Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-08-29
{ BIG QUARTERLY.

.
The Event Was Observed, But the Visitor.
We're Not MS Numerous us In For,n.,
Years.
Sunday was Big Quarterly, tho
annual religious festival of the color ed
people OF Wilmington, under The
auspices Of the African Union Methodist
Protestant Church. The event was an.
rropriately observed, but the visitors
we're not as numerous as in former
years In fact, it Is said that there
were not more than 1000 strangers in
town, The colored people Of this city
were out In force and for several hours
10 the afternoon and during part OF the
evening, french street was very lively
place. The a, U. M. z. Church, on
French street between Eighth and
Ninth, where special services wero
neld, was the mecca for nearly all who
were In any way interested in proper
obsfrVance Of the day, and all OF the
services were we'll attended.
Most of tho visitors came from the
neighhoring counties OF Pennsylvania,
Maryland and New Jersey. There we're,
probably, mure from Chester than any
other plnue outside OF the State and
the trolley line, boats and railroads
between Wilmington and Chester we're
well patronized by the colored people
OF the neighboring city who desired to
attend the celebration or visit friends
here. In fact. each OF the transportn-
iion lines leading to the city brought
Its quota and q good harvest was
reaped in each instance.
: Years ago special trains were run to
and from the lower art Of the State,
but that custom was abandoned some
time ago, which accounts very largely
for the falling oil in the attendance Of
strangers. Big Quarterly was at one
time looked upon by the old time
negroes OF lower Delaware as the great
day of the year ana plans were made
months ahead for coming 10 the city
ard taking part in the demonstration.
But that time has gone by and as most
OF the older attendants from down the
State have either died or become too
old to take the interest they formerly
did, the observance IL now confined
chiefly TO Wilmington. There are a
few OF the people from the lower coup
ties who come to Wilmington on Satur-
day and remain with friends until
Monday, but the number is very few,
az the arrangement is not convenient
for many. A one.day trip would suIt
them, but to make three days, visit
is out OF the question.
Inc miscellaneous gathering of old
time dnrkies formerly had the effect of
attracting several thousand white people
to French street during the day, but
the Change. has had its effect upon the
white people and they do not manifest
the interest they formerly did.
But Big Quarterly comes and goes
lust the same, and, 80 far as the church
observance is concerned it is SUCCESS,
De the attendance OF strangers large or
small. The church whers the special
services are held is taxed TO accom-
modate all Of the faithful who desire
TO ATTEND and the real object OF the
day is accomplished, regardless of the
size OF the crowd on tie street.
Sunday was an exceptionally quiet
Big Quarterly. The coored people were
astir early and many OF the visitors
look advantage OF the pleasant weather
to see the points of interest about the |
city IN the morning, while ia the after
nooE most of them made their way to |
French street aud remained there until |
time TO leave fer home. The street was
hive OF activity. Enterprising co ored |
people had eating stands at all con |
enient places and each did a good |
business. The chief ambition Of some
u those who attended the festivities
appeared to be to eat and as a result |
'ome of the stand keepers reaped a
good harvest.
The crowd was orderly, as a rule,
'ut Chief OF Police Massey had n
neciai squad Of men on duty along the
treet to Keep the Sidewalks from be-
coming congested and suppress any who
gere inclined to make trouble. The
Ulcers had very little to do and they
nioyed the festivities as much as
ONE other spectators.
At the A. U. NJ. p. Church tn.
ievs. Henry Robinson of Marshallton,
!. II. Bantum of Norristown, Pa, ],
Y. Gibson of New Castle, Alexander
Woodward of Alexandria, Pa, @. II.
Walker Of Newark aud j. f. ii.
liwelle, A. NJ. S. I. b., held ser
ices.
At Ezion NJ. e. Church the Reys.
/. X. Brown and q. A. Tindley con-
ncted funeral service over the re-.
,ains of Amanda Gray Last night the
lev. Noah Norris preached at this