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October 14, 1909

GREAT CROWD SEES

TWO NEAR ACCIDENTS.

MULES DASH FOR GATE OPENED

BY MISTAKE.

Women Avert Collision in Chariot

Race and Are Applauded --

Horses and Poultry Draw

the Most Attention.

The rise in the temperature, combined with a cloudless sky during the better portion of the day aided materially in increasing the crowd attending the American Royal Live Stock show and a conservative estimate yesterday placed the paid admissions at about 14,000. There was, by far, more congestion than on either of the previous days, and in some of the exhibitions it was difficult to move around without elbowing someone out of the way. The crowd was made up largely of visitors from the small neighboring towns, though there was a number of country people and a goodly sprinkling of city folk in the throng.

The horses and poultry continued to be the mecca for the crowds and the barns in which they were exhibited were crowded all day. The cattle and swine also came in for a good share of attention, and, in fact, there was nothing on the grounds that was not visited by a fair portion of the visitors.

CHAMPION IS SHOWN.

The usual exhibition and parade was given in the pavilion during the afternoon. In addition to the Morris six, the Anheuser-Busch mules and the Clark ponies, Casino, the undefeated world's champion Percheron, was shown in the parade, together with $3,000 worth of medals which he has won in various parts of the world.

Two accidents were narrowly averted in the arena. The first came when, through a mistake, some one opened the upper gate while the Anheuser-Busch mules were being exhibited. The animals thought it was for them to go through and they swerved toward it. The crowd beyond the gate made a rush to get out of the way but the driver, by a quick manipulation of the reins, managed to turn the leaders back into the arena and no damage was done.

The second came in the chariot race in which Mrs. Georgia Phillips and Miss Fra Clark participated. At the second dash around, while the ponies were going at top speed, Miss Clark failed to make her turn short enough and the pole of her chariot almost crushed into the one occupied by Mrs. Phillips. Quick driving on the part of the women prevented an accident and the race was finished amid a storm of applause.

BARKERS OUT IN FORCE.

The barkers were out in full force yesterday, much to the delight of the rural housewife. There were apple parers that could be utilized in a hundred different ways, can openers, milk skimmers, knife sharpeners, and in fact, all descriptions of household gimeracks which could be purchased from ten cents to a quarter, and nearly every farmer's wife availed herself of one or more of the implements.

The candy paddle wheel man was also in evidence, and he did a rushing business. The feature which appealed largely to the country brethren, though, was a hill-climbing automobile demonstration. A runway sixteen feet long, built on a 50 per cent grade, was erected and the car, in charge of a competent chauffeur, would, like the French general, go up the hill and down again. There was no charge for riding and many a love-lorn swain and his sweetheart from the rural districts enjoyed their first auto ride.

HOT SOUP AND COFFEE.

From a financial standpoint the women of the Jackson Avenue Christian church have the very best proposition on the grounds. They are operating a lunch stand where hot soup and coffee, together with other edibles, can be obtained on short notice at a moderate sum. The place is crowed all the time, as the air chilled one in the barn and the soup and coffee are used to "heat up." Of course there are some who do not heat up on soup and coffee, but they seem to be in the minority, and the church women reap a harvest, between those getting warm and those really hungry.

The Kellerstrass farm of Kansas City, which has a large exhibit in the poultry barn, after the first of the year will add a new industry to its line, that of raising fancy pheasants. The farm has been experimenting along that line for some time and the past year raised 700 pheasants. This decided them that it could be done successfully, and after January pheasants will be listed in the Kellerstrass catalogue. The birds will be sold only to fanciers.

STALLS ARE DECORATED.

Many of the owners in the horse barn have decorated in a most handsome manner, the stalls allotted to them. Among these are the McLaughlin and Robinson exhibits. They have their stalls in white, green and yellow bunting, together with the cups, ribbons and other trophies, won by their animals, over the stall occupied by the horse which won them. The effect adds beauty to the barn and is quite pleasing to the visitors.

The sale of Herefords in the Fine Stock Sale Pavilion yesterday was attended largely. It began at 2 o'clock and continued until 5:30 at which hour fifty head had been disposed of at fairly good figures.

The highest price of the afternoon, $800, was paid by J. P. Cudahy of Kansas City to W. S. Van Natta of Fowler, Ind., for the bull Pine Lad 38th. The animal has one prizes all over the country and is an exceptionally fine specimen. The average price of the day was $166 1/2, which is $15 less that the average prices realized at the sale last year.

There will be a sale of Galloways in the sale pavilion today, while in the show proper the judging of sheep will be started and several classes will be finished up.

