Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-05-15
AT JOHN BALL PARK
The Animals in the Zoo" Hold q
Reception.
OPENING OF THE SEASON
The Hear Conscs Out of His Winner
Quarter. and she Crane h.
hAses LAKE. Glsstoss

Yesterday Vas . great day for the
animals at John hall park. IL Was thear
iirst at home" II the season. and they
entertained hundreds Of visitors in royal
style For the past six months the
aggregation has been housed up. Tie
animals that didn't care 10 hibernate
were forc.d 10 depend upon the hired
man for entertainment and amusement
This Vas something 81 . trial. and
nothing in the city hailed the advent IL
spring with greater enthusiasm than
eK Alderman Turner'S 800
The black bear took il upon himself
10 act az master IL ceremonies at yester-
days reception perhaps because he 10
allowed more freedom than any IL bis
associates.
Taking him for all in all the black
bear IL mighty good fellow. lie IL
genial. sociable and democratic. lie
doesn't care tinker's red herring
whether his head In scratched by .
prince or pauper. His chain yester-
day was something over ten feet long.
and the noble descendant 81 q great
race pranced around like q yearling coat
at country fair. So far as he WAS con
cerncd il was regular Fourth 81 July
celebration. lie was surrounded by a
circumference Of admirers during the
entire afternoon. and ate enough taffy
and popcorn to give the ostrich dyspep-
STA. But the bear has winning way
and nobody can resist him. lie IL
really the Ward McAllister ~ the "zoo."
and when he wants anything he Is
pretty apt To get il,
The Umsociablc Alligator.
The alligator was not the least bit
sociable at Yesterdays matinee. He
acted bored and displayed All ennui that
was entirely out Of place at such a
a gathering. The black rascal lay
stretched at full length upon his board
and scarcely blinked his eyes all day.
The deer in the enclosure are trif!e
shabby. They have sort 81 frayed
and threadbare appearance that IL out
81 keeping with their surroundings.
The have not donned their spring suits
yet. and their hair is painfully un
kempt But they're a genial lot 81
young bohemians. and their pretty
noses were petted by everybody that
visited the enclosure.
The crane made holy show II him.
self before company by trying 10
swallow a frog that Was at least three
sizes too large. The obstinate batrach
ian refused TO be swallowed. and the
stupid bird was in danger of asphyxia.
ton. why don't he put his foot on it,
asked brown eyed maiden 81 her
escort. Ii really was a very simple way
out 81 the dilemma. The giu,tonous
biped finally acted upon the suggestion
and escaped suffocation.
A Puritanical saork.
The stork is a very strict ssbbatarian
in his way. and he didn't take kindly TO
the Sunday sightseers that crowded
around him. lie doesn't even believe in
using both legs on the Sabbath day. and
all efforts Ia get HIM to "come of his
perch" were futile. lie stood there all
the afternoon like grim sentinel or a
Puritan elder. and refused TO take any
part in the Publication.
The eagle was particularly sociable
either The bird IL freedom tried 10 he
on his dignity. and make what the boys
cali an elegant front" So far ar the
crowd went he was successful. but the
owls gave one another the wink. and the
coons all climbed 10 the top ~ the
CREASED pole for the purpose II guying
the old bird
The park was n wreath 81 flowers. and
the crowds carried away handfuls 81
violcts and spring beauties. The low
marshy ravine that runs down from the
animal houses Ia the brook was ahame
with gorgeous marsh marigolds. the first
~ the season. The hillsidcs were made
golden with the yellow faced dandelions.
and the fragrance II the yiolets was
waited throughout the park. The Wild
cherry trees are in blossom. and hun
dreds ~ white wreafhcd branches were
carried away by the crowds.
About 1900 persons visited Reed
lake Yesterday. and North park received
lis share 81 the pleasure seekers.