Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 13

THE COLLIER ERA RECALLED Asbury Park Evening Press THE EVENING NEW ASBURY PARK, N.J., MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1960 13 Playboys, Ponies, Flying Machines Had Wickatunk Agog 50 Years Ago ing company employes came down by special train and two days later they were still trying to round 'em all up. There're still a few old-timers around who remember. Like Harold and Stacy Conover who have a farm equipment business on the I "Please give my best wishes to i Mr. Conover and thank him for i bringing back a happy memory. I I also remember polo ponies not only coming into the house but being ridden up the staircase to the upper floor." I It apparently was a very sue-, cessful party.

In 1913, Sir Thomas, Harry Hawker, and an engineer named By JAMES S. BROWN JR. Press Staff Writer MARLBORO TOWNSHIP Between playboys, and polo ponies, and those new-fangled flying machines, things were pretty lively here 50 years ago. You couldn't tell from one morning to the next whether Bob Collier would bust down the pasture fence with his new Wright biplane, or a fox would come ripping through the barnyard, closely followed by a yowling pack of up at the Wickatunk railroad station. "I gave him a ride up the hill in my horse and wagon," Mr.

Conover recalled. Here's what Sir Thomas had to say about it in reply to a letter from The Press: "Your letter brings back vivid recollections of a party which Bob Collier gave as a hou.se-i warming during the summer of 1911. cannot remember the names of all the guests, but I do remember Harry Payne Whitney and Devereux Milburn. "Bob Collier also had a couple of Irish priests who, as far as 1 can remember, spent most of their time mixing cocktails for the thirsty, which included two teams who played polo on the new ground in front of the house, where there was a traveling har to make other transport unneces old family property just below Collier's hill. It was their fence that got knocked down.

And there's Howard Preston, He's county road supervisor now and he was just a young sprout when the high jinks were going on. But he's not likely to forgot the ride he had in that Wright bi-! plane, one of those where the hounds, not so closely followed by Bob and a bunch of wealthy New York sports in red coals. Dunno why old Peter Collier i ever named that fancy eslate of his "Rest Hill." Wickatunk got mighty little rest while his son, Bob, was around. And it's really a wonder Collier's National Weekly ever got published in those days. Had a Good Time But all in all, everybody had a I I 'r -yr-r" jj mtmmimBmin Wrist-' -r i pilot and passenger kind of sat out in the open on the front porch.

Tom Sopwith hasn't forgotten either, though it's probably kind of irreverent to call him Tom nowadays. He's Sir Thomas 0. M. Sopwith, C.B.E., and he owns a couple of British aviation companies and is to England about what Orville and Wilbur Wright were to the United States. Hon Flight Prize It was in October 1911, about a year after he won the Baron de Forest prize with a record 161-: mile flight over the channel to Belgium, that Tom Sopwith turned sary.

Used Polo Ground "I took down a two sealer 70 h.p. Gnome Bleriot and used the 1 polo ground as an airfield, and I remember having to wait until one end of the field was com-! paratively empty during a game of polo to give me room enough to land. pretty good time and every once in awhile there would be an open house for the farmers in the county to kind of make amends for all the crops that got trampled. And those were some open houses, with the food and liquor and all. One time all the publish Signst began developing the planes which a few years later were to guard London and Paris against the German zeppelin raids of World War I.

Represented England Sir Thomas made headlines more recently as a yachtsman, representing England unsuccessfully in the America's Cup races in 19,14 and 1937. It was Bob Collier's father, Peter, who founded the publishing business and also started the tra-jdition of riding to the hounds in i Monmouth County. He originally maintained a kennel of harriers at Eatontown before "Rest Hill" was built. Bob Collier's interest in avis-tion stemmed from Wilbur Wright's flight at Governor's Island, N.Y., in September 1909. He lost no time in becoming acquainted with the Wright brothers and became a stockholder in their company, as he said later "on sentimental grounds." That same year he had taken over the pub-lishing company after the death of his father.

