The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-09
Sea Breeze Island Open Memorial Day New York Banker and Con- tractor Buy Out Tilyou's
 SteeplechaSe Interests
Former Comptroller of Currency Ridgley and William L.
 Gallagher New Owners

William Barrett Ridgley, former comptroller of currency under Presi- dent Roosevelt, and William l.. Gal lagher, a New York contractor and amusement promoter have bought out George C.. Tilyou's interests in Steeplecbase Island. including his purchase options
 Under the personal direction of MT Gallagher. the Island will be reopen ed under the new name of Sea Breeze Island, on May 30. as, a modern amusement park. Upon broad new lines, with many new features and radical changes, MT. Gallagher. will conduct the place as resort that he expects will. attract much attention throughout New England.
 The purchasers of MT. Tilyou's in. terests were first attracted by the real estate possibilities of the Island. MT, Rfdgley has had no experience in the amusement field, and for that reason he has turned over this feature of their undertaking to MT. Gallagher. Mr. Gallagher will be on the ground the latter part of this week, person. ally supervising the >work of getting tbe- Island into readiness, the con- struction of new buildings, and re pairs of present : structures to- make the Island a thoroughly modern, high class amusement place.
 !, MT. Gallagher has already laid many plans. These include the re- storation of boat service from the city to the. Island, with quarter-hourly service; the. running of the trolley lines into the heart of the island, contingent upon satisfactory arrange ments with the Connecticut Co.,; the installation of a high class vaudeville performance with attractions booked from one of the largest of Eastern vaudeville circuits; the reconstruction Of the stadium for the purpose of, holding frequent athletic carnivafs with purses of sufficient size to at tract world famous athletes; presen- tation of the leading park and fair attractions as the outdoor. features; equipment of the huge bathing pool for spectacular aquatic performances; and a general overnauling-: of the present amusement. attractions and
 The Island will be opened with a four days Carnival beginning with Memorial. Day, May 30. Meanwhile an army of workmen will be swarm ing over the island carrying into exc cution the plans of the new manage ment. Mir. Gallagher will return to the Stratfield the later part of the week and prepare to lay out the con- sessions. for the year. He says he will favor Bridgeporters in this matter as much as possible.
 Mir. Gallagher's experience as an amusement promoter covers many years. He was actively. identified with the managefnent of the Worlds Fair in Chicago, built the first switch back, or roller coaster, railroad, ever used for amusement purposes; design ed and built the midsummer ice coaster used successfully in inland amuserhent resorts; and thrice rebuilt large sections of Coney Island when they were destroyed by fire.
 His amusement enterprises have been principally in connection with his work as general contractor. He held large contracts in the subway construction in New York city. MT. Gallagher is reputed Sto be possessed of large means, and his associate, MT. Ridgley is also man of much wealth, insuring the stability of their under taking. .-@
 MT. Tilyou has relinQuished all his Bridgeport interests. Captain Boyton will leave the city within week or two. The captain will make his home on his houseboat at Coney Island, where he will look after his own tn- terests in Luna Park.
 Mr. Gallagher is confident that the Island will prove a signal success. He sions and other features to stimulate interest throughout the state in it's progress "I'm willing to stake my Judgment against the Judgment of MT. Mlyou, snowman that he is," said he, discussing his prospects. "But re- member" he. added, ..that Captain Boyton was largely instrumental in persuading me to this undertaking. He insists that the Island can be made a paying venture, with the right sort of attractions and ready means of access. Captain Boyton and MT. Til you won't agree on the amusement possibilities of this place. But Cap tain Boyton and I are agreed that it will prove a great big thing if 1t Is conducted on big, broad up-to-date lines"