The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-07-17

ancient and honorable that they were
a year more ancient than when last
they assembled on a. like occasion
pleasing because they were given the
best time they have ever had; force
full because, though there were more
old folks in attendance than ever be-
fore, their ranks were noticeably
thinned of many faces that had been
prominent figures in fNmer excur-
sions
1t was by far the largest excursion
the old folks have ever had. Not less
than 1000, whose badges indicated
that they had passed the three score
and ten mark, were assembled at Les
ter park. ogden, where the exercises
took place and the tables were spread,
and over 1900 of the total number
journeyed from Salt Lake. The mem
bers of the committees in charge OF
the excursion. those of the Ogden COM
mittees who managed the picnic, ana
a host of friends who assisted, eXerted
themselves to their utmost to see that
the old people had every attention and
were given every comfort; and when
the day was over il was the unanl-
mously expressed opinion that the eX-
cursion and picnic were the most sue
cessful and had afforded the aged pio-
neerS the most pleasure OF any that
had ever been given. Not the least
pleasing feature of the day was the
fact that in transporting the great
number of old people to and from
Ogden and to and from the pleasure
grounds, not a single accident oc-
CURED to mar the pleasure of the
event. More especially will this be
appreciated when it is stated that a
large percentage of those who made
the journey were so enfeebled by in
f1rmities or old age that they needed
constant care and watchfulnesS.
The day broke rainy and dismal and
it was feared a downpour would spoil
the excursion; but the Threatening
weather did not dampen the ardor OF
the old folks in the least or deter them
from getting ready and making their
way to the station. By the time the
first section of the train was ready 10
start the rain had ceased falling en-
tirely and long before Ogden was
reached the sun had gotten the best
of the clouds and shone out bright and
warm From that time on it was an
ideal day The rain of the morning
kept it from being uncomtortaoly
warm, and laid the dust, and altogeth-
er it could not have been better mad II
been especially planned.
The old folks had been looking for
ward to the event like children in anti
cipation of a promise to go to the cir
Gus. and long before $50, the time Tor
the first train to depart, the Rio Grande
Western depot presented a scene such
as can only be seen in Salt Lake once
a year and that, the day Of the "Old
Folks Excursion" Not less than $1,000
PEOPLE crowded the platform. the old
folks and their relatives or friends,
who had come along to see that they
got away without miShap. The latter,
however. were few in comparison with
the number who wore badges Of red,
blue and white, denoting that they had
passed the ages. of 20, so and 80, re-
spectively.
It was a great sight to see. some so
feeble that they had to be watched like
little children. others capable OF taking
care of themselves. and still others
whose seventy years hung as lightly
upon their shoulders as the average
mans forty. All We're arrayed IN the
best bib and tucker" which varied
according to the circumstances OF the
Wearer. but ali ancient, typifying the
STYLES of many years gone by, when the
wearer was young and the garment or
head gear was purchased to go a court
ing, No need to ransack the garnet for
a fashion plate to see the fashions that
had come in from year to year during
the five decades of history-making of
I7fah-they were all to be seen there,
and exceedingly funny they looked to
the deletente who could see no beauty
in old age any way. but fortunately
There were few present TO turn up
their fin de sicle noses and cause a feel
ing of discomfort to creep in and mar
the good time of the veterans. Besides,
they wouldn't have looked in place in
modern garments anyway, and without
the old fashions they wouldn't have
been old folks, for somehow it is as we
knew our fathers ard mothers that we
love them best.
1t was then, a scene Of the olden time.
and one in which those who love to
honor their fathers and their mothers"
found especial delight.
The crowd was SO big that the West
ern capacity was overtaXed. and the
Union Pacific had TO be drawn upon
for cars, and two trains were run.
When the first pulled up to the station
there was a scrambling for seats that
furnished a highly amusing scene.
Second childhood discounts that of
tender years for eagerness and anxiety
and the old children could with diff
Guilty be restrained from clambering on
to the cars before they had stopped and
were ready for occupancy. 1t was done,
however, and the train loaded with the
happy excurSionlStS, whose hearts,
once they were aboard, began to ac-
ouire something like content for they
knew then that they couldn't get left.
The train was loaded to its utmost
ca pacity when it pulled ont, and those
who had not been able TO get aboard
fretted and worried till the next had
drawn UP and they were permitted to
scramble in.
REFRESHMENTS SERVED.
on the way to Ogden refreshments of
cake and lemonade were served by as
sIstants of the committee, young people
who volunteered for the occasion, and
the old folks ate and drank until there
was danger that corps of doctors
would be required to cure stomach
aches by the time the destination was
reached The "Old Folks Choir"
which has always been on hand to
charm the old folks sense of hearing.
was IA charge of w. H. Foster, who has.
led It since the first excursion, and was
divided up into two parties, one
aboard each train. Mr. Foster led one
branch and T c. Griggs the other. and
eacl. car was visited during the Jour
ney. and songs sung which had pleased
the fancy of the old-timers in the DAYS
gone by
No pieasanfer trip was ever taken
han thai which marked the passage of
each train, and Ogden was reached with
the -excursionists in the 1lappiest frame
~ mind Imaginable. The fortunate
foresight Of one Of the Westerns Of
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