Smithtown's History - Horse Talk

By Rita Egan

From time to time, Smithtown residents will spot a horse grazing at its home or being led by its owner to a local park. However, in our town’s past, these beautiful animals were part of equestrian events that took place right in our township.

photo - Smithtown Historical SocietySmithtown was even once home to a racehorse considered a champion in our country. According to Colonel Rockwell’s Scrap-Book, a trotter named *Lady Suffolk was the first to beat the record of one mile in 2:30 minutes. Foaled in 1833 on a farm in Smithtown, her first two years were spent as a work animal. After being sold to a member of the Blydenburgh family, the horse pulled a butcher’s truck for another two years. It was a David Bryant who discovered her and brought the horse to his farm in Commack. In 1838 at the age of five, Lady Suffolk ran her first race and at 12 years old ran one mile in 2:29 ½ minutes. According to Smithtown Historian Brad Harris, during her career, she raced 169 races, won 89 and placed second in 53. In 1854 after a successful 16-year career, Lady Suffolk died at the age of 21.  

When it came to attending horse races in the late 1800s, local residents didn’t have to travel far to spend the day at the track. A popular race track, a result of the Burr family’s tradition of horse breeding, was located right in Commack where we find Commack High School today.

According to Harris’s Commack…a beautiful place: Commack Public Education, 100 Years — 1899-1999, hotelphoto - Smithtown Historical Society owner Smith Burr began breeding light harness horses, and was one of the first trainers to use a sulky. The light cart, as opposed to wagons, allowed the horses to move at faster speeds. In 1857, Smith’s son Carll bought a 350-acre piece of property, which became known as Indian Head Stock Farm. Once found on the south side of what is now Burr Road, the farm had a half-mile track. Carll, who specialized in raising Hambletonians, started the Burr Equine Educational Institution. Throughout his career, known as the Grand Old Man of Commack, he worked with the horses of prominent figures such as President Ulysses S. Grant and J.P. Morgan.

photo - Smithtown Historical SocietyIt was with his son Carll Burr Jr. that the Grand Old Man of Commack built a race track on the east side of Town Line Road. A popular spot in the 1890s, the one-mile oval race track with its regular weekend trotting races drew people from all over Long Island as well as the state. However, in 1900 an anti-betting law was passed, and the days of horse racing at the Burr race track started to become a part of history. According to Harris, the track was used again in the 20s and 30s, but this time around for motorcycle, bicycle and automobile racing.    

While anti-betting laws may have deterred early residents from attending the horse races, another equestrian event became popular in Smithtown. According to Harris, Lawrence Smith Butler, a descendant of town founder Richard Smythe, proposed the idea of a horse show to friends. Simply called the Smithtown Horse Show, the first show was held in 1909 at Fifty Acre Field located at the southwest corner of Edgewood Avenue and Moriches Road.

Fifty Acre Field proved to be a perfect spot with a race track right on the property. It was once the vicinity ofphoto - Smithtown Historical Society the St. James Driving Park, which had been owned by Butler’s uncle James Clinch Smith. While not much is known of the driving park, Harris said an 1877 Long Island Rail Road brochure called it a popular resort. Smith sold the property in 1905 to an opera singer, who eventually sold the property to Butler and his brother Charles. With his land purchase, as well as additional land that was deeded to him by his mother, Butler not only held the horse shows on the property but also started a country club.  

The Smithtown Horse Show included local residents and their horses competing in categories such as saddle, harness, hunting, roadster and racing. Among the impressive participants and committeeman were members of the Smith family including golf architect Devereaux Emmet, who was married to Smith descendant Ella Smith. Other participants included the likes of family members of William J. Gaynor who resided at Deepwells Mansion and served as New York City mayor from 1910 to 1913.

photo - Smithtown Historical SocietyHarris said bleachers, benches and a spectators pavilion could be found at Fifty Acre Field for the annual event. In the early days, there was no admission price charged or cash prizes for entrants. Attendees would bring their picnic lunches, and men could be seen in suits and bowlers and women in gowns with parasols. The shows would include work horses as well as ponies, and the various categories provided opportunities to compete for not only men, but women and children also.    

