The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-09
Luscious Feast Spread
for Visiting Cyclists
at Stockton.
The Sweater" Brigade ParadeS
and Then Attacks the
Refreshments.
Hundreds of WheeImen From Cali
fornia Cities Participate In
the Outing.

STOCKTON, CAL, Aug. 8.-The annual
watermelon run OF the Terminal City
Wheelmen brought thousands of people
to Stockton to-day. There were 400 visit
ing wheelmen in the city this morning
after the arrival of the boats and trains,
and nearly all of the principal clubs OF the
State were represented. The Capital City
Wheelmen came from Sacramento on
special cars attached to freight train,
arriving here before O. clock. They were
met by committee from the Terminal
City Wheelmen and taken to Jack son s
baths. There most of them took dip IN
the great swimming tank and returned to
town to meet the cyclers who came by the
steamers from San Francisco.
Committees had been appointed to meet
both boats, and as fast as the wheelmen
came ashore they were escorted to the
clubrooms of the Terminal City Wheel
men on Hunter street. By O'Clock the
city was completely oYerrun with cyclists.
Every man, woman or child who owned
or could rent a bicycle was out upon the
streets, and seldom has any interior city
witnessed such an array of Wheelmen and
Wheelwomen.
The street parade was formed on Hunter
street at $3.50 o'clock, and, preceded by a
full brass band and the delegates OF the
California Associated Cycling Clubs in
carriages, the cyclers paraded through the
principal thoroug hfares. The procession
was fully half mile in length, and thou
sands lined the route to witness the men
in the multi colored sweaters pedal
through the streets OF Stockton. 1t was a
happy crowd. and the populace seemed TO
catch the infectious spirit of good will
that characterized the whole affair.
After parading about the main streets
OF Stockton the visitors were taken TO Elm
tracht Park, beautiful place with vine
covered arbors, ample shade trees, huge
fig trees and palms, just outside the city 9
limits. Here luncheon was served and
later the cyclers and their friends were
fed from the plies of watermelons that
were stacked in shady places. The visitors
toasted on these to their hoarts content
and later enjoyed themselves in the big
circular dance hall in the center OF the
park or participated in the tug-of- war and
other games that were arranged for
their pleasure. Some thirty prizes were
awarded all of value, to the members OF
the visiting clubs.
The only thing that occurred to mar the
pleasure of the day was the treatment the
wheelmen received on starting for home.
The California Navigation and Improve
ment Company sold mum Der of tickets to
wheelmen who were later refused passage
on the only steamship that LETT for San
Francisco and way stations. Many OF
these men had planned 10 get back in time
to GO to their various places of business
tomorrow morning. Tonight they held
an indignation meeting One OF the dele
gates to the California Associated Cycling
Clubs Board of Governors proposes TO
have that body take some action in the
matter at an early date.
One young man who works at Vallejo
begged to be allowed 10 go, but was refused
passage. The cyclers report that one man
was refused passage at the last moment,
while bis wife and tandem were on board.
All of those who were lett are angry to-
night and promise to make it warm for
the company that sold them tickets and
then refused to transport them. Some
had only money enough to get home with,
but they will be cared for by the local
club.
Save for this unpleasantness every visit
ing cycler had jolly outing to-day.