The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-20
YANKEE AND ITALIAN TARS
 ENJOY PICNIC
Thousands Visited Steeplechase Yesterday
 to See Jackies Play. OFFICERS PAY SHORT VISIT

 weather was excellent, the island was filled with Italians and Americans in honor of the occasion. There was plenty to eat and drink and the best of feeling was expressed by the two crews. At 9:3O in the evening some of the finest fireworks ever seen in the city were set off and witnessed by fully 5000 men, women and children. This did not include the entire crowd for many left before the fireworks were ignited.
 About 4 o'clock in the afternoon the officers of the Etruria landed on the Island and were received with refresh ments at the scenic railway. They were then shown about the island. Af- ter they had been all over the resort they were taken to Lehnlann's hotel where dinner was served. some or the American officers, including Com .nander Marble, visited the island Ia ter, but declined to take dinner ow- ing to Commander Marbles having work to do last night, which could not be put off.
 Following the fireworks ball for the sailors was held in the ball room and dancing was enjoyed until all were tired out. The coolness of the air late in the evening sent many people home early who would have stayed until the last gun was fired.
 Horace H. Jackson was on the Isl and all the afternoon and evening and assisted the committee in entertain ing the visitors.
 Other prominent people who attend ed the reception were Mayor and Mrs. Henry Lee, City Clerk and Mrs. E. T. Buckingham, Postmaster w. Il. Mar igold, Democratic Town Chairman M. A. Kenny, Loren De1bridge, Judge Frank L. Wilder, Alderman F. M. Wilder, Ex-rnayor Denis Mulvihill, Representative Frank Aragona of Dur ham, Attorney Antonio Spinello Of Reccio of New Haven, Mir and Mrs. S. 2. Poli and Miss Poi, Mir. and Mrs. Louis Petrucce1li, Liquor Prosecuting Attorney Henry Greenstein.
 A small party of Bridgeporters and others were given a dinner party on Marble yesterday at noon. Among those in the party were Count di Cas- alino. commander of the Etruria, May or and Mrs. Henry Lee.
 There was not dull moment on the Island from start to finish. On the ball grounds games were being played all the afternnon. The shooting gal leries were open and the hit-the-nig- ger -in- the he-head-and-you-get = cigar place was going full blast. The scen1c railway broke down only once and left two Italian jackies up in the air for a few minutes, but no harm was done. This attraction was probably the most popular on the island and some Of the Italian officers indulged in the amuse- ment. The dance hall and the skating rink were full of young people mostly sailors and girls. One sailor Owney Curley of the Vermont injured his right wrist by falling in the rink
 When the beer began to work some funny sights were seen. Four sailors passing the small cage on the road r~c kept mistook the cage for monkey cage. The idea struck one of the boys that he would like to be monkey. Accordingly he crawled into the cage on all fours. He jumped into the branches of the tree inside the cage and souinted exactly like a monk. He then scratched himself like all mon keys do and look at the imaginary flea which he did not get. From the tree he swung around the cage on a rope and squealed. This brought a large crowd about the cage and the per- former drew a laugh. By this time another of the sailors got into the cage while the people outside threw peanuts and other things in to the would be monkeys. This same party climbing later in the afternoon and they didn't fall either.
 During the concert by the 4th Reg irnent Coast Artillery band, two other sailors probably southerners, became so enthusiastic when the band played Dixie that they jumped to the band stand and offered to lead. One Of them started in with the proper mo- tions but he had gone only feW measures when the tune came 10 an end and the band stopped. This jackie tried his best to whip the band into shape but was unsuccessful. He then began to harangue the crowd.
 The Italian sailors were not feeling as frisky as the Americans and did not cut up any capers. The sailors never once oVerstepped the proper bounds and no disorder occurred at any time on the island.
 The most pleasing sight witnessed was a crowd of American and Italian sailors drinking to each others health in very broken English and worse Italian and exchanging cigarettes. Conversation by word was impossible between the two crews but by means of gestures they understood each oth- CT well enough to have a good time.
 The sailors were given shore leave until 8 o'clock this morning when they reported on board their ships
 Saturday afternoon Commander Marble of the Vermont in the absence of Captain Fletcher who is on duty in Boston, visited Mayor Lee in the may or's office and was welcomed to the city. Several well known men were presented to the Commander after which he was taken to the Algonquin club where lunch was given in his honor A large crowd collected out side the city hall and cheered the guest of honor whenever he appeared. The band which escorted him to the hall played several pieces while he was being entertained. In the even ing the American and Italian officers were entertained at the University club.
 The sailors owned the town Satur- day night. Mayor Lee requested Su- perintendent Birmingham to instruct the policemen to deal kindly with the sailor boys and help them aboard when he1n was necessary. The citizens of Bridgeport helped in this work and many a weary sailor was guided in the right direction Saturday night. Two of them fell overheard and were fished out by their friends. One of them had a chill but was all right yesterday and ready for duty.