In January 1911, Bob Collier enrolled in an aviation school being conducted in Augusta, Ga by Frank Coffyn, an associate of tho Wrights. That year he became the first person in America to buy a Wright Model biplane for private use. Loaned Plane to U.S. About the time the plane was delivered trouble broke out alons This early Wright biplane shown In flight in 1909 ot Ft. Myer, is much like the plane bought by Robert J.

Collier and flown from his estate at Wickatunk. The Robert J. Collier Trophy shown above Is a bronie sculpture by Ernest Wise Keyser, student of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. It depicts the genius of man In conquering gravity and contrary winds and "having touched the bird and found Its secrets." President to Award Collier Trophy Today StWitttWif i iriin nrisT 0 Bay shore Area Trail N'olHlintrpr't Tnnarrin Ktudin 57 has been converted Into the Mexican border and he loaned his new plane to the War Depart-j ment "as a fine opportunity for the demonstration of the practical Red Chinese Leader OKs Coexistence MOSCOW UP Communist China's president today put a stamp of approval on the peaceful coexistence policy of the Soviet Union as it apparently has been ratified by the Communist summit conference which ended last week. In a goodbye speech at Leningrad, before continuing his tour of Russia, President Liu Shao jr WASH INGTON The Robert J.

Collier Trophy, established 49 years ago by a Marlboro Township, N.J., aviation enthusiast, will be awarded today by President Eisenhower for development of the Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile in 1959. The President will make the award at the While House to the Li.S. Air Force, the Convair Division of General Dynamics and Space Technology Laboratories Inc. A citation with the award states utility or aeroplanes under actual service conditions." It was flown from Laredo, Texas, by the Army's No. 1 aviator, Lt.

Benjamin D. Foulois, and when it was returned to Bob Collier, had acquired the name Laredo. He disposed of his Wright stock white Christmas show with paint, powder, ink, and chalk From Florence Maisel. an Atlantic Highlands artist, comes black and while studies strictly for moderns Louise Eldridge, also from Atlantic Highlands, is exhibiting flower studies in water-color. Miss Geraldine V.

Brown and Miss Marjorie M. Bronkhurst. Broad Keyport, attended a luncheon and meeting of the P.M. Club of the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs in the Ivystone Inn, Pcnnsauken. Mrs.

C. J. Iannell, New York, was the recent guest of her nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey G.

Hartman, Broad Keyport. Mrs. Ethel Poling, Staten Island, N.Y., is home after visiting for several days with Mr. and Mrs. Everett S.

Poling, Fulton Keyport. i jr it is made "for developing, testing, producing and putting into operation the Atlas, America'! first intercontinental ballistic missile, so vital to the security and space exploration needs of the Chi made a confession of faith in Soviet leadership. "The great Soviet Union," he said, "has always been and is today a powerful bastion of world peace. The initiative of the Soviet government and its proposals aimed at easing international disarmament and peaceful co-existence between countries with differing social systems have the sympathy and support of all peace-loving nations and peoples." Freehold Area 4 later in 1911 after being elected president of the Aero Club of America, which had been formed in 1907. As head of the Aero Club Bob Collier began a crusade against "useless and reckless" exhibition flying which, he declared, "has cost so many priceless lives during the past year.

Hoxsey, Johnstone, Moisant, Ely, St. Croix Johnstone and others are too heavy a toll to pay for the morbid curiosity of a public which is often indifferent to scientific results, so long as it may be thrilled by sensational glides and dins and attemots for new alti- flown from Collier estate at Wickatunk in Bleriot monoplane of type similar to one 1911. Robert J. Collier, one-time Wickatunk resident vvho established the Collier aviation trophy. (Photo copied from 1911 issue of the Asbury Park Press.) United Slates and the free world." Hie permanent bronze trophy, which is kept at the Smithsonian Institution, is awarded each year by the National Aeronautic the successor to the Aero Club of America which Mr.

Collier headed when the trophy was established for "substantial achievement in the cause of aviation." Each year's winners recelva small bronze replicas of tha trophy. Previous winners Include Orville Wright, Glenn H. Curtiss, Glenn L. Martin, Gen. H.

