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GOSSIP OF THE TURF. The Spirit of the Times and New York Sportsman, successor of "Wilkes Spirit," which for many years from 1858 on was the Bells Life of America and a prosperous sporting newspaper, has gone bankrupt. William T. Porter established the original Spirit in 1831. George Wilkes came in in 1853 or 1854 and became sole proprietor in 1858. In 1875 Col. Elisha A. Buck bought from Mr. Wilkes a half interest in the paper, and in 1879 the other half. Twenty years later a stock company, of which Mr. Buck was president, took the paper. Mr. Buck was killed in a railroad accident in August, 1893, and Horace Russell has since been president. He is the principal petitioning creditor in bankruptcy, his claim being 0,000 for money lent in the past five years. Alexander F. W. Leshe has a claim for ,699 for salary as manager and for advances, and Edward Abercombia a claim for 02 for services as editorial writer. The petitioners say that the company is insolvent, has refused to pay its notes for more than a year past, has refused to pay other obligations, has suffered suits at law to be brought by creditors which are now pending, that its property at a fair valuation will not be sufficient to pay its debts and that it has admitted in writing its inability to pay its debts and willingness to be declared bankrupt. Among the directors of the corporation are Colonel Bucks sons, John F. and Henry A., and Hon. Elihu Boot, Secretary of War. New York Sun.
