The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-08-23
DIAMOND ISLAND ASSOCIATION.
The Basket Picnic Yesterday-The I'M
provement on the Property.

Members and guests of the Diamond Island
Association, to the number of several hundred
went down to the property yesterday in the
Minnehaha and Express
The attention of the visitor is first attracted,
OF course, by the substantial wharf upon which
he lands. This structure some 400 feet in
length has been staunchly built, and is to be
still further improved by laying over its al
ready excellent flooring on additional course
OF planks. For 800 feet or more infront of this
wharf the channel has been thoroughly dredg
ed and the steamers make their landings with
out regard to the tide.
Passing up the wharf we leave the beech
and oak grove on the right and enter the new
and spacious restaurant. This building stands
about half way up to the summit and wooes not
vainly, the breezes from every quarter, the
| DINING room proving comfortably cool even
| yesterday.
In the immense oven, the ample hall, and
the general roominess and liberal provision,
| was shown the confidence of the members that
the colony would not be small nor ephemeral'
| Below are excellent toilet arrangements, while
the elevated piazzas command an extended
prospect. The windows are numerous and the
small many-hued panes serve to brighten the
| general effect.
A fireplace of the liberal proportions familiar
to our ancestoas, has been provided fori the
chilly mornings of early fall On the broad
mantel above were tastefully grouped samples
| of the wild flowers to be found on the island.
| This was the work of Mrs E. Ell. Elwell who
collected these treasures of wood and field
from near and far. A weighty contribution
to the COLLECTION of natural exhibits, made by
Mr.. Elwell, were boulders that coruscated in
the sun like veritable Kohinoors from their
wealth of rock crystals, the numerous deposits
of which upon this island suggested naming it.
| Diamond.
This restaurant is well calculated to supply
| the needs of any number who may make de-
mands upon it. The beans baked in the oven
for yesterdays dinner could not be 'exceled in
quality by any bakers. The ladies will ap-
precate the convenience of this reliable base
of supply in emergencies of sickness and Of
entertaining unexpect~l guests
An excellent feature of the management is
the retaining of so much of field and woodland
for use in common. Through the fragrant
1 "NSN
cutters, which admirably serve for meditative
or social rambles The shore road, winding
| out, now upon breezy knoll, sentineled by
sturdy beeches and elms, and again, taking in
the heavy woods, is destined to become very
popular 81
Much that has been done, will of course sug-
gest further Improvements, but there is no
danger that the management will enter upon
such improvements as substituting for the
delightful elastic turf the common plowed out
road, which SO soon in drouth becomes a hor-
ror of dust. and in rainy weather becomes an
| even greater horror of mud
| There will be no lack of firewood procurable
upon the island, obviatihg for the present the
expense and inconvenience of transporting
fuel as many are compelled to do. The prop
erty has been made very accessible; the Deer
ing farm leased by the association furnishes
fresh provisions, and the restaurant is well
| equipped for cooking them. From 60 to IS
tons of hay were cut on the farm this year.
A business meeting of members was held in
the afternoon, and the committees on public
| parks reported progress. 1t was voted that
they make full report at the annual meeting
in September.
A resolution was adopted to extend vote
of thanks to Mr.. e. G. P. Smith for the ener-
| gy, fidelity and administrative ability, with
which he has managed the affairs of the asso-
citation. and further resolved that one of the
parks on the island be named in his honor.
This picnic proved throughout very enjoya-
BILE, and cannot fail to awaken fresh interest
among members of the association, and others
| in this beautiful and valuable property.