Vanderbilt Cup Races

The woman in the center is Virginia “Birdie” Graham Fair Vanderbilt, Willie K’s first wife.

The date of the photo is October 24, 1908, during the ‘08 Cup Race. Rationale being a similar photo found on VCR.com taken the same day which also clues us in as to some of the others in the photo.

Standing on either side of the wooden column are Eleonora Sears, a renown tennis player of the time, and Mrs. William K. (Virginia) Vanderbilt II. The gentleman leaning on the column could be Clarence Mackay. I believe the photo is from October 24, 1908 since I think that was the only race that all three of them were in attendance at the same time.

Not sure, but this could be Willie K’s mom Alva in the center, as a spectator during the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. She is looking west at racers approaching the new grandstand in Island Trees (Levittown) in 1908. She is clearly protected by at least 2 guards, and as many as 6 based from this photo. I cannot identify any of the 6 guards. The elder gentleman with dark hat on the extreme left is a VIP, which I also cannot recall. Possibly O.H.P. Belmont, Alva’s husband. The photographer was looking SE. That’s all I’ve got.

I found this same photo within the Bain Collection on LOC website. Miss Sears, Mrs. W.K. Vanderbilt Jr., C. Mackay. Not confident that’s Clarence Mackay. The gentleman with the dark suit is captioned - R C Watson in a similar image. This similar image also names ‘C. Mackay’ as - P O Beach. Similar image is within Howard’s site here, 1908 VCR. I did find a RC Watson on a 1920 census, Rochester NY. Robert Charles Watson - Bank President. Could be RC Watson seen. Have no idea of Mr. P O Beach.must have been upper class. 2 women left to right - Eleanor Sears, Virginia Graham Fair.

I’ll look again, but there is an image for Mrs F O Beach within the Bain Collection. Wife of Frederick. Wasn’t sure if the letter was F or P.

In reference to F. O. Beach, here’s a brief bio.:
Frederick Ogden Beach (Jan. 1855-Dec. 17, 1918) was known as a N.Y. clubman, athlete, polo player, and member of the brokerage firm of Tailer and Robinson.  He was one of the organizers of the Meadow Brook Club in 1881.  The 1900 US Census lists him as a Capitalist living in the Town of Hempstead (possibly Bellmore/East Meadow area).  He married Camilla Woodward Moss Havemeyer (1869-1934) in 1899, with his Best Man being Wm. K. Vanderbilt.  She had previously married Charles O. Havemeyer in 1890; he had died in 1898.  At the time of Beach’s death he was living on Park Ave., Manhattan, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

Gary, You forgot to mention that in 1912 he was accused of trying to kill his wife.  Considered quite handsome, his nickname was “beauty Beach”

Al, Just the facts - Only accused, not proven!

Intrigued by the comments of Al and Gary,  I dug up the assault case against Beach and found the conclusion - not guilty by a jury of 12 men, having taken only 90 minutes to come to that conclusion.  It cost Beach $10,000 to defend himself, however his wealthy friends (including Thomas Hitchcock, Jr. and probably the Vanderbilt family) insisted on contributing to his cause (doubt they used GoFundMe, however!).  Beach stayed at the Vanderbilt residence (probably Willie K’s father) while in Paris, before returning to America to stand charges.  From The New York Times.

Lots written about the case if anyone is interested.

Art. He was actually guilty. Note the jury consisted of 12 men, but that’s beside the point. Once his wife sided with him, it was a foregone conclusion he would be found innocent. I personally know he was guilty because I happened to be on the scene at the time looking for Vanderbilt Cup Race memorabilia.  At the time of the attack on Mrs. Beach I saw blood on his clothing and her maid told me Mr. Beach as the assailant. But….by the time the police arrived…. the maid said the assailant was a stranger to her and Mr. Beach said the blood on his jacket was that of his wife gotten there when he carried her inside. Shortly thereafter he got me aside and with a wink, said he had some souvenirs of the races he was willing to part with. We made a deal and I left, but not before taking a sample of the blood on his jacket. Still got it, DNA tests anyone ?