The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
ONSLAUGHT ON THE TABLES.
Some Exciting Scenes When the Din
ner Hour Was Announced.

The rush on the tables when the din
ner hour was announced was some
thing immense. For two hours before
the schedule time of opening arrived,
people pushed toward the entrances to
the enclosure where the barbecue din
ner was to be served. Ticket sellers
dealt out tickets at ten cents each with
lightning speed.
One ticket sellers stand, which was
six feet high, was pushed SO hard by
the crowd that it was loosened and
threatened to collapse. Men held dimes,
quarters, dollars, in fact anything, ana
yelled for recognition. 1t was a wild
scene. Women braced themselves in
the crowd to prevent being trampled
upon. Children cried and begged to be
taken out of the throng. Twelve o'clock
was the time set for opening the bar
becue enclosure. 1t was 1890 when the
gate keepers lifted the bars The
rife force: The posts on either side
which had been sunk into the ground
two feet were looSened and a panic
seemed imminent, but the people were
eventually brought into more order
ly array.
The carvers in costume, the waiter
girls in white dresses, and all within
the enclosure stood ready to wait on
the immense crowd packed all about
the enclosure.
An enclosure 11O by 140 feet square
was formed by putting in heavy posts
and stringing mesh net wiring five
feet high.
Four entrances were made, but today
but two entrances were used, as the
crowd could be managed much better
in this way. At the northeast corner,
near the dancing pavilion, an immense
crowd gathered ready to enter. Peo-
pie pushed against the fence in a vain
attempt to get in. But there was no
gate at this place. Those who had
been pushed against the fence by the
crowd were trying to get away, and
others behind kept pushing, thinking
a ny oh hn an
trance. This mistake continued for
over two hours.
Those who were fortunate enough to
enter had another contest their
hands, for more people had been let
into the enclosure than could be serv-
ed at any one time. But it was a pa
tient crowd and many good natured
jokes were exchanged.
BY actual count 529 We're eating at
the tables at L o'clock. Back of those
stood fully 500 people who were waiting
for their turn at the table. Some had
been fortunate enough to get a handout
from one of the walters. When those
who had finished attempted to leave
the enclosure they experienced about as
much trouble as they did when they en-
tered, for the exits We're made exactly
where entrance was made.
Barbecued meat is most delicious
article of food. Henry Dinwiddie who
had charge of the cooking of the meat.
is certainly an artist in his line. Every
one who tasted the meat was delighted
Win the r1ch HaVOr. But meat was
not the only thing served. Bread and
butter, ham, Sauerkraut, pickles, ,catsup,
in fact, most any old thing is to be had
And everything was in abundance.
The people ate as if they had not
had anything to eat for two days 1t
was an interesting sight. Five hun
dred people chewing with their greatest
speed and relish is something which is
decidedly novel; it can hardly be said
to be pleasant.
The barbecue was a great success.a and
could 1000 people have been served a
one time it would have been still bet
ter. The crowd kept eating all after