Labels: American Royal, animals, automobiles, farmers, food, races, salesmen, visitors

September 19, 1909

CYCLISTS READY FOR

THE SIX DAY GRIND.

Preliminaries At Convention

Hall Last Night.

A card of seven events at Convetion hall last night inaugurated a week of bicycle and motor cycle racing in Kansas City, which is to include a six-day race, starting at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Prominent riders from all parts of the United States and a few from foreign countries are in the race, which promises to be one of the best ever run here.

Last night's preliminaries to the big show were witnessed by more than 2,000 people and some excellent sport was furnished. But one spill marred the programme, that in which the five-mile open amateur race when four riders collided and piled up after five laps had been run. None of the riders was injured and the remainder in the race continued without interruption.

Kansas City boys did not show to advantage except in the amateur event, which was won by Carl Shutte, the well known local rider. Jimmy Hunter, who was "doped" to do things in the professional class, was outclassed in every event in which he was entered and could not do better than third in any.

The track constructed for the races and the one on which the events last night were held is in excellent condition for the fast going and it is expected that some records will be broken in the long grind.

Labels: Convention Hall, motorcycles, races, sports

September 4, 1909

ELM RIDGE FOREVER

LOST TO KANSAS CITY.

PUBLIC LOST INTEREST IN ITS

PRESERVATION.

Efforts of Committee to Raise

$169,000 Prove Fruitless and

the Plan to Purchase is

Abandoned.

After sixty days of hard work the committee of twelve, which had been trying earnestly to raise money enough to take over the splendid Elm Ridge tract for public uses, held a final meeting yesterday and threw up the undertaking as a bad job. Seemingly Kansas Cityans were not sufficiently interested in what was about their only opportunity to acquire an adequate outdoor arena, even to answer more than one out of a hundred of the letters sent them by the ways and means committee. At their own expense the committeemen mailed 10,000 letters to all classes of business men in the city, but the replies were few and far between.

Of the $169,000 required to purchase the grounds, about $100,000 was in sight when the matter was given up. Of late, meetings of the committee had been held nearly every day, but its members came to the conclusion yesterday that they could not get enough help to carry out their purpose.

DON'T REALIZE THE LOSS.

"I am heart-broken over the failure to purchase the tract," said W. A. Rule, chairman of the committee, last night. Mr. Rule himself subscribed $25,000 toward the amount required. "I don't believe the people of Kansas City will have another opportunity in ten years to acquire such an ideal site for all sorts of tournaments and races, but they probably don't realize their loss. For celebrations, horse shows, automobile and balloon races and nearly every kind of tournament, another tract as close in and available would be practically impossible to find. It is a tremendous loss, but as far as this committee is concerned all efforts are suspended. The owners of the tract, Alexander Fraser and Samuel L. Lee, have been notified and the deal declared off."

GAVE UP ITS TASK.

In the spring of 1903 Elm Ridge was formally opened as a race course by the Kansas City Jockey Club, which was organized the preceding year with C. C. Christie as its first president. At the time of its opening betting on the races was permitted by state law. In 1905, however, this law was repealed by the legislature and the track was maintained at a loss. Ever since then it has failed to pay as a race track and went into receivership about two years ago.

The properties, including the club house and about eighty acres lying between Brooklyn and Lydia avenues and Fifty-ninth and Sixty-third streets were sold to a Kansas City syndicate, headed by Messrs. Fraser and Lee.

June 23 a joint meeting of members of the Elm Ridge Club and the Kansas City Automobile Club was held with a view of taking steps to purchase the grounds. It was decided to form a stock committee which yesterday gave up its task through the lack of interest taken by the citizens.

Labels: automobiles, Elm Ridge, gambling, races, real estate

August 30, 1909

HADLEY WILL OPEN

INDEPENDENCE FAIR.

OLD FASHIONED COUNTY SHOW

IS ON TODAY.

For a Week Products of Farm Will

Take Precedence Over Thrill-

ers -- Special Features

Are Attractive.

There was a bunch of tired men in Independence last night who seemed happy in their fatigue. They were the directors of the Independence fair and everything was ready for the opening this morning. The fair this year is going to be just as it has always been, an old-fashioned county affair where the products of the farm take precedence over thrillers of summer park invention and where a prize hog looks a whole lot better than a motor car, for the time being.

And if exhibits are to be counted, the Independence fair is better off this year than ever before. It has been a good year on the farms of Jackson county, and for that reason the exhibits are going to be the largest in the history of the fair. The mountain of pumpkins, a yearly feature of the fair, is to be cooked into pies and distributed to visitors as edible souvenirs. That is to be done on the last day, Saturday.

