Journal Stories From The 2000's

L.U. No. 230 Victoria, B.C.
Editor:

On July 30, Local No. 230 held a basket picnic at Elk Lake, and though, on account of heavy drain on our treasury through keeping out of work members in good standing, it was found necessary to limit the expense to much less than on previous occasions, yet the whole gathering was unanimous in saying that they had never enjoyed themselves better.

Brother Quest, with his sunny smile, was easily first favorite with the kiddies as he dispensed the free ice cream and soft drinks with a lavish hand. Two silver cups were up for competition between the linemen and the narrow backs, the first to be baseball and the second game soft ball, but on account of the grounds not being suitable for the former it was changed to soft ball. At our last picnic the narrow backs won the only game played by the score of 12 to one, but on this occasion, chiefly through the good work of Brother Harry Downs, the tables were turned. The first game was won by the linemen, 27 to 5, and the second 13 to 10. By the way, Harry has been playing great ball for his team in the City League. His last feat was a running catch against the left field fence, which retired the other side and won the game and brought his name out in the headlines of the sporting pages of the city papers.

The linemen were so puffed up with their two victories that, in a rash moment they agreed to play against a team of women.

But pride goes before a fall, for the ladies untrammeled by the excess clothing of yore, ran the bases ragged and won 24 to 0, and if this game for the fair sex is included in the next Olympic you’ll sure hear from Local No. 230. During the afternoon a sudden, loud, stuttering static broke the stillness like a battery of machine guns and four old war veterans made a dash for the woods, but it was only the women’s nail-driving contest. This match was won by Mrs. Dan Tonman. Eight teams were entered in the horse-shoe pitching, and the elimination left Brother Matt Ball and the recording angel. I mean secretary, against “Come-along” Casey and “Bungie Eye” McKenzie. The first named crew had all the good looks and classic style and easily held their opponents until the score stood 19 all, and then “Comealong,” in desperation, stepped up to the stake like a martyr, shut his eyes and flung both shoes wildly in the air, and fell to the ground in a faint. By great, good luck, the shoes trundled up so close to the mark that they just beat out Brother Ball’s best effort. When “Comealong” was revived sufficiently to hear of his unlooked victory, he clasped his partner, “Bungie Eye”, frenziedly around the neck and they both collapsed. The only other near casualty was when Brother Duncan swallowed so much water in the swimming race that he lowered the level of the lake and walked ahead to win. Space will not permit enumerating all the other prize winners but the competition was keen.

The credit for the successful outing goes to the hard-working committee, Brothers “Shorty” Haines, Sid Neville, G. Songhurst and C. Quest.

To see “Shorty” and “Sid” standing side by side revealed at once where Bud Fisher got his inspiration.

Our Business Manager, Brother Reid, was present, and his cares blew away like down of the thistle.

We were sorry that distance prevented our Brothers up the Island from joining us but the next time we have a picnic we’ll just play a tune on the willow whistle and you Brothers, Dick Adam, Ben Griffith, Harry Alexander and the rest of the bunch, will come trooping down here like the children after the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

Shappy.



	Published in September 1932 - I.B.E.W. Journal L.U. No. 230 Victoria, B.C. Editor: On July 30, Local No. 230 held a basket picnic at Elk Lake, and though, on account of heavy drain on our treasury through keeping out of work members in good standing, it was found necessary to limit the expense to much less than on previous occasions, yet the whole gathering was unanimous in saying that they had never enjoyed themselves better. Brother Quest, with his sunny smile, was easily first favorite with the kiddies as he dispensed the free ice cream and soft drinks with a lavish hand. Two silver cups were up for competition between the linemen and the narrow backs, the first to be baseball and the second game soft ball, but on account of the grounds not being suitable for the former it was changed to soft ball. At our last picnic the narrow backs won the only game played by the score of 12 to one, but on this occasion, chiefly through the good work of Brother Harry Downs, the tables were turned. The first game was won by the linemen, 27 to 5, and the second 13 to 10. By the way, Harry has been playing great ball for his team in the City League. His last feat was a running catch against the left field fence, which retired the other side and won the game and brought his name out in the headlines of the sporting pages of the city papers. The linemen were so puffed up with their two victories that, in a rash moment they agreed to play against a team of women. But pride goes before a fall, for the ladies untrammeled by the excess clothing of yore, ran the bases ragged and won 24 to 0, and if this game for the fair sex is included in the next Olympic you’ll sure hear from Local No. 230. During the afternoon a sudden, loud, stuttering static broke the stillness like a battery of machine guns and four old war veterans made a dash for the woods, but it was only the women’s nail-driving contest. This match was won by Mrs. Dan Tonman. Eight teams were entered in the horse-shoe pitching, and the elimination left Brother Matt Ball and the recording angel. I mean secretary, against “Come-along” Casey and “Bungie Eye” McKenzie. The first named crew had all the good looks and classic style and easily held their opponents until the score stood 19 all, and then “Comealong,” in desperation, stepped up to the stake like a martyr, shut his eyes and flung both shoes wildly in the air, and fell to the ground in a faint. By great, good luck, the shoes trundled up so close to the mark that they just beat out Brother Ball’s best effort. When “Comealong” was revived sufficiently to hear of his unlooked victory, he clasped his partner, “Bungie Eye”, frenziedly around the neck and they both collapsed. The only other near casualty was when Brother Duncan swallowed so much water in the swimming race that he lowered the level of the lake and walked ahead to win. Space will not permit enumerating all the other prize winners but the competition was keen. The credit for the successful outing goes to the hard-working committee, Brothers “Shorty” Haines, Sid Neville, G. Songhurst and C. Quest. To see “Shorty” and “Sid” standing side by side revealed at once where Bud Fisher got his inspiration. Our Business Manager, Brother Reid, was present, and his cares blew away like down of the thistle. We were sorry that distance prevented our Brothers up the Island from joining us but the next time we have a picnic we’ll just play a tune on the willow whistle and you Brothers, Dick Adam, Ben Griffith, Harry Alexander and the rest of the bunch, will come trooping down here like the children after the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Shappy.