The San Francisco call., 1896-07-27
Proposition to Build a Grand
Amphitheater in the Vicinity
of the Cliff House.
" JOE" THE INTELLIGENT oRANG
A Pretty Ascent by Balloon, but a
Hard Way of Coming Down-Miss
Viola's Experience on a Housetop.

that it would be an unpleasant day, but
before the midday there was change Tor
the better, and the result was an immense
crowd of people at the park, the beach and
the places of recreation in the western
part of the City.
The babies in the park. that is, the many
babies in the zoo, the baby elks and the
baby buffaloes, were the center OF attrac-
ton, and at no time have there been SO
many people around the Enclosures within
which the animals are kept as there was
yesterday.
But little work is being done in the park
at this time, as the Commissioners do not
know what amount OF money they will be
allowed, and until that is known no def
mite plans as to improvements will be de-
cided upon.
The contemplated improvements are
the bridge across the main driveway to
the new music concourse, which it is esti-
mated will cost from SIS, 900 to $30 600 if 1t
is to be finished in ornamental style; an
electric plant, which would be used to
illuminate the park in response to popu-
lar demand and which would cost about
$40 600; cases and cabinets for the new
annex to the museum, which will cost
about $6000 and the fitting up of the con-
course and building of the band stand at
one end of it. AS to the cost of that there
is no estimate, as it has not been de-
cided what kind of a structure should be
erected. 1t has been suggested that as the
street railway combine is in q great meas
ure benefited by the music and other at
fractions in the park it ought to erect the
new band stand.
The various footpaths that have been
covered with coarse gravel are proving q
great Succaaq and are hlozead hu nod ae-
trians who were in the past forced to
trudge over dust that clung to and dam
aged wearing apparel. The proposition is
to ultimately cover all paths for pedes-
TRANS with this kind of gravel.
There were several contributions to the
Park Museum during the week, the prin-
cipal one being donation by J. u. Davis
OF this City of curious swords, knives,
battle-axes, guns, spears and arrows that
were used in the long ago by some of the
old-time inhabitants of Europe. and which
will make an interesting addition to the
collection already in the armsroom. He
also gave number of Japanese curios. J.
l.. Bardwell donated three Japanese fig-
ures and two ancient chalices. M. Braver-
man of Visalia contributed six specimens
of gems.
During the afternoon a boy about IA
years of age was seen running down one of
thetpaths near the bridge that leads to the
OGhNA-oedAdf ohQ 5QQQClllJ AO IceicQ ana
fell. Several persons ran to his assistance,
and found that he had become exhausted
IN running away from a policeman and
dropped. In short time he was restored
to consciousness, and it was ascertained
that an officer who had seen him nsing a
sling TO kill birds had called to him, and
fearing arrest he ran away. When the Off
Ger who had detected him in the violation
of one of the park ordinances came up he
became very violent and made another at
tempt to run away, but he was held and
forced to accompany the officer to show
him 1.-The other boy who did it.
Prior to the opening of the Midwinter
Fair the park was filled with quail and
other birds, but the unusual din aud the
crowds there every day drove the birds all
away. For long time what had become
of them was mystery, but recently it has
been discovered that they have migrated
to the territory north of the PARK and south
OF Point Lobos avenue, and that many of
the quail have located on Sutro Heights.
The Mayor takes great deal of pride in
the birds and has fed them every day.
The white seal, which has recently ap-
peared on the rocks near the Cliff House,
was one of the objects that drew a big
crowd to the beach, but his sealship did
not put in an appearance, but that he was
on the rocks and frightened away the 9TH
ers of darker hue is vouched for by Colonel
Wilkins.
The many attractions on "The Merry
Row" were viewed by the crowd. and the
new scenic railway, which runs smoothly
since bearings have been run down, were
crowded with passengers all day long. By
night this is to be made attractive by
numerous electric lights. Mayor Sutro
took his first scenic railway ride yester-
day.
Within the baths there was good pro-
gramme of performances in the water by
the California Swimming Club and spe-
cialty artists on the platform. During the
afternoon ]. Anderson of S2l Mission
street won the 50-yard race, and P. Schles-
enger of 534 Page street was second. In
the 100-yard race by the California SWIM
ming Club, H. McBirney won. L. J. Mahon
second and Ed Harrison third. In the
water polo match between the Stockton
and California clubs, the Stocktons won
by a score of l to 0.
The California Swimming Club will this
week issue a challenge to all corners for
the Spreckels trophy.
Arrangements are being made for the
placing of $50 tub baths in the big build
ing, and the work of placing them in posi-
tion will probably be commenced this
week.
The large terraced space to the east of
the baths will, 1t is stated, shortly be
turned into a monster amphitheaIer. II
is proposed to build seats on the terrace,
plant trees to shade spectators, and to
have an immense platform at the bottom
of the terrace on which to give exhibitions
of Olympian games.
In view of the increased traffic on the
Sutro line number of trailers are being
built to attach to regular trains and
thereby accommodate those who ride.
There was great throng OF people in
the recreation grounds. and the Chutes
and scenic railway carried full loads all
the afternoon. There were many who
entered the tent to pay their respects to
"Joe," the orang-outang. He is curious
little fellow, about three feet high, shaped
liked human being, except as to face
and feet. The head differs from that of
the ape and is almost like that of what
is known bullet-headed man. He is re-
makably intelligent and comprehends
what is said to him as readily as Child
would. He is in great fear of the whip
and when he is chided or threatened with
a whipping he ambles up to his master,
places his great hairy arms around his
neck and placing his broad face and coarse
lips against his cheek kisses him.
In this he is as affectionate as child,
and like child seems to beg not to be