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A VETERAN TURF OFPICIAX. Charles Wheatly, the Nestor of American racing officials, will in a few days celebrate his eighty-fifth birthday. Seen at his home in St. James street, Fordham, recently, the veteran secretary gave undeniable evidences of his wonderful activity of mind and body. Although he has long since passed the allotted period of three score years and ten, J. W. Wheatly b memory is remarkably correct, and in talking over matters connected with Mb turf career, the minutest details did not escape him. As an owner of horses, writer about horses, and secretary of the American Jockey Club, Saratoga Association and minor meetings, Secretary Wheat-lys career covers over forty years of American turf history. In his early days at Lexington, Ky., he was alternately a journalist and horse owner. The Lexington Statesman was managed and edited by Mr. Wheatly, and he also found time to race some horses in his own colors with fair success. In 1861 Peg Woffington, by Vandal, dam by Sovereign, carried the Wheatly colors at the Woodlawn track, Louisville, and the Kentucky Association courses at Lexington. Shortly after that period the removal Of raciug-ii? the north took place, and in 1863 editor Wheatly came east. He helped to manage the race meeting at Centreville, L. I as secretary, and that summer was appointed in the same capacity at Saratoga. That was the inaugural meeting at the Spa under John Morrisseys management. But the following year the Saratoga Association was organized, and Charles Wheatly was elected secretary. Two years later the Jerome Park track was built and the American Jookey Club organized, with J. W. Wheatly as its secretary. And from that time until the .Saratoga track was sold by the Spencer management Secretary Wheatly was in harness at Fordham and the Spa. He was one of the most popular racing officials of his day, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact. D. D. Withers, August Belmont, Alonzo D. Monsar, George L. Lorillard, Pierre Lorillard, John F. Purdy, his associates of those days, have all joined the great majority. Of late years Mr. Wheatly has been living the quiet life of a peaceful old age. Some property which he had at Carthage, Mo., on which were valuable mineral deposits, brought him a fair price at its sale. An unscrupulous schemer tried to do him out a portion of this land, but failed, and narrowly missed being sent up for a long term. Morning Telegraph.