H. Arnold and Gen. Carl A. Spaatz. Professional Boxing Probe Opens Today BURGLARS DIG, DIG, AM) DIG PHILADELPHIA During the night burglars tried to tunnel into the hasement of a liquor store from the basement of an adjoining store which they had broken into.

They dug a nice hole before they gave up perhaps when they realized the liquor store has no basement. He said further that the recent summit conference, "resulted in a still further strengthening of the cohesion of the entire Communist movement and in a still further strengthening of the solidarity between the Communist party of China and the Communist party of the Soviet Union, between the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union." L. Welch. The more daring guests were given plane rides. Mr.

Collier on Saturday was flown from Wickatunk to East Freehold to go fox hunting, and the intrepid aviators then soared along overhead, following the Miss Elaine Corrle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Corrie 36 Schivera Ave, and Miss Lois Ann Hrndricksnn.

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lvdon F-. Hendrirkson. 3B Murray Freehold, sophomores at Wilson College, Chambersburg.

will participate in a special program of Christmas music to be presented by the college Dec. 11 Also a member of the Wilson College choral group Is Miss Ortrun Koch, a senior, and daughter of Mr. and Helmut A. Koch, 232 Woodcrest Rd Oakhurst, Ocean Township. Mr.

and Mrs. Raymond Beianson. 50 Barkalow Freehold, entertained Mr. Bezanson's mother, Mrs. Raymond Bezan-ton Melrose, for an extended holiday visit.

Miss Margaret Carney, 17 Vredenburgh returned home after spending two weeks visiting her sister, Miss Jane Carney, a member of the faculty at Kern County College, Bakersville, Calif. Her trip home was particularly exciting since two of the passengers were Gisele MacKenzie and Yul Brynner. Mr. and Mrs. William Stryker 9 Murray entertained Mr.

and Mrs. Roy Capilo and daughter, Sandra, of Middletown, recently The Capitos' son, Robert, is stationed at Earle Naval Depot. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Saslokas and daughter, Carol Ann, Prospect PL, motored to Keyser.

to attend parents' weekend at rotomao State College, where the Sastokas' son, Michael, Is a student, Mr. Katherlne Raker, RD 2, Freehold, and a group of relatives from the Freehold area attended the wedding of Mrs. Eaker'i son, John, to Miss Sadie Coury in Torrington, Conn. tude." Provided Award Bob Collier backed his program by providing a massive bronze award, which he suggested be called the Aero Club of America Trophy, to be granted "for the most substantial achievement in the cause of aviation during each year I feel that such trophy would represent a sounder contribution to the progress of American aviation than any mere WASHINGTON (-Despite the reported illness of one of its key witnesses, a Senate subcommittee opens hearings today on what control, if any, racketeers exercise over professional boxing. Aides to the Senate Antitrust and Monopoly subcommittee said they had been notified that Joseph P.

Barone was hospitalized last son New York and Chicago boxing promoter. Seeks Shakedown Data Chairman Estes Kefauver, had said in advance he wanted to question Barone on what happens when hoodlums, operating behind the scenes, try to muscle in on the earnings of a promising fighter. DIRECTORY 1 1 i From Page 1 But as these communities become linked together by new developments they slowly tend to hunt. On Sunday, he flew to Iewis S. Thompson's Brookdale Farm for dinner.

"Mr. Collier's last trip up In the air as oh Monday, and then he went to his New York home and went to bed. His aeroplane was laid up for repairs, as was he." the Transcript reported. Account In The Press An account of Monday's events In an early issue of the Asbury Park Press relates that Mr. Col- i week in Allentown, for treatment of depression.

Barone, manager of heavyweight boxer Sonny Liston, had been ordered to appear today. Other first-day witnesses for the much-postponed hearings Include Herman (Hymie the Mink) Wall-man, New York fight manager and furrier, and Truman K. Gib- 1 r- Barone's hospitalization was reported to the subcommittee by his physician, Dr. Herbert L. Hymen, who declined to discuss the case with newsmen.

