Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-03
TURF MANS BODY
DUE HERE today
Samuel Ross Victim of Heart
Attack While Bathing in
Atlantic City.

Accompanied by members of his fam
lily, the body of Samuel Ross, nationally
known Washington turfman and chair
man of the board of directors of
Barber & Ross, Inc, who died OF
heart attack early yesterday in Atlantic
City, will be brought back here late
this afternoon. Mr. Ross rs years old,
was stricken while in swimming, the
heart stroke having been induced by
his exertions in breasting strong cur
rent that was taking him far of shore.
At the hardware merchants resi-
dence, 1924 Massachusetts, avenue. 1t
was said that his daughter. Mrs. Re-
becca Lipscomb, with whom Mr.. Ross
was spending the week end, would
leave with the body at o'clock. Ar
rangements for the funeral, which
probably will be held tomorrow or
Tuesday, will be announced later.
Mr.. Ross had been In business here
for so years, and for IS years or more
the polka dot colors of the Ross stables
were famous at most of the great race
tracks of the country. He was the
owner Of a number Of famous racing
horses of their day.
Heart Attack Surprise.
A man of active outdoor life and In
unusually good health for years, the
heart attack which Mr.. Ross sustained
was a surprise to those who knew him
well. Harry Lane, president of Barber
& Ross since its incorporation a few
years ago, was the first person here to
be notified of his death. He left i'm
mediately for Atlantic City.
Mr.. Ross, he said, had gone to the
Jersey resort Friday afternoon to visit
his daughter and two grandchildren.
He had planned to return here Mon
day Fond of surf bathing, he had
gone in swimming with his son-in-law,
L. L. Lipscomb of New York, shortly
avenue, Ventnor. Mrs. Lipscomb was
on the beach and soon noticed they
appeared to be struggling in the water.
Life guards had just reported for duty
and in answer to her calls, they swan
quickly out and rescued both men.
It was said that Mr.. Lipscomb was
nearly drowned in trying to save Mr..
Ross, after the latter had been stricken
in the water. He was barely resusci-
tated.
Life guards and a physician worked
over Mr.. Ross for half an hour, but
were unable to prolong the spark of
life that had remained after he had
been dragged from the water. 1t is
understood that the heart stroke was
given as the cause of death as little or
no water was found in his lungs.
Active In Civic Affairs.
During a residence of half a century
in Washington, Mr. Ross was active
of Trade, of which he was one of the
few surviving charter members. His
name was associated since its organi-
zation with the old Benning race track
at Benning D. G. Few turftmen in
this section have been so well known
as Mr.. Ross. He was one of the or
ganizers of the Washington Jockey
Club which managed the Benning track,
and In 1906 and 1907 he was its presi-
dent. 1t was about a year later that
the Benning track was closed to race
betting, an anti-gambling law having
been passed by Congress. With the
famous meets held on the track, where
horses from the best stables in the
country competed annually, one of the
most picturesque phases of life In the
National Capital passed with Its clos
ing.
Mr.. Ross did not lose his interest in
racing, however, and maintained
moderate sized but select stable of thor
oughbreds at Benning. He was fav-
orite with turf folk who thrilled to the
long -shot wager, his o-yearolds
flashing many times Unexpectedly to
the front. Veteran horsemen recall
two of his most promising racers as
Crank" and "Ultimatum." They won
many large purses.
For a number of years Mr.. Ross was
associated with Edward B. Mclean,
Washington publisher and sportsman,
in horse breeding. Between them they
owned Porter, fine racer. Legal diff
culties arose over the horse and the two
race track men dissolved their partner
ship. 1t was said that some of Mr..
Ross horses had won as much as
$4,000 for him. He was never reluc-
tant TO bet on his own entries. In re-