94 RACEALONG 



This created considerable comment and an explana- 

 tion was demanded. In due time the friends of the 

 rejected party were told that while the members of 

 the Club were pleased from time to time to frequent 

 his gambling house they did not consider its former 

 proprietor as the equal of the southern gentlemen 

 who were members of the Louisiana Jockey Club. 



Although Howard had the reputation of being a 

 peculiarily good natured and amiable man the re- 

 jection of his application put him in a rage. He openly 

 declared that he would turn the race track into a 

 cemetery. First he acquired a controlling interest 

 in the stock. Then he purchased the property and 

 later gave it to New Orleans for a cemetery. 



The Metairie Cemetery on the shell road at New 

 Orleans with its thousands of vaults covers the 

 course where the thoroughbreds raced before the 

 war between the states. The names of those who 

 took part in this controversy are forgotten but the 

 cemetery stands as a reminder of what a little 

 vanity did to a race course. 



EPSOM IN WINTER 



In winter the English course on Epsom Downs 

 is deserted. The caretaker in the stand, a few oc- 

 cupants of the Downs Hotel, and a couple of trainers 

 are all of the people located near the Derby course. 



To an American it does not look like a race track. 

 There is no outside fence. The public can come and 

 go where or when it pleases on race day or any 

 other day except in the stand and betting enclosure. 



