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QUAINT OLD-TIME TURF CHARACTER. .limmie Howe, trainer of H. P. Whitaeys bsraes, lint Hilly Beverly in New York recently, and the two were discussing some of II td-thaen who have passed away. Among others mentioned was "I.urtii the Bookmaker." who once was a celebrity about the eastern tracks. Always wise was I.ur-ton. but. novcithob—. he eras one of the most eccentric turfites who eve* had to do with the horses in any way. Iturton never gave up his residence in Tennessee, although he -pent mo-t of his time in the north. Once when asked why l.e diil not make New York his home he replied. "Because Im the smartest blanked man in Teaaeesee. If I could be tie smartest man in New York Id live here." Many tales hare been told on Bart— and lioverly recalled one yesterday. "It was at a race meeting many yean ago." said Beverly. "Some of the bookmakers thought they would pat one over on the old Traaeseeeaa, who had fought with Perest tat the Confederacy. Juiton always eras a bit slow aheat putting up hi- prills in the days of the sites, always wait ing to see what the others were deiag. One day the leaders of the ring picked a ■ p-t sad all agreed to mark up to 1 on a Magical 2 te 1 that, and then bet Iturton when he follow. 1 their lead. The late Bar Jahasea stood ahsagside Bartoaa book. and when the old man followed the other figures and made the favorite r, to 1. Ihivv immediately offered aba • thousand dollar w. ger. "Bet it in your own book, yea blankety blank blank! was the |uick retort of Barton, who im mediately rubbed and put up the price at which the horse originally should have been quoted. Superstitious of David Gideon. "Beeaese he never caald win ;i bet frees David l.idcon. who is Mill racing his own horses. Itur-lon u.i- superstitious of this particular turfman. This superstition led to a remark that caused Gideon to name tie- bene stonington. remembered by many of todays turf follower-. It happened on a night when Iturton waa parsaiag hi- f rorite pa-time ot buckiig the tiger. lb had been playing faro and was -tuck for |10,0ea, while *8touy* MelvBle, who had accompanied him. wa- also several hundred loear. .ide.,n nlway- ha- beea an early riser during the training §easoa, having a liking for getting L out on the track with the rail birds in the early hour-. lie- night Iturton end Melville were pla. -lag Galeae had arisen at five selarh and, passing the hou-e where the pfag wa- going on. lie was attracted bj the light and Stepped in to see whit wag doing. He -tiiod behind Burton for a deal or two and watched the play. Suddt n.v Iturton ■staged the fact that aaaaeeaM wa- behind hi- chair and turned to tee the man of whom he had a aaperstttJea. Then ho collapsed. •••It- all oif. gtaatagtoa. growled the eld man. •I knew there was some u too about. Lets get BWaJ from here before we haw on- hide-. • ;idi amused al the old timer, never tergal the way lie handed sioii. the full moniker o! Sioiiiugtoii. and that was how he tame tu call one of his colts by that name."