According to a September 26, 1930 Long Islander article, two horse shows were held in Smithtown that year due to a difference of opinion among members. The North Shore Horse Show was held on the same days only a half a mile away from the Smithtown Horse Show. According to the article, the original show drew around 2,000 attendees which included the usual locals, while the new show was attended by around 500 people who were mostly out-of-towners.

Despite the split in 1930, the Smithtown Horse Show remained a popular event for decades, and in 1939 a young Jacqueline Bouvier (Kennedy) even participated in the show. According to Images of America – St. James by Geoffrey K.Fleming, the last horse show to be held in our township was in 1981.

The days of equestrian events may be a part of the town’s past, but with plenty of land and parks, residents are still fortunate to enjoy these beautiful animals right here in Smithtown. 

Editors Note * Found this in The NY Times written in 1962 -

By Louis Effrat – Special to The New York Times

“WESTBURY, L.I., SEPT, 7 – Nowadays ——-and nights———trotters race a mile a half minute or so faster than Lady Suffolk did more than 100 years ago.  However, when the mare became the first to trot that distance in a tick or two under 2:30, she was the talk of many a town.

In fact, Lady Suffolk, who was foaled at Smithtown, L.I., was the one who inspired the song, “The Old Grey Mare.”

Lady Suffolk, who dominated the harness racing scene from 1838 to 1853, will be honored tomorrow night at Roosevelt Raceway.  The feature event will be the Lady Suffolk Trot, in which eight 3-year-old filly trotters will go to the post in quest of the winner’s share of the $27,723.25 purse.” The New York Times Published September 8, 1962

Veterans Brought to Final Rest - Cremated Veterans Honored At LI National Cemetery

By James B. Teese

St. James Photos by James B. Teese

National Cemetery Photos by Grace Colucci

In military parlance, the time was 0700 hours, a fitting reference to mark the beginning of ceremonies that would give special meaning to May 19, 2012: Armed Forces Day.

Then, at the St. James Funeral Home on Middle Country Road, the engines of the motorcycles broke for a moment the early morning quiet as members of the Patriot Guard Riders arrived at the Saint James Funeral Home to be greeted by the Maher family, licensed funeral directors and proprietors of the funeral home.

Patriot Guard Riders escort Hearse to LI National CemeteryAs the riders parked by a parked hearse, a respectful quiet began again in anticipation of the mission to commence — a Veterans Honor Mission to bring to final rest at Long Island National Cemetery the remains of cremated Veterans, remains which had been in the secure custodial care of the Mahers.

St. James was one of fifteen such morning gatherings.  Fifteen Long Island funeral homes were preparing for trips to the National Cemetery to bring the ‘cremains’ of 63 Veterans, as well as five spouses and a son, to their final rest.

The cremains of the Veterans had been in care for years.  Many of the 63 Vets had served in World War I.  One Army Veteran, Winfield S. Rowland, who died in 1913, had served in the Spanish-American War!

From each funeral home, a hearse traveled to the ‘muster area’ off the Long Island Expressway to form a procession down Route 110 to the cemetery, with police and fire department escorts, and under ladder arches flying U.S. Flags.  At the intersection with Smith Street in Farmingdale, members of the St. James Fire Department Hook & Ladder Company were a part of that effort, along with other volunteer firefighters.  Former Captain Lou DeStefano along with firefighters Alyssa Byrus and Lt. Mitch Corace were on-hand to salute.

At the Cemetery, a formal program was held, with VA, Cemetery, military,East Meadow Fire Department
At LI National Cemetery each urn lovingly borne by Veteransand elected officials were in attendance, joined by hundreds of patriotic Long Islanders, including fire and police personnel, uniformed service men and women, family, and friends.

Traditional honors included prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, a local choir’s singing of The Star-Spangled Banner, the playing of “Taps,” and a rendition of a newer classic, “Proud to Be an American.”

St. James to Pinelawn

En route to the Northern State Parkway along Route 347, patrons of the Touch of Class Car Wash stopped, with some offering salutes as the escorts and hearse passed.

