steeple-
chascrs Of his time, and was sold by Bar
Der 10 Capt. Machell in rather a curious
manner.