The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-27
Mount Pleasant.

HUGE EACUKslON To THESE PlC-hlC GkoUNDS
YESTERDAY BY ST. JOHNS GERMAN SUNDAY
scHOoL-THg DAY, HOW 1T WAS TO HAVE
BEEN SPENT, AND HOW BAPPILY con-
cLUDED-G0OD MANAGEMENT, ETC.
Yesterday was gala-day for our German
citizens certainly for great number OF
them. They turned out en- masSe to join
the picnic and excursion OF st. Johns Ger
man Lutheran Sunday school TO Mount
Pleasant, and day OF real pleasure they
made OF It. The Germans OF all people un-
derstaDd thoroughly how to enjoy life.
From the richest 10 the poorest they all
seem intutiyely TO know how to be gay and
happy without indulgIng in the extremes OF
festiyify which almost unfailingiy lead 10
carousing and turbulence.
The excursion train which left the Chesa-
peake and Ohio depot at $50 O'Clock yester-
day morning carried some i've hundred and
fifty eXcursionists, while the afternoon
train, which left at $3.50, took out some one
hundred and fifty more. In all there were
some seven hundred gay pic-nickers on the
grounds. or these about four hundred
were grown persons, and the remaining
three hundred children. Arriving at
MOUNT PLEASANT
the excursonists betook themselves to the
various pleasures Of The day. The place is
situated on the west side OF and Immediately
on the line of the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
road, some seventeen miles from the city.
and as ground for pic-nics has many natu-
raj advantages.
The pavilion. which is the central, and,
in fact, almost only structure, is situated on
the top OF pretty hill in a grove OF fine old
oaks, overlooking lake which runs along
between it and the railroad. This lake, or,
as it is Familiarity called, pond, Is some 500
yards in length now at low water, and adds
much to She picturesque beauty OF the place.
There are some reconstructed little
boats, which are hired out by the owner OF
the place, Mr.. ii. A. Cady, at moderate
sum. and add much TO the variety OF amuse-
ments.
The place, with the exception Of the lake,
the not-oyer-impressiye pavilion, and lew
swings and uncoulh benches, has rs yet
been unassisted by art. With some outlay
OF money il could be made a lovely spot !;
indeed, there is already some talk OF raising
a stock company for that purpose.
THE DAY
was warm and sultry, but, as before men,
toned, pleasantly spent by the excursion
lists. The band, under SignOr Felix JAR
della, played awsy in the pavilion, and the
younx peOple danced and swPltered away TO
its varied measures almost without Interrupt
tion from morning till evening. Some rowed
on the lake, others INDUCED in various
games, while the many went in search OF
shady spots, where to make a spread from
their wel-hIed baskets. The three hum
dred children ran dbout 10 great Joy, their
young hearts gladdeDed with this taste OF rll-
raj life and the freedom given to their tickle
fancy, whether TO roam or romp, or 10 give
expression 10 their enthusiasm to the seri-
Gus detriment OF their lungs. Mid all these
evidences OF enjoyment there was something
wanting, there seemed something Rteded.
10 make the people enter into the spirit OF
the day. Up to O'Clock it looked like any
thing but German picnic.
AN HEROIC RESOLVE
had been entered into by the gentlemen in
charge, out OF Difference, probably, TO
American customs, not TO provide any beer
or allow any upon the grounds; and the re-
suit was that these people were naturally
depressed. Here they were, seventeen miles
from the city, on hot day, with scarcity
of water (the well had been drunk dry, anC
cut off from that which Is both food anC
drink, as it were, TO a German. Nothing
could compensate for so great loss, anC
the pre-. sure became so great that the ordel
was rescinded, and the afternoon tram bore
TO the impatient and thirsty crowd kegs o
cool beer and ice. Upon its arrival the rea
Measure OF the day seemed just begun. ant
even those hours Of patient waiting whicl
had been scarcely enduIable to many wer'
forgotten. All seemed life and Joy. The
evening closed upon a merry but most or
derly gathering, who all expressed them
selves highly delighted with the affair.
THE MANAGEMENT
OF the picnic had been entrusted to goo
hands, for everything passed oil happily
and there were no accidents. Kew. MI
Buber. the pastor OF st. Johns cOngrega
tion, is the leading spirit in all enter
tainments gotten up for the benefit o
the church, and while be enters into then
with zeal, exercises gentle and whole
some restraint upon any evidence OF eX
cess.
Mr.. Cordes, OF the committee. was par
ticuarly polite and efficient yesterday i
his attention to the eXcursionists. and t
him is due much OF the success OF the day
The accommodations offered by the Chess
peake and Ohio railroad were all that coul
he desired. The coaches were tirst-claS
and schedule time was made. The al
nouncement that Captain Dame was
charge would have expressed tue aOoV
paragraph sufficiently OF itself, for no eA
cursion or excursionist was ever know
TO suffer at his hands.
The proceeds Of the excursion Will go t'
wards the expense in erecting the ne'
church.