Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-06-17
THE ROOTBLACKS.
Their Picnic at What Glen Park Yestertla

Their Picnic at What Glen Park Yesterday.
The picnic to the bootblacks of the city,
given by Col. W. L. PEPPER and Samuel
A. Croft, came off yesterday at What
Glen park. The boys were taken to the
grounds in busscs shortly after one o'clock.
Before they reached the park 4 heavy rain
set in which was soon over. however. when
the sun again appeared, making the hearts
of the boys glad. Besides the boys there
was large number Of gentlemen from the
city on the grounds. Upon the arrival of
the bootblacks they were taken to the large
dancing floor, where they were addressed
by Col. PEPPER and Rev. DR.. Greenwalt.
After the speeches the boys went to enjoy
themselves i'll the woods until the refresh
mcnts were ready The tables were spead
in the house by Joseph II. Roger, contec-
tioner. and they were filled with good
things, including ice cream, cakes, ba-
nanas, lemonade, &c. The boys partoOk
heartily of these things. They spent some
time at the tables, after which all again
gathered on the dancing platform for the
purpose of rccitinG the passage in Scrip
ture which they had committed to men,
ory. The arrangement was that the boy
who would recite a passage in Scripture in
the best style would receive the first prize.
There were a number Of prizes which were
donated by citizens, and twenty-five of the
boys had verses committed. Amos Croft,
Elias McMellen and r. B. Risk were
chosen to act as judges. After the
recital of the verses, which was the most
interesting feature of the day, the boys
were again let loose. They enjoyed them
selves in the woods for sometime at SWIM
ing, boating, swinging. &c, and were
finally called on the platform, when the
judges awarded the prizes as follows g:
Squire Wilson( (coloretD, blacking-box and
kit Henry Howater meat and cabbage
cutter; John Jones (colored). book, g He
roes of Three Wars: Albert Wilson
(coloredD, Bible Charles Coulman, book,
''Wide Awake Albert Zell, Bible ;
Stanley Mills (co!ored). Bible; Cyrus
Henry Roland, whisp; Wm. Wylie. Bible ;
David Morgan (colorcd). book, g Heroes
of Three Wars" -; Harry Keneagy, knife ;
Henry Taggert. book, "IIistory of Mar
tin Luther": Johnson Keener, whisp
VIM. Henscl (colored), book, "Tim Pip
PIN Edwin Howater, knife Calvin
Casey (colored), knife ; John Howater,
knife John Tshudy, book !; George Tag
CERT, knife John Kenner, knife; Charles
Brooks (colored), knife Michael Liiiee.
book Samuel King, knife VIM. Ta"gert
knife John Rinehart, book.
The above named boys were all who had
committed verses and after they had re-
ceived their presents other were given to
the remaining "shiners.' Just before
these prizes were given out about :: half
bushels of peanuts were thrown on the
platform in order to allow the boys to have
scramble This created lots of fun-thc
utmost good feeling existed between the
boys. J. Hay Brown and Thomas J. Davis
both made short speeches to the boys.
After the distribution of the prizes the boys
amused themselves as they we'll knew how
and Il number Of the colorcd bows enter
tanned the crowd b. singing in good style
4 number Of ca:n?mceting songs and
hymns.
The boys returned to the city about
seven o'clock, and as they passed through
the city they gave cheer after cheer for
Mcssrs. PEPPER. Croft and others, who had
shown them so much pleasure.