The Evening Tribune August, 1891

 Recreation / Sports
 

   The races headed the program of contesting sports:

   With Michigan’s amateur champion sprinter, Morris Kirby, for starting judge, and Dwight Sheldon, the all-around athlete, the time-keeper and judge, the first race, 100 yard dash, was run with seven starters and won by veteran ball player, Sigh Harvey. Time: 13 seconds.

   Second race, Old Man’s Race, 100 yard dash, won by C. Yonker. Time: 15 seconds.

   Third race, 70 yard race, backward, won by J. Ensing in 16 seconds.

   Fourth, Sack race, 70 yds, won by C. VerWy in 30 seconds.

   Fifth, Hurdle race, 70 yards, won by S. Harvey, by his world renowned antelope leaps.

   Sixth, Potato race, won by Sigh Harvey.

   Seventh, Wheelbarrow race, won by Will Keift, taking two out of three heats; distance 100 yards.

   The book-keeper of Challenge Corn Planter Co., have a "body of speed" in Ferdinand Harbeck, and had he not fallen to the ground by a trip when ahead in the running race they would have come off the track with the feeling of satisfaction; but, as it is they have no prize money to patch up Ferdinand’s trouser, nor any to pay the surgeon’s bill and will have to go "deep down" all on account of this good hearted though quite bad man, who ran in the race simply to keep up enthusiasm (an act he is so often guilty of.)

   At this juncture old benevolence's shining dome bobbed up serenely among us and said, Dwight you speak to the audience in regard to aquatic sports. Owing to Dwight’s bashfulness, Morrie was obliged to address them, but hardly three words passed his lips when in one voice Dwight and Morrie were directing the people to the beach where tub races, boat races and swimming races did not take place owing to the fact that that our red Hanlon (J. VerHoeks) and Beech (J. C. Surprise) failed to come to terms, Beech not being accustomed to rough water in Australia, and as every one was of the same mind of course as the champion, all races over water were declared off.

   Some of our lawn tennis girls get up at 4 o’clock in the morning to play the game, and thereby show good common sense by getting some good fresh ozone in their lungs.

   The ball game between Grand Haven and Spring Lake yesterday afternoon resulted in favor of Spring Lake by a score of 16 to 11. The Grand Haven boys attribute their defeat to four members of the St. Louis Browns who played with the Spring Lake nine.

8/17

   Some time ago Mr. Bloecker told the employees of his foundry and machine shop that they might have the 15th for a picnic day, and he would furnish the liquid refreshments. So as this was just what the men been waiting for all summer, they all agreed to come except Billy Campbell. Mr. Glazat’s horse and buckboard begun early Sunday morning to make trips between town and Bennet’s grove, where the picnic was to be held, laden with materials for eating, drinking, shooting and base ball playing. By eleven o’clock all the men were there with their wives, children, sisters, and their cousins and their aunts.

   Glass ball shooting was first on the morning’s program. Max Glazat got first prize, Thieleman second, Walls and Stokes, third.

   After dinner a game of base ball was played between the machinists, with Bahre and Oakes, battery ; and the moulders, with Ike and Harry Sanford, battery ; score: 6 to 5, in favor of the machinists. Master Louis Safford umpired the game, assisted by the crowd. The feature of the game was Hugo Bloecker’s home run in the fourth inning. He drove the ball on top of the five mile hill, and before it could be recovered, he had reached home plate amid deafening applause. In the target shoot J. DeVries made the only bull’s eye in over sixty shots taking first prize. A piece of bullet glancing from the target entered Henry Fritz’s right arm, slightly wounding him. Dr. Reynolds removed the splinter, and he soon recovered.

   J. Brandstetter and Ed Stokes won the evening glass ball shoot, each getting nine straight in one round, and ten in the other.

   Just before supper time C. VanderVere brought over a lot of smoked herring which were delicious and were well taken care of.

   Henry Sanford presided at the prescription counter, and dispensed ginger ale, root beer, lemonade and Milwaukee tea to the thirsty in a most scientific manner.

   The picnic broke up about a half past seven and every one was well satisfied with the day and its sports, and went home with a conviction that the machine shop can have, with Mr. Bloecker to manage, just as enjoyable and jolly picnic as any institution in town.

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