The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-12
Big DAY AT
NAY AUG PARK
Superintendent Phillips ESti-
mate Was Twelve ThOus-
and People.

superintendent Thomas H. Phillins
of Nay Aug park. estimated the num-
ber of people who visited that resort
yesterday at $1,000. The Tribune man
was inclined to consider this a little
too high, but the superintendent stakcd
his reputation for veracity on his claim.
At any rate, there was an enormous
throng at the park, which seemed to
he swarming with humanity from one
end to the other. Every shady nook
had its little party ensConced beneath
the trees, and the walks and driveways
were filled with moving thousands.
No better argument in favor of Civ
ing the department of public works
sufticient funds to properly carry on
the vast work in the way of improve
ment which yet remains to be done AT
Nay Aug. before IL will look anything
like a park, can be found than in this
great outpouring of the people of this
city in search OF some place where
they can get few hours of rest on
Sunday amid natural surroundings.
The work which has so far been done
at the park is only the beginning of
the great work which must be done in
the future, and which cannot be done
until the gentlemen of councils see hit
tn authorize the expenditure of 800. 900
or thereahout
The grounds at the southcrly end of
the park surrounding the handsome
band-stand have now taken on some
semblance of form and an idea of what
the rest of the park will look like when
finished can he gained from view of
them. The walks are all laid out and
the larger part of the ground enclosed
by them has been either sodded OF
planted with grass seed.
The unsightly sheds which now serve
as animal houses are to be removed as
soon as possible to the open space just
east of Arthur avenue and between
Vine and Olive streets, in order that
the space they now occupy may he
graded and made to conform to the
surrounding portion of the park. 1t is
hoped that the new animal houses can
be constructed this year, and if the
$4,000 worth of bonds are soon disposcC
Of it is probable that they will be. Th,
new houses are TO be located on the
space above described and will adjoin
the large artificial lake which the plans
of Architect Edgerton provide for.
A gang of men, under the direction
ent engaged in blasting out a bear pit
just west of the toll-gate on the boule-
ward, This is to be very large, and the
animals will be viewed from above
The stone which Is being taken out for
the bear pit is 10 be used in the con-
struction of the aquatic garden, Just
inside the park entrance.
Part of the $4,000 which the depart
N..tII
to be used in macadamizing the drive
ways through the park. This work is
to be done this year. if Director Roche
succeeds in getting the prison boar
to permit the county Jail prisoners to
do it after they have finished at Con-
nell park.
Yesterdays crowd was pretty thor
oughly scattered over the entire park,
though tha picnic grounds and the
mcnagerie seemed to attract the larger
number of visitors. The menageric
seems To be in a fair way to lose one
of its features soon, namely. the lionoys
purchased from Frank Bostock, the
animal trainer.
This poor creature is afflicted with a
peculiar disease which affects its spine,
and it spends nearly the whole DAY
lying on the floor of its cage in an al
most helpless condition. Veterinarians
say that there is very little chance of
its recovery. The lion, its mate. died
several months ago from the same dis
ease. 1t is apparent that Mr.. Bostock
palmed off damaged goods on the local
gentlemen who purchased the animals.
as both were afflicted almost the first
day they We're taken to the park.
Andy, the year-old bear, and Tim.
"the wsest monkey in the country"
as superintendent Phillips calls him,
occupy adjoining enclosures in the
menagere, and their antics furnish
amusement to large crowds daily. They
got into one of their usual fights YES
terday afternoon and kept large
crowd in roars of laughter for over
half an hour,
Tim would reach through the netting
and pull Andys hair, until the latter
would get so enraged as to cause him
to growl and look unutterable things
at the monkey, who was fortunately
out Of harms way.
The merry -go-rounds, both inside
and outside the park, were closed yes
terday in pursuance of Director of
Public Safety Wormsers recent order.