HADLEY TO OPEN FAIR.

The fair is to have executive recognition and it will be opened at 10 o'clock this morning by Governor H. S. Hadley. The governor will make his speech at that time, after the salute of Battery B of Kansas City has been fired. After the speech of the governor, the battery will maneuver and the fair will be on in earnest. The gates will be open at 7 o'clock in the morning.

The directors have offered purses aggregating $10,000 for the race meeting, and there is a good list of entries. Independence is on three racing circuits and more than 200 horses will strive for the various purses. There will be from one to three races a day.

SERIES OF SPECIAL DAYS.

Admission to the grounds is to be free this year and as an added attraction, there is to be a fireworks display every night. A band will give a free concert every night. Zach Mulhall's Wild West show will be there.

There is to be a series of special days. Tomorrow is to be a special racing day and there will be an extra race for an extra prize. Thursday will be Kansas City day, when Kansas City exhibitors and Kansas City exhibits will have full sway. Friday will be Old Settler's day. Many of the old settlers of Jackson county and the counties surrounding will attend the fair on that day. Saturday is to be pumpkin day.

Labels: amusement, animals, fireworks, food, Herbert Hadley, Independence, military, music, pioneers, races, Wild West shows

June 7, 1909

SWIMMING RACE AT PARK.

Two-Mile and Half-Mile Contests

in Fairmount Lake.

Several thousand persons lined the banks of the lake at Fairmount park yesterday afternoon to watch the boat races and swimming races that were a part of the park's free attractions for the day. And while these thousands were watching these attractions, a few more thousands were seeing the vaudeville show, and others were keeping the concession men and ticket sellers busy.

Sunshine, a rising temperature and the knowledge that no rain was in sight -- that was the reason for the crowd.

There were boat races of a half-mile, a mile and a mile and a half. Then the big event, a race of two miles, was pulled off. It was between William McPike of Warrensburg and C. L. Gardner of Hannibal, Mo. As the contestants fought for the first place the crowd on the bank cheered and picked winners. After several spurts, Gardner finally won the race. A swimming race of one half mile was also one of the interesting events. It was between J. J. Williams and F. R. Polland of this city. Polland won.

The vaudeville show yesterday afternoon was entertaining. The bill included Huffell and Huffell, singers and dancers, McLane and Simpson, comedians and Arthur Browning, a dancer.

Zimmerscheid's orchestra gave two concerts, one in the afternoon and one at night.

Labels: amusement, boats, fairmount park, music, races, swimming, vaudeville

April 7, 1909

OCEAN TO OCEAN AUTO

RACERS TO STOP HERE.

PLANNED TO ESTABLISH A

CHECKING STATION.

Pathfinder Arrives From New York

in Good Condition -- Manager

of Trip Praises Mis-

souri's Rock Roads.

Laden with mud and presenting a sorry but sturdy spectacle, the Thomas 60-horsepower motor car which is picking the route for the ocean to ocean run, stopped in Kansas City yesterday afternoon. The car started from New York March 20 and expects to finish its course to Seattle April 25. Driving the machine, which is the one that won the New York to Paris run last year, is George Miller, who helped drive the same car to victory last year. Other occupants of the car are L. W. Redington, manager of the trip; J. C. M Eley, photographer, and C. W. Eaton, who acts as mechanician.

The car reached Kansas City about 3 o'clock and stopped at the Central Auto and Livery Company, representatives of the Thomas company. From there the tourists were taken to the Baltimore hotel, where Mr. Redington will endeavor to establish a checking station for the cars on the tour.

PRAISES MISSOURI ROADS.

Concerning the trip from New York to Kansas City, Mr. Redington said:

"From New York city to Buffalo the roads were in very bad condition and we had to fight ice and snow continually. Through Ohio and Indiana we met nothing but mud, black, sticky mud, and time and again we were forced to dig our way out of mud holes. Through Illinois the trip was much better and within seventy miles of Kansas City the driving was good. You have fine rock roads leading into the city from the east and it was like a pleasure trip when we finally struck them.

"The only trouble with Missouri roads is the number of sharp, small ruts which cut the tires into ravelings. The roadbed is hard and good. We had much trouble finding our way from St. Louis, and we should have reached Kansas City yesterday had it not been for the zig-zag course which we took from St. Louis because we got mixed on our roads.

