The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-04-19
OLD HORSEMEN AND SPORTS
FORMERLY WELL KNOWN IN
 NEW HAVEN

And VIcinity-PeeuIiar Men of Good
 Reputaflons-c Borrow Money | Without Giving securiIy-Au Dead and Nome Like Them in the City
 Patrons and ProprIetors of "Phe Woodcock"
 1 An excellent turf journal, The Amer | ican Horse Breeder, recently contained the following article from this city; A recent number of the Horse Breed CT contained the statement by valued
 patron and friend of this paper, which was: T think if you writers would give us more accounts of old-time tracks and races it would be appreciat- ed. From other sources the writer has heard several requests for the old time
 stories, consequently the following ac-
 counts of sports, horse fanciers and
 others that were more or less prominent
 in this city many decades ago is fur
 nished to the many readers of this eX-
 tensively circulated paper.
 Some of the school days of the writer
 were passed in this city, and it was
 during those days that many sports,
 professional gamblers and some track
 drivers were pointed out to me. With
 out doubt they have all passed to etern-
 ity, and regarding the gamblers, there
 are none at present in the city like
 them. As l remember them, and in the
 the opinion of others, these men had
 excellent regulations and were regard
 ed as square men" If there is any
 thing odious in the term gambler, it
 does not correctly describe the men in
 question, who had reputaions similar to
 the average reliable business men of
 this city
 An incident that will appear later will
 illustrate the liberality and kindness of these men. In those days the favorite resort of the sports was at central location on Court street, and was called
 "The Woodcock" It was famous es- tablishment in its day, and was noted for the excellence of the game suppers that were provided there, and was also noted as a gamblers resort. e
 It appears that some men who could not afford to lose were in a friendly way advised not to play at the games of chance that were in progress there. The statement has been made that when man in the garb of workman, with a dinnerpail on his arm. would enter the place on a Saturday night he would be taken aside by one of the proprietors, who would have private conversation With the man, and he would then de- part with all of his weeks wages.
 Before I refer to the sports as owners of trotting horses and as track drivers, l want to relate a story that is accur- ately descriptive of them. At the time that "The Woodcock" was well known and extensively patronized Dr. Hall | had his office on Church street, very | near the famous resort. The two places ] were both short distance from the i corner of Church and Court streets. l | have no doubt of the truth of the fol- | lowing story as I had it from the doc | tors son, who heard the conversation | as quoted.
 One day lady called at the doctors | office, and gave him an account of the 1 that had afflicted herself ! and husband. She stated that her hus- band had been very sick, and unable to earn anything for a long time-so long hat the family funds had been com oletely exhausted in paying for neces- sary expenses. She informed the doctor hat sine had that day been among ac- luaintances soliciting assistance, as she 'equired money to pay for medicine and for the sick man. She 1 'ould not go out to work, as she was obliged to care for her husband.
 What church does he belong to?" said Dr. Hall. When the visitor an- wered the question the doctor said: Why don't you go to the people of hat church? They are well situated, md some of them are wealthy. They an easily help you"
 I'm sick and tired of them" said the ady. q have called on nine families of hose people, and didn't get a cent Iidn't get a contribution of anything ome of them had sympathy for us, but hey didn't give me any assistance"
 The doctor handed her dollar, say ng: Here's something for you; now II tell you what to do: You go round the corner to the Woodcock ho- el, go in there and state your case, ou'll probably find some gentlemen here. With thanks the woman depart q, but soon returned with a happy which plainly sindicated he favorable reception she had receiv- q. Said the wmoan: ''I found only ew men in the place you directed me Q: but they all contributed something;
 have S14 that they gave me" With lyful feelings, many thanks and ex ressions of gratitude, the visitor left he doctors office with substantial aid ( Dr herself and husband.
 The men at the gamblers resort had l lanifested excellent traits of character $ y givng the woman more help than she [ ad received elsewhere When such f are considered they ac- / punt for the favorable reputation of ' le sports and horsemen. i According to the best information to I 9 obtained the Woodcock was never c lided by the police Among the pa- f 'ons of the house were some of the C est people in New Haven and many hers who traveled between New York s ld Boston.
 David c. Hill was proprietor of the p 1Oodcock when the place was flourish s. His right name was David