Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-15
EXCURSIONS,

The morning, afternoon and evening boats
were crowded to their utm>sf capacity on
their trips to River View yesterday, and Il
| Is estimated that over three thousand peo.
pie journeyed down to this popular resort
to see the triple attraction which Can't
Randall had provided for the patrons of his
cool and restful retreat. The triple attrac-
ton consisted Of Blatt and Minerva and
! the champion tower diver of the world,
kearney Speedy. The act which Speedy
performs is probably the most wonderful
and daring that has been seen in Washing
ton for many years. It consists of diving
head first from a Platform eighty feet In
the air to a tank containing only three and
one-haf feet of water and is one of the
most breath-taking feats ever executed in
this vicinity. The tower has been the CEN
ter OF many curious eyes for three or four
days past. and when Speedy clad in a red
bathing suit, climbed to the top of the
structure at z o'clock last evening there
were probably six thousand eyes looking at
him. With all this, he was as cool and col
lected as 1t is possible to be. and seemed to
enjoy the sensation of being at such great
height. When he finally announced that he
was ready; and gave the signal for the
band to Play. several in the crowd turned
away their eyes and would not look at him.
At last he sprang from his perch head first
plunged. and. sailing down like a bird,
struck the water So hard that the sleeves
OF ms tights We're forced up to the elbow.
AS soon as he touched the water ne threw
back his head. arched his back, and soon
his smiling face appeared above the edge
OF the tank. He was greeted with chears
and other loud expressions of approval and
was given an ovation as he stepped out of
| the water. To show the spectators that
there were only forty-two inches of water
IN the receptacle into which he dived,
| Speedy waded in and stood upright. The
water just barely reached his armpits and
| as he is short, stoutly-built young man,
| 1t made the height just about right. Speedy
seemed just as much at home on the top Of
| his tower as he would be in a rocking chair
on the ground, and stood on his head on q
corner of his lofty perch and executed nu-
| merous other little tricks for the edification
| or the crowd below. A running fire of Ques-
tons and answers was kept up from the
time he appeared at the top of the struc-
ture to the time when he took his leap,
Speedy answering all good-na turedly and
laughing all the while. Capt Randall has
engaged Speedy for a leap next Sunday,
and 1t is expected that the grounds and at
fractions of the resort will be tested to
their utmost capacity. To say that the feat
is daring is not sufficient Terrific is much
| the better word. and from the lips of every
one who saw the nervy young man make
and expressions Of approval Of the manner
In which he executed the act.
Tie weather yesterday was appar entity
not the most promising for outdoor pleas
ures, but a larger or more self-satisfi
crowd has seldom journeyed to Marshall
Hall on the steamer Charles Manchester.
The average excursionist does not care fop
the weather as long as a dowlpour of rain
does not occur, and when the Manchester
left her dock yesterday large crowds filled
every part of the commodfous steamer.
Marshall Hall was seen at it's best. The
grass was never greener Or more Inviting,
and everybody remarked about the pleas
urable and inviting look everything about
the place had. Ice-cold drinks were at
discount, but the big Ferris wheel caught a
majority of the dimes. This attraction has
become very popular, and all day yesterday
the big wheel swung around. carrying car
loads of happy children and beaming pa
rents. Prof. Schroeder and his band caught
the spirit of the place. and discoursed mu-
sic with technical skill that has placed
the band far above the average excursion
musicians. The selections were, for the
most part, popular, but even The more ex-
acting were gratified by the fine rendition
of pieces of the higher order of merit Not
an accident occurred on the grounds or
water to mar the days pleasures.
The Young Mems Catholic Club will give
an excursion to River View omorrow,
enjoyable A special feature will be the
athletic program. which will comprise rum
ming, bicycle, sack and three-legged races.
open. to all amateurs. Handsome medals
and other prizes will be given to the win
rers of the various events. Another feat
IRE will be match bowling between teams
Of the late District Amateur Bowling
League. Special efforts will be made to
River View Samuel j. Pentz leaves her
wharf at 10 am. and $50 pm.
Today the Jolly Fat Men have possession
of the grounds at River View and are no
doubt having glorious time together with
their many friends. Prize dances will be
given this evening that will be interesting
to all. The steamer Pentz will leave at
4. ,y,o he ,1Nn
1:15 pm.
The Sixth Corps annual excursion will
take place today at Marshall Hall, when
the steamer Charles Manchester will leave
her wharf at $50 p.m: The large number
Of tickets already sold indicates a very
large crowd and good time is assured.
Nelson Division, No. 2, U. r. K of p,
will give their annual excursion to Bay
Ridge tomorrow. Base ball, exhibition drill
and dress parade are some of the amuse-
friends anticipate good time. Trains will
leave the B. and o. depot at 915 am and
430 pm. A special train will be run at 2
pm. for those who cannot spare the whole
day.
The spacious grounds of Marshall Hall
today are filled with the members of the
Concordia Sunday school and their many
friends The steamer Charles Manchester
VIII leave on her last trip this evening at
$50, and it is expected that a still larger
crowd will take the trip.
The first grand excursion of the Unione
FTatellanza Italiana CT this city will be
given at Buena Vista tomorrow If the
weather is unpropitious the excursion will
be postponed until the 18th All children
under twelve years will be allowed to enjoy
this trip free. The steamer G. J. Seufferle
will leave her wharf, foot of 9th and o
streets, at 10 and II am, and after /
o'clock the steamer will leave hourly
Mechanics Lodge. No. IS. l. o. o. F., will
give a grand excursion to Bay Ridge on
Wednesday next. and to those who 60 a
good time Is assured. Trains will leave the
b. and o. depot at 9:15 am. and 4:2S pm,
Library Association and Ruth Lodge, I.
Q. o. F., will give an excursion to Bay
Ridge tomorrow. Salt water bathing and
an abundance of crabs are a few of the
attractions that are to be enjoyed Trains
leave the B. and o. depot at p:15 a. M and
4:2S pm.
The steamer City Of Richmond took down
one of the largest crowds of the season
yesterday to Colonial Beach, where an
enjoyable time was spent. Salt water bath
Ing and grabbing seemed to attract the
larger portion of the crowd. and all re-
turned home well satisfied with the trip.