The Gentlemen's Driving Club 



of Lynn 



THE Gentlemen's Driving Club 

 of Lynn was conceived by a 

 few members of a local social 

 club, which beld informal meet- 

 ings in tbe stable of Alden 

 Southworth (Tilton Hall). This small club- 

 room was known by the name of The Mis- 

 sion, and during one of its services in the 

 Winter of 1904, some one of the horse en- 

 thusiasts suggested that the City of Lynn 

 ought to have a driving club. Alden South- 

 worth, a well known contractor and amateur 

 horse trainer, was the prime mover in organ- 

 izing the horsemen, and was ably seconded 

 by Frank H. Thompson, who, in later 

 years was destined to fill many important 

 positions in the Lynn Club, such as clerk 

 and official starter. 



These two zealous workers were fortified 

 by the able assistance of D. Fortin, S. Walter 

 Simonds, and Walter F>. Moore, in the 

 carrying out of their ideas, and, it was under 

 Mr. Moore's suggestion that the club closely 

 followed, in incorporation and subsequent 

 methods of transaction of business, the Dor- 

 chester Gentlemen's Driving Club. In fact, 

 the Lynn organization have looked upon the 

 Dorchester Club as a child would look upon 

 its parents, and the most kindly feelings have 

 always existed between the members of both 

 clubs. 



The small beginning developed a few 

 months later into a permanent organization, 

 including the names of the most prominent 

 citizens of Lynn and surrounding towns. 



The object in the formation of the club 

 was: primarily, to stimulate an interest in 

 horse matters ; and, secondly', to secure a 

 speedway for the City of Lynn, which was 

 subsequently accomplished, the State appro- 

 priating- the necessary money and the club 

 donating out of its treasury liberally for the 

 campaign. 



The Lynn horsemen used the speedway 

 for about three years, and then, owing to 

 the condition of the land with its constant 

 settlement and depressions, it was deemed 

 unsatisfactory and the club turned to racing 

 at Rockdale Park, Peabody, the speedway 

 being in use only a few Winters and then 

 entirely abandoned. 



The first meeting of the club was held 

 on June 26, 1904, when William La Croix 



was elected president; Walter B. Moore 

 first vice-president; S. Walter Simonds, sec- 

 ond vice-president; Clifton Colburn, treas- 

 urer; Herbert L. Sawyer, secretary; Samuel 

 G. Brown, clerk. 



The first regular racing matinee of the 

 club took place on October 7, 1904, at the 



WILLIAM La CROIX 

 President 1904-05-06 



Saugus track, and all the events were de- 

 cided to wagon. There was a notable gath- 

 ering of horsemen at the meet, many coming 

 from Danvers. Hamilton and other places 

 from a distance. 



SEASON OF 1905 



At the annual election President La Croix 

 was again unanimously chosen to fill the 

 highest chair of the club, with W. P.. Moore 

 as first vice-president ; S. W. Simonds, sec- 

 ond vice-president : Clifton Colburn treas- 

 urer ; E. E. Bray, secretary, and S. G. Brown 

 as clerk. 



The first annual banquet was held in Feb- 

 ruary, and particular attention was paid in 

 having present the officers and leading mem- 

 bers of other driving clubs in Greater Bos- 

 ton. President F. t. Brand and Director 



