The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-01

"reminiscences of Washington Park.
To THE EDITOR or the NFws
SIR-The writer's "reminiscences OF
Washington Park and its surroundings,
covers period OF upward of 80 years.
Washington Park so years ago was the
home OF the late Colonel John w. Bah
cock, situated in the midst of prosper
Gus farming locality, being one of
four large farms, the products OF
which contributed largely to tho support
otthe Inhabitants OF its adjacent city.
For at that date 1t received its earliest
fruits and veyeta bles fresh from its sur
burban farms, instead of as now being
surfeited by Southern supplies, before the
Rhode Island farmer plants his first seed.
The first OF these farms adjoining the
Babcock property ana TO the north OF it
consisted OF large tract of land owned
and cultivated by Miss Ellen Field, and
which extended from the Providence
River and across the Pawtuxet turnpike
and the old Pawtuxet road (now Broad
street, to the farm OF Betsey Williams,
the generous donator of tho Roger Will
liams Park.
The third farm adjoining the Babcock
estate on the south and of which tho
smith Palace property was part, was
owned by Benonina Hawkins, and the
fourth farm, tho next south, was in the
possession III Pardon Sheldcn; he three
latter trac.s ~ land extended from the
Providence Rive, or, more properly |
speaking, Nsrrass nsett Bay, to the Paw |
tuxet road.
a large portion OF the Babcock farm, |
or what Is now Washington Park, was in |
lS41 converted into what was then termed |
race course. Horse racing at that early
date did not receive the sanction OF our
best citizens, yet tho votaries OF this sport,
under the guidance OF FATTY Wood ;" with
such local celebrities as Gray Trouble,
One Eye, and others, managed to turn the
pubic sentiment so mnch in their favor,
that horse which could trot in three
minutes was considered worthy OF going
10 see; and later on, when speed OF 2 40
was assured, IL was even safe for busi-
ness man of independent proclivities to
to occasionally look on
Early in the fifties, the Washington
Irotting Park was inaugurated, our State
Fairs endorsed what they termed "trials
OF speed, the ladies smiled upon the en-
terprise and graced these festive occasions
with their presence. This delightful and
sensible sport now Justly receives the
sanction and patronage OF our most COR
rect and cultivated citizens.
In its day, no track in the country drew
% IL more select and noted trotting celeb
titles than the Washington Trotting Park.
u was here that the first queen OF the
urf, that exquisite model OF the perfect
ace horse, Lady Suffolk, defeated the
heretofore invincibe brown gelding, Mac.
Iater on the pure gated stallion 4
Ethan Allen, with marvellous fight of
peed, frictionless, and the very perfec-
ion OF motion, sped over our track.
he queen OF the turf, Goldsmith Maid.
Tho won larger number of races than z
ny other trotter on earth before or since.
ried conclusions against George Palmer a
nd American Girl, Palmer winning the
ice.
The renow ned stallion George Wilkes
nd the'grand old PAGER, Pocohontas, with
record of 2:17 to wagon, which no horse
rs been able to equal, carrying the same
eight, and host OF other equine celeb
tes of national famed, raced over our
Dol and breezy course.
III was on the Washington track that
le wizard Of the Turf" Mace, made his
sbut, plotting to victory the handsome
lestnut mare, Lady Litchfield, driven to
'rness, with the writer guiding his geld
& yankee" as his antagonist, to road
agon.
The shores OF Washington Park have
en the scene of many picnic and genu-
Q Rhode Island bake. Every inch of
e ground is hallowed by associations of
dep time pleasures, the remembrance of
hich makes the heart leap with emotions
joy.
Warrington Park was the rendezvous
pleasure and sport, because tnero was
other available spot of highlands,
retching cut into Nsrragansett Bay,
nich Was the recipient of such de-
'htfully cool aud refreshing breeze as
Is charming spot.
That astute real estate operator, Isaac
SoH, was quick 10 perceive the adyan-
.es which the eoldBabcock farm possessed
suburban homes, and secured he prop
y. Under his progressive supervision
ward of one thousand lots have been
IN the market. Thirteen broad ave.
es traverse the estate from its intersec-
n with Broad street TO the waters of
rraganse,t Bay, and a thriving com
nifty has grown up on the site OF the
nous old trottiBg park
COLONEL HENRY 4. SIssioN, p63.p
THE PORTRAIT Sunw