"At Glasgow we had to wait five hours because the ferryman was afraid to take us across the river on account of its roughness. Such delays as that have taken up much of our time. I calculate we are about five days late in getting to Kansas City. The first and only pilot which we have picked up was at Marshall, Mo. We engaged a man to pilot us from Marshall to Higginsville. We got no farther than Blackburn, about twenty miles west of Marshall, when we were overtaken by a heavy hailstorm. We had to stay in Blackburn all night and did not get out until this morning.

NO BLAZED TRAIL TO FOLLOW.

"Of course the roads will be much better when our tour starts, June 1, and there will not be the contention to meet with which we have encountered. I think that this race is going to be the greatest of its kind ever held in this country. There is no blazed trail like there will be on the Glidden tour and this is to be a race."

Concerning the protests to the race which have been entered by the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers of New York, Mr. Reddington had little to say.

"The basis of their objection," said he, "is the little difficulty between them and the members of the Automobile Club of America, and their protest is an echo of the old fight. If the manufacturers think there will be an opportunity for cheating or that the race will not be a true test of cars, they do not thoroughly know the rules of the contest. All principal parts of the entered cars will be stamped at New York so that there can be no change of the parts en route. Our checking system is so complete and comprehensive that there could be no relay of drivers.

"At any rate the race is going to be a great success. There are over twenty entries already in at New York and it is my belief there will be at least thirty contestants by the time the run starts."

MILLER'S SAD RECOLLECTIONS.

Mr. Miller, the driver of the car, is enjoying the trip immensely.

"This little spin across the country is like a picnic party compared to the one we took last year on the way to Paris. Now we get time to cast our eyes about and view the scenery, but then, ah, sad recollections."

Here Mr. Miller reached into his pocket and drew therefrom a diary of his trip through this part of the country on the famous race around the world.

"It was about the first of March, no the last of March, the 26th to be exact, when we passed this meridian. And it was cold. We almost had to put spikes on our tires to climb the hills of ice and snow."

One peculiar fact concerning the present trip from New York is that the car carries the same air in its front tires that was used on the start from New York. The tires present a worn-out appearance, but they are good for some time yet. The rear tires lasted until Sunday when both of them blew out.

Labels: automobiles, Higginsville, Hotel Baltimore, hotels, New York, races, visitors

September 28, 1908

COWHERD WINNER

OF LONG AUTO RUN.

FINISHES FIRST IN CORBIN CAR,

PERFECT SCORE.

E. J. ANDERSON IS SECOND.

HE RODE A RAMBLER AND HAD

994 POINTS.

Dispute Among Two of the Partici-

pants as to the Corbin's Score

Wound Up With Fisticuff

Fight on the Paseo.

Fletcher Cowherd's Corbin car was last night awarded a perfect score by the executive committee in charge of the endurance test. Because of allegations which are said to have been made by other participants reflecting on the genuineness of the score, a severe test was given the car at the Hotel Inez last night, but it was found to be in perfect condition.

Amid cheers issuing from hundreds of throats, din of auto horns and clanging of trolley bells, the automobile endurance run for 1908 came to an end at Eleventh street and Grand avenue, at 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The Corbin car, driven by Fletcher Cowherd, Jr., was the only contestant with a perfect score, and was placed first in the list of contestants.

With the crowd the fact that one of the cars was the winner of the first contest of the kind ever held from here seemed to make little difference. When Mrs. Kirkland, in her Overland, which she piloted over the entire course, turned into Grand avenue, there went up a cheer which lasted until that plucky little woman had passed from sight on her way to the Paseo, where the autos taking part in the run were inspected.

TWENTY-ONE FINISHED.

Then, too, the cars which carried the most mud in their wheels and on guards seemed to enthuse the spectators to a considerable extent. Therefore, as there were plenty of cars and plenty of mud the cheering was continued until the arrival of the last car. Of the forty-one cars which started in the run but twenty-one finished. This, however, is considered a wonderful record and goes to show the admirable quality of the "staying powers" possessed by the respective drivers and their passengers. All who took the trip said they would not have missed it. The last day's run, from Iola, Kas., 125 miles, was started at 6:15 o'clock yesterday morning. The schedule allowed of easy running time and by the time Paola was reached, at noon, all of the contesting cars were in good condition.

Leaving Paola, the remaining fifty miles were clipped off in good time, and finally when the end was reached the cars were hugging each other in single file, engines running admirably, occupants tired but happy, and everything in readiness to check in.

Probably the hardest luck encountered by any of the contestants yesterday befell Carl Muehlebach and his Pope-Hartford. This car, with its crew, was ready for departure from Iola when the signal was given, but had progressed but a few feet when one of the front tires blew up. This accident having been repaired, another start was made, when another tire blew. After this the two other tires, which had seen duty during most of the trip, collapsed almost simultaneously, with the result that 11:30 found the Pope-Hartford occupants but two miles from their starting point.

