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1 , 1 i : . ; J MICHAEL DWYER DIES AT BROOKLYN HOME. Once Famous Plunger Passes His Last Days as a 3 Practically Penniless Paralytic. Michael Dwyer, long one of the most prominent figures of the American turf, died Sunday at his little cottage in Brooklyn opposite the Gravesend i racetrack of the Brooklyn Jockey Club, of which his brother, Phillip J. Dwyer, is president. Michael and Philip J. Dwyer began their careers as butchers. They took up. trotting as a pastime and raced horses at the old Parkvllle track In Brooklyn. From this they went Into racing and with Jimmy McLaughlin as their Jockey, amassed a fortune, winning many times some of the oldest and richest of the stakes on the eastern turf. Michael Dwyer suffered a stroke of paralysis some years ago after he had returned from a disastrous racing campaign in England, and since that time had been practically helpless. He was constantly attended by two nurses and helped about from place to place. The carriage in which he was riding one day last year was struck by a train and it was then feared that he would die of the shock, but he came out of it all right. Although he has long ceased to hold an Interest in any racing stable or association, Mr. Dwyer was often seen at the metropolitan tracks on the days when the big events were run. For some years prior to their advent on the turf as owners the Dwycrs were well known as nervy and successful bettors at Jerome Park, Long Branch and Saratoga. Their long career as owners saw Its beginning In 1876, when they bought the black horse Rhadamanthus, by Leamington Nemesis. He won frequently for them. From this modest beginning they branched but, soon acquiring the speedy selling platers Dan K. and Charley Gorham, with which they achieved many successes. From platers to stake horses was but a step and presently Vigil, for which, together with a stable mate, they were reported to have given 0,000, and the great cup horse Bramble were bringing the Dwyers Into Increasing prominence in the turf - world. In 1S79 they bought Luke Blackburn for ,500 and, in 1SS0, he simply swept the boards for them. In 1880 they gave 3,000 for the UntWQj.car.Kld.jIindoo, and in him had in 1SS1 the champion three-year-old of the year as well as a mighty cup horse afterwards. There are still some old-timers who cling to the belief that there was never a better racehorse In America than that same Hindoo. From 1SSO on, for a number of years, the Dwyers practically dominated the eastern turf and their success In acquiring remarkable racers year after year was simply marvelous, and such was their discriminating Intelligence and luck In buying that In the space of eight years, including 18S0, such tremendously speedy horses as Luke Blackburn, Hindoo, Miss Woodford, Bramble, Hanover, Tremont, Joe Cotton, Richmond, Tea Tray, George Kinney. Bootjack, Kingston, Harry Reed, King Fish, Runny-mede. Sir Dixon; Portland, Bella B., Pontlac and Inspector B. won in their colors besides a host of winners of lesser note and capacity. After the fashion of turfmen both brothers backed their horses, Phil moderately and conservatively and Mike so heavily that he was for many years the greatest plunger of the American turf, but no long odds for him. When his horse was an odds on favorite It was a sure winner to him, but If It was at a long price he either let It go unbacked or bet on some other horse in the race. In 18SG Dwyer Bros. filly Ferona .won the Oriental Handicap. She was 30 to 1 in the betting. Mike liked her chance but said the judgment of the bookmakers and the public was better than one mans judgment and backed the favorite in the race heavily, only to sec him run nuplaced to bis own filly. In 1SS7 Hanover won a long string of victories before meeting defeat. He was almost invariably at odds on and at figures prohibitive to most men. To Mike Dwyer it was a good business investment to bet 0,000 to win ,000 on Hanover. There was no losing side to it to him. His commission was made in a lump sum to a committee of bookmakers who divided it up and trusted to catch him some day. It finally fell out that they grew tired and refused to take his commission. This was at Monmouth Park. Mike wanted to bet ,000 on Hanover. The bookies said they were tired of handing over money on Hanover with no chance of getting it back. Then old Davy Wlthers Laggard defeated Hanover and there was great wailing in the ring, together with talk about "Mike Dwycrs luck," proverbial then. He also won In similar fashion on Tremont during his unbroken career of success as a two-year-old. One of his noted transactions was a wager of 0,000 to 0,000 on Joe Cotton in the Average Stakes at Siieepshead Bay, September 7, 1887. Only two started, Joe Cotton and Binctte. The latter was a fast mare Hghtly weighted and led nearly all the way. Finally Joe Cotton drew up and won by three-quarters of a length, many thinking It had been a close call for Dwyers big bet. But Jimmy McLaughlin was only "kidding" and drew the finish fine when his mount could have won off. Phil was always dissatisfied with Mikes huge betting operations and this led to a dissolution of the partnership. Michael was prosperous for a time afterwards, but finally became unfortunate. An English campaign in partnership with "Boss" Croker was very disastrous financially. Dame Fortune him after his return. turned a sour visage to His horses went wrong, no new stars of the track came his way, his losses were continual and finally it was known that the former mighty domlnator of the metropolitan turf was broken in purse as he soon became in health. He was a taciturn man and little given to any demonstration of feeling no matter what the occasion might be, but he was not unkind and to the last retained the respect and liking of those who had known him in the days when the name Dwyer Brothers was synouomous with the most exalted success on the turf.
