The Driving Clubs of Greater Boston 



99 



in February, and, like the previous one, was 

 a great success. A party of twenty from the 

 Dorchester Club was present. All of the 

 after-dinner speakers were strong in voicing 

 the opinion that the future of the club cer- 

 tainly was rilled with promise. The speed- 

 way was about to be constructed and other 

 matters were moving satisfactorily to those 

 greatly interested in the club. 



On Labor Day, Dorchester visited the 

 Lynn Club at Rockdale Park, and so wide 

 was the interest in Lynn, and the surround- 

 ing country, that the grandstand was filled 

 to overflowing, the quarter-stretch had its 

 full quota of spectators, while the railing 

 next the inner field was lined with horses at- 

 tached to vehicles that were filled with people. 



SEASON OF 1907 



This was a most eventful year in the 

 career of the club, matters of importance 

 following one another in rapid succession. 

 I if course, first came the annual election. 



Dr 



T. Babbitt received the election of 



president, William La Croix declining to fill 

 the chair again, saying he had ushered the 

 club through its babyhood days and now, 

 while he was willing to act as adviser, if 

 necessity required, still he thought the hard 

 work of the club should fall on other 

 shoulders. Believing that Dr. Babbitt 

 should have a strenuous co-partner in the 

 hard Work that was mapped out for the club 

 that year, the selection of Sam Brown was 

 made for first vice-president, while Elmer 

 E. Bray was elected second vice-president ; 

 Clifton Colburn, cashier of the Manufac- 

 turer's Bank of Lynn, was re-elected to the 

 office of treasurer; and Dr. W. H. Ximiness 

 secretary. 



The third annual banquet was held on 

 February 14, and this was indeed a gala 

 occasion. Members of the Dorchester, 

 Fellsway and Boston clubs were out in force. 

 The speedway was rapidly Hearing comple- 

 tion, the driving club having for three years 

 put in its entire energy in securing it. 

 There was a hearty endorsement, too. in hav- 

 ing the club buy Rockdale Park. 



On October 22, the purchase of Rockdale 

 Park was completed and came into the 

 possession of the club. The purchase of 

 this propertv was made possible through the 

 personal efforts and influence of the late 

 president, William La Croix, who was ably 

 assisted by Clifton Colburn. Mr. Colburn 

 had not only worked hard in getting the 

 track, but it was through his efforts 



that the club secured a nice .suite of rooms 

 in Union Square, which were made the 

 headquarters, or clubhouse, fur the members. 

 In accomplishing this Mr. Colburn brought 

 to bear a great influence on the owners of the 

 property in order to obtain the lease. 



After purchasing Rockdale Park, the club 

 laid out $1,000 on the property in loaming 



DR. F. J. BABBITT 

 President 1907-1911 (inclusive) 



the track, ploughing up the infield, and 

 erecting new stables. It was considered by 

 the members an ideal outing spot for the 

 Summer and that, nearer home, was the 

 speedway which could be utilized during 

 the sleighing season. 



With Rockdale Park, a speedway, and a 

 comfortable clubhouse, the affairs of the 

 organization were now all that could be 

 desired. At frequent occasions it was 

 deemed a good proposition to entertain the 

 other driving clubs of Greater Boston with 

 interclub meets, and in this way, not only 

 giving good wholesome amusement to the 

 members of the driving clubs, but also to the 

 citizens of Lynn and surrounding districts. 



On Tune 17 was held an interclub meet 

 with the Dorchester Club on the Dorchester 

 speedwav, the return meeting with that club 

 being held at Combination Park on July 4. 



For the first time the club offered silver 

 cups for the winners of the season's racing, 

 and when the committee had gone through 

 the records it was found the following were 

 the winners: 



