New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-06
The Clerks, Benevolent Association
Prize Festival at the Fair Grounds.


Prize Festival at the Fair Grounds.
The association OF industrious young men
of our city known under the above name,
held, on the Fourth of July, festival in
commemoration of the day, and with the
object of recreation. For the most part
members of that numerous organization
widely celebrated as 'can'tget-aways," the
society participated in the festival, and en-
joyed the sweet breath of the open country
about the Fair Grounds with great zest and
much enjoyment. With the design of en-
couraging large attendance, a number of
handsome prizes, consisting of table ware
and silver articles, were drawn by those
who had purchased tickets, and ladies be-
ing admitted only upon invitation
induced large and respectable at
tendance, whose quiet demeanor at
once showed the order of good people
to whom they belonged. Frank Fortunes
brass band performed the musical part of
the programme. Upon the broad platform
were congregated a throng of ladies who
assisted at and enjoyed the dance, consist
ing of varied selection, with the grace and
genteel abandon of private soiree Pro
menades among the giant oaks and along
the shelled walks of the grounds, carriage
drives along the track and expeditions
throughout the broad acres were, besides
the regular order of proceedings, the enter
tainment of a great portion of the assem-
blage. Each got breath of fresh air in his
own way, but toward nightfall every one
was found near the platform, in whose i'm
mediate vicinity the fireworks were spent,
refreshments imbibed and eatables enjoyed.
Mr.. G.. f. Buck opened the proceedings
with an address, delivered in the manner
and couched in the plain language usual
with this young gentleman and rising orna-
ment to his profession.
The sports opened with pony race, mile
heats, best two in three, purse, twenty
dollars in which Fanny Washington, en-
tered by John Belts, came off winner in
I:5612, distancing Salem, entered by j. w.
Falls, and Walk-in-the-Wate entered by
B. McCode. The race of one mile was also
won by Fanny Washington, in 2:Ol1a, beat
ing Billy, entered by j. Elfrace, and Gladi-
ator, entered by A. Piquerer.
The foot race, which, considering the
weather, might actually be called cheat
was won by A. Weisborn, there being,
beside himself A. Durel Jr., T. Nanez and
f. Villemet competitors.
The velocipede race for boys was won by
John Latour.
In the game of base ball between the
Lees and Pelicans, the champion Lees won
by a score of 81 to II.
The races and ball playing wound up the
spirits of the loOkers-on to the very highest
notch of fun and cheerful satisfaction
though a few half grown men were allowed
to interfere somewhat with the fun by their
ill-bred remarks and boisterous running
and skylarking.
The fireworks were the event of the day;
and during their exhibition all things came
to a standstill The spectators saw blazing
suns revolving around invisible axes, and
showering down myriads of stars; beheld
batteries of Roman candles in fretful mimic
of bombardment pouring hot shot and
destruction in cOrruscating curves; beside
stars glowing like brilliants suspended in
air: while bombs bursted in mid air with
loud defamation, sending mimic horrors
round about. The mosaic exhibition was
decidedly the browning feature of the fire.
works, and the conclusion, where the letters
&c. B. A." stood out in bold relief, as if
was dazzling in its beauty.
The association may congratula tie itself
upon the success of the entertainm ent.