The Newtown bee., 1891-08-14
The Foresters, Excursion.

The excursion of the united Fofes-
tiers of Danbury and Newtown to Coney
Island, via Wilson's Point, August lo,
1891, was an unqualified success. A
train of five cars and baggage car TOOK
between 300 and 400 excursionists from
Newtown, while the Danbury friends OF
the Foresters took two trains OF elghb
and II cars respectively to carry Them
The first mates register showed nearly
1900 passengers aboard from Danbury
before the arrival of the Newtown con-
tingent, which swelled the number TO
1900. This did not include babies in arms
or very small children and it is believed
the boat had, with this addition, her tulI
capacity of 2100, yet the boat did not
seem overcrowded, as she swung OIL
from her mooring at the Point at exact
ly 10 m. The day was an ideal one for
a sail on the water and the Danbury
band, alternately in the bow and stern,
rendered musical selections to the deEShG
of the happy excursionists. The rum
ming time from the Point to New YORK
is two and one half hours, but, owing
to adverse tide, 31st st.pier was not reach
ed till l D m. Here about 200 went ashore,
some to see the ball game at the polo
grounds, some on business or for sight
seeing and some because others did. The
boat then dropped down the harbor ana
the refreshing breeze from the Atlantic
was drunk in eagerly by all lungs, while
the sights and objects of interest were
pointed out and expatiated upon by some
knowing ones to groups of wonder max
ing friends. At 2 30 p m,the boat round
ed up to the new iron pier at Coney Is
land, where all but a handful went
ashore. After an hour and a hall, which
is ample time to see the sights, spent in
the pleasures of this great watering
place of the world, return was made to
the boat, which all reached safely and on
time and, exactly at 4 30 p m, the boat
started ON the return trip. The same
speed was made on the return to 3lst
street pier as on the outward trip and
precisely at p m, the gang plank was
put out and the metropolitan contingent
came on board. The sail up the East
river and Sound to the place of starting
in the cool of the evening and in the
dark was slow, by desire of the people,
all of whom sought to lengthen the pc
riod of such perfect enjoyment. At p
M, Wilson Point was touched and all
slowly passed to shore, 10th to teave the
delights of the water, but satisfied that
the day just spent had been and might
be called red letter one in their lives.
The Danbury party left for home first
in one train of 20 cars and two baggage
cars, followed by the Newcomers 10
minutes later. And here came the only
trife to mar the pleasures of an other
wise delightful occasion-The slowness
of the trains. 1t took three hours to get
to Bethel, where the Danbury train wait
ed for the following Newtown train, in
order that no one might 60 astray, but
be transferred here to his destination.
This delay is accounted for by the fact
that the trains were run by telegraph
and, Newtown not being night station,
sadly interfered with perfecting arrange
ments for clearing the road, which had
to be done through distant stations. With
a growing business and double track
ing of the Danbury & Norwalk branch,
it is clear that this difficulty to success
full excursion running by this route can
be obviated and time schedule arranged
which will bring people to their
homes here not later than 10 p m. And
the foregoing suggestion is respectfully
presented to the Housatonic manage
ment. AS it was, it was midnight ere
the Danbury folks were at home and
an hour later the train for here reached
Newtown statisn, and, Is minutes later,
Botsford. But this disappointment of
the journey is lost sight of in the multi
tude of joys experienced, as Memory
looks back upon the event. The claim
of the Foresters that there are no row.
dies in their ranks was proven ;there was
nothing approaching the semblance of
disorder seen from beginning to end; ii
was like pleasant family party. There
was no accident or other casualties cal
culated to disturb weak nerves and the
entire affair was managed in way cal
culated ito add laurels to Forestry in
both towns interested, as being the Or
ganization par excellence for successful.
ly managing social affairs, from hoI
to an excursion. They have won the
cofidence of the people and should try tc
keep it. The excursion was financially
success, as stated before. Although
the fare, 81, was phenomenally cheap
vet the net results will show a fat addi
, ton to the treasures of both court Pah
quioque and the local court.-[T J. c.