Daily Republican., 1882-08-28
mig QUARTERLY.
The Big T1me among The COl0red
People Seriously InLerKerred
with DV Ghe DrenchlnE Rain,

People Seriously InGerFerred
with DT the DrenchIDE Rain.
The last Sunday In August Is annu.
ally looked forward to with much in
terest by the colored folks of this city
and the country round, 10 being what
is termed "Blg Quarterly" or the cele.
bration of the Incorporation of the Afri-
can Union Church. Yesterday was
the sixty-ninth anniversary of the
event and the oolored people made
ample preparations for the event and
anticipated big time. They were
doomed to disappointment, however,
by the heavy rain. which commenced
to fall at an early hour in the morn.
ing and continued to pour thro ughout
the day in unceasing torrents.
Anticipating clear day large mum.
Dor of cOlored people came to town on
Saturday in order to be present at the
opening ceremonies but they likewise
were much chagrined when they woke
up In the morning and found the
sky overloaded and the rain falling in
torrents. Watermelons, peaches and
other eatables were purchased on Satur-
day In anticipation of an immense
crowd on Sunday, but many of the ar.
ticles were left untouched.
Notwithstanding the inclemeut wealth.
er, the city contained an unusual mum.
ber of visitors. The centre attraction
was at the p. W. & B. Railroad station
upon the arrival OF the morning trains
and when the storm was at It's highest
pitch. The cars were crowded with
men, won en- and children, who rushed
from the train aud sought refuge under
the depot sheds and the surrounding
houses.
Shortly after ten O'clock the steamer
Major Reybold landed goodly num-
Der of persons at French street wharf
and it was certainly an amusing sight
to see them run for shelter. Most Of
these excursionists came from Salem,
N. j., and they were surprised to see it
raining upon their arrival here, as 1t
showed no signs of heavy rain when
they left home, consequently they were
not prepared for the sudden outburst
that greeted them here. Many of the
ladies were robed in their best and car.
ried their sun shades instead of umbrel-
las, The steamer Elw in Forrest also
arrived with small load from Phila-
delphia and Chester Most of these
sought refuge in aud about the depot,
while the hacks carried load after load
to various points up town S5ansbury
Murray, at No. 8 French street was in
his element and his sore was densely
packed nearly all day.
He served up a regular big quarterly
dinner for 10 cents and those disap'
pointed in having good time at "BIg
Quarterly" were not disappointed in
his big dinner. A reporter was stand.
ing near by and he was much amused
at the mauy remarks made in regard to
the weather, etc.
One woman said "look yere Sue, if 1
had known this l wouldn t have come"
Another said 81 don't mind bein' wet
if hadn't stepped in that are mud
puddle, and dirtied my stockingS"
Upon hearing this remark before sew.
eral colored gentlemen, some of the
most timid ones "blushed" CD and one
of the number turned around and asked
if her face was red, which brought
down the house aud she took the Cale.
Thus the hours were whilcd away.
The new hotel, corner Front and
II was Oi'CuOu lOL buO hlbb
by William Banks. the colOred hod
carrier, who had refreshment stand
therein for the accommodation of the
visitors and a number sought refuge
from the storm in this place.
The ual crowd on French street
was missing, but the houses along tne
line were crowded with disappointed
visitors. Everything relating TO big
quarterly was failure with the ex-
ception Of the annual meeting OF the A
U. NJ. 2. church, Wilmington circuit,
which was held in the large church at
Ninth and French streets, and was
densely packed at each service. 10 the
morning love feast was held and the
Rev. Benjamin Freeman, Of ElktOn,
preached the morning sermon. In the
afternoon the Rev. Daniel Rossi, OF
this circuit, preached an eloquent ser
mon and in the evening the Rev. G.
Lloyd Peterson, of New York occupied
the pulpit. The services were all inter-
esting and appropriate to the occasion.
In the evening the majority of the visi-
tors returned to their homes, drenched
to the skin, but apparently happy, as
they are under all circumstances. Many
of the visitors, however, remained in
this city until this morning when they
took their departure. thus ending one
of the "biggest days"among the colored
folks in this city.