Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-08-26

EsSn TIE EXCURSION TO HARPER 8
TERRY.-On Thursday Of last week, the
18th instant, an excursion party from
all sections visited Harper's Ferry. The
crowd present was estimated at 5000
persons The Baltimore Sun Of Friday
last contains the following account OF
the proceedings of the day, which we
transfer to our columns -
The Baltimore and Ohio railroad ex-
cursion from Washington, Baltimore
and intermediate points to Harpers
Ferry. so far exceeded calculations that
the company was little short OF equip
ment, but managed promptly to bring
to hand all the cars needed for the ex-
ira service. The number of tickets sold
a, Baltimore were 1,lS6, at Washing
ton l,4l4, total 1900 from these two
points alone. There were sold IN addi-
ton a goodly number of tickets from
way points, and the estimate at Har-
pers Ferry was that there were 4,oOO
people there from the neignboThood,
thus making the excursion one OF the
most complete and successful affairs OF
the kind known in long while. Up
|. wards of thirty passenger coaches were
required to convey the eXcursionlsts
from Baltimore and Washington. The
first train comprised fifteen cars at S.l5
o'clock in the morning, the engine OF
which was gaily decorated. The full
band from Fort McEIenry was on board,
and played inspiring airs as the tram
moved out of the depot. AT $50 sec
ond train, fourteen coaches, departed.
About Ole hundred persons joined the
excursion party at Frederick, and over
two hundred from the Washington
County branch. a coed proportion OF
the excursonsts were ladies. 1t was
remarked that there had not been SO
many people at the Ferry since the last
army left The trains from Martlnsburg
and Charlestown brought number OF
people, and many came on horseback
and in vehicles.
When the trains arrived at Ilarpers
Ferry the people scattered about IN all
directions. Large parties visited Boil
var Heights, Jetfersons Rock, and soon
the heights were dotted with parties
with lunch baskets under whatever
shade they could find. The crowd was
SO great that the pleasure OF the day
was in some measure marred. There
was fine breeze blowing down the 70
tomac, which was greatly enjoyed. Bass
fishing, one of the greatest attractions
to the place, was a failure on account OF
the waters of the Potomac and Shenan-
doah being very muddy. At Byrnes
Island. beautiful island in the Poto-
mae mile above the village. there was
a picnic and tournament, gotten up IN
honor of the excursion. Seven knights
entered the lists, as follows: f. CIT,
Knight of Jefferson, n. Buckles, Knight
of the Night Before Last +. Garrett,
Knight of Pleasant Valley &. Cramp-
ton, Knight of Maryland ; f. Butts,
Knight of the Old Dominion; G. Unseld,
Knight OF Arva, and James Urton,
Knight of West Virginia. Mr. Garrett,
of Pleasant Valley, was successful after
three rides, during which five OF the
knights took the ring three times in
three rides John Il. Gibson and John
Buckles were the marshals.
At the close of the tournament and
after the excursionists had viewed the
scenery of this historic locality, and all
had taken look at the old engine
house where old John Brown was cap
tured in his raid on Virginia in 1859,
rush was made for the cars, which were
rapidly filled to overtiowlng as each
train was drawn up to start. Consider
ing the great crowd to be handled the
railroad officials discharged their duties
satisfactorily. The excursion was IN
charge of Col. E. II. Dorsey, assistant
general ticket agent OF the Baltimore
and Ohio road, assisted by Frank Bond
AID Samuel Spencer, superintendent OF
the Metropolitan branch.
One man, whose name was not ascer-
tanned, fell through the tressels near the
hotel at Uarper's Ferry, and was badly
hurt, and passenger from Washington
fell from a train near the Point OF
Rocks and was slightly injured. The
last train of twenty cars reached Balu-
more at midnight.