The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-22

The king of picnics in Montana is the
Butte Miners union annual Sunday ex-
cursion. The Butte Miners union is
the greatest labor organization in the
Northwest, and when it's members as
semble for an outing 1t is indeed a
mighty throng. one that puts to the test
the transportation facilities Of the rail-
road which assumes to carry 1t to the
chosen picnic grounds. Yesterday the
great crowds were brought to this city
without accident, delay or inconveni-
ence. Fou trainloads arrived, the first
at 10 o'clock, the second at noon, the
third at 2 o'clock and the last at 6
o'clock. There were in all 81 coach
loads, about 1000 people.
At noon the Alice band played a Sc
lection in front of the Standard office,
and o afterwards rendered a number
of selections in the rotunda of the Mon
tana hotel. and the compliments be-
slowed upon the members of the band
were of the highest order. 1t was re-
marked hat the music was heard to
excellent advantage, and il was indeed
much enjoyed by those who were for
tunate in hearing IL.
The excursionists came prepared to
enjoy the day in the park and its beau
tiful surroundings. Hundreds md nun
dreds of lunch basket filled with good
things were brought along. 1t was the
intention of the picnickers to eat their
lunches in the shade of the cotton
woods, on the green grass along the
banks of the creek and in the coZy re-
treats near the lake.
The rain storm marred the pleasure
Of the day. Those shady hooks were no
longer inviting to the seeker of recrea-
ton. There was water everywhere and
mud in the bargain. Great was the
disappointment of the crowd. For a
while it looked as if there would be no
fun at all. During the heaviest down.
pour, o 2:30 o'clock, hundreds of
men. women and children had to stand
out in the open and take cold water
straight. There was not shelter enough
at the park for the multitude. The
dancing pavilion, all of the covered
booths, he shaded bleachers, the avn
ing around the main hall and the gym
nasium were packed with people: ever
n space under the gymnasium was
filled. Many made a dash for the cars
standing outside the gates-anywhere,
everywhere to get in out of the wet.
The sun came out in a few minutes,
and then the visitors swarmed over the
grounds. The question was asked by
hundreds-"Where were you when il
rained?' and many of them answered
by merely displaying their drenched
clothes. wilted collars and soaked make |
up. But the fun, once begun, continued
until midnight. The programme of
sports was longer han the time left in
which to carry it out. The committee
in charge of the athletic sports, Messrs.
Brennan and Eddy, rushed through
with the lists and made results for the
greater part of them. There was ex-
element on the field unit after dark.
when the last contest was concluded.
The contests furnishing the most
excitement and in which deep
interest was taken Were the
singIe-hand drilling and the hammer
throwing. The running races were in
teresting for those who saw them hut
as the crowd was so large those who
were no on the line were unable 10 see
a start or finish
Between each number on the pro-
gramme the Alice band PLAYED selec-
fions, and the music enlivened the scene
and made people FORGET that il had
ever rained. 1t was inspiring music.
just the kind to put life into a man
has been OBLIGED to stand out in
the wet. When the band PLAYED. that
man felt as If the sun were pouring
his welcome rays all over his damn
person.
Just before the rain a base ball team
from Butte and the Shamrocks of this