Los Angeles daily herald., 1876-04-29
THE PICNIC EXCURSION.
Fine Weather and - fine TIme-A thou
sand ExcursiOntsts.

The grand holiday, for some weeks
anticipated by the scholars of our pub
lie schools as well as by many chill
dren of a larger growth, arrived vester-
day and was duly celebrated. About
thousand people, young and old, Wis.,
tied Santa Monica and enjoyed all the
rural and seaside advantages there
presented. Although the affair was
especially designed for the little folks,
the advantages of low rates were ex-
tended to the public, and fully as
many adults as children were in at
tendance. The company included the
parents and friends of the children as
we'll as many who were not directly
Interested in children at all. The de-
tails of the excursion were under the
management of DR.. Lucky, who was
ably assisted by Prof. Klmball, and
We are glad to state that not an un-
pleas ant accident or incident occurred
to mar the enjoyment of the day. AT
half-past O'Clock A. NJ. a train of seven
cars well loaded Was dispatched from
the San Pedro street depot. At ten
O'Clock, the train having returned, was
again freighted 10 its utmost capacity
with pleasure seekers. The people APP
peared in all sorts of gala-day attire,
with jolly faces and joyous actions,
and as the train moved off, accompa-
MED by the lively strains of the band,
the spectacle was one to make phi
lanthropic laugh himself sick. There
were those with regiment of chill
dren and plethoric lunch basket, aid
those with few children and little
lunch basket, and still others not af-
flicted with either.
Arrived at Santa Monica the pic
nicers disposed of themselves as their
several fancies dictated, some making
their headquarters at the hotel, while
Others lounged in the booth or bathing
houses, or strolled along the beach.
Few seemed inclined to indulge them
selves with dip in the surf, as it was
generally conceded that the water was
uncOmfortably cold. Some of the
boys ventured in. however, and many
of the little ones, divested of shoes and
stockings, found amusement In sport
ing with the incoming waves. A fresh
breeze blew from the ocean, and main
tained a comfortably cool temperature
despite the rays OF the sun, which
poured down in q rather fervid man.
ner. Altogether the day was every
thing that could be desired by a pic
nicing party. Although many had
provided themselves with lunch there
were still three or four hundred, we
should judge, who were thrown upon
the hospitalities of mine host Chap
man, of the Santa Monica hotel, and
they were regaled to their hearts con-
tent. We heard many encomiums
upon the handsome manner in which
all were received, notwiths sta nding the
crowd, which taxed the capacities of
their quarters. We found the new
wing to the hotel nearly completed.
1t will add largely to the comforts and
convenience of the house, and We have
no doubt that Mr.. Chapman will find
use for every available corner during
the present bathing season. Later in
the day the dining hall was cleared
and all invited to come in and enjoy
the maZy circle of the dance. The
music for the day was furnished by
the Quintette Club, under the leader
ship of Professor Kalmbach. 1t was
volunteered, free of expense, and the
company were largely indebted to it
for the complete enjoyment OF the day.
We add our thanks TO the gratitude of
the management for the generosity Of
the Professor and his able corps Of mu-
sicians.
At three o'clock train returned to
the city, bringing load of pinicers
who wished to draw an early conclu-
sion to the amusements of the Occa-
sion, and at five the remainder of the
company were brought up. 1t is
largely TO the credit of Conductor Reed
that with so many little ones on
board, and all with their heads more
or less inflated by the excitement, not
a single accident occurred. 1t is true
that several of the boys surrendered
their hats to the embrace OF Boreas,
but that was not the conductors fault.
He was father to the fatherless, a
mother TO the motherless, and "nice
young man" for every miss on the
train.
At Santa Monica we had the pleas
ure of shaking by the hand several old
friends, among whom we note Major
Tyus, of the Club House, Mr.. Hough,
the steamship agent, Ed. O'Melveny,
telegraph operator, and several others.
The day was well spent, and we
doubt if more congenial pleasure
party ever left Los Angeles. The
teachers will net quite handsome
sum from the proceeds of the excur-
sion, which will probably be devoted
to the library fund. For this they are
largely indebted to the railroad COM
pany, which gave them most liberal
share of all the proceeds.