The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-07-09
THE RAIN NO DRAWBACK
A Great Crowd Have a
Great Day on the Robert
Davis Excursion.
JIGGING AND WALTzING
Among Three Thousand People,
Not One Angry Word Was
spoken-Faces in the
Crowd.


Beach Grove, Staten Island
The excursion was free one, and was
the second the Little Judge has given,
mainly for the benefit of those who can
not afford to treat themselves to days
pleasure. The sail was free, the refresh
ments were free, the music was free. the
dancing was free. and the good time
that every one enjoyed was absolutely
free.
The excursion was advertised to leave
the wharf at half past nine, but owing to
the bad weather the departure was de-
layed until quarter past eleven. Had
the day been pleasant one the three
thousand persons on the barges would
nave been doubled.
The managers of the affair had deter
mined to have order and to refuse objec-
tionable people admission to the barges
For this reason Sergeant Kelly and four
patrolmen stood at the gangway. Two
OF the policemen took tickets and all
passed Judgment as to whether applicants
should be admitted to the barges While
the lucky 5000 were permitted to go
aboard a gang of 400 stood on the dock
and envied them. Occasionally one Of
them would try to sneak on board, but
one of the ten policemen or tour detec-
tives on the barge or of the score of uni
formed men on the dock would collar
him and he would be seen no more. The
men on the dock were in the charge of
Roundsman Hopkins, who at the very
last moment was given an opportu nifty to
distinguish himself.
An enterprIsing ice cream manufactur-
er wanted two large advertisements In
frames hung up where they would be
conspicuous. The barges had just left
the dock. Hopkins, RENE mbering the days
of his youth and howshe played ball, at
fad 70 10 eli m rd In
the same way Hermann throws playin
cards to the gallery. If the signs had not
gone into the river. Hopkins might have
got them on board the barge.
A KINDLY GREETING.
The three tugboats, Egberr Myers, j. H.
Hammit and w. II. Vanderbilt, towed
the barges down the bay while number
OF members Of the Davis Association dis
tributed book containing a programme
of the days outing and this greeting:-
The Robert Davis Association on this occasion
Of its second Annual Free Excursion. extends
cordial greeting to all its friends and guests.
Our organization was established twelve
years ago, in honor OF our popular and distin-
Eulshed ex-SheTlu, whose name 10 bears Its OBJ
jects not confined to politics. but include
every kind OF social beneficence that its means
ana opportunities may enable i 70 accomplish
The idea OF fhess Free Excursions originated
with Mr. Davis aud he Is entitled to the credit
OF having SO successfully conducted the last,
and of having so admirably arranged for the
present one that they have become a prominent
feature in the summer life of OUR people. To his
efforts and his generous pecuniary AID we are
indebted tor the perfection OF detail and the
complete enjoyment which cbaracterizes these
pleasant iaunfs. The Association, therefore. de-
sires 10 this public manner TO express 70 MIN its
profound sense of the inestimabie service which
he mas rendered In this matter, and in doing
we believe that we but echo the sentiments of
all those VINO have either assisted in or reaped
the fruits of his laborS
To all on board we wish g perfect day and un-
alloyed happiness. Tne mere fact OF escaping
from the heat and turmoil of the city is in itself
a blessing of no small Importance. To all OF us
this means increase of strength and relief from
toll To many of US, especially to some OF the
children, il may mean the arrest of disease or
return to health. In any event it is good
thing to get away even for few hours from the
wearying humdrum OF existence to enjoy the
sunlight ana the wholesome air.
The programme of the festivities has been
made elaborate as the circumstances OF the
case would permit We trust il win be found
satisfactory in every respect and that nothing
will occur TO mar In any way the pleasure OF
this event.
FACES IN THE CROWD.
Looking about the barges / recognized
Dennis Sullivan, the sporting man on
drank champagne at intervals, aud acted
as If they enjoyed it. Then | saw Jack
Fay and Martin j. Flynn. They w ere
busy at the soda water fountain, and also
were watching Johnny Masker He had
during the day half dozen girls and
doubt Masker was the greatest favorite
with the girls OF any one there. Con.
Haley, Police Superintendent Smith,
Commissioner John Z. Feeney and AS
seniblynan Madden were occupied in
teaching Surrogate O'Neil, Commits
politics. and Police Justice Davis
listened attentively with an amused
smile on his face. Andy Manning and
Deputy Warden John Voilers had made
their escape from Snake Hill, and were
doing everything possible to make the
sail pleasant for the women folk. Captain
John Il. Kelly seemed TO be engaged in
watching .'Sodder Fresh" and Tommy
Fallon. Freeholder Hennessey did not
dance, but he devoted much time to
searching for partners for other people.
Street Superintendent Phil Tumulty and
Jimmy Hennessey did dance. and did not
miss an opportunity. Contractor John
Nolan also enjoyed the waltzes, but it re-
mained for David Cronin, an old friend
of Justice Davis, TO teach the younger
generation what fun is.
JIGGING AND wALTzING.
On every barge there was violin and
bagpipe and Mr.. Cronin discovered this
early. He sought Mrs. Powers aud in
vited her to join him in jig. Mrs.
Powers gladly responded and she did jig.
She had been there before and was pre-
pared for Mr.. Cronin. but she misjudged
the old mans dancing ability. The fiddler
played and the bagpipe wheezed and Mr..
Cronin Jigged. He tired OUT poor Mrs.
Powers and then began with Mrs. Elkins,
and not until the tired arm of the fiddler
cropped by his side did the energetic legs
of Mr.. Cronln stop their activity. Then
he escorted Mrs. Elkins to seat, wiped
the perspiration from beneath his gray
locks, interviewed the bartender. returned
and another jig was begun. AS before. it
required the united efforts of two part
ners 10 satisfy his dancing prociivities.
IL another part of.the same barge War
den Ryan of the Aims House was en-
gagged in the same pastime. He jigged
with every one aud every time he could
get chance, and when he cut a pigeon
wing the lockers on applauded. John
Sullivan and James Manix disdained
dancing with the weaker sex, and had a |
reel and jig by themselves. This jig |
dancing on the lower decks of thu bar
ges created more real pleasure than |
did the waltzes on the upner deck, where |
two bands endeavored 10 keep the dancers |
busy. Perhaps one of the most graceful |
of these upstairs deyotees to Ierpsichore |
was Captain Jack Smith He danced |
with every one, and when he had no part /
ner be danced alone. He Is in fact the |