The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-05
THE BROAD RIPPLE CELEBRATION.
An Immense Attendance, Good Order and
Interesting Aquatic Exercises.

Nearly 10, 900 people went to Broad Ripple
yesterday to see Captain Paul Boyton do his
renowned water act, and the other aquatic
sports that had been advertised. The Airline
railroa d, which had promised to run trains
so as to accommodate all who wanted trans
portation, failed signally in the attempt. and
hundreds stayed in the city because the trains
were not large enough, and did not run at times
to insure pleasant trip. Ordinary
fiat cars covered with canvas avn
ings were made use of. and all
were so crowded that physical comfort was not
to be expected. The arrangements at the
ground, however, were excellent, and the dispo-
sition made of the crowd was as satisfactory as
could have been expected Tiers of seats, ac-
commodating about 200 people, were put up
along. the bank in Hofman's grove, where the
celebration was held, and an appropriate landing
made for boats. E. NJ Dasher's little steam
launch, John Kankakee Martin, car
ried passengers from the Airline de-
pot to the grounds That is, some
of them; but the greater number walked. Con-
sidering the fact that about one hundred small
barrels of beer were sold during the day, the
crowd was remarkably orderly, there being not
even single fight or disturbance An extra pc
lice force of forty men patrolled the grounds and
helped to maintain order
Besides the attractions advertised in the
programme, there were all sorts of devices for
amusing the people, notably. dancing floor,
shooting galleries, flying Dutchman,n swings,
ETC.. all of which were well pat
ronized, while the dealers in a commodity
alleged to be ice cream and sickly-looking
watermelons, also did a thriving business.
THE BOAT RACES.
The boat races were not especially exciting, for
the contestants were not evenly matched. The
entries for the single scull race, two miles with
a turn, failed to FILL and so as not to disappoint
the people Mr.. E. NJ. Eastwood, who has not
been in shell boat for two years, pulled over
the course in a sixty pound boat against
Mr.. G. A. Price, of Fort Wayne who had a
twenty-five pound boat. The latter won by
two lengths, although his opponent made good.
race, considering that one of his oars broke Just
afterthe start The four-oared boat race, between
the st. Joe Club, of Fort Wayne, and the Def
anee -Four, Of Defiance, o., was easily won by
the latter In fourteen minutes and forty five sec
onds, the representatives of Hoosierdom being
clearly overmatehed. The members Of the two
clubs are as follows: st Joe-S. E. Miller (bow),
Silas Loyenway ~, William Roher 49,, Peter
Henkevins fstroke.) Defiance. H. Wolf bowl,
r. Kelhentdng III, A. E. Roedel l3), c. G. Prince,
fstrokesb
In addition to these races Mr.. Prince gave an
interesting exhibition of fancy rowing
Z CAPTAIN BOTTOMS EXHIBITION
By far the most interesting exhibition of the
day was that by Captain Paul Bo5ton, whose
aquatic exploits have made him famous. He
went into the water at $3.50 o'clock and stayed in
over an hour. He was attired in his patent m
fiated rubber suit, which served to keep him
afoat and by peculiar arrangement
allowed him to stand in water twelve feet
deep, which came up only to his shoulders By
attaching upright sails, he converted himself
into sailboat as it were, besides using double
bladed paddle AS means of propulsion While
in the water, he ate drank, smoked cooked a
meal, made raft fshed. read newspaper
fred off sky-rockets, and did numerous other
things with degree of ease and apparent com
fort that was astonishing, concluding his exhibi
ton with the explosion Of fullngged minia-
ture ship, by means of torpedo exploded by an
electric battery. His performances in the water
were very interesting, and were heartily ap-
plauded
OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS.
In addition to the above mentioned attractions
there was an amusing tub race, and Professor
George Townsend walked wire elevated above
the water about fifty feet and attached to trees
on the opposite sides. The feat was decidedly
hazardous, insomuch, as stiff wind was blow,
ing and the wire could not be- steadily sup
ported by the Hguy ropes, which necessarily
had to be held from the banks.
Fhe programme Of yesterday will be repeated
1krrgn 49, L. $50