Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-30
Over Six Thousand People Attend the
GIassworkers' Picnic.
A PLEASANT DAY AT ROCK POINT.
Battles With Fakirs, Who We're Driven
From the Grounds.
TIE OFFICERS MAKE SHORT ADDRESSES

the most thoroughly tired crowd that evel
visited the place. 1t goes without saying
that the reunion was il every way perfec
success.
The day was all that could be desired
Not one drop of rain fell from sunup until
evening to mar the pleasure of the thousands
of glassblowers, with their wives, sisters
and sweethearts who attended the picnic
The special trains out of Pittsburg and AL.
legheuy carried with them nearly every glass.
blower in the county, and three extra trains
from the Ohio Valley had to be put on to
accommodate the crowds from Wheeling
and vicinity.
The thousands Of readers oe THE DIS
PATCH need no introduction to Rock Point.
The many shady hooks, the lorg grayeled
walks through the trees, the dozen or more
lovers seats cut in inches in the huge rocks
and the beauteous views of nature along the
picturesque Connoquenessing are all well
known. As fast as the different trains
stopped at the station the people scrambled
out and overran the grounds. Luch baskets
were opened and those who did not care to
dance put in most of the time lying about
on the grass and catering to the wants Of
their inner man.
JUST OUT FOR FUN.
An open air meeting was advertised for
the afternoon; but the majority OF those
present came to enjoy themselves at picnic
and had no time to listen to speeches. The
two large dining pavilions were crowded to
their fullest capacity most of the day by
those who loved that kind Of amusement.
The Mozart Orchestra and the Royal italian
Band played their best music for the fol-
lowers Of the terpsichorean goddess, while
the Mayer Brass Band. of Wheeling, rem
dered sweet operatic music during the day.
Besides the dancing all kinds of amuse-
ments had been provided by the different
committees. There were foot races, sack
races, potato races, baseball game and a
fat mems race. There was the "merry-g 60
round" with its wheezy hand-organ accom-
paniment, intended to lure people inside
the ropes, but in reality had the effect of
driving many away. The swings, bowling
alleys, etc., were also centers of attraction
to the thousands of men and women.
In the forenoon the grounds were over
run with "fake" or "win" games. The
"shell" men were there in great numbers,
there being half a dozen boards in opera
ton at one time. It would be impossible to
enumerate the other devices for the purpose
of catching the shekels of the unwary. The
cane man, the 'blower," the striker" the
"lifter," and the 'scuon," who held up his
head for people to throw gum balls at, were
scattered all over the ground. Something
new at the place is roller coaster, that did
fourishing business all day.
SEEING THE SIDE SHOW.
A very small side show, that formerly
travelled with a smaller fy-by-night circus,
had its tent pitched on the ground and made
about enough money to feed the skeleton
who never eats" The circus furnished
amusement to the city people who had been
to see Barnum's or Forepaugh's shows and
the men who patronized it silently SUNK
away and kicked themselves. There was
but one performer who had high sounding
name with the title of Professor" tackled
to the front end of it. A very heavy woman
in black tights, took tickets at the door,
but did not perform, except occasionally
take whirl at the hand-organ, while the
boy was assisting the professor. A Wylie
avenue colored citizen, whose face was
streaked with paint and his hair soaked in
stale beer to make it stand erect, exhibited
pictures of himself and gave an exhibition
of very poor whistling. While not engaged
in these arduous duties, he beat heavy
bass drum, keeping tune with the hand
organ. The whole show carried the OBJ
servers back to Dickens "Old Curiosity
Shop" and the authors characters of the
travelling showmeD.
During the day number of fights oc-
CURED between the managers of the picnic
and the "fakirs.,' The latter were working
under the direction of a well-known
gambler Of this city and would not leave
the grounds when ordered. They were
finally
PUT OUT OF THE GROVE
proper, and opened up business on the walk
leading to the station. Here, well-known
alleged prize fighter of this city, who has
had his face smashed a number of times,
knocked down manager and kicked him.
Another man was knocked over the hillside
and slightly injured.
An industry, that apparently sprung up
from the ground, as if by magic, was
number of pocket "speak easies" About
dozen men, residents of the place, coined
money selling pint and half pint bottles of
alleged whisky. They had no trouble dis
posing of their stock, but they never sold
twice to the same man. The stuff was worse
than the 'embalming fluid" to be purchased
at Johnstown, and there was no necessity of
going to a circus to see snakes if one
drank a good mouthful of it. The
stuff was concoction of alcohol
and something else no one could analyze.
Where the men got it it was impossible to
discover. If person asked for halfpint,
one of the dealers would disappear and in a
few minutes return with the stuff.
In the afternoon President William Smith
made an address. His speech was beauti-
fully worded picture of the benefits of or
ranized labor, and gave history of the as
'ociation. He said the latter was organized
July 9, 1879. in Pittsburg, with member
ship of about 1000. This has been increased
10 6,UO0, and taxes IN every glassworker IN
he country. The history of the organiza-
lion shows continual struggle with the
rlass manufacturers. The association fought
hem until at last they won the respect of
heir employers by their manner of fighting
or what they considered their rights.
SECRETARY DILLON NEXT.
Secretary William Dillon followed the
President. He eulogized the glassworkers,
Ind especially the Federation of Trades.
lie spoke of the eight-hour movement
which is sweeping over the country, and
aid they were all working for one common
ause, viz, the elevation OF labor.
John Elmer, one of the bes. known labor
ditors OF this city, made the closing ad-
lress of the meeting. His speech was a
commentary on the Federation
# Trades, and he closed by advising his
hearers to organize for the eight-hour move