Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-11
By C. c. Pettus.

Speaking of the closing of Walbaum's
kuloh Casino at Rockaway well-known
trainer said at Saratoga recently: There
IS one Dutchman whose racing career rivals
that of Barney Schrieber. From the time
ne and three associates leased a little
half-mile tract in Hudson county, New
Jersey. about opposite West seth street,
New York, and turned 1t into one of the
most pretentious mile race courses IN the
east Fred Walbaum developed a Midas
Ike touch. For everything came his way
IN the success OF hls track, as we'll as his
horses Lamplighter, Little Fred Rupert
and others. until he was well christened
the Duke Of Gutenberg, and later master
OF Saratoga as Well
Along in December, lSSi four men met In
the office of Henry Schulz general railway
agent at HObOken, n. ]. They were Dennis
Mclaughlin, political boss OF Hudson
county, John 9. Carr. contractor for sup
plies to the Snake Hill poorhouse; Nicholas
Cruslns, Wholesale liquor dealer of New
York, and GOttfried Walbaum, Spectator
and general promoter from race track to
ii palace of chance.
Hardly the sort OF a quartet that on
general principles one would look to as
about to evolve gigantic racing enterprise
ttlat would earn millions. But they be-
luved that winter racing near New York
on a moderate scale would pay and through
Agent Schulz leased a half-mile trotting
track at Gutenberg, about four miles north
Of Hoboken. Three well-known New York
sporting writer's were engaged as Judges
and secretary, and William Kane, connected
with the Western Union Telegraph Com
Eany, as starter.
The new venture was opened the second
week IN January, 1885, and everything
was primitive in the extreme. The only
way TO get 10 the track was by trolley
from Hohoken or road from Weehawken.
But 5000 people were at the track on the
opening day. and thirty books in line.
Walbaum had charge of the betting
ring, CTus!ns Of the bar and restaurant,
Carr was general manager and Mclaughlin
the watch dog that stood off any local
interference with the betting
In spite OF a frozen track, with the tenn
perature at about twenty-five above zero,
the fsst days racing proved success.
Starter Kane, who IN the early sixties rode
races In South America and in 1864 and
1865 at Paterson, y. j., sent the horses
away IN clever fashion. And that first
winter meeting ran for about nhirty-fve
days. until March, netting the management
substantial profit above expenses.
From the hrst II was the aim OF the
Walbaum combination, or big Four" as
its members were called, 10 give the public
q square deal. and the horsemen soon
found out that the officials were in dead
earnest In this respect One day J. belong
started In a mile race Bonnie s.. one Of the
hest horses a. the hilltop track and CON
sistent enough 10 be very useful betting
PROPOSITION IN his own class.
For the race in question Bonnie ). was
Il legitimate oven money proposition and he
opened at that price in the betting ring.
But from tho time prices went up, his
price assembled In spite of the support OF a
large amount Of public money. Soon II
was q 5 to l or offer against the horse,
and as more money went on certain layers
continued TO increase the odds until the
horses came on the track for the parade TO
the post when 10 TO l Bonnie s. on oner in
the ring.
| have always contended, when acting
ofticially. or as a matter of opinion, that
the old-tirne method of changing jockey
on O horse about which suspicious betting
ruled was the best way 10 protect the
public from manipulators. real or so-cailed
That Is, by placing a capable boy up, one