The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-18
Many Thousands Sought Relief from
First Oppressive Heat I'm the
City's Beauty Spots.
OPENING OF GERMANIA PARK
TEUTONIC SONGS AND ATHLETIC
EXHIBITIONS FEATURES.
Many Excursionists Brought I'm on
Railroads and Traction Lines
Street-Car Service.

Indianapolis had a touch of genuine sum-
mer weather yesterday, and a good many
people who did not care to stay indoors In
the afternoon enjoyed themselves in real
summer fashion. The parks of the city,
decked in the richest of natures garb. re-
ceived large share OF patronage.
A great many excursionists were in town.
and they helped to swell the crowds that
turned out In the afternoon. BY or 8
o'clock the sun beat down with a fierce
sort Of heat, and people in the streets were
found seeking the shady side. The foun-
tains at the monument were turned on all
day. and the strangers In the city who
strayed around the Circle enjoyed looking
into the blue pools.
Although the officials at the Union Depot
declared that yesterday was not q large
excursion day, 1t was estimated that per-
haps three or four thousand people came
into the city turing the day. The Big Four
brought several excursions in during the
morning. One came from Cincinnati, and
brought five or six hundred people. An
other came from Champaign, ILL.,. over the
Peoria & Eastern division Of the road
bringing people from Champaign, DAN
vile. Covington, Charlottesville ard other
a
train from Nation that picked up people
at different points along the route. The
Lake Erie & Western road brought a train
from Michigan City that was pretty well
filled. Two trains from South Bend came
in over the Big Four, bringing in the
neighborhood Of a thousand people The
trains were run down the Vandalia to Col
FAX, and were there transferred to the Big
Four.
GERMANIA PARK OPENING
Some of the parks opened the summer
season yesterday. The Germania Park Asso-
citation opened it's beautiful grounds south
OF the city and entertained q crowd of be-
tween 5000 and 5000 people. This park is
situated south Of Garfield Park and since
last season the street-railway company has
extended its track to the park from the
Shelby-street line. A large number of the
German societies of the city were repre-
sented on the grounds, and about two hun
dred new members were added during the
afternoon. The programme included songs
by the Social Sangerbund, Harugari Sang
erchor, the Indianapolis Liederkranz the
German Club. Musikverein and a speech by
There were aso Athletic exbitons br sSe
South Side and Social Turner's and there
was entertainment for the children in the
way OF swings. nierry-go-rounds, etc. The
ulatory nature. He said he was glad that
the German societies have at last found a
summer home where high and low can
meet with their families and enjoy the
fresh air and all the advantages to be had
by outdoor exercise. He thought it would
be an ideal place for the members to come
with their families. 1t was a glad time for
rhe big crowd that spent the afternoon and
evening at the park. There were perhaps
twenty German societies on the grounds.
The children romped and played on the
soft grass and enjoyed every minute of
the time spent there. The music of the
Park promises to be popular place this
surumer.
AT FAIRvIEw.
The street cars running to Fairview were
crowded yesterday afternoon and night.
The day was the annual opening of the
park and the usual band concert was given
afternoon and evening. Enormous crowds
listened to the music. People began going
TO Fairview early in the morning, many
taking dinner at the park. 1t was esti-
mated by the management Of the park that
the crowd in attendance numbered 20 COO
1t was well-dressed. orderly crowd of peo-
pie. Fairview is always popular with the
people who work hard during the week and
seek a bit of outdoor recreation on Sun
day. The capacity of the cars going to
Fairview last night was taxed
All of the city parks were well patronized
At Riverside the crowd was large and
there the 'double-eight railway seemed
to be the attraction. One gets a thrilling
il over again. AT Garfield and Brookside
Parks the crowds were also large and
Military Park came for it's usual share of
patronage. University Square, down town.
was a popular place for excursionists who
did not want to go out OF the city during
the day.