John G. Bonoml, the subcommittee's associate counsel, said Barone had been directed to file a doctor's certificate if he is unable to appear. Summoned for the eight days of hearings are 25 or more boxers, fight managers, promoters and others. Told of Fixed Fight The hearings are the first since reward for speed or daring." But it was not until after his death Nov. 9, 1918 at the age of 42, following war service in Europe in fact not until the Aero Club of America dissolved after the war and was replaced in 1922 by the National Aeronautic Assn.

that the bronze award actually became known as the Robert J. Collier Trophy. And that narhe didn't become official until 1944. In May 1912, Bob Collier gave the Navy a demonstration, flying a pontoon-fitted Wright biplane from Kevport to a landing be South Ocean Area nj Mn rinnnM Camlium of Columbus Air Force Three Women fk. rft lose their former identity.

Thus considerable confusion results when a person picks up the phone and tells the operator he needs an emergency vehicle on Monmouth avenue in Middletown Township. Mr. Seuffert said the new directory will make it. possible to check street names in new developments against existing names to stop any further duplications. He said the directory will be presented to the Township Committee Dec.

14. He said it will be up to the Committee to decide the best way to eliminate the duplications. Mr. Seuffert said no full scale program to eliminate the duplications could be started until an up-to-date directory was iram itiucrs Hope lo orm Cooperative RINGOES UP) A commuter group wants to organize a cooperative to replace the Lehigh Valley Railroad if the Interstate Commerce Commission grants the line's application to drop passenger service. The Lehigh Valley Passengers and Shippers Assn.

announced a plan yesterday whereby a public cooperative would operate passenger trains on tracks leased from the line to provide Allentown, Pa. -to-New York service for subscribers. The Lehigh Valley declined to comment while their application is pending before the ICC, but company officials were reported giving the plan their unofficial backing. The ICC decision is expected in January. The plan calls for the creation of a cooperative which would sell weekly or monthly passenger service on the diesel cars offering six round trips on weekdays.

A minimum of 1.100 subscribers would be needed for the licr and Mr. Simmons boarded the Laredo to fly from Wickatunk to join a dinner party at DeLisle's Inn, then in the old carpenter shop at the Deserted Village of Allaire. "Friends in automobiles kept Mr. Collier in view from the time he sailed from Rest Hill. In a few minutes he was at Lake-wood and circling the Young Women's Christian Temperance Assn.

building," The Press recounted. "The grass around Mr. 'John Rockefeller's place looked soft and velvety. A mowing machine drawn by a disinterested horse was clattering over the lawn. The driver's head was drooping between his shoulders.

Injured' In 3-Car Crash WEST LONG BRANCH Three persons were injured yesterday in a three-car accident at Wall street and Monmouth road. Mrs. Rose Kardane, 31 Mead-owbrook Eatontown, a passenger in a car driven by her Base, and Mrs. Camburn's father, Charles Wood, London, England, are guests of Mr. Camburn's parents, Mr.

and Mrs. Rudolph Camburn. Waretown. Mr. and Mrs.

John Taylor, Ship Bottom, have returned home after a visit with Mrs. Taylor'g sister, Mrs. Frank Harvey, Boston Accompanying them were their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Devlne.

Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Holloway, West Creek, entertained Miss Lydia Wilgus, Laurel Springs, over the weekend. The Rohert Burds of High Bar Harbor are vacationing with relatives in Michigan. Mrs.

Eva Van Mater, Harvey Cedars, returned home after surgery In Paul Kimball Hospital, Lakewood. The Gunther Bucholz family of Harvey Cedars have left to spend the winter months in New York and will return here in the spring. side the fleet, anchored in the Hudson River. Accompanying him was Waller Brookins, first pilot trained by Orville Wright. Reasons for Flying "Now why do I want to fly? Certainly it is not for money or for prizes, because the competitive side of flying does not appeal to Mr.

