The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-06-11

THE scHooLs' PIC Mo YRsTERDAY.-
The Picnic excursion of the First,
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Ward Public
Schools to Cresap's Grove on the ST.
James yesterday, was truly, in the Ian
guage OF the advertisement, "grand"
affair. At an early hour crowds began
to gather at the wharf, and when, III
tie before eight o'clock all the excur-
siorists we're safely slowed aboard. anu
covered and filed the boat from JACK
staff to stern, within and without from
boiler deck to pilot house TIL the yes
sci itself seemed futteringr moving
/ mass "a thing of Iiie,-there were
l nearly as many FRIENDS on tne landlng
- M them adieu as there were OF those
a., EsyEed for a days featiyity. The
srboois turned out their full numbers,
| the Fourth Ward alone mastering over
! 6OO, and hundreds of parents and friends
accompanied them, so that when ally
were embarked the precious freight of
the good steamer st. James numbered
not much less than two thousand souls.
Never did an excursion leave The
landing under happier auspices Never
was the sky blusr, or the sun more
golden, or the woods greener, or the
river brighter or the birds along the
banks more Joyous in their melody. 1t
seemed to the happy children on the
boat, old and young-for on such &C.
casious all are children-as II happy
angels had garnished the brightest day
In the calendar for their special enjoy
ment.
The boat reached the grove about ten
a. m, and very soon the immense
throug dispersed hither and thither
through the grove wherever shade and
grass offered resting places. Then in
Vulnerable baskets, with inexhaustible
contents, were uupacked and by elev-
en- o'clock everybody was taking lunch
with a relish even at that early hour
which an early breakfast and the fresh
tree air of the country had impaired.
A booth was soon imprOvised, and ices,
mineral water and other refreshments
dispersed to the hungry and thirsty.
When the early dinner was over, the
baskets and loaYes were gathered up,
and the diversions of the day began
A great ring was stRked Off and rope
stretched around it for the dancers. A |
splendid string band belonging to the |
boat was brought out and set going and |
in IA marvelously short time the dance |
circle was filed with a swinging, whirl- |
ing, terpsichorean throng,
Chasing the glowing hours with flying
feet"
over turf as verdurous and amid lights
and shadows as charming as those OF
a Temples Vale"
In another direction great ring was
formed and the younger folks and |
many of the older ones, uni
ed in the score or more of plays |
rom Copenhagen" down to "Sister /
PhFnnn - nj fnk
save thoughtless innocent en- |
oyment, but all of which, entered into
N their true spirit, mean world of !
his. Then OF course there were couples,
IS there have been ever since the DAYS |
jt Eve and Adam, who found their |
greatest felicity in corners ard hooks
by themselves Then when the players
and dancers got tired there were green /
grass and shady places TO rest in, and
when they got hungry there was plenty |
% eat, and so the day wore away and
ne sun declined in the west; and since
everything must find an end at last, so
n last did the enjoyments of the grove.
Tue baskets and hats were gathered up,
and a; four o'clock all were again en-
parked for home, and between six and |
seven IN the evening, the steamer once
more lay at the wharf, having safely
returned every one of the precious souls
Entrusted to her keeping in the morn
to the admirable man
lgement of those in charge. The fol-
lowing card from the officers of the
schools expresses the feeling of all who
in the excursion:
The undersigned, Superintendent t
and Principals of public schools, in the
city of Wheeling, take this means of
expressing their sense of gratitude TO
the officers of the splendid steamer ST |
James for their gentlemanIy deport-
ment and attentive care for the comfort
and safety OF the passengers during the
recent picnic excursion to Cresap's
Grove. They would also express, in
the highest terms, their admiration of
This splendid steamer, and earnestly
commend her to the patronage OF the
travelling public.
F. 5. WILLIAMS,
Superintendent.
u. w. DAVENPORT,
Principal Ist WGrd.
]. c. FUTILE,
Principal 4th Ward.