Daily Texarkana Democrat., 1893-07-05
swIToHMEN's PICNIC,
The Fourth Spent Gloriously with
twenty-five Hundred People
on the Ground.

on the Ground.
The much talked of Switchmen's
picnic, held at Pleasant lake, on the
line of the Texarkana & Fort Smith
railway, on yesterday, eclipsed all
former efforts in this direction ever
witnessed in this section. Twenty
five hundred people from Texarkana
and the surrounding country assem-
bled on the grounds to assist the boys
in spending the glorious fourth in a
glorious manner, In which effort all
parties succeeded most admirably.
Pleasant lake, the scene of yesterdays
festivities, is, par-excellence, the pleas
ure resort of this country, combining
the beauty of scenery and excellence
of locality with comfort and adapta-
bility. The vast crowd began collect
ing on the scene at an early hour yes
terday morning and it soon became
evident that the herculean labors of
the Texarkana switchmen and their
uneQualled committeeman, Messrs.
William Kelly, Frank Nephew and j.
Mcdowell Mays, were destined to be
richly rewarded, The day was pass
ed in one continuous round of unin-
terrupted pleasure. The feature of
the day was the prize contests, each of
which was warmly contested
by numerous aspirants for the
several handsome prizes offered.
The following award of prizes was
made by the several committees:
An exquisite fan, from O'Dwyer Il
Ahearn for most popular young lady
on the grounds, won by Miss Mary
Moran. Fine Stetson hat, from Star
Clothing Store, for most popular
Switchman present, won by Mr.. John
Berry, of Houston Tex, a visitor.
Elegant Willow Rocker, from Wood
fin Furniture Co., for most popular
married lady, wife of Switchman,
presented to Mrs. d. A. Smith.
Fine mereschaum pipe, from A. l..
Chic, for the homelist man of the
grounds, presented by unanimous
consent to Mr.. VIM. Kelly, Switch
man. Box of fine Cigars from j. H..
Bigger, for the most successful angler,
won by Mr.. Walker.
Pretty gold spoon, from Sam S.
Falk, for prettiest babby present,
awarded little Willie Thomas.
Cup and Saucer, for the little girl
won by Maggie Costello.
The handsome fishing rod and tack
lie, for most graceful poker dancer
won by Miss Minnie Bradley.
An Elegant Easel, from Reeves &
Richardson and fine silk umbrella
from j. w. Stuart & Son, for
the most expert and graceful walters,
lady and gentleman respectively, in a
dual waltzing contest, were awarded
to Mrs. John Berry, of Houston, Tex,
and Mr.. AL Campbell, of this city,
The contest was both pleasing and in
teresting, there being eighteen con-
testants, among whom were many ex-
cellent dancers.
A fine hat from G. l., Shepherd, for
the most Industrious switchmen, was
captured by Mr.. G. j. Miles, the pop
ular financial secretary Of the local
lodge S. M. A. A.
There were several prizes distribut-
ed, of which we received no report.
The most amusing event of the day
was the race after the greasy pig,
which was won by Thomas Wager,
one of the DEMOCRATS oompositors,
who, owing to his well known sprint
ing prowers, was induced to join the
chase after it had progressed fully a
hundred yards. Tom went in for
pork, however, and had no trouble in
getting it, picking the pig up like a
professional short stop does an easy
"grounderp
The dancing was kept up en- the
grounds until late hour. Altogeth-
or the day was a perfect one and the
affair magnificent success, much OF
which was due to the efforts of that
redoubtable Switchman, William Kel.
ley, Esq, and his running mates, Ne,
phew and Mays.
Mr.. John Berry, a popular
Houston switcbman, acted al
master of ceremonies, filing that sta
ton to the satisfaction of all. The
Switchmen Of Texarkana Lodge, S. M
A. A.; are to be congratulated on thu
success which they so evidently
achieved on this occasion and have
just cause for being proud Of theil
undertaking,
Pythian Memorial Services,