62 



The Driving Clubs of Greater Boston 



This committee's report was so favorable 

 that at the next meeting the club decided to 

 lease Mystic Park for its matinees that sea- 

 son. Arrangements were then made to 

 measure off a quarter of a mile and mark 

 it with flags, and Ranee Wentworth was se- 

 lected the starting judge. In the matinees 

 ic was thought best to give two ribbons for 

 each race, a blue and a red. Samuel Harris, 

 to boom the club, contributed a track har- 

 ness, the winner to be decided during the 

 Summer. 



Before the adjournment of the meeting 

 the club voted to donate $25 to the Chelsea 

 Fire Sufferers, which was the first, but 

 proved not the last act of charity rendered 

 by the organization. 



The first matinee was held at Mystic Park 

 the first week in May, and the members 

 turned out in full force with their horses, 

 enjoying a good afternoon sport. So many 

 were in attendance that it was found advis- 

 able to build judges' stands, one for the 

 starter and the other at the finishing post. 



On May 27 it was voted that a grand- 

 stand be erected opposite the wire at the 

 finish, and also decided that the harness, 

 given by Mr. Harris, be awarded to the 

 owner of the horse winning the most number 

 of points. A silver cup was put up for a 

 prize by President Brooks and Secretary 

 Morrison, for the horse winning the fastest 

 heat. 



On June 1 the club had increased to such 

 proportions that they felt like seeking new 

 fields, and voted to enter into correspondence 

 with the Ouannapowitt Club for the purpose 

 ■ if holding an interclub meet over the Read- 

 'ng-Wakefiekl track. At the following 

 meeting the Dorchester Driving Club, hav- 

 ing learned how fast the Fellswavs were 

 jumping into popularity in their section of 

 Greater Boston, sent an invitation to join 

 them in an interclub meet to be held at 

 Franklin Field Speedway and this meet was 

 decided on July 1 1. 



G. A. Law was appointed on the board 

 of directors on Tuly t^, and immediately be- 

 came active in the affairs of the club. At a 

 later meeting brown was adopted as the club 

 color, to be worn in all interclub meets. 



The first meeting held 1 iver Combination 

 Park was on Labor Day, and was a success 

 in everv particular: in fact, to use up some of 

 the extra funds it was decided to purchase a 

 pool table in order that the members of the 

 club might keep in practice at their club- 

 room during the long Winter evenings that 

 would soon be at hand. 



On October 3 the club met the Quanna- 



powitts at Combination Park in an inter- 

 club meet, which in every way was another 

 money maker. 



It was then decided to wait upon G. A. 

 Graves and lease Combination Park for the 

 year 1909. for a sum not to exceed $2000 

 with full privileges. Messrs. Thyng, Simpson 

 and Dr. Richardson were appointed the com- 

 mittee to attend to this. After seeing Mr. 

 Graves, the report was that he would not 

 think of leasing the park for less than $3000. 

 The club then came back with an offer to 

 split the difference, and call it $2500, and 

 that President Brooks be added to the com- 

 mittee to wait on Mr. Graves. Upon again 

 seeing the owner of Combination Park, it 

 was found that he would consider $2600. 

 which price was agreeable, and, upon the 

 motion of Secretary Morrison, it was voted 

 that the club be incorporated and close the 

 Combination Park proposition with Mr. 

 Graves. 



However, it being found out later that 

 Mr. Graves would lease the track for $2200 

 for the club's use on twenty-four Saturdays 

 and five holidays, this was thought a better 

 proposition than the one of $2000 and all 

 privileges, and the S22CO offer was duly ac- 

 cepted. 



At a meeting held on December 0. the 

 prizes for the season were given out. the 

 President's Cup for the fastest heat made 

 during the season being won by William 

 Patten's John O'Donald. and the harness 

 presented by \Y. H. Harris was won by H. 

 W. Smith's Rovce A'. 



SEASON OF 1909 



The lease of Combination ['ark was signed 

 on January 13, and was the first business 

 transacted that year. In the month of Jan- 

 uary, too, was held at the Quincy House in 

 Boston, the first banquet of the club, with 

 about 200 on hand. After-dinner speaking by 

 invited sfuests from other clubs and by mem- 

 bers of the Fellsway. and a good musical 

 entertainment, made the feast one long to be 

 remembered by those fortunate in being 

 present. 



In Columbia Hall. Somerville, in Feb- 

 ruarv, was held the first ladies' night. The 

 S'entle sex were present, not only from the 

 Fellsway Club but accompanied by members 

 of the other driving clubs. Dancing and a 

 luncheon, also magic work by Walter New- 

 bert. of the Dorchester Gentlemen's Driv- 

 ing Club, made the occasion very enjoyable. 



The annual meeting took place on March 

 3. and the following officers were elected for 



