The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-12
POOR CHILDREN
HAVE 4 PICNIC.
Salvation Army Takes 800 to
O'Falion Park fer Glorious
Days Outing.
PLENTY TO EAT AND DRINK.
Immunity From Cops" the Great
est Joy for the Boys-Event
TO BE Made an Annual
Institution.
PLENTY TO EAT AND DRINK.

More than 800 ragged. lUsty-lunged young
str-s white and black. had 4 picnic at
p'Fallon Park yesterday. thanks to thu Sal
walton Army. They were gathered from the
Sluns of the city. where they never see a
tree or a flower or get breath Of pure air.
Some IF them brought their parents. All
were transported TO the park free of charge
10y the St Louis and Suburban Railway
Company. 1t required four cars To carry
the crowd. Two solid meals. with plenty
Of fruit aud cake. were served to the pic
rickcrs by the Salvation Army officers.
There were games for which prizes were
given. and the man who Owls tire boats an
the lake set aside a certain number for
the use of the children in the afternoon.
They wore no pretty. starched garments.
but they had as gay time rs any picnic
party that eyer invaded the park.
Captains Lehman and Sieberg. In charge
Of Corps No. 2 and tho Stun Corps Of
South ~. Louis met the procession of cars
on Fourth street yesterday morning mt 10
o'clock The shouting youngsters attracted
much attention as they rnde through ;hr
downtown streets. At Fourteenth and
Franklin avenue the delegation Of pic:lck-
crs from Corps M /, In charge of Captain
sheppard boarded the cars. and on Jeffcr-
y.
with his flock Joined tho party. In spite
of the uncomfortable crow,'iuE. the chill
trCn sang in their shrill treble and a for
Iorn cornet blarrd out rollickinC bits of mu-
sic At the park the party was divided in
to- companies IN military style. with sal
walton Army soldier In charge OF each
COMPANY Each youngster wore "a badge
with the letter of his company prominently
displayed.
II was the most difficult thing In the
world to control them. AS soon as the par
" found ITS place in the park the children
scattered and disappeared. The very little
tots had to remain with their guardians.
hut the grass and the trees We're great
pleasure to them
The fact that they could play without fear
Of the policpman seemed to be the greatest
JOY the boys had ever had.
once. Il, the forenoon. several officers
stroi!ed up TO the picnic grounds, and the
first instinct of the youngsters was to run.
hut they recoIIected that they were picnick-
ing so they gravely formed respectfully
observant group around the cops. When
they saw that the policemen regarded them
without suspicion they began to- play with
OsteEtatious noise, nut thty always kept
an eye on The biuccoats-
At noon blast from the cornet called
the children together and they formed
ranks by companies. Then they marched
up with their officers and obtained their ra-
tiUns i'll military fashion. Each child re-
cciycd "A bcx which contained ham sand
wIc.eS cakes. bananas and other fruits
They sat down on the grass and ate their
lunches in squads. The liquid refreshments
We're milk and lemonade After the lunch
they had races and games, III which tine
victors carried OF rrlzes- Then they went
ln1t-rldiny ana finally were served with
another lunch. after which they went home
al O'clock. About leo lunches were dis
tributed.
The Salvation Army VIII make this picnic
an annual Institution. and Will take the
children from the different corps at differ
.rt times Major Cousins and staff Cap
tain Mai WiGgery were in charge of yes
tcrc.ay's picnic. Adjutant Truedseor at
fenced to the refreshments ana Private
Mullaly directed the games.