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JAMES SWAN Brought the sport of golf to America from Scotland around 1900. Gave lessons o the lawn of Va Cortlandt Park New York City

BROTHERS IN SPORT TO BURY OLD GOLFER The Professionals', Association Claims Body of Edward(sic) Swan, Who Died a Pauper. FUNERAL THIS AFTERNOON Others Offer Aid in Saving Oldtime Instructor From Potters' Field Grave. The body of James Swan, one of the first golf teachers in the United States and the instructor of two Presidents In the ancient Scotch game, but at the end a pauper, who died in Bellevue Hospital on March 14 of exposure, will not be buried In Potter's Field. Jack Mackie, Vice President of the Professional Golfers Association of America, 366 Fifth Avenue, acting upon instructions from George Sargent of Columbus, Ohio, President of the organization, called at the morgue yesterday afternoon and claimed Swan's body. He then made arrangements with R. C. Cody, an undertaker, at 276 Ninth Avenue, for the funeral, which will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock, at the undertaking establishment. Rev. Dr. Nathan A. Seagle, rector of St Stephen's Episcopal Church, will officiate. The burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Maspeth, Queens. Following publication in the newspapers yesterday that the aged golf player had no relatives and would be given a pauper's burial unless some one claimed his body, two other organizations, in addition to the Professional Golfers' Association, offered to attend to the funeral arrangements. The American Golfer Magazine of 353 Fourth Avenue early In the day communicated with the Bellevue Undertaking establishment at 489 First Avenue and arranged for services this afternoon, but when Innis Brown, managing editor of the magazine, learned that the professional golfers wanted to honor the old professional he agreed that it was only fitting that Mr. Swan be burled by the younger men who are carrying on the traditions of golf he helped to establish a generation ago. Meantime. St Andrews Society of the' State of New York, 105 East Twentysecond Street of which John Sloane is President, an organisation for the relief of natives of Scotland and their descendants in this country, was making arrangements to claim the body and bury it In the society's plot In Cypress Hills Cemetery. He was 60 years old and single, and for the last ten years had been making a precarious living. It is believed that some friends of Mr. Swan's better days may learn of his death through the publicity given to his tragic end and attend the funeral this afternoon. He was identified after his death by a card found in his pocket bearing the name of Donald Clarice of the JTP. Jones Corporation. 150 Nassau Street. Mr. Clarke said he had known. Mr. Swan fifteen years ago. when he was nearing the end of his career as a professional golfer. . Mr. Swan was brought to Bellevue Hospital a week ago after he had collapsed at Park Row and Baxter Street He did not recover consciousness and died the next day. There was no money in his pockets. He was one of the first professional golf players In the United States, coming here from Scotland with two others more than a quarter of a century ago. His first lessons were given on the lawn at Van Courtlandt Park. Later, as the game became popular, he supervised the construction of several golf courses. It was during this period that he went to Princeton. N. J., and taught Grover Cleveland and Woodrow Wilson the game. The course at Quogue. L. I., was the last one he laid out

New York Times March 21,1925 - James Swan, 60, has found the 19th hole. For, him It Is peace, relief from all worldly cares, and a liberation from the drear monotony of poverty, For the 19th hole for James Swan is death. A pet of millionaires for 25 years, an expert on the planning of expensive and hazardous golf courses, and considered one Of the best golf instructors In the East, Swan is now occupying a niche In the morgue at Bellevue.- He died a pauper on March 14, never opening his lips as to his former popularity and accomplishments. On the books at Bellevue Hospital The only record of his Identity was this notation: "James Swan, 60 years old. single, a native of Scotland; brought here March 13, .at 6:45 p.m., from Baxter st. and Park Row. Diagnosis by Dr. Callahan of Beekman Street Hospital Died of alcoholism and exposure at 7:45 p.m., March 14.

Old Golfing Friend Identifies Body. The Identification of Swan was made today by Donald Clark, a golf enthusiast, of the J P. Jone s Corporation, at 150 Nassau.st. Through some channel he had heard the man was dead and went to the morgue to view the body. "Yes, that's James Swan, " he said. "I had known him for 15 years. I understood that he came here from Scotland 25 years ago. He was an expert golf player then, a 'teacher, and a genius at laying out golf courses. •"He'was at Van Cortlandt Park for a time, and later want to teach golf at Princeton. For the last few years he hasn't played any golf. But the last I heard of him he was connected with a course at Quogue, Long Island." Unless someone intervenes, Swan's body will be buried in the Potter's' field. Brooklyn Daily Eagle March 19,1925 GeneParsonsGrad (talk) 13:25, 8 September 2017 https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=183150302