After that, however, good time was made, and the car, although about an hour late in arriving, checked in in good shape. Several other cars had slight mishaps, but none of them compared with the downright hard luck encountered by No. 7

FINISH WITH FIST FIGHT.

After the cars had reached the Paseo an incident took place which, although of short duration, caused considerable excitement. During the trip yesterday the correctness of the Corbin car's perfect score was under discussion in a somewhat heated manner by owners of other cars which had been penalized a point or two, and is said to have its culmination in a fistic encounter during the Paseo inspection.

Who the participants were could not be learned, as the race officials exerted every effort to suppress their identity and were quite successful. It remains, however, that during the brief course of the melee there was considerable excitement for all. It is expected that the question will be taken up by the executive committee.

Labels: automobiles, Eleventh street, Grand avenue, hotels, Paseo, races, violence

September 25, 1908

WILD WEST FOR AUTOISTS.

Miller Brothers Entertain Kansas

Cityans at 101 Ranch.

ONE HUNDRED AND ONE RANCH, OK., Sept. 24. -- (Special.) So tempting was the programme arranged at Miller Bros.' 101 ranch by the Longhorn Club, and so desirous were the Kansas City autoists in the Southwestern Reliability run to see all the Wild West features on the bill., that the officials of the contest voted to lengthen the scheduled stop at the ranch an hour and a half. This was the the first change of the schedule since the run started. It was made necessary by the enthusiastic clamor of the autoists who were prepared for and received the greatest treat of their trip at the ranch.

The cars had made a hard morning run over roads that were seas of mud, but from Bliss to the ranch the race-course-like pikes afforded the first opportunity of the day for smooth riding. The cars arrived in ones and twos after 12:30 o'clock, and as fast as they came in the famished autoists were seated at a banquet table where all the good things of the ranch were served.

Later there was a programme of "sure enough" Wild West events -- steer riding, roping, broncho busting and fancy riding.

There was a badger fight which was the real sensation of the day, the badger being pulled from his lair by Ted Collier of Kenosha, Wis., driving a Rambler car. The autoists were compelled to tear away at schedule time, but the officials had a great trouble getting them to leave. Several arranged to return to the ranch for a visit after the completion of the tour.

Labels: amusement, automobiles, oklahoma, races

September 18, 1908

FORTY-ONE CARS WILL

RACE TO OKLAHOMA.

START WILL BE MADE EARLY

TOMORROW MORNING.

Eight Days Will Be Consumed in

Making the Return Trip.

Rules Governing the Start.

The forty-one entries in the automobile touring contest were assigned places last night at a meeting of the Automobile Club at the Coates house. The first car to start on the tour will be the pilot car carrying W. G Coumbe and H. G. Blakely, officials in charge of the tour. The car, which will be a six-cylinder Stevens-Duryea, will leave the north end of the lake in Penn Valley park shortly before 7 o'clock tomorrow morning. The other cars will follow each other at intervals of two minutes, the first entrant leaving Penn Valley park at 7 o'clock.

It was given out at the meeting last night that every entrant must make out a report of the condition of his car at the start. The club will furnish two blank reports to each entrant. It is presumed that all cars will be in good condition when starting, but if there be some defect the report must be made before the start in order for the entrant to be able to avoid the starting defect as a penalty in the course. The second blank must be filled out and carried on the tour until taken up by the committee in the official car.

The tour will be to Oklahoma City, Ok., and will extend over a period of eight days. Many of the entrance have announced their desire to take friends and members of their family with them. Each entrant must make out a list of all who will ride in his car and leave one copy of the list with the officials at the start and give the other copy to the committee en route.

The following is the official list of the entrants:

1. Official car.....Stevens-Duryea
2. J. F. Moriarty.....Stevens-Duryea
3. D. B. Munger.....Peerless
4. H. E. Rooklidge.....White Steamer
5. Winfield Demon.....White Steamer
6. A. C. Wurmser.....National
7. C. A. Muehlebach.....Pope-Hartford
8. P. C. Rickey.....Stevens-Duryea
9. W. L. Walls.....Studebaker
10. H. G. Kirkland.....Overland
11. Frank E. Lott.....Premier
12. E. H. Jones.....Maxwell
13. Fletcher Cowherd, Jr. .....Corbin
14. C. J. Simons.....Maxwell
15. E. P. Moriarty.....Chalmers-Detroit
16. R. C. Greenlease.....Cadillac
17. W. S. Hathaway.....Maxwell
18. H. E. Rooklidge.....Reo
19. H. E. Rooklidge.....Premier
20. E. P. Moriarty.....Chalmers-Detroit
21. T. C. Brown.....Peerless
22. Charles B. Merrill.....Moon
23. J. F. Moriarty.....Chalmers-Detroit
24. Frank Woodward.....Knox
25. E. P. Moriarty.....Chalmers-Detroit
26. Frank Woodward.....Knox
27. W. S. Hathaway.....Maxwell
28. H. F. Wirth.....Buick
29. E. P. Moriarty.....Chalmers-Detroit
30. H. G. Kirkland.....Brush
31. J. E. Anderson.....Rambler
32. George Hawes.....Stoddard-Dayton
33. H. F. Gleason.....Gleason
34. A. O. Hunsacker.....Acme
35. Charles Norris.....Ford
36. C. A. Boyd.....Ford
37. L. A. Robertson.....Franklin
38. C. F. Ettwein.....The K. C. Wonder
39. Frank Woodward.....Knox
40. G. W. Graham.....Stoddard-Dayton
41. T. B. Funk....Ford

The rules governing the course of the tour will be furnished each entrant at the start.

Labels: automobiles, oklahoma, Overland Park, races

July 16, 1908

BALLOONS AT FAIRMOUNT.

Air Navigators Will Race There for

a Silver Cup.

More balloon races at Fairmount park next Sunday and this time the contestants are to race for a silver cup offered by the park management. The cup is to be given the man who reaches the greatest height. L. M. Bales of Kansas City is to be one of the contestants, while the other is to be Calhoun Grant of Providence, R. I.

Now is the time when Fairmount park is at its best. And at the bathing beach there is work all the time. The crowd at the beach last Sunday was the largest ever known at the park. Old men, boys, women and children were in the water, and so great was the demand that there were not suits enough to go around.

Labels: amusement, balloons, fairmount park, races

July 1, 1908

CHILDREN REIGN IN

SWOPE FOR A DAY.

WOMEN ENTERTAIN 300 LITTLE

GUESTS THERE.

Gathered From All Parts of the City

and Carried to the Park in Spe-

cial Cars -- Day of Feast-

ing and Games.

Pathos was interwoven with the pleasure of almost 300 poor children on the occasion of their first annual outing under the auspices of the Federation of Women's Clubs at Swope park yesterday, but the event probably will be remembered by all participating as one of the most enjoyable of their lives.

Children of many nationalities were there from every section of the city. The majority had been arrayed for the occasion, but a few went as best they could. Sunday behavior, too, accompanied the merrymakers, and the ladies in charge had little or no difficulty.

At designated meeting points in various sections of the city the little ones, whose ages ranged from 6 to 13 years, were met by special cars at an early morning hour, and later were unloaded at the gates of the park with baskets of good things, hammocks, swings and other articles designed to add to the pleasure of the day, all of which had been provided by ladies of the various city clubs, shortly after which a large shaded spot was taken possession of and the fun began.

Until noon there was singing, dancing, racing for boys and girls and other sports appealing to little folk in which all participated and enjoyed, but the principal event of the day was the feast, a feast the like of which probably never had been dreamed of even by the most daring of those present.

THE ABSENT ARE REMEMBERED.

When the word was given to unpack the baskets the task was accomplished in record time by the girls, during the course of which many a luscious cookie or lump of sugar mysteriously found its way into watering mouths and not over-fed stomachs. Within a short time spreads had been laid on the grass, all were seated and the signal given to "pitch in," which was done immediately.

Some ate slow, others fast, but all ate with relish. Before long much of what had been provided had disappeared, but not all into the mouths of hungry children. There were thoughts of loved ones at home who could not attend the feast, and many a dainty morsel was hidden under skirts or in coat pockets to be taken to hard working mothers, sick brothers or sisters or unfortunate fathers. Indeed, there were many instances of children eating sparingly so that they might be enable to take baskets home, hence the pathos.

After the feast, playing was resumed until at such time as all were gathered together to indulge in singing many of the familiar national songs, the accompaniments to which were rendered by Mrs. Dr. J. A. McLaughlin and Miss Margaret Hart, and for a time the woods rang with song from almost 300 throats.

ENDED IN SONG.

The singing stimulated the children as nothing else during the day had. Boys who probably had never before made an effort because of bashfulness, stood arm in arm with each other or with girls, their mouths open and singing at the top of their voices. The singing, which was heard all over the park, proved contagious and within a short time many other picnic parties had been attracted and joined in. Probably never before had there been such a gathering, and it is exceedingly doubtful if ever there will be a repetition.