“People along the local route stopped, watched, and wondered,” noted the Mahers.  “Then we knew…a long overdue, earned honor was finally beginning to be given.”

From Middle Country Road, Ken and Kerry Maher drove the hearse behind Patriot Guard Riders and Suffolk County Police Department.

St. James FD’s Lt. Richard D. Weisse, Jr. and Fire Fighter Christopher Wrenn drove Engine #1 in the line while taking up the rear of the Honor procession through the local streets to the highways.

Engraved urns containing the “Cremains” of Veterans Walter Olsen and Frank Hayes await escortPrior to leaving, the engraved urns were set prominently on a table in the funeral home foyer, laid beside folded American Flags.

When all were ready, Ken Maher, also a Deacon, led a prayer and farewell for the pair of St. James Veterans.A respectful crowd gathered to be a part of the Veterans Honor Mission, as Funeral Director and Deacon Ken Maher delivered remarks prior to the urns being placed in the hearse for the trip to Pinelawn

At the conclusion of the brief service, the urns were carefully borne by members of the local John W. Cooke VFW Post #395, Commander Frank Todaro and George Johnston.  Each urn was slowly secured in the waiting hearse.

            Repositioning as one with their flags, other Veterans and residents formed lines through which the hearse would leave the driveway to depart on its Mission.

            “We will honor any Veteran, especially one that has been well, ignored, for so long,” said Todaro of his participation.

            Knights of Columbus member Lou Ruocco, who lives in Centereach but attends Saints Philip and James Roman Catholic Church in St. James, thought the mission was significant.

“It was an honor to come here and do this for the Veterans.  It’s a nice thing,” he said.

            Terry Roche, from Kings Park, came with his family.  A Marine Corps Veteran, he said the Mahers and the government “were doing the right thing.”

“We had a good representation from St. Philip and James [parish]” he said.

Younger generations were also on hand.

Lauriann Kormylo of Smithtown, a student at Our Lady of Mercy, said “It was a really good honor and I didn’t want to miss it.  I thought it was important to be here.”

The Mahers wished to thank other organizations and members of the community, including members of the Saints Philip & James school and families, the Junior Catholic Daughters, the Saint James Fire Department, the Officers of our Fourth Precinct of the Suffolk County PD, the members of the John W. Cooke VFW Post #395, the members of the Knights of Columbus Council #12839, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

“From a funeral home perspective to be finally able to secure a person’s rightful due, the justice in this is gratifying.  We are all so proud to have been a part of this group of caring people going outside of themselves for others,” said Betty Maher.

Local Vets of WWI

            From St. James, two Veterans, both of whom served during World War I, were honored.  Their information comes from Betty Maher’s research to gain clearance for their inurnment.

Walter R. Olsen, a Private First Class in the United States Marine Corps, lived at of 204 Jefferson Avenue, Saint James with his wife, Dorothea Thoms Olsen for more than a decade.  The couple had a daughter, Joan Olsen Golder, and three grandchildren.

Olsen was born in New York State on March 28, 1895 and died in Smithtown General Hospital on May 5, 1976, at the age of 81.  He retired as a Bank Manager for Chemical Bank.

            Frank Hayes, enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 8, 1917, rose to the rank of Corporal, and was separated “for the convenience of the government” on May 19, 1919.  His ashes were brought to the National Cemetery exactly 93 years to the day later!

Hayes lived at 198 Jefferson Avenue, Saint James with his wife, Gertrude Huhn.  They also had a daughter, Andrea Evangelista.  He was a trucker for the Domino Sugar Company.

Hayes was born in New York State on December 9, 1896 and died on March 14, 1984 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Northport at the age of 87.

A Simple Conversation

            The Veterans Honor Mission started “as a simple conversation over dinner at a Nassau-Suffolk Funeral Director Association meeting,” said Kerry Maher, daughter of Ken and Betty Maher.

            She and others concurred with the prior president that unclaimed cremated remains deserved their final rest, especially those of Veterans.  A place of honor at a National Cemetery could be found, they believed.Each urn was laid to rest in the columbairum at Long Island National Cemetery, with a suitably engraved stone for each Veteran’s niche.

