Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-11-06


of the compass to bid on the blue
bloods of the turf. You may be
lucky and pick up a colt for few
hundred dollars that will win many
thousands for you. The reverse also
Is true; many times $4,000 and sl5.-
900 purchases never win as much
, as 1000 in their entire racing
careers.
Saratoga recently has come for
ward with another well-substanti-
ated claim to distinction. A column
long advertisement in a Saratoga
daily newspaper bearing the date
June 2, 1870, definitely locates the
first real merry-go-round, or car
rousel, in America at the Spa.
Files reveal the fact that Charles
Manglesdorf and his son Julius,
German showmen, introduced this
diverting form of amusement in this
country, bringing it all the way from
Danzig, Germany They arrived in
New York in 1869 and, after con-
siderable inquiry among German
friends, became convinced that
Saratoga might we'll be the logical
place to exploit their novelty.
Saratoga at this time featured a
combined pleasure grove and Indian
y encampment, situated on hill dl-
rectly in the rear of John Morrisseys
gambling house and on the main
highway leading to the Saratoga
race track
The German Snowman Man
rlesdorf decided this was the
right spot to put his "hObby
horses" and he obtained the
necessary concession for the
summer of 1870.
From the date of its installation
It was a sensation and a financial
, success. Five cents ride for child
or adult alike, with an extra ride
free to the lucky one who captured
the brass ring. Yes, the brass ring
was a part of the first merry-go-
round the same as it is today at
most amusement parks. Perhaps
YOU, Just few short years ago,
went to Glen Echo and did your
darndest to snare that free ride.
On this first carrousel in this
country there we're accommodations
for about 80 riders, and all day long
and far into the night business
thrived to the musical accompani-
ment of wheeZy hand organ which
functioned by means of an attach
ment to the motivating crank.
For the first few years this crudely
constructed affair was propelled by
two men turning double hand
crank. Sometime later circular
runway was laid out in the center
Of the ring and tricky harness at
tachment fashioned. The harness
titched horse to an iron bar which
was fitted into the screw propeller in
place of the hand cranks.
The new device worked
smoothly and from then on
bigger and better rides were
given for the same scent fare.
Among the steady customers Of
the carrousel, curiously enough,
were the jockeys from the Saratoga
race track. Day after day during
the meeting, as soon as the last race
had been run, they would flock to
the grove, where they would ride
for an hour or longer, seemingly re-
Taxed, after guiding their more
spirited mounts of the afternoon.
OF course i. is not matter OF
record, out I can imagine betting
each other as to which would cap
ture the brass ring.
Another source recalls that now
and then a group of the Indian
braves dwelling in the encampment
would descend into the village for
an evenings outing, imbibe freely
of fire water and, upon returning to
the grove after midnight. would
mount the wooden horses and taking
turns at the crank (this was before
the horse was called into action
as motive power). would ride to their
savage hearts content making the
night hideous with their war whoops
and frightening neighboring viii
la rs out Of their wits.