The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-06
OLD SOLDIERS PICNIC
ENORMOUS CROWD OBSERVES THE
FOURTH AT GARFIELD PARK.
Governor Mounts Address in the Aft
ernOOn-A Dress Parade of
Militia and Veterans.

Independence day was observed at Gar
field Park by the old soldiers and their
friends yesterday Every one was sur
prised at the enormous crowds that took
advantage of the opportunity to picnic and
have an enjoyable outing. Beside the thou
sands who came on the street cars and on
bicycles there were several hundreds who
drove down to the park in carriages and
buggies. Horses were hitched TO a con-
venient fence at the south end of the park
and people left their carriages to wander
over the attractive grounds About noon
many families spread cloths on the grass
and had an old-fashioned picnic dinner.
From the time the first arrived frecrack-
ers were kissing and suffering and the re-
volvers, blunderbuses and firearms of all
sorts added to the patriotic din. In the aft
ernoon an attractive programme was given
at the grand stand and the day closed with
a dress parade.
The only discomforting feature of the day
was occasioned by the failure of the street.
car company to supply sufficient cars. AL
though cars We're run to the park at fire.
quent intervals in the afternoon many peo-
pie who wished to visit the park could not
do so as they could not find cars, and the
long and dusty walk was a barrier between
them and the scene of the celebration. The
greatest discomfort, however, occurred
after the ceremonies of the day ended.
After the closing dress parade thousands
of people hurried to the north entrance of
the park, anxious to get home to the even
ing meal. Comments were tinctured with
a good deal of bitterness when they found
that there was but one train Of a motor
and trailer standing on the track. On such
occasions it is expected that the company
will have cars in waiting for the crowds.
This expectation was not met yesterday at
Garfield Park. After a long interval another
train of two cars came up. Before it
stopped 1t was crowded to the guards.
Hundreds of people who did not care to
stand there all night started to walk home,
although fatigued from the days eXertionS.
Barring this the day passed pleasantly
enough Qualification was expressed by
the managers of the affair at the large
crowds which attended One enthusiast de-
clared that 25, 900 people We're there. This
may have been a little exaggerated, but
the big grove at the south end of the park
was crowded all afternoon, in spite of the
fact that many people remained but short
time.
The day passed without exciting incidents.
lured away from family groups by
the attractions of firecrackers, were lost.
In the afternoon a little man of about four
years wearing straw hat and a pair of
staring frightened eyes, was held up on
the speakers stand for Identification but
no one claimed him. He told those on the
stand that he lived on Pearl street He
was of German parentage and did not
speak very plainly when asked for his
name. 1t was understood to be Bernitt or
Bernhardt. The crowds focked around the
refreshment stands drinking pop" buying
cigars and ice cream, or in watching play
ers at a temporary bowling alley which
been a n
for the occasion. Children enjoyed swinging
under the trees or watching throWers test
their skill with balls thrown at the niger
babies, or throwing rings at the cane
game. The greatest attraction for them
was the thousands of hrecrackers that We're
set Off during the day. A dedfening boom
prevailed most of the time. 1t was an en-
Joyable day to those who participated and
the heat was less intense and more endur-
able under the shade than 1T would have
been in the city. Most of the afternoon a
refreshing breeze made it pleasant.
Al lis the official programme of the day
was heralded by the firing of the national
artillery salute by Battery A, Indianapolis
Light Artillery. George c. Webster pre-
sided as master of ceremonies Rev d L.
Mackenzie delivered the invocation after
which the Second Regiment Band, under
the leadership of Professor Belcher, rem
dered the 'Star-spangled Banner" The
ceremony of raising the flag followed. John
M. Bonnie, chairman of the flag commit
tee, hauling it up. The flag was saluted
with a mighty cheer. The observance of
the Fourth of July was much like the Old
time celebrations of forty years ago and
included the reading of the Declare ton of
Independence by William H. Lester. Mayor
Taggart was to have made an address, but
as he had to be absent on account of the
ElkS' national meeting at milwaukee his
name was omitted from the programme.
George c. Webster spoke briefly, introduce
ing Governor Mount as the orator of the
day. Governor Mount alluded to the noise
and confusion about him with a pleasant
smile and told a little story illustrating
the point. There was a man one time, he
said, who wanted to sing A lot of boys
were making a good deal of noise. With
some petulancy he inquired what they had
to make such noise for when they knew
he wanted to sing.
What do you want to sing for" they re-
torted when you know we want to make
a noise?"
Governor Mount said that he was in the
same predicament and the boys of Indian
apolis might ask what he wanted to speak
for when they wanted to shoot off fire.
crackers. Governor Mounts Illustration
was received with good-natured applause.
Governor Mount was frequently inter-
rupted by applause. After he had conclud-
ed Harry Ballard sang an original solo,
field.
After an intermission lasting until $50
o'clock a grand dress parade was given,
under the command of b. A Richardson.
chief marshal. Companies of the Indiana
National Guard, Knights of Pythias, the
Boys Brigade, G.. A. r. posts and other or
CARNATIONS participated. officers of the
soldiers organizations express great salts
faction at the success of the celebration.
to give an annual celebration at Garfield
Park