Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-09-08
ORANGE CHILDREN
STAGE THREE-R|NG
PLAYGROUND FETE
Show Events on Series of
Stages So All of 10000 Spec
tators Can View Them.

than had been attempted previously,
the annual Labor Day festival at the
East Orange playground yesterday
| exceeded the expectations of those
who had witnessed former affairs at
the playfield. Five hundred children
from the public schools of the city,
including Boy Scouts and Campfire
Girls, entered with a zest into innu-
merable athletic events. pageants,
folk dances and drills from early in
the morning until late in the after
noon, and amused a throng esti-
mated at between 5000 and 10000 per-
sons.
Those in charge of the undertaking
were Mrs. Edward Weston, supervis-
or of the East Orange playground,
and General Supervisor Horace But
terworth. Various city officials, in
Guiding Mayor Julian A. Gregory, who
acted as officer of the day, and Play
ground Commissioners w. Hillyer
Ragsdale. Thomas A. Barrett and w.
Nelson Knapp. were present. Worlds
Champion Frank l.. Kramer, who was
accorded an ovation, and other cy-
cling stars acted as timers and judges
during the bicycle races in the morn
ing.
A squad of forty-tw police, in charge
of Chief William II. O'Neill, Lieu
tenants Harry ]. Hestor and Timothy
Caniff and Sergeants Nicholas Nolan,
Edward Williams, Stephen Van Brunt
and John Macdonald, held the crowd
in check and kept the tracks and
open spaces clear.
The spectacular part of the program
took place in the afternoon, when the
various pageants were given by the
children. For the convenience of the
spectators the field was divided into
three sections, and each pageant or
drill was given on these in rotation, SO
that the complete program could be
seen without moving from a given po-
sition.
Captain Smith and Pocahontas.
An Indian attack on an immigrant
train opened the list of events. This
was followed by an elaborate pageant
depicting the story of THE Pied Piper
of Hamlin,' which was cleverly pro-
duced. The rescue from untimely ex-
ecution of Captain John Smith by Po-
cahontas, which included the formers
escape from death by amusing the IN
dams with a compass and dial a
dance by the medicine man of the |
tribe and Smiths subsequent removal |
to jamestown under guard drew forth |
much applause from the onlookers. |
This scene was followed by the mar
riage of the Indian princess to John |
Rolfe at jamestown, ten years later. |
Then followed a reception to the |
couple by King William and Queen |
Mary, in England. This scene served /
to Introduce lawn fete of the period, |
Spanish dance and a Maypole |
dance. The part OF William was |
taken by John Rowley son of City |
Clerk Lincoln e. Rowley, and Queen !
Mary was Miss Winifred Barrett.
One of the most attractive numbers |
on the program was THE Pine-tree
Shilling Wedding Reception" This
followed number of Indian games
and dances, a scene in which a cap
tured white man is obliged to run the
gauntlet of Indian braves, and THE
Children's Hour" The youthful parti-
cipants were CARRIED in Colonial Co.'S
tune, and the scene opened with the
wedding of Betsy, daughter of Cap |
tain John Hull, mint-master of
Massachusetts, to Samuel Sewell. Fol-
lowing the ceremony, the captain,
grown wealthy from his allowance OF
one out of every twenty shillings he
coined, gives to his son-in-law enough
of the silver pieces to balance his
daughters weight on a huge pair of
then trod minuet in manner which
showed much careful preparation
Intolerance of Puritans.
The following scene, "Revelries at
Merrymount," showed we'll the intol-
erance of the Puritans towards ell
forms of amusements. This scene
depicted light-hearted throng OF
| young folks singing and making
merry about an Indian totem pole in
the centre of a clearing. From time
to time they passed around brown
| jug, from which all drank in turn.
Their gaiety came to an abrupt end.
however, with the sudden appearance
of the Puritan elders, CARRIED in
sombre black, and they were marched
off at the points of long muskets.
A Campfire Dance" next occupied
the attention of the spectators, fol-
| lowing which the military held the
centre of the stage in the shape of
Representatives of East Orange Troops
l. Ia and II, Boy Scouts. This was a
rousing number, including exhibitions
of field tactics, flag signaling and first
aid methods The boys were in charge
of Allen II. Trimpi, scoutmaster, and
had not been rehearsed in what they
were TO do, merely following the COM
mands of their leader,
A series of plantation scenes, show
ing the development of the negro
race in this country, concluded the
program.
For the purpose of making a real
setting the East Orange Playground
Commissioners had obtained $50 fir
trees, which were arranged in a semi
circle In front of the grandstand.
These served both as forests for thu
Indian scenes, and as a screen be-
hind which the youthful performers
could retire after the completion of a
pageant The program was opened
by a grand march of all the partici-
pants around the running track, head
ed by brass band.
Athletic Events Thrill.
The morning was given over to the
track and field events, including the
bicycle races, which furnished almost
as many thrills as professional
matches.
Those who acted as judges OF the
Barrett, Mrs. William Wolforth, Mrs
Edward Il. Reed and Mrs. Alice Mac
Lean.
The summaries:
100 Yard Dash-Won by l.. Bloss:
second. e. Clark; third, C. True.
100 Yard Dash, 110-Pound Glass
Won by J. Mabus; second, r. Holt.
900 Yard Dash-Won by L. Bloss,
second. C. True; third, II. Meter.
Half-milo Run-Won by c. Fortes.
J cue; second, M. Seller; third, Dog
, gett,
Is Yard Dash, 90-Pound Glass
Won by G. Hening; second. r.
Reeve; third II. Scott.
One-Lap Run, 90-Pound Glass
Won by w. Aschenbach; second, G.
Hening; third, f.. Scott.
Half-Lap Run, 55-Pound Glass
| Won by r. Francis; second, w
Whitley; third, T. Pursell.
75-Yard Dash, 75-Pound Class
Won by Il. Lucl<en: second, M. Mon.
roe; third, A. Nelson.
, 80 Yard Dash. 65-Pound Class-Wor