The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-08-23
EAGLES, PICNIC
Program for First Annual Outing of
Local Aerie

Arrangements for the grand picnic
and field day to be held by the Eagles
Saturday afternoon of this week at
Hunts upper grove are about COM
pleted. Look out for one of the best
celebrations of that character produc-
ed by any organization in Bennington
for many years.
The program is not yet quite ready
for publication in full, but just see
what you may expect to see If you are
fortunate enough to be present The
first attraction of the afternoon will
be a baseball game between North
Bennington and F. M. 7. A. B. society
of Bennington.
These two teams were a long time
in training for the picnic was to have
been held on the 18th of this month
and we are assured that each team is
fiercely determined to win, and that
a fight to the finish may be anticipat-
ed.
1t is expected that Frank E. Bat
ties, one of the best umpires who
ever stood on a Bennington diamond.
will umpire this contest.
The game will be called at one o.
clock sharp, so come early and secure
a front seat.
Dancing free all the afternoon.
Is there anything funnier than a
Tug of War" between two well train
ed teams. If you want to see real
fun, come and see team from the
j. G. Mccullough Engine company of
North Bennington in a Juggling con-
test with team from the Bennington
Foresters.
Ten strong, active men on each
team pulling the rope for all they are
worth. Is that not worth the price
of admission. Come and settle that
question for yourself.
Perhaps it is not generally known
that Bennington is the home of two
of the best wrestlers in New Eng
land. If not, those who come to see
fred Wood and Irving Bum in a
catch as catch can" wrestling match,
win know just so much more than
their neighbors who are foolish
enough to stay away.
The winner of this match stands
ready to defend the title of Champion
of Vermont so all who seek fame and
fortune beaind the ropes, should grid
on their armor and stand ready to dis
pute that question.
The days of the prize fight are past
and gone but well conducted. first
lclass sparring matches are always a
delight to those who believe in clean,
manly sport.
The Eagles know what the people
want, so they are arranging for two
high class ring exhibitions for their
picnic. The preliminary contest will
be a sparring match between Dick
Sheehan and Jim Hunter, for the light
weight championship of Vermont
Dick and Jim are in the best of train
ing and pretty contest may be look
ed for
The great attraction of the after
noon will be the long looked for spar
ring match between Fred Lewis,
whose claim TO the title of champion
of Vermont has never been successive
ly disputed, and AL. Groves of Adams,
called the sparring wonder of Massa-
AL. Groves has large personal fol-
lowing in Berkshire county who will
be present in large numbers prepared
to back their favorite. What will
the people of Bennington do for the
man of Vermont when he defends his
title against tae great AL. Groves?
The opportunity is at hand and you
know what to do with it.
DO not forget that dancing is free
all the afternoon.
"a first class prompter will be on
hand and a large number of square
and contra dances will be put on for
the pleasure of those who do not care
for the round dances.
Director Donnelly informs us that
his orchestra can play both kinds of
dances.
All who visa to enter for hundred
yard dash should leave their names
with Joseph A. Evans before Friday
noon. Ernest ID Barber and Harry w
commonly known as the
governor, have already entered for
the dash, and many others are expect
ed
If the efforts of the committee are
rewarded with success, one of the fea-
lures of the day will be a joint debate
on tae subject Socialism between
Hon. Stephen NJ. Bowles, the sage of
Woodfrod and our own Billy Peterson.
Collins NJ Graves, Frank M. Craw-
ford and William l.. Gokay have kind
ly consented to act as judges of the
debate.
Watch this paper and big bills for
other attractions which will be an
nounced as soon as arranged.
The festivities of the day will close
with a dance at Foresters' hall in the
evening. at which Claiming Fletcher,
the we'll known barytone soloist and
the ever nOnular arm children will