The New York herald., 1876-10-18
A MONSTER CLAM BAKE.
HOW THE BABCocK CLUB DEvoURED DI-
VALVES, CHICKENS AND sHEEP's HEADS

HOW THE DAscocK CLUB DEvouRxD HI
VALVES, CHICKENS AND sHEEp's HEADS
NOTABLE GATHERING.
The Rhode Island clam bake. OF, more properly.
the W. r. Babcock clam bake la Rhode Island, came
of yesterday afternoon in that pretty little grove OF
trees adjoining Gabe Cases Hotel Central avenue,
beyond McComb,s Dam. II will be remembered
for many years by all those who were for
tunate enough to bo present, one OF the
brightest anc bappiest social stag parties
that ever took place in Westchester county.
Although these clam bakes at Gabe Case's not
nua meetings, that datc their inauguration some
twenty-five years back, they have already become re-
markably popular and the scientific object OF the pro-
moters Is being quietly developed 1t is not perhaps,
generally known that the first clam bake hcld Gabe
Cases originated through desire Of certain celebrated
physicians In this city 10 thoroughly tcst the bencent
and wholesome qualities of the hard and soft clam
an article OF Lurimcnt With this audab.e object in
view Mr. Shepherd knapp, Of the most celebrated
clam eaters Of tho day, elected President OF
the club, md, after considerable discussion,
Mr. +. G. Allen was selected to support
him Vice President Assisted by these talented and
experienced officers tho members carefully
ectcd is the proud boast OF this young but
cnterprising organization TINT they pick out
than like number or any other duly organized asso-
ciaton At tho first meeting of the club 1t satis
iactorily demonstrated by well known member that
the human stomach could safely carry thirteen dozen
OF CLAIMS but ycsterdayto the astonishmcnt OF the
scientists OF the worlda novice succeeded In swallow
ing dozen aud hall, and IT ono O'Clock TINS
morning was still living.
Somo 500 invitations were Issued TO yesterdays clam
bake aud in order prepare for such large number
or visitors Mr. W. r. Babcock. the manager OF the NJ
fair was on tho ground at early hour. Mr. Babcock
IA a o. Island.
ing tho most scientific baker Of clans IN the WIDE wide
world The initial proceedings comprised the lighting
OF nre, large hole about l2x6 feet that
heated the stones which were 10 generate the steam to
cook the bvalvcs and other cdioes. II took about
an i.our aud halt 10 get tho stones hot.
aud then the business commenced under the
direction of Mr. Babcock. The hard clans
Land noxt to the stones ana then came layer OF
soft clans oysters On top placed the Sleeps
head and then the chicken, chicken partridge and lob
Irish potatoes and then covorei with ana
thick layer of wet rock scaweed. While tho good
things cooking the guests began to arrive, aud
coaches carriages and wagons soon hed tho sheds oil
the hotel and numbers hat to be tied up under tho
rccs. The walters were busy setting tho tables, and
the guests occupied tho Intervening Tine by exercising
themselves drinking appc,izng fluids Al last the
manager gave the welcome Intelligence that steam
had settled the luscious clam and re- uccd IL to that
condition when 1t was wholesome food. There was
general rush for the tables and before long some 800
or 400 werc seated ana hard at work. Among those
present President Shepherd Knapp Wee prcsi-
dent +. j. Allen, Mayor Wickham, Sheriff Conner,
General Sheridan, OF New Orleans; Richard Scnel, H.
y.
Dam, g. X. Lansing, Colonel wybcrt. Jonn
A. Dougan, John Merritt Ed. Gilmore, Billy Lang,
Judge ka ana f Soaraey
Harry Feter, sam Fellcr. Joe Crocheron, Billy Woo
sier Mr. Buck Of the SPIRIT Of the Times; John Platt,
Billy Birch Bobby Swim, James Flack. Gil Palmer,
Hosea b. Perkins, William Turnbull and others. The
bake was served in three courscsFirst, shoepshead;
second chicken and chickcn partridge, and, third.
clans, lobslors and oysters Tho actual amount OF
cdibles included in the bake were as foows:-
Soft clans 20 bushels
Hard clans. 10 bushels
onecpsheau. '''..''..'...'..'....' oo
Cnicken ...'....'.''......'....... oo Far
Chicken partridges. 80 par
corn. zpIIeis
sweet potatoes ........................ parrei
Irish potatoes uarrcl
l.oosters.. ouc,s
Oysters OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. oarrei
Tripe loo hounds
justice 10, but tow OF the cid hands were
observed waiiing patiently for the clans,
and wncn they arrived business began ID
earnest Allon otthe House, opened ball by
ordering up couple or baskets OF wine. and ten mn
u,cs after that there was enough vino open to float
ship Alter tho glasses had been thrccqunrlcrs OF an
hour the tables all OF The guests had finished with
tho exception Of Bobby Swim, who. was still hard at
after dozen of the clans disappeared and sym
palhizcd with him when, with a sigh OF
despair, he dropped the fork that pierced
the II til clam and retired from tho table. He
Immediately tax in charge By the attendant physi.
clans, and IN about minutes bulletin was sent In
TO the guests the hotel that read. 'Paticnt doing
remarkably well-may possibly get we'll {" Alter such
cheering intelligence tho fun commenced, and while
BabcocK entertained select purity IN the buck
room with hts IGmous clam bake song ..Tnc Bird
ON the HiIl' thcro was some excellent jig dancing
iu tho front OF the house. After some spirited compe
tition the prizo awarded to Tom Black who ap
pcarcd in h's specially, entitled "Dancing for that
Cake" rho festivities were continued until late hour
and everybody returned 10 New York. having enjoyed
the best clam bake OF the season.
Mr.. Bobby SWIM interviewed at o late hour las.
night and Is happily out OF danger. He says his lie
saved through the immense quantities oi The Bab-
cock sauce that he consumed with his clans