The daily gazette., 1880-08-24
THE CONEY ISLAND EXCURSION
ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PLEAS
URE TRIPS THAT EVER LEFT WILL
MINaToN.

VNh of THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PLEAS
URE TRIPS THAT EVER LEFT WILL
MINGToN.
In arranging for his Coney Island ex-
curslon, this summer, Mr.. Z. Il. K.
smith had seven hundred tickets issued
ior Wilmington and two hundred for
Chester and other points, deeming this
number amply sufficient. But somehow
or other people took an unusual idea of
going to Coney Island, on this occasion,
and the supply of tickets was exhausted
on Saturday night. Yesterday morning
one hundred and fifty extra tickets were
soid at the depot and as many more
could have been disposed OF, had it been
possible to obtain the cars. Thus, many
people had to be disappointed, while the
lucky ticket.holders clambered into and
iilied fliteen cars, while four more were
lett vacant until Chester was reached,
when they too were quickly filed. Every
seat was occupied and number of per-
sons bad to stand. A count of tickets
by Mr. Smith showed that there were
Just one thousand and fifty excursionists
on the train. The start from Whining
ton was made at GAO o'clock.
The ride up was exceedingly pleasant
and Jersey City was reached about 1880
o'clock, trifing delays being experienced
at West Philadelphia, where the train
was divided into two sections of ten and
nine cars respectively, and drawn by
two engines.
By eleven O'Clock the excurslonists
had boarded the commodious and well
known steamer Richard Stockton, and in
few minutes were enjoying delight
ful ride down New York bay. Gov
ernors Island, the residence of General
Hancock, was passed In full view, and
many mentalcompllments were rendered
the General by those on board. Fort
Hamilton, Fort Lafayette, the mammoth
bridge over the East River, Sandy Hook,
The Narrows and many other interest
ing places were noticed, and at II O'Clock
the Stockton brought up at the great
| objective point-the famous iron pier
OF Coney Island.
Thus far, on the cars and on the
cars and on the boat, the Whining
tonians, by virtue of their large and
compact numbers, had made a big
show, but Immediately on landing they
were swallowed up by the immense di-
mensions of the iron pier, and soon be-
gan to assume the form of little par
ties of excursionists scattered here and
there. On the beach it was even more
marked and the big excursion from
Wilmington completely lost its identi-
ty as such, from the time it landed at
Coney Island until it left at night.
To say how the excursionists put in
the time on the beach would be an i'm
possibility. Coney Island is a mag
nificent institution. 1t has bigger at
fractions and more of them than any
other summer resort in the world. At
night, when illuminated by miles Of
gas lamps and hundreds of dazzling
electric lights, the scene Is indescriba-
bly, grand and from the iron pier the
island looked like some vast, enchant-
ed palace, made not for mortal exist
ence, but simply for mortals to gaze
upon in wonderment and awe.
To describe the actions of the Will
mingtonians, it is only necessary to say
that they "took in" the whole island
and all its attractions Nothing es-
capped their notice, and they returned
to tho boat in the evening, declaring
that Coney Island was the dearest, best
spot on earth, and signing with deep
regret at being compelled to leave such
a joyous resort.
On the return the boat left Coney
Island at 1890 o. clock, when the moon
was just fairly up, rendering the trip
around New York bay to Jersey City
of the most delightful character. 1t
was after twelve o'clock before the ex.
cursionists we're all aboard tho trains,
and the return trip was very much de-
layed on account of the car journals
becoming heated several times. De-
lay was also experienced at Gray's
Ferry, the engine being scarce able to
start the heavy train, and stops were
made at Crum Lynne, Ridley Park,
Chester, Lamokin, Linwood and Edge
moor, in order to let off passengers liv-
ing at Or near these places. By these
delays time sped rapidly and it was
five o'clock this morning when the
train reached Wilmington.
The verdict of everybody was that
the excursion had proved grand sue
cess. Faithfully had Mr.. Smith full
filled every promise made in advance
even to the moonlight for the return
trip, and all were warm in their praises
of his successful management. 1t was
the best excursion that ever left Will
mington.