Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-16
THOUSANDS co TO
PARK FOR PUBLIC
PICNIC OF ARGUS
More Than $500 Pleasure Seekers,
Mostly Riddles. AT Watch Tower
AT Noon With More Arriving.
SKIES SMILE WITH GAY THR0NG
Youngsters Enjoy Free Rides. Big Din
ner. Band Concert and Series of
IL Races On Program.

Even the skies smiled happily today
with hundreds Of Riddles and grown
ms when an army of pleasure seek
ers gathered at Watch Tower park at
Tire Argus public picnic.
Not a dark cloud married the clear
heavens nor did a dark cloud mar the
endowment OF the large crowd at the
resort on Rock river. Folks began ar
irving at the park at 2 o'clock, an hour
before the program was started. Near
TX every group Of youngsters was with
their mothers and there were hun
dreds of picnic baskets 10 be taken
care OF at the free checking tent The
Argus had provided.
Screams Of deligh. emanated from
the kiddies when they received their
strips OF tickets emitting them TO free
rides on the roller coaster. the chute
the-chutes and merry go-round. Many
Of those who cried so happily had new
er had the opportunity to enjoy rides
on the concessions before and so the
event proved novel 10 them.
The old mill was out of commission
this morning. but wOrkmen were busy
rushing the repairs and early in the
afternoon il was placed in working or
der again Howls of delight greeted
The announcement that the amusement
device was running and il is safe 10
say that the old mill never will do
bigger business than today.
Street Cars Crowded.
AT noon today there were about 2,5OO
persons on the grounds with more ar
irving constantly. The Tri-City Rail
way company ran cars with trailers
to take care Of the crowd. Every car
II Oh
strips of free tickets had been issued
at the main gate, indicating that there
were 1000 kiddies at the park at that
time
There were more than 500 family
gatherings at the park. The Argus
had provided two free checking tents
on the grounds and at noon more than
500 checks had been issued
The stream of persons through the
gate did not cease at noon, but CON
tinued through the early part OF the
afternoon. Many were unable to get
away in the morning and therefore had
TO wait until the afternoon to get to
the park.
1t was estimated at l o'clock that the
crowd would reach at least 1000 be
fore the program is completed at 5
o'clock.
Because unlocked for conditions
arose this morning il was found ad-
visable 10 postpone the eight races
scheduled to be rul off between 10 and
u o'clock until the afternoon. Prompt
ly al 100 o'clock the series Of II con-
tests started and each event had a large
list OF entries. There were races for
both boys and girls.
Stroehle's band was on hand in the
afternoon and a concert was given.
The program was arranged by George
StrOehle and was selected with a view
O. pleasing the kids, the one big aim of
The Argus in holding the picnic.
The picnic was a public affair. 1t
readers of the Times. Democrat, Tn
ion and dispatch were invited as well
as those Of The Argus.
Only One Edition.
The Argus went TO press early with
one edition this afternoon TO give its
employees an opportunity TO visit the
park and enjoy the picnic. Carrier
boys had the day off until 6 o'clock. No
papers were delivered in the city until
after o'clock. That is why your pap
er is late
The Argus is pleased with the crowd
and the weather which has contributed
so much towards making the first an
nual picnic Of The Argus a success. \
debt OF gratitude is due the weather
man for he gave ideal picnic weather
for the outing.