The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-05-21
BUTCHERS DAY
4 GREAT SUCCESS,
Fully Thirty Thousand PEG.
pie Celebrate It Over
the Bay.
STREET PARADE IN TOWN
Picturesque Display of White
Uniformed Butchers and
Vaqueros.
SCENES AT THE TWO PARKS
A Flood of Humanity Overfows Shell
Mound and Oakland Trotting
Parks.

The greatest day of all the year in cele-
brations in and out of town was yesterday.
1t was Butchers day-the third annual
celebration of the Butchers Board of
Trade of San Francisco. And its over
shadowing greatness, when compared
with the first and second celebrations of
this board. was such that if the day con-
tinues to grow in popularity few years
more may see San Francisco practically
deserted when her wholesale and retail
butchers observe their yearly festivities.
The fatted calf and the big, rounded OF,
with the sheep fresh from pasture rested
in peace out in the Potrero. Markets and
stalls all over town were deserted and
closed tightly. The tame steers-pets of
the yaqueros and slaughterers-instead of
Turing unsophistocatedc cattle to their doom
at South San Francisco, Familiarity known
as "Butchertown," were led with lariats
and garlands through the City's streets.
Iassos were cast upon the Oakland trot-
ting park to catch flying horses and
vaqueros. Rivalry was for fun and prizes
and honors, either at the track or in Shell
Mound Park.
The wholesale butcher who owns thou
sands of fair acres in the interior valleys
and many thousands of sheep and cattle
roaming over those principalities, greeted
the retailer and the yequero or Journey
man butcher alike. He took an interest
IN the parade, in the sports and in the
varied amusements. San Jose and Oak
land joined hands with San Francisco, and
all seemed imbued with the one spirit
that Butchers day was a great day and it
should be celebrated as best they could.
The young man in white blouse and apron
with his monogram in red letters and his
society badge met MS friend, the house
keeper, and her friends. There was no
block between them. ANY one could see
that he was the host on this particular oc-
casion. And as for his own girl in par-
ticular-she was there in her holiday out
of-town summary dress, the queen of the
carnival.
Is is needless to say here there were
many queens.
Butchers day was great in many WAYS.
For in the numbers of people who par
ticipated and IN every other feature it was
OF such magnificent character that other
days would have to produce very strong
evidence to sustain a claim of their
equality.
Careful estimates based on tickets, seat
ing capacities, railroad figures and COM
PARSONS placed the total number of peo-
pie at Shell Mound and the trotting park
at $4,000, il not indeed far higher figure.
Possibly toe number was larger Mr..
Schweltzer, one of the leading wholesale
butchers, stated that as many as Al 900
tickets had been sold. The railroad peo-
pie reported that at IL o'clock in the morn
ing they had sold 10000 tickets specially
printed for the butchers, and then had to
fail back on the regular tickets to Shell
Mound. Until P. NJ. every boat was met
at the Oakland mole by special train. and
went away crowded. One solid stream of
people pressed through the gates at park
and track all day long. 1t was matter
for doubt If such tremendous crowd ever
before visited Shell Mound.
Then the butchers left San Francisco in
a parade that was one of the most unique
features OF street pageantry seen here in
years. Its more interesting character was
the united front it presented. A great in
dustry united without rergard to the
unmeaning distinctions between employer
and employe. In that parade were mill
ionaires almost beside the daring, devil
may-care vaquero and the industrious,
sleek-looking iourneyman with the white
4ASIo were more bQdn OF
them in all.
Across the bay, when the crowds had
assembled and fitted into every seat and
likely nook, full OF pleasurable anticipa-
tons, the sight in both parks was really
imposing. The population of quite re-
spectacle city in itself gathered to cele-
brate and enjoy themselves.
Here was evidence of the extraordinary
success OF Butchers day, the result of
intelligent organization and the popular
support enjoyed by the butchers. In Shell
Mound Park dancing was enjoyed in the
pavilion, while diversion was found by
persons of taste for other amusement in
the races and sports or in resting under
the spreading trees. The shade was wholly
grateful until evening came, and 10
loll and stretch in it was benediction for
many City folk. Over at the trotting park,
just across the railway tracks. horse-rac-
ing, bicycie-racing, vaquero riding, etc.,
took place in the pres ence OF a vast throng
and despite the dust and delays these
sports proved to be all the people expected.
Butchers day had nothing to mar its
harmonious and agreea bic observation, SO
it was a complete success.