Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-28
RACES AT H0MEWO0D.
Pittsburg Sporting Men in Gotham
Pleased at the Prospect of
REOPENING OF THE DRIVING PARK.
Coaching Steadily Growing in Favor Among
the New Workers.
METROPOLITAN NEWS AND GOSSIP

PATCH of recent date, meets with much
appreciation among the sporting fraternity
here familiar with the EtuatIon. 1 min
gled with a number of the talent who make
the Sturtevant House their headquarters,
and with one and all the matter found favor.
"Pittsburg Phil" said that there was no
better sporting town in the United States
than Pittsburg, and with proper manage
ment he saw no reason why the project
should not be an unqualified success. First
of all, he said, the pool privileges is an
essential which cannot be overlooked, while
the majority of people who frequent a race
track find little liquid refreshment very
necessary article on hot, dusty days. These
two elements go toward infusing life into the
meetings and keeps the money moving.
AS to running races, Phil did not think
Pittsburg would support them, for the
reason that the people have to be educated
up to them On the other hand one of the
"bookies'' in the party, who was a former
Diamond street speculator, said that he
thought even the runners would stand very
fair chance to be patronized by Pittsburg-
ers.
REASONS FOR THE FAILURE.
There is no place outside of New York or
Chicago where YOU can pick out a harder set
of pool room players than right in the Gas
City, He gave me the reason why four or five
wears ago the first meeting was failure at
Homewood. 1t was this way: Captain
Sam Brown was at the head of 1t
and upon his suggestion Bob Cathcart was
given the pool privileges. while Mr.. Bride,
of Bride & Armstrong, was also eager to
secure them. When Bride saw that his
efforts we're futile, he went to the owners OF
the stables in Chicago, where the Washing
ton Park races were about ended, and per-
suaded many owners to ship their horses to
Latonia, the st. Louis track. This split
up the good horses, and it is said that Bride,
together with Dick Roche, bore the expenses
of shipping the horses from Cincinnati
down to tine Mound City.
Captain Brown was determined to carry
out his plans, the consequence of which was
that conflicting dates ensued, and
the Pittsburg meeting was a dead
failure. Another objection to the Home
wood course is that it is too far out of the
city, and it is thought here that a good
track, even three-quarters OF a mile down
about McKee's Rocks, would be much bet |
ter patronIzed as running course. How |
ever the boys all think that the trotting |
meeting should go if the Puritanical au-
thorities would desist from interfering with |
the bar and pool box.
TURPENTINE AS MEDICINE.
was in a drug store up town last evening |
when a dilapidated, cadaverous looking |
darkv entered. He shuffied his feet along |
in a sort of a springY manner just as you see
the impersonators of the black man on the
stage. Say, boss, as he addressed the
clerk behind the case, "hev 70 got emmy
geum terpentine?"
The clerk answered in the affirmative.
E''W'ot am de leastest pohtion kin 1 glt?"
Five cents worth, neighbor," said the
dispenser.
'E'es dat de leastest?''
''Yes."
"WelI, lees hev chinck."
''The clerk weighed out the yellow
gummy substance, and was about to wrap
it up for the dusky hued African, but he
grasped it in his hand and hurriedly placed
a part of it in his capacious mouth. As he
started out OF the door l asked him what
the gum was q specific for.
"Oh, mos everything. Y see Use bin a
wohkin down on de dock, an me back Civ
out wid de lumbagy, so Use iist gita chink
OBJ de gum, an she sune knock 'er high as a
balloon"
He was evidently sufferer from Bright's
disease and didn't know it.
ONE OF THE QUARTET GONE.
The readers OF my last communication
will remember "0ld Moonface'' of the four
old cronies In it L said he would soon Join
the silent majority. Strange to say he died
of hemorrhage the next day after the date of
my letter. The three remaining ones still
linger about the place, but for several days
there has been a sadness come over the trio,
and ''Old Sunshine has not essayed a Jest
1r,lz~ ol g.. L.
of Old Sport or the Doctor.
Quite the proper thing now since the
bright, braeipg days of spring have come. is
to take lly-ho iaunt to West Chester, IL
or 20 miles up Harlem road. There was a !
time when it was only the extremely wealthy
citizen who could sport his coach and four
finland, but now the visitor to
the city from out of town
can enjoy such things for
very small fare. Every day at 10 o'clock
there are several coaches with sparkling
teams of horses, skillful drivers and windy
buglerS leave the Brunswick and whirl up
the boulevard. There is generally a merry
party on top of the tally ho, consisting of
jair ladies and gallant men who have
nothing else to do but to while time away
in such manner. As rule the interior OF
the coach is filled with a sumptuous cola
tion of cold chicken, turkey, potted meats,
OoSetueT WIFI d pIeulliul supply OF ram |
merry or Mumm. At West Chester, after the
drive is made, a very elegant clubhouse
owned by the tally-ho company, is there to
welcome the party, and anything you want
In the way of comfort you NAV call for and |
be assured you won't be disappointed. The
fad is
BECOMING VERY POPULAR
and is being patronized by many swell peo-
pie, both in and out of town. For people in |
delicate health this drive cannot be too high
1y commended. 1t brings the rose to your
cheek and the sparkle to your eve. l often
wonder that Pittsburg East Enders or some
others do not organize tally-ho parties to |
take occasional outings, say to Keating's, or
perhaps a trip over the Brownsville road
would be pleasant. 1t is going to be more
popular than ever here this spring and sum-
mer.
This week and next ends the season of
many of the theatrical companies. Then
you will see more shaven-faced historians on
Broadway and down on the Rialto than at
any time during the year. The season in
many respects has not been a signal success.
Some companies, of course, hourished, but :
/ have noticed more good people who have
held the country in pathetic charm, or have !
brought out the risible qualities OF theater-
goers all over, by their talents, walking idly :
about town with ''open dates" to sell. Such Z
is fame.
FAMILIAR FACES.
The usual quota of Pittsburg folk have
made New York a visit very recently, many
of whom 1 see most every day on Fifth ave-
nue. and Broadway. Among the more
prominent ones 1 have noticed are: James
Allison and wife, John G. Stephenson and
wife, Miss Arbuthnot, S. S. Marvin and
wife, Q. II. Myers, Beaver Falls; Charles
c. Robington, New Brighton; Mrs. and