THE FAT MAN'S ASSOCIATION.

Evening Star, Issue 4015, 8 January 1876, Page 3

THE FAT MAN'S ASSOCIATION.

American papers, received per last mail, give some interesting particulars of tlie ninth annual clambake of the Fat Man’s Association, which took place at Gregory’s Point, Connecticut, on August 25. Special conveyances of special strength had to be employed to take the guests to and from the shore where the “ bake ” was held. William Perking, the president of the Association, weighing 3731b5, or nearly 27st, though he is only twenty-six years of age, was brought from Waterbury in a box car. Mr Sherwood (3201b5) was more studious of his dignity. He came from New Milford on four seats of a passenger car. • having been skilfully got in and out of the car by a gang of platelayers armed with crowbars, levers, and screwjacks. Prior to dinner the bar-room of the hotel was crowded by great men, and no wonder. Therein “Baby” Murphy, weighing 3031b5, talked with Little Fisk, of 3371b5, and with the president and a couple of others. First they shook hands, then took two drinks; they then shook hands again and took another drink. Then the weighing for new members began, no one under 2001bs being eligible. In point of numbers the “bake” was the grandest tiiat had yet taken place. “ The fat men,” says one reporter (evidently at a loss for a simile), “ came down to Grc gory’s Point like the hippopotami on the fold, and the sands trembled beneath their tread.” Apart from visitors there were about 1000 members of the Association present, or about twelve tons in all. Seat accommodation for the fat men was at the averagejrate of two ordinary-seats for one individual. Their trencher performance tended to show that such mountains of flesh require substantial sustenance.” The “ bake ” proper was composed of 100 bushels of clams and oyster*,' ears of green corn, ten barrels of sweet potatoes, 3001bs of blue fish, lOOlbs of eels, and b*Olbs of lobsters, baked on hot stones under seaweed. In addition there was beef, mutton, chickens (100 of the latter), and other substantial diet. The lager beer consumed amounted t° 300 quarts. After the feast was over, a ton and a-half_ of viae-preaidents were elected for the ensuing year. The edifying meeting was brought to a close, oddly enough, by a dance. The members were then carted away to their respective destinations, and so ended the ninth and most successful annual gathering of the Fat Man’s Association.