New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-26
THE CLUB WILL NOT SELL OUT
ROBBINS ISLAND SPORTSMEN TO KEEP
THEIR GAME PRESERVES.
A Rr-MoR THAT THE DEATH OF DR. S. FLEET
sPEIR WOULD CAUSE THE ORGANIZATION
TO DISPOSE OF ITS PROPERTY DE-

sPEIR WOULD CAUSE THE ORGANIZATION
TO DISPOSE OF ITS PROPERTY DE-
MED BY WILLIAM II. FORCE.
repor, was circulate ed Yesterday in Brooklyn and
Eew-York club circles that the Robbins Island CUB
of which the late Dr. Samuel Fleet Speir was presl-
dent. would soon go out OF existence and that Its
thousand-acre island would pass into the possession
of William Rockefeller who IT is said' has been de-
srous of buying It for a long time in order to build
a handsome out-of-town house where he and his
friends could enjoy frsi-cass shooting. The report
bore the color of truth Ii Is understood that eVe
since the foundation of the club, eighteen years ago.
by Dr. Sper, Dean Hartman, of the Union lheoiosi-
cal Seminary and others, that few OF the members
held certificates of membership purely for specula
tive purposes During the last five years II IS SAID
this element the club has been Increased by men,
beers who have tired of shooting and who care more
for other diversions. Two years or SO ago an offer
of $4,000 was made to the club 10 sell out anu Win
the offer a request was made TO put price on the
property The offer startled the conservative ele-
ment in the club. men like Dean Hartman and Or.
Speir for instance who were enthusiastic sportsmen
and took great pride in the possession Oh an iueai
game preserve close to New-York
The offer was refused and the man who made II
said that the offer was good at any time and that
he would go still higher If the club would set price
The death of DR.. Spcr last week seems TO nave re-
yved the hope of the transporting element IN the
club and 1t is said the offer has been informally re-
ncwed with 50 per cent added representative Of
The Tribune succeeded in getting an authoritative
statement of the clubs attitude toward would-be
purchasers from William H. Force, the secretary
and treasurer, who has active management OF the
club.
..You may say positively" said Mr.. Force. that
Dr. Sper's death. while depored by the clun De-
cause OK his intimate relations to II as lis president
since its formation. will make no difference as touch
futt milo legitimate
ment the club predominates. and there is no ike-
hood of the cub selling out. The club is peculiar
in it's constitution. 1t founded eighteen years
ago by Dr. Sper the Rev. Dr. T. A.. Hartman, OF
New-York and others The membership IS limited
to twenty-five. Among its members are William
Rockefeller. Julien I. Davies and others whose
names | could furnish readily if in my office
In New-York. When member wishes to Wthdraw.
or If membership lapses because Of death the cub
has the option of purchasing the membership certlf-
cate If the club decides not to buy in the certificate
purchaser A few weeks ago a member advertised
his certificate for sale. As secretary and treasurer
barra ssment by writing the would-be seller that his
certificate would be worthless if sold. The adver-
tisement Withdrawn. II Is true tnat
have been offered about five to one for the org
inal twenty-fve shares of sCo each and doubtless IS
SELL which we don't The preserve Is growing more
1T would be a pity from the sportsman's point
Of view. continued Mr. Force growing e , ,ban
game preserve The island is suPerbly located III in
South Peconic Bay three hours from New-fork,
and the clubhouse is delightful one. This year we
fixed UP so that the wives of the members can so
there and stay as long they care to. About 800
acres are covered with bayberry bush, and the tim
bered part by scrub oak, spruce, pine. hemlock,
maple beech, birch and hickory. There Is natural
cover for the birds. This season we released LOU
quail bred the place together with 600 pheasants
we keep adding TO stock Of birds and keep on
shooting. A member is allowed 10 shoot twenty
Quails and a brace of pheasants a day. If he goes
beyond that he is find s. for every hen pheasant,
81 30 for every cock and fifty cents for every qual
one of our members got his blood up one day last
week, and his in birds cost him fine of so
a1S shn In nj
point to the mainland is one-half mile. This in
stires the staying the preserve of all the English
Dheasants or quail that breed or buy. The
prairie chickens, grouse and partridge fly away
when they wish to. A member is absolutely sure or
good shoting when he goes down there. There Is
no poaching. There too many true sport smen
in the club to make it probable that the club Will
sell out Those who in are too well SATISFIED
with the privilege they enjoy, and besides 1t isn't
a bad investment"