The steamboat at Doling's park has been remodeled, is in magnificent shape and is running every day. A nice ice cream parlor is being erected and will be in operation in the course of a week. The park is now in splendid condition for parties who wish to spend a pleasant day. A big picnic is being held there to-day by the school children in Misses Bell Kintrea and Rosa Maus' rooms.

The Christian Sunday school picnic at Doling park to-day was largely attended by a happy crowd of pupils, teachers and parents, but the pleasures of the day were sadly marred by a fatal accident which could not be guarded against nor prevented. The drowning of Otis Peebles, a young lad of bright parts, will add a painful and depressing interest to an occasion which otherwise would have carried with it recollections of the brightest nature.

Otis Peebles, who resided with his sister, Mrs. Dr. Lane, and is a member of the Gulf kid band, accompanied the Christian Sunday school picnic to Doling Park this morning. In attempting to swim across the lake he was attacked with the cramp and drowned before assistance could reach him. He had donned a bathing suit and, in company with several lads, was enjoying the sport. An effort was made to rescue him, but was unsuccessful. It is said he pulled one boy under several times and he came near losing his life. No boats were near at the time, hence he could not be reached in time. Deceased was about eighteen years of age, was employed in Kanning's barber shop and had many friends. Otis played the bass horn in the band. The coroner said he thought an inquest would not be necessary, because so many witnessed the sad accident there could be no doubt as to the manner of his death.

Let this be a warning to the young men in the future. The drowned boy was considered to be a good swimmer. The sad accident is greatly deplored.

Monday, August 22d, J. M. Doling was sixty years of age. Yesterday afternoon, in response to invitations, a large number of his relatives and friends assembled at Doling Park to celebrate the event. Among the number were his family, including his sons and daughters, -except Mrs. W. J. Haines, of St. Louis, and one of his sons, who is in New York- his grand children, his former associates in business, and family and personal friends. A sumptuous banquet had been provided by Mr. Doling, and the park, with all its attractions, was thrown open for the entertainment of the guests.

After the social amenities of the occasion were disposed of, the beauties of the scenery enjoyed, and the wonderful cave explored, the guests were seated around the groaning tables for refreshments. This duty discharged, Major Cravans arose, and addressing the honored host of the day, rehearsed the high appreciation in which he was held by his friends, with a sketch of his career and the important events in which he had been concerned in his busy life of twenty years in this city, closed with presenting him a handsome gold-headed ebony cane as a testimonial of the high regard in which he is held by the citizens of Springfield. Mr. Doling, visibly affected by the kind words of the speaker, the cordial approval of his assembled friends and the associations recalled by the occasion, accepted the gift in a short address, and the ceremonies were over. About eighty persons were present.

Mr. Doling in among the oldest living settlers in Springfield. He is a native of Kentucky, coming to Missouri in his youth, about forty-six years ago, and settled in Gallatin, Mo. He was married in Paris, Monroe county, and, after a prosperous career in north Missouri, came to Springfield in 1867, just twenty years ago. Entering at once upon a busy business life, he has been connected with many of the most important enterprises of the city. About the time the Frisco road was built, his business headquarters were transferred to the North Side. Careful in all his dealings, he has been uniformly prosperous, and it now among the wealthiest, as well as among the most honored, citizens of Springfield. During his long and busy life, while engaged in many heavy and hazardous ventures, he makes the honest boast that he never made a failure or allowed a bill to go to protest.