Seuttert said the survey I daughter. Miss Raciclle B. Kar- me. said Louier on one occa ZZ 3 dane, was in fair condition today sion. "Certainly not for glory, for i was a peacetul scene.

many of my friends regard my "Came a bolt from the blue, tu. at Monmouth Medical Center, the subcommittee last June heard Jake Lamotta, former middleweight champion, testify that he lost a "fixed" Madison Square Garden bout in 1947 to Billy Fox, an underdog in the betting. The announced purpose of the investigation is to determine whether federal laws are needed to curb interstate racketeering in boxing. Creation nf a federal boxing commission is one proposal under consideration. A-BOMB PILOT FLEES HOSPITAL WACO.Tex.

UP! The pilot who led U.S. atomic bombers to Hiroshima and Nagasaki has escaped from the Waco Veterans Administration Hospital where he was a mental Sir Thomas O. M. Sopwith, English sportsman and airplane manufacturer, has happy memories of a 1911 weekend at the Collier estate In Marlboro hobby with something like amused accompanied by the loud putty where she was admitted for observation. Miss Kardane was treated for a sprained back.

Mrs. Margaret a lie new uiiceiuiy, utiuu supply, will be distributed to township officials, police and emergency groups, utility companies, post offices, and the Press Receives 'Correction' From Reader in Australia put-putting of Mr. Collier's engine and down swooped the bird machine. The horse took a sidewise glance, reared up and fell dead. contempt.

Now, why? "For the pleasure of it, because to my mind flying is a glorious sport. Water flying gives you the sensations you seek in nearly ev- Chamber of Commerce. Broadway, Mr. Seuffert said the directory i Branch, driver of another car, will not he aval ah for mih i- i uemcu uii a uudu ui plan to succeed. A veterinarian said it was a case jnt0 a farm wagon driven by of fatal fright." Jim Henry Wagner, on whose After a slight delay, the trip farm they alighted, and were off continued.

"They were making a for dinner. They said they were distribution at this time. siraignt course lor ueusie hungry." Aviators, It seems, were made where by agreement they were to join the party at dinner. But over near Allenwood the engine of stern stuff a half century ago. Bob Collier, recalled Harold Conover, got off to an early start in the airmail service.

He ued began cutting up and the machine pitched about very reckless- Mr. Collier did something to to have his business and personal mail flown down from the house the works and the engine stopped Police Sgt. Warren Brand, who investigated, said a third car driven by Dominick Spanpanato, 626 Campbell Long Branch, stopped at the intersection whWe traveling east on Wall Street. Mrs. Korjus, traveling west on Wall street, was blinded by the sun and drove through the intersection, Sgt.

Brand said. Sgt. Brand said Miss Kardane, driving south on Monmouth road, could not stop her car in time to avoid the accident. Her car hit Mrs. Korjus' car which was drven by crash Impact into the stopped Spanpanato car.

Mrs. Korjus was issued a careless driving summons. 3 Ideologies Of Judaism Discussed ASBURY PARK -Three Shore rabbis last night held the first open seminar on the three theological ideologies in Judaism at Temple Beth-El. More than 800 persons attended the program sponsored by the Men's Club of Temple Beth-El. Rabbi Morris Shmidman, Congregation Sons of Israel, pre It was earth for flyers then.

"A cornfield was the most inviting thing they saw. To it they volplaned. One of the wings struck on the hiil to the main road to Matawan where it was picked up by wagon and taken to the Wickatunk post office. For a while, 'Mr. Simmons and OCEAN GROVE The Asbury Park Press recently received a "correction" from Australia by way of Ocean Grove.

Miss Bonnie Ayres, 58 Mt. Herman Way. Ocean Grove, sent a Sept. 13 copy of The Press featuring news and pictures of hurricane Donna to her friend, Miss Ley, Tovvnsville, Australia. Miss Ley said she "loved it" and read the paper "inside out" from thei headlines on Donna to the obituary notices.