When evening came the crowd was found tired and ready to depart. No difficulty was experienced getting all together, and on schedule time the cars left the beauty of the country for the conjested sections of the city.

The clubs whose members participated in the day and who were responsible for the outing are: Eternal Progress, South Prospect Study, History and Literature, Anthenaeum, Portia, Women's Reading, Women's Progress Reading, Bancroft, Central Study, Tuesday Morning Study Class, Every Other Week, Alternate Tuesday, Council of Jewish Women and the Melrose Fortnightly.

The arrangements of the day were in charge of Mrs. Harry Kyle, district chairman, and Mrs. H. N. Ess, state chairman of the Federation of Women's Clubs.

Labels: charity, children, Jews, organizations, picnics, races, streetcar, Swope park, women

May 17, 1908

AUTO CYCLES OUTRAN JONES.

Police Commissioner Had Them Join

the Race as a Test.

At the invitation of Elliott H. Jones, police commissioner, four men on motor cycles trailed the automobiles in the endurance race yesterday. All of the cycles made the trip successfully and beat Jones's machine back to Kansas City. The commissioner asked that the cycles be used on the run, because he has been appointed by the police board as a committee to investigate the feasibility of using motor cycles in the police department.

Dr. A. Moses, C. Hanson, C. O. Hahn and L. C. Shellaberger, each mounted on a two wheeled machine, left Armour boulevard and the Paseo in a bunch yesterday morning about fifteen minutes after the last automobile was officially started. The party made the run to Lawrence without mishap. The freshly dragged roads proved slow going south from Lawrence and at Baldwin the leader was misdirected and led the party to Edgerton, which is a few miles off the course. They got back on the track and passed Jones at Waldo.

They reached the city at 8:30 o'clock, with Moses a few yards in the lead. All of the cycles in the endurance test were Indians. Commissioner Jones, when he finally came steaming into the city, congratulated the four on their good run.

Labels: Armour boulevard, automobiles, Commissioner Jones, Lawrence, motorcycles, races, Waldo

May 6, 1908

WILL ORGANIZE

FOR GREAT FAIR.

PERMANENT ASSOCIATION TO BE

ESTABLISHED HERE.

EXPOSITION AT ELM RIDGE.

LIVE STOCK, POULTRY AND

OTHER FEATURES TO COMBINE.

Will Be Known as American Royal

Live Stock and Industrial Ex-

position -- First Fair in

Fall of 1909.

After a meeting of several business men of Kansas City yesterday afternoon at the Savoy hotel, the organization of the American Royal Live Stock and Industrial Exposition was determined upon and active steps were taken looking toward the permanent establishment of the exposition at Elm Ridge park by the fall of 1909. The meeting was held at the call of Secretary J. A. Runyan of the Manufacturers and Merchants' Association, and this organization will be asked to back the exposition.

Secretary Runyan with A. M. Thompson will visit Minneapolis to gather data at the Minnesota State Fair Association. The methods used by the American Royal Live Stock Association will also be followed closely as it is the unanimous opinion of those present that this is an ideal association.

It is the purpose to combine the various exhibits which are being given in this city into one grand show at least one week. The American Royal Live Stock show will be used as a nucleus, and with it will be combined the poultry show, agricultural exhibits, merchants' exhibits, manufactured products, the kennel show, the horse show, racing and a display of farm implements, in fact every line of industry in Kansas City.

THIRTEEN OF THEM THERE.

The meeting yesterday was preceded by a dinner at the Savoy and was attended by the following: E. L. Howe, F. B. Heath, I. W. Bigger, L. P. Rothschild, C. L. Merry, Irwin Baldwin and J. A. Runyan for the Manufacturers' Association; C. R. Thomas, A. M. Thompson, George Stevenson, W. H. Weeks and William McLaughlin for the American Royal Live Stock Association, F. F. Rozzelle and C. C. Peters, for the Elm Ridge Club, and W. M. Beall, Dr. W. H. Stark and P. H. Depree for the poultry show.

The subject of a suitable location was discussed and it was decided that if a lease for a term of years could be obtained at Elm Ridge park this would be the best location for an undertaking of this magnitude. F. F. Rozzelle was selected to make arrangements for the lease of the park grounds for at least fifteen years.

IT TAKES BIG PRIZES.

Mr. Thomas explained something about the customs of the live stock show exhibit. He stated that about 250 carloads of fancy cattle were shipped to this show every year and that it would be necessary to have switch track facilities on the grounds in addition to a number of cattle pens and sheds. Large prizes must also be offered in order to get the best exhibits.

