Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1901-06-20
Second Annual Backwoods Picnic,

Early Tuesday morning, regard
less Of the heavy rein that had fall
en- during the night, the husbands
of the members of The Thursday
Club went to work to carry into
effect the plans they had made to
entertain the ladies at the Second
Annual Backwoods Picnic. A neat
invitation containing the purpose,
the bill of fare and other details
had filled the hearts of all with ex-
pectancy and they all longed for
the day, realizing and knowing that
it would be a day with one round OF
pleasure, such as is seldom enjoyed.
Owing to the dalnpness of the
woods the carriages were not sent
for the ladies at nine o'clock as in
tended, but the commisory wagon
with a crowd of men we'll skilled in
the culinary art left for the picnic
grounds on schedule time. About
twelve o'clock a long string of ar
riages filled with happy occupants
left for the picnic grounds. In a
short time life and motion and the
shout of happy voices filled the
Walt Temple woods. Blankets,
robes and cushions were soon
strewn here and there on the clean
bluegrass beneath the shady trees
while swings were put up, ham
mocks hung, games inaugurated
and everyone forgetful of care and
toll was deeply and earnestly en-
gagged in the passing pleasures. AT
the opportune hour, the banquet
table being loaded with the riches
of viands and tropical fruits, the
gay crowd of ~picnlcerans gathered
around the festal board where the
walters served them with an air of
dignity and decoruln that gave mn
elegance to the affair. Fried chick
en-, 8 Iced ham, picked tongue and
other eatables were partaken of
with a relish and the repast was
finished with the serving of straw
berries and cream, ice ream and a
bountiful supply of pastry, the best
the world can possibly produce.
An hour after dinner was spent
quietly in social conversation.
Owing to the memorable game of
base ball played last year everyone
was anxious to see the game repeat
ed. Captain Doctor Riley having.
suffered defeat last year from Cap
tain Cal Martins professionals he
longed for an opportunity to select
a team that he might defeat the vic
torious captain and his men of last
year. Sides were chosen, umpires
selected and Captain Riley and his
men took their innings. The game
was played with much interest,
with but a few slight accidents such
as broken fingers, spralned ankles,
bruised hands and many black and
blue spots on various parts of the
anatomy, until VIII Hamler was
overcome with the heat and fell I'M
concious. 1t was a very serious ac-
cident. Doctor Riley administered
to his wants but it required a
hard hours work to bring him back
to consciousness. By seven o'clock
he was able to be brought home
and is recovering very nicely and
will be himself again in a few days;
but we predict this will be the last
game of ball INDUCED in by most
OF the crowd and at the next annual
picnic some other game will be in
stituted.
The day closed with the usual
contests in all sorts of foot in
which the ladies were the principal
contestants. Feats OF various kinds
were INDUCED in and the day, bar
ring the accident, was one OF plesa-
ure and will be remembered as one
OF the bright places along the jour
ney of life.