Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-18

ISLAND TURNED
OVER TO ELKS
AVALON WELCOMES HERDS
CORDIALLY
ADVENTUROUS COUPLE CAUSE
MUCH EXCITEMENT
Program on Catalina Marked by Bar
becue and Sghtseene-ThrIIllng
Rescue Of Two Explorers
from cliffs

AVALON, July 17.-Through the
triumphal arch and the gayly decorated
trails of the magic isle a herd of $500
strong of the "earths best" wound it's
gorgeous way just before noon today
and moved on the monster barbecue
prepared for the visitors, their wives
and friends.
Hand shaking, shoulder slapping,
singing and laughing excursionists for
got the troubles of the seas once their
feet again touched terra firma.
The outwardbound trip across the
channel found the sea as smooth as the
proyerbial millpond, but, notwithstand-
ing this, a few of the inland partici-
pants who were visiting the coast for
the first time were subjects of a mild
attack of NAL de mur
1t seemed rs II the entire population
of the world were being miraculously
dumped on this garden of the Pacific
today. The very atmosphere was sur
charged with Elk sentiment which Is
to fill life's cup from the vintage of joy
An immense throng packed the streets.
The decorations were strikingly beau
tiful Regal purple and dazzling gold
crested emblems were artistically dis
played on the triumphal arch. Many
islanders were dressed in white with
purple trimmings in honor of the day.
Record Crowd Fed
When the guests reached the tables
at the barbecue everything was in read
mess. From the yawning pits appeared
countless numbers of appetizlng food
stuffs Seven hours previously the
mammoth earthern cavities had been
filed to their tops with choice cuts of
white seabass, rockbass yelloWtall anu
other famous edible fishes from Cata-
lima waters. In addition to these there
were broiled steaks, sections OF goat
and lamb, 100 gallons of abalone chow
der and an unlimited supply of coffee
Never I'm the history of the island has
such a monster crowd been fed at one
sitting. A space covering two acres
was filled with representatives OF ELK
dom Dignity was set aside, and all
Joined in the determination to have
thoroughly good time.
I'm the name of the citizens of this
place | am given the opportunity to
extend to you the full freedom of this
enchanted isle" said Manager Beck or
the Avalon Improvement association as
the visitors concluded their feast. The
Elks accepted promptly and proceeded
to spend the rest of the day visiting
the world famous marine gardens,
bathing in the tranquil waters of the
bay and enjoying the numerous other
attractions of the island.
touch of the sensational was given
the day by the adventure of two MEM
bers of the big party, Mrs. Goulding
Williams of New York city and West
A. Byers of McAlester, Okla.
For four hours they stood prisoners
on a narrow ledge of rock. high above
the breakers, and their rescue was eff
fected only by use of 400 feet of rope.
At noon the couple left Avalon for
a walk over the hills. Thinking they
could return by a shorter route by
way of the beach, they commenced the
descent of the cliffs near Seal rocks.
A narrow trail led back a few feet
over the edge of the precipice, but un-
daunted the pair proceeded to slide
down the rocky face of the cliff. At
last, finding themselves unable to
proceed farther, they stopped on a
narrow ledge.
Although having made the descent
they found the ascent to the top was
Impossible. Captain /. H. Farnsworth
and Captain G. Farnsworth, who went
to the rescue, used 400 feet of rope to
get them from their perilous situation.