The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-04
NEW YORK SUMNER CLUBS.
Where Many of the Wealthy and Aristo-
cratic Men Spend the Heated Term.
Art aud Nature in the Drama--Some Great
Banks and Bankers of the Metropolis
Gossip About Society People.
Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal.

Summer Clubs of New York.
New York. July 1.-The country or summer
club is a peculiarly American Institution
While the famous Schuylkill Dining Club
was founded some years before, the oldest
summer club is the Olympic Club
Originally the Olympic '.camped' out on tho
sands of the Highlands, but for years it has
owned commodious clubhouse and grounds on
the South bay short distance from Bayshore,
on the Long Island railroad. The Olympic is a
fully-equipped club, with limited membership
of one hundred, providing food and lodging the
three summer months that it is open for So
washing, liquors and cigars being specially paid
for, with the privilege of guest, at 81 per day
The author-traveier, Col. Thomas w.
Knox makes this club his summer head
quarters Only few of the members,
however, remain more than a week at q time
Most Of them come down to spend Sunday. The
day is generally passed on the bay. fishing or
sailing in the boats of the club. There is not
much else to do after bathing, except to sail or
fish, or play cards SWITCHBOARD in the Casino.
Originally convival set, of which the late Tom
Placide was the leader. ruled the Olympic. but
now the frequenting element is largely POLITICAL
and T. B. Asten and D. d. Conover are bright
lights. Across the bay on the sandy strip is
another summer club, the Waywayanda, which,
however, is little more than fishing resort,
with comparatively limited accommodations
though this season for the first time furnishing
meals on the premises, in consequence OF the
burning last winter of Jesse Conklins famous
resort near by.
The full-biown country club originated in the
founding of the famous Americas c. ,. at Green
wich, Conn, in the palmy days ofthe Tweed
regime. Royalty never had more palatial accom-
mediation than the members of the political-so-
cial organization found here; for there was every
thing that money could procure. and life there
was one round Of dissipation that terminated
alas! too often in the ruin of those participating
Tweed looking extremely well 10 the uniform of
the club-white trousers and vest blue front
coat and naval cap. all with gold buttons, bear
ing the badge of the organigation-the famous
tiger in scroll with the name. received his
henchmen here in royal state and with royal
meip, his mandates being as implicitly obeyed
as any Kings Of the old world. The downfall OF
the ring dynasty effectually put out the lights OF
the club, and the mansion was found TO be sufi-
GENTLY commo6ious to become a popular hotel
1t is not likely that there will ever be such an
other as the Americas Club with all our ma
tional tendency to royal extravaganza.
Chamberlain's clubhouse at Long Branch
which fourished coevally with the Americas,
was feeble imitation, and open for the public
Both passed away about the same time and for
the same reasons--the downfall of the ring
which. in its day. scattered money over its favor
ties like water. Morrissey had previously start
ed MS CLUBHOUSE at Saratoga. OUT Oh q more
substantial busness-lke basis, and this style of
club house, in which the restaurant is combined
with the gambling house, is now to be found at
all the watering places; but being accessible to
the public, these are hardly to be claSsed with
the regular club house
PERHAPS the most elegant of the summer clubs
is the new Tuxedo Club; occupying the Loril
lard mansion over in Jersey on the Erie rail-
road. This is intended to be the resort of the
WEALTH members of the Union and nnicker-
booker Clabs. Rural life is to be enjoyed with
the luxurious surroundings of the metropolis
Mr.. Lorillard has disposed of his mansion to &
i wealthy corporation that will probably be able
to maintain Itself s-cA aafnl'v aftA" s an ans
picious beginning, and not fail like the set who
purchased Mr.. Cryder's mansion at Sand Point,
Long Island, and started the Land and Water
Club which passed away after season, like the
flowers that bloom in the spring. The Country
Club at New Rochelle on the line of the coach,
bids fair to become an institution, as portions
are open to the public. whose money compensates
for its presence
Beach Hotel, and have rooms on the second
floor, overlooking the ocean. One is a resort for
the members of the Manhattan, certain mem
bers therein subscribing for the privilege. The
Coney Island Jockey Club is another, and this
membership consists largely of those of the
Union, the Knlckerbocker and the New York
Yacht clubs. The third is the Sea Beach.
summer organization, consisting chiefly of the
members of the Petroleum Exchange.
The Neptune Club has headquarters on Staten
Island, and consists chiefly of old members of
the famous Hose Company. There are many
such small organizations in this city that have
suburban headquarters in the summer, which
are popular Sunday resorts of the members.
JOHN D'ARDIE.