New-York tribune., 1905-04-24
THOUSANDS VISIT CONEY
Ventable Easter Parade at FGUorite
Seaside Resort.

Nothing marred the pleasure OF the seventy
five thousand visitors at Coney Island yesterday.
For the first time since the regeneration Of
the seaside resort nearly every place of amuse-
ment was open for business before the first
of May.
More than fifteen thousand people passed the
stile at Luna Park, enjoyed the "chutes" and
journeyed to the moon" The date of the formal
opening however. is May 13. but the palmist and
many others who wished to break the spell OF
an unluclSy number began yesterday. The dance
hail. the scenic railway, the circle swing the old
mill and the miniature railway were in full
blast.
The visitors found a remodelled and a more
handsome Luna Park. The great tower had
new decorations at its base. Huge dragons and
elephants form a cascade. requiring $4,000 gal
Ions of water minute.
The visitors saw, also a large structure con-
tanning the latest railway device of L. A.
Thompson. called "Coasting the Gorges."
Within an area Of 500 by 200 feet more than four
thousand feet of track have been laid. When
finished the structure will be one of the most
interesting in Coney Island. Within the large
arch which is the architectural feature of the
building. will be a series of cascades, one thirty
feet nigh pouring down five thousand gallons of
water each minute. The railway, starting at
the base Of this cascade, passes through scenes
Of many cli1nes and has many breath taking
descents.
The Fall Of Port Arthur" which will replace
the Durbar of last year, is being arranged rap
idly This spectacle will be produced on an area
of one hundred thousand square feet.
Dreamland will not be opened until the second
Saturday in May.
An impromptu meeting of showmen was held
at Coney Island to-day. Representatives from
many Of the big circuses and outdoor amuse-
ment enterprises al well as theatrical managers
planned coming amusements for Coney lslanu
and other resorts.
chiefs wagon in the fire show. at Dreamland
nearly caused a serious accident while being
driven around the track that circles the lagoon
The horse had gone around the second tlhe
when J. J. Mccarthy. one OF the Dreamlanu
nanag gers, who was driving, attempted to make
a short turn The horse reared TO one slde ana
threw its driver into the water. The amman IN
its frenzy TO back away became partly suS-
The animal was lifted back to the track by a
derrick Mccarthy was taken home.
Codflshing attracted many. The best eaten
was a ten pound cod. landed after considerable
difficulty. by George Keyman, of the City Con
tTollers Office.
Particularly conspicuous on Surf-ave. and the
BOwery were the many fine Easter gowns. whlch
gave the aside a city aspect. Automobiles
and carriages and the comparatively few arrests
made proved the refined character of this year <
visitors. No excise arrests have been made this
year. Captain Dooley declared that future ar
rests will be made with a view TO obtaining
positive convictions
Special express train service was started on
the Brooklyn Rapid Transit lines. Summer
schedules were also followed on the surface cars
No objections made to the payment Of ten
cent fares on the railroad lines. Extra police
were stationed the railroad depots TO prevent
the rcwdyism that was so frequent last summer.