Picnic 1870
Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 June 1870, page 7
NEWPORT
THE COLORED PICNIC, given under the gentlemanly and urbane
auspices of Mr. Thomas Fields in Taylor's Woods, on Monday, was a success.
Newport, Covington and Cincinnati were largely represented by dusky, but lovely
femininity and handsome cavaliers whose complexions bore "The shadowed livery of
the burnished sun,"
with a number of white spectators having references of both sexes. Hamilton's string band furnished excitement to the "life and mettle" in the heels of the assembled Africa descended lads and lassies and with "joy unconfined" the dance went on until the length ensuing shadows of day, when tired but happy the company departed for their respective homes.
The episode of chasing the greased pig occurred at precisely five o'clock. A lean lank porker was suddenly turned loose from his box. The tally no was brief when he was seized by a fleet and athletic saddle colored youth from Covington. The cup was presented to the gallant catcher in a felicitous speech by Washington Rippleton, Esq.
The name of the recipient is Apollonius Harding, indicating a classical origin. He born his honors modestly and meekly. Refreshments were liberally provided and the supply of liquors was equal to the demand (which is saying much) so it is to be presumed that Mr. Fields added something handsome to his exchequer by the venture and would be willing to forgive the sharpers who beat him out of that two dollars at the Buckeye races a few weeks ago.