Miss Ley, however, politely called Miss Ayres' attention to an error under the word derivation cartoon on The Press editorial page. Difference in Names The syndicated feature said that Capt. James "Clark," an English explorer, discovered Australia. Miss Ley said Australia was discovered by Capt. James "Cook." Turning to the Encyclopedia Sritannica, The Press learned that Australia was first discovered by the Dutch in 1606.

Several other explorers, including Abel Janson Tasmin, the founder of Tasmania, reached the continent by 1642. In 1770, Capt. James Cook's ship skirted the Great Barrier Reef and landed on a southern coastal region of the continent. He named that strip of land New South Wales. Australia, the encyclopedia says, was called "New Holland" until the middle of the 19th Century.

The encyclopedia says the name Australia was derived from a treatise by Matthew Flinders, an English navigator and hydro-grapher, entitled "Voyage to Terra Australis." Miss Ayres wrote she often sends copies of The Press to foreign lands. "In each case, it has done a really amazing job of creating good will and a better understanding of America and Americans," Miss Ayres said. ery sport. My hydro is nanoier than a polo pony, it is faster than a racing automobile, it is cleaner than any power boat, it is steadier than any yacht. It can skim on the surface like a swallow or swim and soar like a gull.

It can spread at my feet all afternoon the golden panorama of the bay and bring me back at twilight with its nose nestling safely against the beach. Yet, with all its poetry, it is a perfectly practical conveyance." But to get back to that hectic weekend at Wickatunk in October 1911. 2,500 Guests at Estate An account of the doings in the Freehold Transcript of the day relates there were some 2,500 guests at the Collier estate, including many county officials, and meals were catered in huge tents on the grounds. i Besides Tom Sopwith and Bob Collier, the pilots on hand were O. G.

Simmons, Mr. Collier's private pilot and instructor, and A. SAYS ARCHITECTS CAUSE DIVORCES DALLAS, Tex. Swiss-born architect Richard Joseph Neutra said here yesterday that architects are helping to hike the divorce rate by "poor planning and by designing unimaginative housing for masses." The internationally known architect and an associate of Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 1920s cited Brasilia, Brazil's new capital, as one city in which he believed designers would cause an increase in divorces. "Civilian engineering has removed all the top soil there; dust will blow," he said.

"Housekeeping will be most difficult. Fatigues will pile up. People will divorce each other." a shock ot stalks and over careened the aeroplane. The wheels William Manna, the Collier chauf- patient. Hospital officials said Claude R.

Eatherly, 44, a former Air Force major, escaped from the institution Nov. 22. Mr. Eatherly was acquitted of burglarizing two Texas post offices after pleading innocent by reason of insanity. A grocery store robbery charge at Dallas against him was dropped after he was committed to the VA hospital here last year.

A psychiatrist testified at his trial on the burglary charges in 1937 that Mr. Eatherly had a guilt complex and said he felt responsible for killing 100,000 persons at Hiroshima. stuck in the soft earth among the feur, built experimental airplane stubble and the machine was engines in a shop on the estate crumpled up like a paper box. but they never went into corn- Mr. Collier wasn't even scratched mercial production.

but Mr. Simmons was consider Todav, things are much moie restful" on "Rest Hill." In 1927, the Collier family gave the prn-erty to the Catholic Diocese of ably cut and bruised. Joined Dinner Parly 'And after the accident, as soon sented the theology of orthodox Judaism. The conservative view was presented by Rabbi Sidney 1 Schulman, Temple Beth El. Rabbi Aaron H.

Lefkowitz, Temple Beth Miriam, Elberon, Long Branch, discussed the theology of reform i Judaism. Morton Silver, president of the! Men's Club, presided. 30 Millie. Killed TAIPEI, Formosa W-The official Chinese Nationalist Central Daily News of Taipei said today the Chinese Communists had killed more than 30 million people on the China mainland since the beginning of 1950. after as the two aviators decided Trenton and today it is occupied they were sufficiently whole to by the Collier School for the Care join a dinner party of friends and Training of Girls, conducted who awaited at DeLislie's, Mr.

by the Sisters of the Good and Mr. Simmons climbed I herd. liiMssWJksji4s4SMrfsk)l.