Conan Doyle Like Big Boy at Coney
Conan Doyle Like Big Boy at Coney is an article published in The New-York Times on 1 june 1914.
Conan Doyle Like Big Boy at Coney
With Lady Doyle and Detective Burns, He Does All the Stunts.
LAUGHS AT EVERYTHING
Bands Play "God Save the King" and Crowds Cheer Titled English Visitor.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Lady Doyle, his wife, and a party of fifteen friends, including William J. Burns, the detective, and William F. Kenny of Brooklyn, visited Brighton Beach and Coney Island last night. Sir Arthur saw everything that was to be seen and did many of the things for which Coney is famous. Scenic railways, dips and drops of all kinds, and absurd attractions like the Crazy Village in Luna Park appeared to please him immensely. He was either laughing outright or smiling broadly from the time he started until finished his tour of Coney. Lady Doyle was likewise delighted with the evening. Both spoke their pleasure, but their looks told it more emphatically than their words.
Sir Arthur and the party had luncheon at Mr. Kenny's Summer home, Shore Acres, in Bay Ridge. Three automobiles were used to take the party for a ride in the afternoon and at 6:30 all went to the Hotel Shelburne at Brighton for dinner. Tables had been reserved for them and the management of the hotel had provided several extra attractions for their guests. Sir Arthur was particularly pleased, he said, with the dancing Of two seven-year-old children, who did the modern dances for him.
After dinner the automobiles carried the party to Steeplechase Park, where Sir Arthur and Lady Doyle were received by George C. Tilyou, the owner. They, with the others in their party, were conducted to a band stand in the middle of the big Steeplechase building. The band struck up "God Save the King," and every one in hearing removed his hat. Sir Arthur appeared impressed with this mark of respect in the midst of Coney hilarity. He also remarked favorably upon the attitude Of the crowd when "The Star-Spangled Banner" and other national airs were played.
A ride on the trolley out to the end of the Steeplechase Pier followed, and the view of the ocean by night pleased Sir Arthur. A. walk through the Bowery was the next incident of the trip, and it afforded every one in the party much fun. Sir Arthur and his wife were laughing constantly as they pushed and jostled their way through the Bowery's motley crowd of ballyhoos, frankfurter men, and noisy sightseers. By the time Surf Avenue and the automobiles were reached again the visitors were somewhat disheveled, but unrestrainedly Merry.
The visit of Sir Arthur to Luna Park was more of a triumphal entry than anything else. Oscar C. Jurney, the manager of Luna, was at the entrance of the park to receive the party, and, as Sir Arthur stepped under the big front arch, Lemlein's band, which had been posted near the entrance, began "God Save the King." Every one in the Park, it seemed, knew who was coming in, and those nearest Sir Arthur cheered him with vigor.
In Luna Sir Arthur entered right Into the frolic of a Sunday night at Coney. First he shot the chutes, then he took the seemingly perilous Whip ride, and finally he went into the ridiculous Crazy Village. An he enjoyed it all — particularly the Whip which he pronounced thrilling. The Infant Incubators were also visited and here Lady Doyle was presented with a doll to which she had taken a fancy.
Castle House, the new Summer dancing pavilion in Luna, held the visitors for some time. After she had watched several amateur and professional demonstrations of the one-step, the maxixe, and the other new dances, Lady Doyle was heard to remark that she saw nothing objectionable in the dancing. Some of the dances, she said, were very graceful and pretty.
After more than an hour of hilarity in Luna, Sir Arthur and the party wont to the Coney Island Police Station, where Capt. Samuel McElroy and Lieut. Samuel Hammond received them. While they were in the station several minor offenders arrested on the Island were arraigned before Lieut. Hammond. Sir Arthur watched the proceedings with interest.
A visit to the Brighton Casino concluded the evening's entertainment. This is a large dance hall, and here the visitors saw more of the modern dancing.
It was after midnight before Sir Arthur and Lady Doyle left Coney. When asked what he thought of the island, Sir Arthur said:
"Coney Island doesn't give one time to think. I'm trying to get myself together. I must do that before I can think. But I certainly had a good time."
And Lady Doyle echoed this feeling. Both had had a good time — they said so, and they showed it.
After he had got his breath after the trip, Sir Arthur said that if one thing impressed him more than another it was the bands at Coney and the dancing. He thought it remarkable, he said, that such refined dancing could be seen in public places. He refused to discuss Coney's lights, noises, and exciting attractions. They didn't need discussion, he said. They spoke for themselves.
"And they are lots of fun," he added.
Sir Arthur's party was conducted through the mazes of Coney and Brighton by Police Capt. William J. Deevy and Sergt. John Ryan of the Fifteenth Inspection District. Among those in the party were:
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Burns and Mrs. William F. Kenny, Miss Alice Kenny, Guy Bittinger, Randolph Borough, Joseph Hanlon, Miss Helen Bergin, the Misses Florence and Katherine Burns, Detective Burns's daughters; Sherman Burns, his son, and Mrs. Seitel, his sister.
