The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-07
A GREAT THURMAN.
sketch of the Late James G.. X. Law
.ranca Qriuinator of the EuturitX.

sketch of the Late James G. h. Law.
.rence. Originator of the Futurity.
James g. King Lawrence. who died at
Flushing L. l., recently, was the greatest
Handicapped and manager OF future turf
events this country has ever known. He
leaves a large estate He was the son of
ex-Gov Lawrence. of Rhode Island, and
his family is one of the best in New Eng
land. He was tall. and before his Illness
was of a very athletic build. looking as If
he could easily get down TO weight TO
sport silk, as he did in his younger days.
He had keen blue eyes. a sunburnt face
and dropping blonde mustache. He was
the type of the Well-bred man. never DEM
onstrative, ever courteous. 1t is a compli-
ment TO that nation to say he was often
mistaken for an Englishman.
Beside being president Of the Coney Island
Jockey Club he was a governor OF the
Union Club and member OF the Metro
politan, Tuxedo and Knickerbocker clubs.
Ever since the organization of the Coney
Island Jockey Club Mr.. Lawrence was in
timately associated with il, first as secre-
tary, afterward as president. That asso-
citation was brought ABOUT by his friend
ship with Leonard Jerome. who was
deeply interested in the club. Mr.. Jerome
consulted Mr. Lawrence about the condi-
tons of stake races and quickly discov-
Jerome leaned more and more upon him.
Mr.. Lawrenoe's high standing and his
charming personality did most to attract
to the Sheepshead bay course the people
who made 1t fashionable.
The Futurity was Mr. Lawrence's origi-
nal idea. Horses are entered for 1t before
they are born Payments are required
at different ages of the horses up to the
very day of the start. In consequence the
- 81 Il H. Iva
this country. In 1890, when II was won by
Potomac. owned by August Belmont. the
elder, the F'uturity was worth s67.s75. In
1891. when Gideon & Days His Highness
won It, the stake was worth SCI, So.
The rich Realization stake was also an
idea OF Mr.. Lawrence. 1t is In reality
continuation of the Futuriey and offers a
horse a chance In his third year to con-
firm his 2-year-old promise. Every breeder
prays that "A horse he has bred may win
both FAiturity and Realization.
So too. the Suburban handicap. the most
successful OF the great handicaps, origi-
mated with Mr.. Lawrence. and tlrfmen
felt his absence this year when a field OF
only seven started, the smallest in the his
tory OF the classic event.
His conditions for races were original
and novel in many ways, and the fact
that they were initiated by racing associa-
tons throughout the country Is the best
proof of their popularity. Racing as a
sport owes much TO Mr.. Lawrence's pro-
gressive ideas and his death will be sin
cerefy mourned by every admirer OF the
sport in America, even by those who had
not the pleasure-and n great pleasure IL
was-of personal acquaintance.
Mr.. Lawrence practically organized the
horse show and made IL the great social
success that fl is. He advised the condi-
tions for the prizes ar the show and at
traeted to IL the best horses and horsemen
in the country.
His interest In racing grew from dab
bling in IL in amateur fashion. He was a
very good gentleman rider, both on the
fat and over the sticks.