Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-25
AMONG THE GROVES.
UNION SUNDAY SCHOOL EXCURSION
UP THE RIVER.
A Delightful Day in the Woods and on
the Water-One Little Or
phan Left Behind.

1t was merry throng of people-old and
young-that left the city yesterday morn
ing for an excursion up the river under the
auspices of the various Sunday Schools of
the city, which had united for the occasion.
Two steamers had been chartered for the
trip-the Governor Dana and Jacinto-and
Captain Dwyer, the veteran of the river,
went along in charge of them, which gave
the excursionists assurance that no acct
dent that human foresight or experience
could prevent would occur to mar their en-
joyment.
And none did happen, although both
steamers were crowded. The majority of
the excursionists were young folks and
children, and if they didn't have delight
full ride up the beautiful river no like party
ever did. 1t was perfect picnic from the
start. The Governor Dana was the first to
leave the wharf at the Pioneer Mills with
its precious load of bright-eye light
hearted little ones. The First Artillery
Band was aboard and discoursed sweet
music as the steamer shot away from the
wharf and led the way up the river.
A few minutes later the Jacinto had also
secured full load, and started off in pur.
suit of the Dana. while hundreds of friends
of the excursionists waved their handker-
chiefs from the long bridge near by.
Although it took the steamers four hours
to reach Snowball's Grove, near knights
Landing, where the picnic proper was
held, the trip was none too long to please
the little ones, among whom were the
children of the Protestant Orphan Asylum
The ride up the river was delightful one,
and the sights en- route were greatly en-
joyed by ALL The banks of the river were
overhung with trees luxuriant with TO-
liage, and beds of wild flowers here and
there peeped through the tangled masses
of blackberry vines and wild roses
When Fremont was reached the Dana
dropped the band, who were picked up by
the Jacinto, and from there to the grove
the passengers on the latter steamer were
treated to popular airs. 1t was high noon
when the steamers reached the picnic
grounds, into which the hundreds of
screaming, singing children poured in high
glee, while the older people set about get
ting out the eatables.
And then the real fun of the day COM
menced. The little ones played all sorts
of games, gathered ferns and flowers and
INDUCED in baseball and racing until
o'clock, when Captain Dwyer-who had
been unceasing in his attention to the
picnickers-caused long. loud blasts to be
blown from the steamer whistles, summon
ing the crowds from the grove to the
steamers. On the return trip the band
changed boats again at Fremont, as on the
way up, and everything passed off joy
ously.
But those who returned so happy hearted
after their days outing little dreamed that
back in the tangled wood they had just
left was one poor, lost and bewildered
little orphan child, who had been over
looked in the rush to get aboard the boats
and had not been missed. Just how the
lone little picnicker happened to be found
is not known here, but a telegram was re-
ceived from Knights Landing Just before
the excursionists reached the city, stating
that child had been found in the grove
and taken to that place, where it would be
cared for until this morning, when it
would come down by the first railroad
train.
The river abovethe mouth OF the Feather
was revelation to many among the ex-
cursionists, most of whom had grown to
believe that the Sacramento had its source
in mud-bank. At the point named the
muddy water ceased, and from there north
ward the water was clear and beautiful to
look upon.