Rock Island Argus., 1909-08-09
ARE NOT TO CLOSE
Retail Stores in Downtown Dis
trict Will Remain Open
Thursday, Aug. 10.
BUT WILL OBSERVE DAY
viii Send Big Representa-.
ton to Picnic--Grocers Will
Make II Holiday.

While the opinion has been general
among the residents of Rock lslani
that all retail houses would close thetr
doors Thursday, Aug 19, which is 10
be observed as merchants day, al
the present time only the grocers have
decided to close. The grocers decided
on til at recent meeting of their
association and named Aug. 10 rs
"grocer's" day because of the fact that
the merchants dealing in other lines
would observe the same day and at
tend the annual farmers picnic short
distance above-Port Byron.
/ Despite the fact that the movement
TO close all retail business houses on
that date was knocked out because sew
eral merchants refused to enter into an
Iagreement, the day will be observed
just the same and while the retail
stores in the downtown district will
not close. they will busy themselves
in preparing to advertise Rock Island
in the upper end of the county.
Many Big Events.
i Nearly every merchant favored MAX
ing the day a holiday but decided that
they would not remain closed if one
or two others would open. so conse.
Quently all will keep open with the ex
, ception of the grOcers and perhaps the
butchers who are well deserving of a
Especial holiday.
The plans outlined for the event as
sures those who intend going to the
| Picnic the most entertaining trip of
the season, as it not only includes a
trip over the rapids and through the
: new Moline lock. but an all day band
: concert. dancing, two games of base
ball and more than a dozen other ath-
, letic events at the picnic grounds. The
brass band which will accompany the
! local merchants will parade the busi-
7 ness district for an hour before the
5 steamer Columbia leaves the Rock Is
/ land landing at . o'clock a. M, and af
ter going on board the band will rel
2 der program both going and coming
D from the picnic grounds.
Another feature which is attracting
the attention of MANY, is the beautiful
picnic grounds and already there have
been many parties arranged to 20 tC
the grounds aud serve baske; dinners
Light luncheon will also be served
both at the grounds and on board the
boat so that every excursionist will be
t well taken care of
Tickets Are Out.
The committee in charge has already
placed tickets in the hands of almos
every merchant in the city, this stel
2 having been taken in order to avoit
V disappointments TO the public The
capacity of the steamer is 500 person!
and the tickets will be distribute,
among the merchants so that everyon.
contemplating the trip could reserve
d tickets in advance instead of being lef
q ashore at the landing when the boa
> leaves for the picnic grounds.
: Elaborate Program of sports.
The program of sports at the far
: mers' picnic has been announced b.
/ the officers In the morning ther
will be two ball games. The frs
will be between Part Byron and Jos
:, lin at 10 O'Clock for purse of SIS
: The winner plays Watertown at
, O'Clock for a purse of $35. The Pre-
gram of races follows
First race. girls foot race. fo
, girls under IA years-FirSt prize. S
u cash. given by H. E. Casteel, Roc
Island; second prize, gold bracele
= given by Young & McCombs, Roc
Island; third prize. $3.50 toe sliI
II pers, given by S. r. Wright, Roc
Island; fourth prize, 5 dish, give
by julius H. HuntIey. Port Byron.
Second race, foot race for boys III
der II years-First prize. $5 suit {
clothes given by M. & X, Rock I.
land: second prize. SO cash given b
o. l.. Bruner, Rock Island; thir
prize. $3.50 hat. given by LaVell
the clothier, Rock Island fourt
prize, 5 cash given by II. r. Hui
bard, Eock island.
Third race, potato race. fer gir
under 16 years-First prize,
brooch, given by j. Ramser. Roc
Island, second prize, wcod burniu
outfit given by l.. S. McCabe G. CO
Rock Island; third prize, S1.25 fru
dish, given by r. l.. Morgan. Pc
Byron; fourth prize, 81 cash. give
by F. l.. Oppendike. Port Byron.
Fourth race. three legged race, fl
boys under Is years-Two firsts,
cash. given by Port Byron sta
bank; $3.50 ball glove, given |
Benefits Fur and Glove store, Roc
Island; two seconds, So cash, Civ,
by Port Byron State bank, 81 cas-
given by o. l.. Bruner. Rock Islant
two thirds, $3.50 umbrella, given
lILefingwell G. Schafer. Port Byro
llS1.5O cash, given by Adrian & Ell
per. Port Byron.
Nail driving contest, for ladies o
er IA years (hammers furnished
the association First prize, So:
lady's tan oxfords. given by Dol
Bros, Rock Island; second prize.
lady's cuff links, given by w. F. Ga
nett, Port Byron; third prize. 5 :
lamp, given by F. S. Moody, Port B