Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-08-31
EVENING Chat

1t is forty-one years since a little
exhibition of farming machinery and
products with some lectures and some
shows on the side was started at Will
liams Grove and to-day 1t is known as
the Changers picnic and is one of the
greatest gathering points for farmers
and politicians in a score of counties.
Ofhcially 1t has an elaborate title sug-
gesting agriculture and industry, but
everyone knows it as the Grangers
and the kid who has not attended it
is looked down upon by his brethren
in knickerbockers and pitied> by the
girls. For this section the Grangers
is the great, grand wind-up picnic and
1t is the same for many people in
Cumberland, York, Perry, Franklin
and Adams counties and even for Lam
caster, Lebanon and Berks and the
counties up the Juniata and up the
Susquehanna. All you have to do is
to watch the crowds at the station
and note the places whence they come.
1t has achieved a wonderful popular
| ity and since efforts have been bent
! toward putting the fakirs and the
shady show people away from the
| park ii affords opportunity to observe
the people who make up this part of
Pennsylvania, Folks from every walk
| of life attend the picnic and wander
about eating pop corn and stutting
circulars into their pockets or having
them stuffed in. There is not much
doing in the livestock line, but from
the time the gate is left the ear is
smitten with the "puff-spat" of the
gasoline engines, the cries of the bark
ers and the snorts of machinery. 1t
is the general character and drawing
power that has made 1t a stamping
ground for candidates and politicians
and they help swell the attendance.
Men who have been candidates for
every office from President of the
United States, United States senator,
governor of Pennsylvania down to
sheriff of Cumberland county and still
further on in the official list have made
speeches there and shaken hands with
people who never saw them before and
whom they will never see again.
Woodrow Wilson has mixed with the
throngs that will rub elbows with
legislative candidates this week and
men who are steaming up booms for
offices in half a dozen counties next
year will be on hand to tramp on the
heels of DR.. Brumbaugh and Clifford
Pinchot The Grangers is great
gathering for all sorts of people and
they are a great deal more interesting
than the exhibits.
Nrongo, one of the gray squirrels
that disport in Capitol Park, met an
untimely death Saturday when a Third
street car ran him down. Mongo, who
was a great favorite with everybody
on the HILL" was one of the boldeT
of the little furred animals. An ex-
plorer was he, and while hundreds OF
his companions were content to con-
fine their rambles within the greenery
of the park, Mongo used to like to
walk on telegraph wires as far up as
Herr street and to cross over and
look down Cranberry street. 1t is said
that he invaded the kitchens of some
of the houses along Third street Any
way, Mongo made one trip too many
Whether it was because he was grow
ing fat and less agile than when, he
first started to see the world outside
the limits of the park, or for other
causes will not be known.
Frank u. Vert, former Harris
burg newspaperman and son of Pro-
fessor ]. Howard Vert has resigned
from the staff of the Philadelphia
Evening Bulletin to accept a position
: in the publicity department of a large
western Pennsylvania manufacturing
concern. Mr.. Vert was connected
with the Patriot for several years as
city editor and then became connected
with newspapers in Baltimore and
Philadelphia, serving on the Public
Ledger and the Evening Bulletin. His
friends will be glad to learn of his
new position for which he is wei
fitted by reason of his thorough knowl-
edge of newspaper work in all it;
branches and the high standard tc
which he has always adhered.
Congressman w. w. Griest, of Ian.
caster, who has been i'll for some time
! is back in Lancaster after an absence
, of fortnight or so at the seashore t
recuperate. Mr.. Griest is rapidly re
gaining his strength and plans to &c
. as soon as possible to Washington
, where he was obliged to abandon i'm
portant work this summer because o.
his health.
, According to reports which are cur.
rent, properties in South street in the
vicinity of Third. are being looked
> over for sites for the establishment
of the work of Pine Street Presbyter
ian Church for men and boys made
possible by the generous bequest of the
) late John Y. Boyd. 1t is probable tha
the purchases will be consummateC
: at an early day and the endeavor il
5 which Mr.. Boyd was so much interest
ed will be taken up.