Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-08-28
LETTER FROM FAIRFAX.

Correspondence Of the Alexandra Gazette. J
BUSH HILL, Aug. 2S.-On yesterday
most enjoyable time was had near the
home of Mr.. Geo. Popkins and his
brother, near Linconis, it being tour
nament and picnic given by those gen.
tlemen to their friends in this county
and other points. At 1915 p. Nc. the
riding commenced and the following
named knights entered the list: knight
of Vienna, a. B. Staats; Old Dominion,
J. c. NJ. Graham; Edgewood, F. Os-
wald Staats; Linconia, Linwood Pop
kins; 16 to l, F. D. Payne; Forest, F.
NJ. Fitzhugh; Arlington, W. Ferguson;
Mt. Vernon, ]. A. Stounell; Just in
Time, H. T. Palmer; Franconis, S.
Moore. The tiltipg by the gentlemen
named was witnessed by an interested
crowd of ladies and gentlemen in a
grove near the Messrs. Popkins'
home and for over three hours these
we're watched with eager interest as
they were severally called by the chief
marshal Mr.. w. j. Malone. The ejudges,
Messrs. Walter Newton, F. Baden and
A. D. Kirby, declared the knights Lin
coma. Edgewood, Franconis and Old
Dominion as being the successful ones
to whom was awarded prizes from
Messrs Popkins. First, gentle
mems riding saddle; second, riding
b idle: third, pair of spurs; fourth, a
riding whip. Most capital music was
furnished by string band from Glen
csrlyn consisting of two tenor violins,
bass vic and cornet, played ad'
mirably by Messrs. w. H Young, H.
Mortimer, T. B. Stern and NJ. B. Hogan
in the order named. Contrary to usual
custom no charge was given to the
knights previous to the riding, but
everything moved of smoothly. AT
ter the decision by the judges
the large crowd repaired to
the grove beneath the shade
of the spreading oaks, where refresh
ments of all kinds had been provided
by the Messrs. Popkins to refresh those
who were hungry and thirsty, which we
should Judge were literally patronized
as they deserved to be. A dancing plat
form was also centre of interest. At
p. N. the coronation ceremonies came
off in the presence of brilliant assem-
blage of both sexes, the following NAM
ed ladies we're then severally honored
with loving wreaths or crowns of flow
ers. The address, though short, was
made by Judge Pelham, of Fairfax:
Queen, Miss Cora Powell, of Fairfax;
lst Maid of Honor, Miss Pearl Barnes,
of Alexandria county; 2nd Maid CT
Honor, Miss Matte Beattie, of Fairfax
county; 3rd Maid OF Honor, Miss Anna
Kramer, of Alexandria. Then came
the royal set, which was danced by
the four successful knights and their
ladies as named and surrounded by
the youth and beauty of this county
and other points remote it pre-
sented most pleasing picture.
The mazes OF Terpsichore then became
general and to ell those who wished to do
so of both sexes the chance was offered
which was kept up until late hour,
many being 10th to leave. Altogether
it was a most pleasant affair, as there
was entire propriety and decorum dur
ing the day and it proved signal sue
cess. In the afternoon a match game
of baseball was played in the grove
where the riding occurred, between the
mines of Franconia and Alexandria, but
as there were only four innings finish
ed, owing to many leaving the ground,
the score stood at the close, Franconia,
S, Alexandria, 3.