Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-07-14
Union Picnic.

| The union picnic was Q great success
The weather was an important factor IL
contributing to the success. The north
wind of the day before cooled the at
mosphere and made it ideal, and many
who had given up all thoughts Of going
because Of the intense heat of the last
week, when Thursday came, and with
it cooler temperature and a comfortable
breeze from the north, concluded to joir
the party and enjoy the day.
Three hayracks and a large four.
seated covered carriage appeared In the
Square promptly at s An. The chill
dren had started for the place of de.
parture long before the time for the
teams to arrive. Cd and young were
soon seated or standing in either hay
rack or carriage and on their way to the
picnic ground at Gibson's Grove. Many
went on the electrics, and the steamer
had to make an extra trip to provide
for these. About $50 were provided for
in this way, and about 100 more came
by private conveyance, on bicycles
motor boats, row boats, and later trips
of the steamer, making the total party
about 300.
Once on the grounds the fun began
the multitude scattering in different
directions, swings went up, horse shoes
were fished out of one of the wagons,
stakes were driven, and clergy and laity
tried their skill at landing the horse
shoes as ring over the stake, with a
fair degree of success, but it was pro-
voking some times to the thrower to see
the shoe he had so nicely planned to lay
up against the stake, strike on the edge
and go rolling off like hoop, ten feet
or more from its intended destination.
The committee were busy at once in
preparing lemonade and Mr.. Howard
looked after the ice cream to see that it
kept in good condition till called for.
Another committee posted the pro-
gramme for the after dinner sport. A
ball game was planned but suitable
ground was not found for the game.
Dinner time came and all were glad to
eat, as the ride and bracing air had
sharpened the appetite. The inspection
and emptying of the lunch baskets and
boxes was then diligently attended to
and buster crowd could not have been
found for the next half hour. Gathered
in groups, large and small, while the
food went down the laugh and good
cheer went round, and merry old time
had they. With this part of the duty
of the day disposed of, then came atten-
ton to the posted programme. The
champions in the several contests were
as follows:
100 yard dash. under Il, John Allen.
IAN Ia k, q - DNtr nt,NfA
100 yard dash. middle class, Wallsce Clifford
100 yard dash, Is to 100, o. K. Clifford.
Running broad jump. under ls, Roy Buffers.
Running broad jump, over Is, Louis Keen.
Square jump, middle class, Louis Keen.
Square jump, next class, A. o. Wheeler.
Potato Race and Obstacle Race ommtted.
Shot put, Wallace Clifford.
High jump, Wallace Clifford.
During this time the horse shoes were
flying by two or three different parties
and at one time all four of the ministers
were engaged, testing their skill at the
stake, while at least three of them par
ticipated in some of the athletic sports,
running or jumping, the fourth took an
impromptu plunge into the water of the
lake, feet first, only partial baptism,
when the boards OF the boat landing
broke, letting several into the water,
but near shore and no harm done.
At noon Capt. Tribor came with his
motor boat and took parties to ride, go
ing out around the islands, down along
one shore and back near the other, then
taking another load till it was time for
him to return to his cottage. Mr.. Cum
mings also came with bis boat and
assisted in adding to the pleasure of the
picnicers.
About p. NJ. those who came in pri-
vate teams began to depart for home
and the exodus continued till silence,
broken only by the song of the birds
and the slight ripple of the waves against
the shore, reigned over the place, where
the hum of human voices and the tramp
of many feet were heard an hour before.
So ended the union picnic success in
every way, with no accident to mar the
pleasure of any, though one child came
near having its foot crushed as one of
the. hayracks was entering the grove.
The child jumped out of the rack be-
tween the forward and hind wheels
before the team stopped, fell, but drew
the feet aside just in time to escape be-
ing crushed.