Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-08-08

Going back so rar that even the
oldest citizens of the city do not re-
member the beginning, the second Sat-
urday in August became known as q
general holiday all through this Sec
tion of the state, and thousands Of !
people fiocked here annually to particle
pate in the riotous program of the
merry-making events. Bathing RAJ
one of the big attractions n the
shore front was always crowded with
the farmers who came to the town to
take their annual bath in the waters
of Raritan Bay. The good old days
with its merriment seems to have
passed into oblivion but the older FEST
dents still cherish the fond memories,
Many an interesting tale Is told by
these old-timers Of the big time" Of
years gone by.
As early as IL o'clock the night be-
fore the Old Salt Water Day, convey
ances of all kinds began to rumble into
South Amboy with their loads of coun-
try folk ready to take part in the long,
looked-for occasion. Wagons of all
kinds were employed for that purpose,
the old "carryalls" being the favorites,
Work on all the farms in this vicinity
was suspended hat day and people
poured in here from all parts of the
state. The majority came from the
section known in the old days as the
big woods near Manasquan, Eaton
town and as far as Freehold by ve-
hicles. From the other direction thou
sands came from BordentoWn, Gram
bury. Hightstown and surrounding
country, all intent on participating n
the joyous celebration.
In 1916 the Camden and Amboy rail-
road was opened up to this city and
fn11nurinp that ftp1n ~ ~ 6nrni
for the festivities in that manner. Only
the more prosperous country folk
could afford to come in that way. how
evr, inc as they looked out of the
windows of the train, travelling at the
speed of twenty miles an hour, they
could see their less fortunate country
folk travelling TO South Amboy in their
old rigs drawn by "Dobbin' or byi
jimmy mules. Excursion boats were
also run from Perth Amboy, New
Brunswick and surrounding points,
many hundreds coming In that man.
ner. There were no other prominent
seashore resorts at that time and South
.Amboy was the mecca Of thousands OF
visitors ach August.
The third Saturday in August was
known as "colored" Salt Water Day
n the colored folks came to this city
in the anne amer on that day.
The big day was marked by many
amusement features and although the
bathing seemed to attract the crowds
picnic and dances also had numerous
patrons. When the visitors began to
arrive here they drove to the shore and
began to attire for the bathing In im-
provised shelter. Some times shawls
or , canvas was draped around the
ogans to insure privacy while others
were fortunate to have friends in town
at whose homes they could dress. 1t
was a frequent sight to see a number
of country matrons forming a circle
around one of thei number while h
made ready to take a plunge. The
popular bathing attire for the men in
those days consisted of a pair of over
alls, while the women rugged out" IN
old clothes of every description.
At noon everyone partook Of lunches
brought with them from their homes
in the country and picnic parties were
abundant in the vicinity of Swan
HILL" Here refreshments were served
through the whole day, even including
the more stimulating beverages, and
many partook of the viands and LIQUIDS
offered to appeaSe their ~appetites. The
wheel of fortune was another indis-
pensable feature and was always IN
charge of the town boys" h took
particular delight in separating the
farmers from their hard earned money.
At every hotel in the village a dance
was held and often ended in a brawl
when some town boy" tried to steal
a country youths best girl" away
from him. Fights often marked the
day, some being of q serious nature
Often times regular pitched battles oc-
Cured on the streets of the city.
Although the Salt Water Day fete
continued ever through the Civil War
the festivities began gradually
to die down after the completion or
the New York and Long Branch rail-
road, which was run through South
Amboy in 1874. When the seashore
resorts fronting the ocean opened up
the novelty of bathing in the ocean
appealed stronger to the people than
bathing in the Raritan. Year by year
the crowds died down and finally
day was forgotten until Harry Minnie
and a few other old-timers urged for
mer Mayor William s. Dey to start
things going again.
This years celebration will be a real
"Old Home Day" After the families
being separated during h war and
the bows of the town being overseas.
their relatives from out of town are
making a special effort to be in this