“Time does take a toll,” Kerry explained, “families move away, people ‘lose touch’, and other family members pass, leaving some remains with us.”  Kerry, a Board member for the Association, Kerry brought the idea home for a family discussion.

            The funeral director from whom the Mahers purchased the Saint James Funeral Home in 1977 had offered custodial care of the cremains entrusted to both the Darling and Swenson Funeral Homes of Smithtown when those homes closed, noted Betty Maher.

“A bond forged as far back as the early 1900’s continues to this day,” she said.

Betty Maher then pursued the often tedious research to verify the status of the Veterans, sometimes aided by records from the Northport VA Medical Center.

            With identities confirmed and clearances gained, Betty obtained assistance from the Batesville Casket Company, which donated the urns.

“This entire experience has been absolutely incredible,” Betty said.  “From a patriotic view, to be able to help Veterans whom we’ve never met, those who fought for us even though they never knew us is a humbling experience.”

The Mahers continue to care for and protect other cremains.

“If a family is interested in possibly finding and claiming their relatives, we will do whatever it takes to return these people to their families.  We’re hopeful that there are other families who may remember and call to bring their loved ones home to their rightful places.”

“As long as we have not been approached by families, these people will remain with us,” the Mahers declared.

Commack Accident At Indian Head Rd. And Jericho Tpke.

Sometime around 6:15pm Wednesday evening, a truck making a turn at the intersection of Jericho Tpke. and Indian Head Rd. in Commack experienced a tire blowout and flipped on its side. According to people at the scene of the incident the driver was not seriously injured but was shaken up. One person who wanted to remain anonomous stated, “It was a freak accident.  Thank God no one was killed, or injured.  The driver wasn’t speeding, it was just a freak accident.”

police finishing up at the scene of accident on Jericho and Indian Head Rd.The police were still at the scene at 11pm although the road blocks were being removed and traffic was once again being permitted to head north on Indian Head Rd. 

Altshuler Campaign Announces The Endorsement Of US Chamber Of Commerce

Middle Island, May 21, 2012 – Self-made businessman and Republican congressional candidate Randy Altschuler has earned the endorsement of the United States Chamber of Commerce as the candidate best equipped to foster job creation and economic growth in Eastern Suffolk County, his campaign announced today.            

Altschuler recently outlined a specific 10-point plan to revitalize the local economy and bring jobs back to Eastern Suffolk County.  www.Randy2012.com/jobsplan/            

“On behalf of the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, I am pleased to inform you that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors has endorsed your candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives,” wrote Chamber President and CEO Thomas Donohue in a letter to Altschuler.  “Your record of support on pro-business issues earned this endorsement.  We believe that your election to the U.S. House of Representatives will help produce sustained economic growth, help create more jobs, and get our country back on track.  The Chamber will be in direct contact with our members in your state promoting you as our candidate of choice.”

Altschuler said the endorsement underscored his campaign’s central theme – that his experience as a self-made businessman who came from humble beginnings to build two American companies from the ground up and create more than a thousand American jobs – sets him apart from his opponent, career bureaucrat turned politician Tim Bishop.     

“Since I released my 10-point jobs earlier this month, countless people have come up to me at events and thanked me for being the only candidate in this race talking about the critical economic and fiscal issues facing Suffolk County taxpayers and small business owners,” said Altschuler.  “I am honored to be endorsed by the leading pro-jobs organizations in the United States and I encourage everyone to visit my web site at www.Randy2012.com and read my jobs plan for themselves and contact me with their feedback.”

SCPD Investigating Death of Smithtown Man Hit By MV Today

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a pedestrian in Smithtown early this morning.

Randy Feliciano was driving a 2003 Toyota Highlander westbound in the left lane of Route 25, just west of Morewood Road, in Smithtown when his vehicle struck Salvatore Prianti at 4:40 a.m.

Prianti, 87, of Smithtown, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Feliciano, 50, of Smithtown, was uninjured.

The Toyota was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.