New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-22
SALE OF MONMOUTH PARK.
THE RACING PROPERTY DISPOSED OF AT
AUCTION IN FOUR LOTS.
DISAGREEMENT AMONG THE WITHERs HEIRS RE-
GARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF THE Es-

GARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF THE Es-
rsTE-II1sroRY OF THE TRACK.
Nearly 2oo denzens of Monmouth County assem-
bled at the Courthouse at Freehold yesterday to
witness the sale at the Monmouth Park property
The racing men did not attend the sale. Only the
persons directly interested in the sale were present
A. G. Monson. L. O. Appleby. James ~ Galway
August Ciason. Robert Center ana Thomas NJ Croft
surrounded the auctoneer while the sale was IN
progress
The property was divided into four lots Henry
p White, the auctioneer called for bids on lot NO
l. which comprised both the old and new racetracks
all the buildings and racing appurtenances single
bid OF $4,000 secured lot No for A G. Mohsoh
and A. !. Cassltt who represented the bondholders
Lot No (the $4,000 hotel and grounds) was
knocked down FOR $4,000. Lot No 3. consisting OF
the yearling stables and training grounds, realized
$1,000. and lot No. 4. (;wo small dwelins) brought
$500
1t is not generally known that the heirs or H. ~
Withers have disagreed among themselves in re-
gard TO the management of the estate anu 'hd'
communicable with Judge n. {. Monsoh Is Co"-
Quoted through the medium of the lawyers retained
by some of the heirs. 1t Is likely that an eiol'
will be made to dispose Of the property at private
sale.
Monmouth Park is a landmark in the history OF
American racing and the grounds have been USED
for century for racing purposes.
A half-mile track known Hulicks course was
champions for many years previous 10 the pur-
chase of the grounds by John Chainberhn In 1863
Ii was Chambern's ambition TO make Long Brahch
80 leading waternC-place of America y racetrach
TO excel all others, especially the Saratoga TRACK
N., proposed and completed at cost OF nearly
$4,000 No expense spared to make MONMOUTH
Park tho leading racetrack of the country ana al
that time the racing and trotting men OF The coun
try said the end was reached as the clubhouse
stables and grandstand were on scale beyond the
expectations Of the racing public OF that period
On July go 1870. large crowd assembled TO WIZ
ness the beginning of racing in Monmouth county.
Amid the widest enthusiasm Helmood deiea'eu
Glenelg in a we-contested race At two ana one
half miles. \ gloom was cast over the spHitS VI
the crowd by accident TO lyncnburg IN inc
Continental Stakes, a race of mile meats. l-!"'"-
burg won the first heat. but was 30 badly cut
down I'm the second heat that he destroyed
after the race which was won by Enquirer. VINO
has since gained renown in the stud as the S''
OF many winners. AS both horses were s"eu o'
Leamington, the death OF LynchDurg was
serious blow to breeding interests OF TINS country
since Leamingtons sons are remarkably success
full sires.
First-class racing with multitudes in attendance
made Monmouth Park famous until Johh Chanlpe'-
lin invaded California with Wndidle ana was ue-
sooiled OF mis- wealth by the Californians' Inc
race that attracted the attention oil turtmeh an
over the world, and had much 10 do in 'poomlns
rac,np as a snort and caused thousands To desert
the ranks OF the trotting men. was the great con-
test between Longfellov and Harry Basset' "hon
the grandson OF bennington lowered the colors OF
Harry Baseett, who trained by CORONER NC
Daniel Harry Basse,t was the produce OF 'he
union OF Lexington and Canary Bird ana was
the ideal OF American racing men. 1t was IN TINS
race that John Harper refused 10 permit f'ooei'
Swim the leading Jockey of the country al 'id'
time TO ride Longfcllow, but persisted IN having
his own way and addressed the Kentuckians VINO
came on a special train 10 see the race as 10Y
lows: Hits mighty kyind OF YOU nal! 10 le'cn
Robbv Swim TO ride my colt l am much obleegeG
gentlemen but if my colt gets beat Win nooos !"
the saddle I never would be satisfied as boop! mas
rid for me before. No. gentlemen. VIII rae my
own niger and give on.y one instruction mat IS
70 ride Longfellow from eend to eend, anu "he"
the race Is over there will be no Bassett no Nc
Danie, as Longfelow will finish alone
The largest crowd that ever visited Monmouth
Park attended the race which resulted as harper
predicted Harry Bassett, who was ridden py James
Rowe beaten of.
In 1877 the property was seized by the SherI anu
sold at public sale- II was bought by d. u. With
ers and George L. I4orl.ard was made presdeht o.
the Monmouth Park Association. Ihuea ~ - rae
ing in New-Jersey began. Every meeting was a
pronounced success and Monmouth Fan ia the
the leading association OF the country l aneri
Coney Island Jockey Club was formed ana hIhe ar
cadence of racing began by the advent of dsreputa-
BILE persons racetrack owners me do| Gown d"
horde of grasping, INSCRIPTIONS SAMPLERS, VINO ~
a few short years destroyed ali That the leahlns
men on the turf had accomplished In lSU IN, NE
magnificent new course that was sold by the SherlH
yesterday opened TO the public ,,, -,
The grand stand erected by the Waills IRON
Works in 1890 The structure is 100 Feet IN iengtn
and 20 feet in width. Its seating capacity is l-VVD
A clubhouse and clubhouse stand with a seating
capacity OF nearly 1908. extensive saddhns pau
docks and a betting ring $50 by 10 feet together
with the stables kitchens and other buildings mace
Monmouth Park the best equipped racing properly
in the United States The racecOurses were superb;
Thev consisted OF oval course of one mile ana
five furlongs a straigftaway course OF SIX furi0hgs
and a straightaway course OF one mile ana thIey
furlongs All OF these courses were well graded
with wide stretches and every contest couic be
fairly . 90, -..,.x l.,
Nr Wthers was unable to hold a meeting IN
1881 as all racing rights reserved for Glouces-
ter and C;uttcnburg. and for the Democratic sc9un-
drels who managed them: D. D. Witner5 ga IN
1892 and Monmouth Park fell into the hah1s OF
gamblers and politicians Under the managenen,
meeting held in 1892 In 1879, 1889 p J: DWxy1rr
NJ r Dwyer. John A. Norris Richard Croker. y; +.
Wacot and others gave f9rty;sX days meeting InL.
adopted and leading turf writer's Were expelled
from the track. The meeting was disastrous IN
many ways The citizens Of New-Jersey , arose in in
State. The outlook for revival OF racing in New
Jersey so far distant that yesterdays sale means
that Monmouth Park IS likely TO remain closed for