In discussing the question of concessions at the park it was the unanimous opinion that liquor should not be sold on the grounds and that betting on the races should be prohibited. Horse racing, it was stated, is the life of any fair, but races can and are being conducted without the gambling feature.

In order to start the exhibition, build suitable buildings and offer prizes that will tempt the owners of the finest breeds of animals, it will be necessary to raise at least $50,000 and as soon as the necessary details are arranged, the Manufacturers and Merchants' Association will take this in charge.

Labels: animals, Elm Ridge, organizations, races, Savoy

March 5, 1908

TRACK MEET FOR CHILDREN.

Will Be Held in Convention Hall

Some Time in May.

A track meet to be held in Convention hall some time in May, in which the school children of Kansas City will participate, is now proposed for the benefit of the Public Play Grounds Association. The principals of sixteen of the Kansas City ward schools, accompanied by Superintendent J. M. Greenwood and Dr. Fred Berger, physical director of the public school, met at Convention hall at 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon in conjunction with a committee of the play grounds association and discussed the feasibility of the plan.

Superintendent Greenwood was heartily in favor of the plan, and it was upon his suggestion that a committee of the principals will be named to work in conjunction with a committee of the play grounds association. Superintendent Greenwood will name a committee of five today or tomorrow.

The plan is to have the children of the public schools from the fifth to the seventh grades compete in this meet All kinds of races will be run, including the relay and the medicine ball. A similar plan has been successfully carried out in New York and Buffalo, and Martin Delaney, physical director at the Kansas City Athletic Club, believes that it may be just as successful here. One of the women principals who attended the meeting yesterday afternoon suggested that the girls should not be left out of the meet, and it is probable that they will be included in athletic sports of some kind. Prizes will be awarded in all the events, and in this manner it is believed that the considerable rivalry may be worked up between the various schools.

Labels: children, Convention Hall, Kansas City Athletic Club, New York, races, schools, sports, Superintendent Greenwood

February 19, 1908

AMBULANCES RACE FOR

A "DEAD" MAN.

Floater Taken From River

Turns Out to Be Alive.

A real "live" floater caused a neck and neck race along the river front yesterday afternoon between the emergency hospital ambulance and an undertaker's "dead wagon." The race attracted a great deal of attention and caused no end of excitement in the North End. The ambulance is painted gray and the dead wagon, of course, was black. It brought to mind the famous race between the "bob-tailed horse and the gray", but this time the "gray ambulance" won by a hame string.

The cause of the race was John Reich, 45 years old, a laborer of 1011 Cherry street. Reich was taken out of the river for dead. The emergency hospital was notified. Secretary Ebert called Coroner Thompson and the coroner detailed an undertaker to get the "dead man."

In about 20 minutes the telephone at the emergency rang again, and a trembling voice said, "Say feller, that floater ain't no floater 'tall. He's come to. That is, he's turned over onct. Better send the avalance and a doctor 'stead 'o the coroner."

It was then that the ambulance was dispatched and it was too late to call off the undertaker. That was the reason both vehicles met on the way to the river. The first one noticed of the other's presence. They were neck and neck on the river's sands and were "going some" to the east.

Undertakers have been known to race before and it may have been that this one thought a rival was after the body. The driver of the police amulance took up the race in a spirit of fun.

First one would forge ahead, then the other would come up fast and pass at a gallop. The police had the better team, however as it does nothing but run, and the driver was sport enough to win only by a hame string, when he could easily have outdistanced the dead wagon.

Lying on the bank, blue and cold, was Reich. When the undertaker's man saw the "floater" squirm and kick, he said things in "dead languages," reversed his team and slowly drove back home.

Reich was taken to the emergency hospital, where he was pumped out and artificial respiration used to get his lungs into working order. He was put to bed amid a bevy of hot water bottles and bags. In a couple of hours the "dead one" was in a condition to talk.

Reich recalled taking a drink a place down near the Winner piers. After that he said that he just "passed on" He did not know where he got into the water, how he got there, how long he was in, who got him out or where he was taken out.

"All I know is that I can't swim no more than a rock, and I got the derndest coldest duckin' a man ever got -- at least that I ever got. When I get out of this I'm goin' down there to look that ground -- or water -- over."

While Reich appears to be recuperating rapidly, Dr. W. L. Gist, who resuscitated him at the emergency hospital, said that the great danger now was pneumonia.

Labels: Cherry street, Coroner Thompson, Dr. Gist, emergency hospital, laborer, Missouri river, races, telephone, undertakers