100 years ago in The Saratogian
Thursday, Aug. 2, 1917
The second day of the Saratoga track meet is less stormy than the first, but Saratoga Springs is still feeling the impact of yesterday’s powerful thunderstorms.
‘The high wind yesterday followed by a stiff breeze early this afternoon” are blamed for the sudden collapse of the flagpole atop the middle tower of the Grand Union Hotel at 1:30 p.m. Although the streets and sidewalks are crowded with people headed to the track, everyone manages to dodge the 5’ flagpole fragment before it hits the pavement.
At the track itself, “following the excitement occasioned by lightning, upheavals of form and commencing of the meeting, things settled down into a steady pace.
“At 2 o’clock the sun was seen to go away, and from somewhere, just where it matters not, a breeze was felt, an elegant, cooling breeze, so that there was not quite so much wilting of collars and gnashing of teeth.”
Saratoga continues to suffer under the worst heat wave of the summer so far. The federal weather bureau predicts a slight cooling tomorrow before things warm up again over the weekend. The high temperature over the last 24 hours in the Spa City was 102 degrees. Tonight’s forecast is “generally fair not quite so warm.”
FASIG-TIPTON
“There was an innovation in the selling of thoroughbreds” tonight when a Fasig-Tipton
auction of the Grant Hugh Browne stable takes place under electric lights.
“About 1,000 horsemen attended but not one was willing to give more than the reserve price of $20,000 placed on the imported three-yearold King Herod, which was the advertised star of the stable,” The Saratogian reports, “Those sold consisted mainly of imported two-year-olds.”
Margotson, son of 1911 English Derby winner Sunstar, earns tonight’s top price of $4,100. In all, 26 horses are sold for a total of $25,675.
FRENCH LESSONS
Whether they’re headed to Europe later this year as soldiers, doctors or nurses, Americans taking part in the national war effort can “confidently count on going to France or a French speaking country.”
The U.S. became an informal ally of France by declaring war on Germany last April. France and Germany have been fighting since the summer of 1914.
Four Saratogians are contributing to the war effort by offering French lessons to people bound for Europe with the military or Red Cross. Among them is Marselle Halligan of 40 Franklin Street, a native of France.
“I volunteer with joy and will give two evenings a week any day but Thursday night,” Halligan tells The Saratogian. She will be assisted by a companion, Mlle de Soux, “when the classes are more advanced.”