El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-06-12
CASAS GRANDES
EXCURSION
Voted by all To Have Been a
Huge Success.
A GREAT CROWD THERE

n OnCHI CnOVVO IIIInI
The Picnicers Had Jolly Outing
Dancing and Other Enjoyable
Pastimes.-Only One Serious Mis-
hap-No Programme of Sports as
Had Been Advertised.
The Knights of Labor excursion to
Casas Grandes Sunday was voted q
huge success. Nearly thousand ex-
cursion1sts ava1led themselves OF the
opportunity to visit the beautiful coun-
try of the Sierra Madres, and after q
most delightful outing on the banks of
the Casas Grandes river, beautiful
sparkling stream, all are won't to
declare that the scenery and the
surrounding country are superb In all
their grandeur,
Saturday dawned cool and clear and
the merry excursionists were early at
the station. The first train carrying
over 500 people left the foot of Sixth
and Stanton streets at Z o'clock sharp.
An hours stop was made at Juarez to
allow the customs officials to examine
any baggage and then the train con-
tlnued on its journey.
The second section pulled out of the
station.at 1880, tt e tw sections arriving
at Casas Grandes about the same time,
and when the picnic grounds along the
banks of the river were reached about
l O'Clock lunch was Immediately pre-
pared by the picnicers. Lunch over
the marrym aking began. The Nc
Giyty band furnished the dance music
and this was one of the most pleasant
features of the day.
No program was carried out as had
cd
great disappointment was felt by the
crowd ahd no reason was adv Rnced by
the committee on arrangements for the
failure to carry out that part of the ex-
ercises.
John Sorrenson made the opening
address and the jefe politico of Old
Casas Grandes responded.
POSTMASTER'S ADDRESS.
The young postmaster of the town,
Jorge Ascarate Griggs, on behalf of
the jefe politico, Colonel Eduardo Ber-
mudez, who was also present delivered
an address of welcome in English which
translated into Spanish received the
hearty approval of the many Mexican
citizens present, showing that the
spirit of welcome was unanimous and
earnest among them.
The young speaker said such
meetings cemented closer bond OF
friendship to the people of the two re-
publics, and he was sure that the peo-
pie of The CasRs Grandes valley hoped
that the visits would be oftener, result
and to Casas Grandes, Mr.. Griggs
euloglzed the Americans residing in
the valley aud said that 1t was due to
the coming Of the iron horse that q new
and higher civilization existed. "Over
yonder,'' said the speaker.
pointing to the west, sis Chocolate pass
paved BY the blood of hundreds of the
first emigrants, slain by the Indians
who used the pass as q trecherous lair
in which to entrap their victims. The
arrival of the American and their
steam railway has sent the Indians on
ward to wilder scenes and lives are
now safe out of ones DOORS"
A fitting response was made later in
the day by Manuel Flores, representing
the Ell Paso Knights of Labor.
Bob Tanner and his contingent gayly
decked in their bicycle costumes, were
in evidence all the day and were great
ly sought after by the girls.
ONLY ACCIDENT.
The only serious mishap WAS sew
ere accident to young
man by the name of Cunning ham. W %
fell from the top of the car. When the
accident was learned the train crew
was promptly arrested by the police au-
thorities at Casss Grandes.
The return trip was made at $50
o'clock and the excursonists did not
arrive in Ell Paso until long after one
o'clock. AlthO' tired out by the long
journey and the pleasures of the day,
very few were heard to express their
regrets, but, instead were loud in their
praises of the enjoyable day.
PICNIC NOTES.
Everybody had plenty to eat.
The boys enjoyed swim in the
river.
The first section was greatly over
crowded.
+ Dancing was the most enjoyable feat
ure of the day.
Recorder Charley Patterson came
out second best.
Some declare that the picnic grounds
were too far from Ell Pasc.
Pretty girls were in evidence and
outnumbered the fellows, two to one.
Love making on the banks Of the ro-
mantle Casas Grandes river was enjoy
ed by many young couples.
The train was late returning and q
certain element of the crowd grew
boisterous on the up trip, and forgot to
behave itself.
HUG6IN6 ON THE SQUARE