The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-07-10
TIE CHANGERS, PICNIC

The question most frequently asked
during the week preceding our national
holiday, was, Where shall YOU spend
the Fourth ?" A question much more
easily asked than answered; for the ex-
eursions planned for that day were so
numerous, the fares so low, the pro-
grammes so varied, and each so replete
with promise Of pleasure, that it was
difficult TO choose from among them.
Finally, however, sitting our warnings
toward Oregon City, repressing desire
to take passage on the Annie Stewart
for, a trip to the grand Cascades, and
resolutely banishing thoughts of Ka-
lama, We hurried TO the depot, aud pro-
cured an excursion ticket for Hillsboro:
and the momentous question was de-
eided.
As is usual on such occasions, accom-
modations had been provided for the
pleasure-seekers, by placing number
Of open cars properly seated in advance
Of the passenger coach, and by the time
the train bore us from the last station
this side of HilIsboro, every seat was oc-
cupied, and many falling to obtain seats,
were compelled to stand. -'-
Arriving at our destination, we found
already assembled considerable crowd
of the patriotic citizens of Washington
county, aud when, after the space of
half an hour, the train came thundering
from the classic shades of the renowned
county of Yamhill, the crowd was
swelled TO vast multitude. The
Grangers having charge of the exercises,
everything, as might be expected, went
Off in ;he most approved style.
The procession being formed at the
station, gay with regalia, and gorgeous
with banners, preceded by bands dis
coursing patriotic music, marched to the
grove, where a speakers stand had been
erected and seats prepared for the as
sembled multitude. The exercises were
opened By prayer by Rev. VIM. Jolly.
/ This was succeeded by the reading of
the Declaration OF Independence by Mr..
Upton, aud at its conclusion Hon. T. +.
Campbell delivered the Grafton OF the
day. We were so unfortunate as to be
unable to get within sound Of his voice,
but from the attention given during the
| discourse, and the demonstration at Its
close, we presume it to have been very
entertaining to those who were more
/ fortunate than we After the eloquence
of the Grafton was spent, came the grand
picnic. And, truth to tell, this seemed
to be the most generally enjoyable fea'
lure OF the day.
Tables, which had been erected a
convenient distances, soon presented al
appetizing appearance; and, as merry
groups gathered around then, the granC
old woods became vocal with the hun
of happy voices.
Dinner over, the merry-makers dis
persed in various directions. AnC
whether as participants or spectators il
the match game of base ball, stepping
to the sweet sounds Of music in the sta
ton house, wandering in the solitude
of the summer woods, or gathered il
groups discussing matters of genera
Importance or personal interest, eacl
and all seemed TO enjoy to the utmos
the delightful occasion.
The picnic grounds at Hillsboro ar
well shaded, well watered, and con
venient OF access, being but short dis
tance from the station. There has beel
already considerable labor bestowe,
upon them, and it is the intention t.
farther improve them by having then
sown with clover in the fall. The mum
ber Of persons present have been vari
ously estimated at from two to fou
thousand probably the former numbe
most nearly approximates TO the truth
The occasion was, as rule, far NOR
enjoyable than is usual where suel
large crowds assemble; in fact, we hear
Of nothing to mar the pleasure Of th
day; and when the evening trains cam
painting back, to bear the pleasure
seekers to their homes, the unanimou
expression was, ave have had splen
= did time,n thanks to Hillsboro, th
Grangers, she oregon Central Railroa
Company, and the Fourth of July.