The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1895-01-02
A SPORTING DUCHESS.
An Interesting Sketch Of 9 Pictur-
esQue English Wo4 can.
She Managed Her Own Horses In. Person,
Wore Masculine Apparel and Hsndlod
the English Language with
Fluent Rocllessness.

4
Caroline, dowager duchess Of Mont
rose, who died recently at the age 81
eighty, was fine example Of that ec.
centricity which oniya woman Of ranl,
can permit herself without being called
vulgar, says the New York World.
Her conduct was far removed from
what would DO considered proper In
polite American society.
The duchess managed one Of the
largest racing stables in England with
much success. Her language on the
race-course was marked by vigor and
q wealth Of profanity which were not
surpassed by many racing men.
Although horse-racing was her chief
interest, It did not occupy her undivid-
ed attention. She had engaged ex-
tensively In matrimony, having mar
ried three husbands. This record would
not, Of course, be remarkable, but the
duchess has had no divorces. Her first
two husbands died and the last Is now
a widower.
During the latter part Of her racing
career her horses ran under the name
OF Mr.. Manton. For three years they
were In the name Of her last husband,
young Henry Miner. but she quarreled
with him and Mr.. Manton's name reap
peared. Recently she had the horses
In the Newmarket races. "''
mir. Manton" has been a familiar
figure In the paddock at every great
English race meeting. Next TO that OF
the venerable Sir John Ashley, II was
probably the best known.
The duchess was tall and straight
and heavily built. In her youth she
had been rather good looking, woman
Of q high-bred English type. But when
her youthful charms passed away she
made unfortunate attempts to replace
them. Her harsh and heavily lined
face was painted and her hair was OF q
golden hue produced by chemical
agents.
On the race-course she wore tailor.
made clothes Of q very horsey cut, in
GLIDING check-gowns, covert coats,
white cravats with horseshoe pins and
felt hats. At the theaters and social
functions she did not scruple to appear
In very low-cut evening dress. This,
as Mr.. Bill Nye has noted, Is quite d
well established custom among the an
tique Engligh ladies.
The duchesswas originally Hon. Car
oline Agnes Beresford, daughter Of the
second Lord Decies, and q relative of
the gallant naval officer, Lord Charles
Beresford and Of Lord William Beres-
ford, whose engagement TO the Amer
lean duchess Of Marlborough Is report
ed. Tho second Lord Decies was born
Id liza, and his daughter Caroline made
her first appearance somewhere about
1914.
In 1880 she married James Graham,
fourth duke Of Montrose, who was
also marquis Of Montrose, marquis Of
Graham and Buchanan, earl Of Mont |
rose, earl of Kincardine, viscount Dun
daf, Lord Graham, Aberuthven, Mug
dock and Fintrie, In Scotland, Earl |
and Baron Graham, In England, etc.
The duke was the head Of one Of the |
most historic families In the United |
his ancestor having been |
the great marquis Of Montrose,
who maintained Charles LIS canse so |
successfully, In Scotland, that. but for
The surprise at phillipsbaugh, the COM
might never have been es-
abolished.
The duchess third and eldest surviv-
Ing son Il now duke. He is forty-four
years Of age.
The late duke was q horse owner and /
! sportsman, and his wife associated
herself enthusiastically In his pursuits.
When he died she consoled herself BY
In 1900, Mr.. W. S. Stirling |
crawfurd, who was even more Of
tacing man than the duke. lie won
Tho Derby with Seton, In 1878. For
seventeen years they led happy and
lctiye sporting careeh.
Then Ny. Crawford died and his sts-
bio passed entirely under his Widows
Mr.. Manton now came
INTO existence and became famous
shc was In the habit Of bidding for
In public, and Of superintend-
ng the stables personally. abusing the
men In the strongest sort Of language
when they did not do their work prop
srly. She had also more than one pub
10 dispute with racing men, In which
aer cxplctivc force was exhibited,
lmong others. with Robert shcrrard,
he wcll.known trainer and owner on
heath.
Tho duchess furnished material for o
,otnic opera entitled "The Merry
which was produced here
'omc ten years ago.
In 1883, the iarncntsd Mr.. Crawfurd
having been dead for Eve years, she
married. her third husband. Marcus
henry Miner, o man now thirty years
II age The duchess. II viii be per-
,ciyed, was old enough to be his grand.
mother.