Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-07-22
FIatferine Success of the Hibernian
Society Picnic.

Mr.. John Burns kindly informs us that OF all
the picnics heretofore given under the auspices
of the Hibernian Society, that Ot'Thursday last
at Fort Defiance was the most gratifying IN lis
results. An unusually large crowd, composed
of ladies, gentlemen, and children, was In at-
tendance, and nothing whatever occurred TO
mar the pleasantly of the occasion. More than
half score of persons from Harrisonburg also
put in an appearance, and did what they could
to render the dayEone of social attraetlveness'
and to contribute to the pecunlary success OF
the entertainment. Mr. Burns estimates the
number in attendance from Staunton at two
hundred at least. Dancing, swinging. GRO
ouet-playing, and target-shootlng constituted
the principal sources of amusement, and
Mr.. Burns actually exercised the foresight to
take along checker board for the diversion
of those whose stern sense of dignity prevent
ed them from participating in any of the pas
times above enumerated. Father McVerry
was ubiquitous on the picnic grounds, dispens-
ing here and there pleasant smile and here
and there cordial greeting, and his affable de-
portn ent indicated to all observers that he is
alike deeply interested in the social and spir-
itual welfare of his people.
Mr. Burns furthermore informs us, that a
party of young ladies few days ago unearthed
buried sword, which was half drawn from Its
scabbard, while they were walking out some
where in the neighborhood of Middle River.
which had every appearance of having been
the property of some officer who was engaged
in our late war.
This rusty implement of destruction was
rallied at ten cents a chance, and from this
source alone nine dollars were realized towards
liquidating the Indebtedness of the church.
Mr.. VIM. Lally, of Staunton, was the lucky
winner of this old sword. which he received
from the hands of Mr.. W. E. Craig, who deliv-
cred very handsome address on the occasion
of It's presentation to Mr.. Lally.
The ladies of the church encountered no diff
Guilty in disposing of the refreshments which
they had provided for the day. This. toe,
helped to augment the receipts, and altogether
quite respectable sum of money was derived
from the generous crowd in attendance, which
purchased such delicacies as were to be had
and contributed literally in order 10 relieve
the church of it's Indebtedness.
Prof Kountz's magnif cent String Band per-
formed the lively airs which enabled the
young people "to chase the glowing hours with
flying feet"
The day will long be remembered by visitors
and members of the Hibernian Society alike,
and, judging from the enthusiasm with which
all who were there speak of it, will be often re-
ferred to hereafter as the social event in the
history of the Society. There was percepti-
BILE absence of our Irish fellow-citizens from
town on Thursday. and we are glad to learn
that they enjoyed themselves intensely. As
the object for which the picnic was given was,
in part, if not wholly, attained, we derive no
little pleasure from the reflection that the
local columns of the SPECTATOR did all they
could towards making it a success.