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POOH CARD BUT BIG CROWD COLUMBIA MANAGEMENT ENJOYS BANNER PATRONAGE OF THE MEETING. Cutting of Two Purses Leads to Protest from Horsemen and Management Announces That Reduction Was Made Without Proper Sanction. Columbia, S. C, December 7. Class was conspicuous chiclly by its absence here this afternoon and evidence of the healthy tone of the sport here may be gleaned from the fact that the largest attendance of the meeting turned out and that speculation exceeded in volume that of any former day. Mismanagement is the only grave danger that may wreck this promising racing point. That there is some justification for this fear was shown this afternoon when purses in the first two races were reduced to 50. Those financially interested in the meeting disclaimed knowledge of the cut and maintain that it was done without their sanction. They further aver that a repetition of the incident will not again occur and that the minimum purse offering will be 00. The assurances were satisfactory to many of the grumbling horsemen. The 50 purses fitted in well with the class of starters that furnished the contests in these races. Their even calibre was mainly responsible for the close finishes that ensued. The most pretentious offering of the afternoon was the closing dash, in which some fairly useful sprinters engaged. The winner turned up in W. B. Carsons Jessup Hum, with Anavri and Fort Worth second and third. Abrasion, the favorite in the race, was given a weird ride and steward Nathanson demanded an explanation from jockey Williams. The latter claimed that the lilly was a sufferer by interference immediately after the start, which caused her a loss of considerable ground. Several other faulty rides were tabbed against jockeys and it is more than likely that there will be a general thinning of the riders ranks lefore many clays go by. .1. T. Carmody, an old-time turfman, who raced a pretentious stable during the Guttenlierg and Gloucester days, and who has been following the western circuit for a dozen years past, died here this morn-Liiut after n short illness. Mr. Carmody contracted iumonia on his way south from Norfolk. He rias a native of Ohio and news of his death was wired to his brother at Chillicothe, where the interment will probably take place. There were many arrivals from the north tills morning. T. W. OBrien, accompanied by Alex Smith, came from New York, and they brought the news that quite a number of race followers had announced their intention of coming here next week. Larry Carey, manager of the Beverwyek Stable, also got in from New York. He stopped over at Norfolk on his way down and arranged for the shipment here of Aldriau, Hob It., Edwin L.. Lady Irma and two yearlings. The string that Willie Martin is racing will come south in the same car. Frank Nolan has presented the stallion Banyah to the Hose Tree Hunt club and the horse left Norfolk for Pennsylvania in the same car with Sir John Johnson. P. T. Cliinn, accompanied by his family, was among the days arrivals. He came from Lexington. Steeplechase jockey W. Allen has turned down an offer to go abroad, and will ride for Ivan Fox next season. lie reports that in Alfred Noble and Eddie Dugan, Mr. Fox will have two of the best jumpers on the turf next season. C. C. Smithson is also going in for steeplcchasing on a big scale next season. His jumpers will be handled by Tom Rodrock. Alfred the Great and Sherwood will be schooled during the winter months. T. Hattield arrived today in advance of his horses, now enroute from Norfolk. Jockey Wingtield will accompany the consignment. The Moat was excused from starting today on account of injuries which developed as a result of having run away in a former start. A novelty race will be featured next Wednesday and a race for amateur riders will be carded the Saturday following. Advices from Charleston are that the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce there has established an information bureau with a view to assisting the ninny expected horsemen and their families in their quest for accommodations. A number of horsemen intend to go from here to Charleston on Sunday next to observe what progress lias been made in the erection of the new racing plant there.
