The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-08-15
M. E Q. P. TO MEET.
WILL co TO STEEPLECHASE
 ISLAND FOR OUTING.
Special Train to Take Crowds to Park City From Which Place Steamers will Convey Them to the Island Lots of Sport Promised.

City From Whlch Piace steamers Will Convey Them to the Island
 Lots of Sport Promised.
 Preparations for the big field day and
 reunion of the New England Order of
 Protection of this state to be held at
 Steeplechase Island, near Bridgeport,
 next Saturday are now practically con-
 pleted and it promises to be the big
 gest gathering of members of the order
 ever had in Connecticut. Already near | ly 5000 members from other cities have expressed their intention to be present and special trains have been arranged | from a number of places, and the num- | Der will be materially sWelled by the | 1,2G0 or more members in this city. The | organization, which is devoted to fra l ternal insurance takes in the six New
 England states and the grand officers
 will attend as well as the supreme off, cers of the order. Taken altogether 1t
 will prove big day for the organiza- tion and one which will be long remem- bered,
 A Bridgeport dispatch says New Ha- ven will send big delegation Elm Tree lodge alone of that city sending 400,
 and special train has been arranged for, Hartford and Waterbury are both to send big delegations, and Stamford,
 Ansonia, Derby, Meriden, Norwalk, and some of the other larger towns of the state will be we'll represented The program of entertainment will be a varied one and all members of the or der and their friends are cordially in vited to be present. The management of the island, as we'll as the numerous concessionaries are making special pre- parations to entertain the "Neops.' A meeting of the deputy grand war dens of the state will be in the theater at 10:30 lasting for a short time at which considerable business pertaining to the order will be transacted. Fol- lowing this the supreme and grand off, cers present will hold a short meeting The program of sports will commence at the stadium at o'clock and will pre-
 sent number of events varied enough
 to suit most any one, introducing a number of novelties. There will be a 100 yard run for men and for women,
 sack races, three legged races, jumping,
 vaulting, hurdles and other contests, a ball game between nones from Water- bury and New Haven, and a pipe race
 In the pipe race each contestant will be supplied with a clay pipe of the
 "church warden variety, tobacco, and
 matches, and will be required to fill and light the pipe and run to the goal,
 without touching the pipe with the
 hands after the word is given. The one
 reaching the goal first with the pipe lighted and fulfilling all the other con- ditions, will be the winner. Handsome
 prizes have been provided for each event, Morris Bros, Bob Weber, and
 others at the island, as well as many local and out of town concerns making
 donations. There will be no admission
 fee charged at the stadium.
 A reception committee will meet
 every incoming train and boat as well l do lnS llolley anu FlSltoIs VIII De gwen
 every attention and every facility for
 enjoying the day. The members of all
 of the local lodges will assist in enter | taining the visitors and with good | weather, promises to be the banner day
 of the season at steeplechase. There
 will be no increased charges over tht
 regular rates and all of the manifold
 attractions will be in full blast. as
 wellwell as many features specially pro-
 vided. Bob Weber will be prepared
 to serve an excellent shore dinner to
 those desiring it, the ball room, skat-
 ing rink, bathing pavilions, etc, will be
 in full swing. Bridgeporters as well as
 visitors are assured of an enjoyable day.