New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-16
4 DAY OF JOY FOR 1900.
Fifteenth Excursion Under Tribune
Fresh Air Fund 4usuces.

There were over fifteen hundred happy women
and children on the barge Columbia yesterday
morning as she was towed from the pier at West
tiftieth-st oy The tug Neptune and headed up the
North River. The party was on the fifteenth DAY
excursion given this season under the auspices
OF the Tribune Fresh Air Fund-the funds for
which are all provided by a man who does not
permit his name to- be given There is the sail I'D
the Hudson 10 Excelsior Grove, with a band OF
music To euliven the company. also an abundant
supply of milk.
The grove is equipped with all the things ueces-
sary 10 amuse me children The older boys. under
a watchtul caretaker. were permitted TO bathe in
the shallow the Hudson
On The upper deck of the barge. Two women vel
past sixty Years, sat by a baby carriage aud
talked on the delights cf the excursion said one
o. the women; sure, this trip up 10 The grove IS
The only thing that look forward 10. { sit in me
-FOUR walls ia the midst Of me troubles an DAY
long ana brood from end OF the GEAR 10 the
other. but when away Tribune boat [
aIterWard- That's indeed very true said tire
other woman. and 1t does my heart good to see
the children enjoy themseIves
missionary who had d large number Of chill
dren aboard the excursion barge gave sign OF
relief her little charges aoated up the river
How happy they all are" she said This trim
to-day Is the realization of the plans and hopes OF
many months it's the bright day FOR the
poor children who see nothing but four walls and
the street from one end OF the year 10 the other
Michael O'AIalIey, the veteran policeman OF Fresh
Air excursions stood on the sauspIarz Of the CO.
lurnbia yesterday and directed the loading OF the
barge.
Il tell YOU. this work OF handling large crowds is
not fun by any means. said O'NIaIIey. as he wiped
the band of his helmet. that was dripping with
ptrSplraJIOl- This excursion is the peoples picnic.
not mine The greatest difficulty have contend
with IS Tie watching OF that gang OF roughs over
there And be pointed 70 a group of OvergrOwn
street boys. They try all OF tricks TO get
this oarse, and once aboard they steal every thing
IN Slght Sometimes they come aboard under the
wing Of some sympathetic old woman. but IL don't
60 with me. for know every one OF them
livery precautlOu IS used In transporting the
eaCn excursion are three physicians, and trailing
behind the barge in a skin Is life saver, ready 70
rescue any child who might 1all overheard. Every
one gets ample time 10 get aboard bur once ths
boat
After the last shout Of An aboard was given
esterday II found that Old woman afflicted
with rheumatism was slowly making her way on
crUJCheS toward the boat. She at the entrance
or the pier " hen the GeCkhand5 were ready cast
on The old woman is great tavorite among
Legged the manager 20 wait for her The crippled
woman refused al assistance ana II TOOK her uvs
minutes 10 reach the BOAT. When she GOT aboard
great cheer arose from the children. who gathered
ABOUT her and led her 10 seat
Friends or the merry party OF mothers and chill
dren waved their goodbys until tia Columbia dis
appeared from view
"Oh, 7 hope my little girl won't fall overheard;
she - 50 eNClCa DIE said mother 70 a man on
the pier after the boat had left the wharf
Aa1aTn. sara ChS man addressed 40 you SeS
that fellow IN the dtngy behind the barge Wen.
traJS Frank RaCley. he has saved elghCy-TWO
lives IN his time. and I wouldn't hair II
don't say rnUch but he does heap. That feller
has bunch OF medals at homo that he never wears
They amt no danger, anyhow Those kids are
watched as carefully as an old she Hon watches her
cubs