New-York tribune., 1901-07-05
DAY OF QUIET, NOT UPROAR
HEAT WORN NEW-YORKERS SEEK REST
IN COUNTRY. OR CATCH UP
WITH SLEEP

Fourth of July was welcomed yesterday in
this city a day of rest and quiet rather than
as one of celebration and uproar. Those who
believed the forecast Of the weather that
the day would plunge the city back again into
the furnace of the last week fled from their
homes in search of coolness. Thousands left
the city on Wednesday night. Thousands more
made their escape yesterday. and from sunrise
until noon the stream of humanity that poured
out of town increased with every hour BY
boat the crowds went to Coney Island. the
other Long Island beaches and the shady re-
treats along the Hudson. Others went to the
same destinations and also to places further in
land. to lake and mountain resorts. by rail-
The river was crowded with all kinds of excur-
sion craft and everything from a eatboat to a
coal barge pressed into service. The regu-
lar liners to Hudson and Sound resorts were
crowded The Starin inc boats TO Glen ISL
and at half-hOur intervals. It was esti-
mated that thirty thousand persons went by
boat to Coney Island between morning and
midnight. The people went in excursions. with
band playing and bur ting flying, in family
groups with luncheon basket. baby and satchel,
and in couples with parasol and cane.
But there was great multitude in the tene-
ment districts that could not leave their homes.
and when the day broke clear and cool. with
breeze blowing into the open windows. they
were content TO be at home and to rest Many
who had lain awake night after night during
the hot spell slept for hours into the afternoon
On the East Side men. women and children
were found sleeping wherever shade and room
permitted
The frecracker fend appeared generally to be
considered nuisance. In Second and Third
aves.. where usually on the Fourth of July the
| thunder of explosives is the Ioudest there was
| comparative quiet. Often groups OF small boys
| who had assembled in some corner TO effect
| community OF interests and fire off as much
| powder at possible at once. would be chased
| away by some indignant resident who wanted
| to continue his MONDAY nap
| Another fact that contributed TO the quiet of
| the day was that many small boy did not have
any frecrackers on this Fourth Of July Be-
| cause of the heat all the family's money had
| been spent N the last few days in buying ice
| and other necessities of life. Then too, many
| longshoremen and Iaborers had been out of
| work for almost a week. so that even the baby's
| bank was empty of its pennies
| Evidences that many Of the poor preferred
| 10 stay at home and sleep was found In the
| deserted appearance Of the parks yesterday as
| compared with ether holidays or a Sunday
| AT Central Park the crowd was scarcely larger
| than that of a weekday. In drive through the
| Park. from the Plaza entrance to the West
| SeVenty-second-st- gate, one saw not more than
| halr the benches occupied. The pay chairs
/
| VINO guarded them paced back and forth as IL
| they feared they would be out OF a lob.
| Some of the few who sat in the chairs on being
asked to pay. either defled the attendant by re-
| fusing 70 pay or left the chairs for a free
| bench in the sun
| Forty members of John A. Rawlins Post deco
| rated Grants tomb without any formal exer-
| ci- es- Flags were raised at the blockhouse in
Central Park Among those who were present
We're Edward L. Purdy. of the Sons OF the
| American Revolution, and the Society OF the
| Veteran Corps Of the Artillery OF the War G
| lSl2; c. E. Morehouse. Of the Washington Con
| ttnental Guards and Mrs. c. E. Moreho.s= o.
the Daughters OF the Revolution
| Other happenings Of the day were the racing
| at Sheepshead Bay, the formal opening OF City
| Island Bridge. field day for the Manhattan State
| Hospital patients on Wards Island, the picnic
and games OF the New-YOrk Letter Carriers
Association at Schuetzen Park. Union Hill
n j.. and the dinner in the evening OF Company
| K. list Regiment.
There few fires caused by hrecrackers
The Italian Tammany Democrats of the II6
Assembly District abandoned wine for beer at
the expense Of Paddy" Diver and Tom
Foley, the rival leaders of the district The
Divverites drank the health OF their host at
| Donnelly's Grove. at College Point. The Foley
ties picnicked at New-DOrp, Staten Island.