CHAPTER XXVIII 



ROAD-RIDING MOVEMENTS 



ROAD-RIDING movements quickened the devel- 

 opment of the light-harness horse, but men of 

 resolute purpose were required to lead in order 

 to lift the horse into an atmosphere of respect. 

 In 1856, when Robert Bonner first appeared on 

 the road, trotting was in bad repute, and years of 

 stern example were required to restore it to 

 public favor. Burnham's, a house of refreshment 

 on Bloomingdale Road and 76th Street, was the 

 first rendezvous of gentlemen drivers, and Elm 

 Park on the Bloomingdale Road at Q2d Street 

 was the next resort. Admission to the club- 

 house and half-mile track was restricted to 

 members. The third rendezvous was the Dubois 

 half-mile track on Harlem Lane and I45th 

 Street. It went out of existence soon after the 

 Civil War, and the riders broke up into groups, 

 some going to Bertholfs Road House, some to 

 Florence's, and some to Smith's. Prominent 

 among the early riders were Commodore Vander- 



296 



