Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1886-08-05
TO.DAY,S BIG PICNIC

OF The G.. A. RI. At SavIn Rock
About Ten Thousand People Expect
ed At The Shore-Fhe Days Pro-
gramme-Soven Hundred Vets From
Danbury-The Parade-The Days
SpOrts-The Boat Race-The Draw
Ing For The Prizes.
AS the average American citizen eagerly
scans the sky on the night preceding the
Fourth of July, 30 did the comrades of Ad-
miral Foote post and the citizens of New
Haven generally watch the signal flags and
weather reports last evening. Everything in
the way of preliminary arrangements for the
great Grand Army picnic at Savin rock to-
day had been carefully attended to, and the
anxiety for pleasant day was now the all
absorbing feature. The committee have done
herculean work, and with favorable weather
the affair cannot but result in grand fnan-
cial success, and the treasury of Admiral
Foote post. The picnic has assumed propor-
tions not dreamed of at the start. Indeed
it will without doubt prove more of State
affair than local, for large proportion of
the pleasure seekers at Savin Rock to-day
will come from the surrounding towns. One
special train from Danbury is to bring seven
hundred veterans, most of whom will stop
at West Haven station. It will be such a
gathering of hungry humanity as
Saven Rock has never before
known and the hotel and restaurant proprie-
tors will have an opportunity to cover them
selves with glory, and it is to be hoped that
they will improve it. With the warning
they have had there is no excuse for being
unprepared. The amusements for the day
are all of an innocent and interesting nature.
The programme begins at 10 O'Clock with g
grand march of the veterans, in which it if
expected every comrade from home and
abroad will join. The route is to be simply
through the main street of the village,
occupying about twenty minutes. The
line is to be under the command OF
Acting Commander of Admiral Foote
post James N. Coe. Then comes an inter
mission until 1 o'clock, giving the veterans
an opportunity for a genuine interchange of
friendly greetings. At 1 o'clock the sports
begin with an amusing obstacle race, follow
ed in quick succession by three legged
race, wheelbarrow race, egg race, sack race,
water duel, tug of war, boring contest and
bowling, for all of which prizes are given.
The feet of sailing crafts number twelve,
under the direction of Captain Luzerne
Barnes of Fair Haven, and are as follows:
Ada Ellswood, Captain L. Rowe; Emma.
Captain F. Rowe; Estella, Captain F. Barnes;
Fanny, Captain g. Potter; General Grant,
Captain A. Barnes; Freddie, Captain R. w.
Stirrup; General Custer, Captain H. Carrot;
Rarus, Captain j. Landers; Leah. Captain j.
E. Holman; Agelia, Captain w. Miller.
Prizes as follows: $15 to first, SO to second,
pennant to third, box of cigars to fourth,
last boat in So.
At p. m. the great feature of the day
begins. The drawing of the numbers from
the box by Miss Anna J. Chaplin will doubt
less prove satisfactory to all. The committee
have sought to guard against every sem
blance of unfairness. The list of prizes and
the manner of drawing have been prin I'd in
an elaborate circular, while the whole affair
will be conducted in full view of the people
Each number as drawn will be placed upon
the blackboard. The fortunate holder of the
duplicate number need be in no hurry to
claim his prize, as correct record
upon a book is to be kept of each
coupon taken from the box. Any
prize not called for in fifteen days is consid-
cred the property of the post.
The Second regiment band is ordered to
report at the corner of the Green at $50.
After few selections the band and those
who have not already gone will take cars for
the Rock. Visitors and patrons generally
would do we'll to purchase horse car tickets
of the comrades, as the railroad company
give the post a liberal commission on all
tickets the comrades may sell.
Among the contributors yesterday whose
donations came in too late for the published
list are: w. S. Sanford, picture of Abraham
L. D. Chidsey & Co., 3 bags of -four.