The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-07-12
The 4fh in Rutland.
Feeling on the morning of our great ma
tional holiday like escaping from the noise
and smoke and heat Of the city and seeking

reeiiiiS oh tic Ho'nah3 Vi our great ma
tional holiday like escaping from the noise
and smoke and heat of the city and seeking
lodge in some cool, outrageous shade, "
in the country we availed Ourself of an in
vitaton to join our patriotic fellow citizens
in a Grand Picnic in the good old democratic
town Of Rutland. We left town at a season
able hour, and after a few miles drive. as
cended the Bluffs ''up the old Chicago road
Whether because inspired by the gorgeous
scene here presented of waving wheat and
corn fields, far as the eye could reach, or ex-
liberated by breathing the pure, unadute-
rated democratic atmosphere Of old Rutland,
we are not philosopher enough to determine,
but somehow we had never before enjoyed
such a delightful mornings ride-such a
soaring of spirits and inclination to leap and
fly. In due season we arrived at grove OF
unsurpassed beauty at the Great Sulphur
Spring near the dwelling of G. ". Debolt
Esq. This is spot of which we have heard
much, but never visited before. Here is a
spring bursting with a rush and roar out
sufficient to drive mll-thc water trans
parent as crystal, bubblng over beds Of
snow white sand-but impregrated with
diabolica smell Of sulphur. Cool and plea
SAINT to the taste, however, one soon learns
to overcome the responsiveness Of the odor
Surrounding the spring, aud fronting with
high bank on the beautiful Fox, is u large
grove Of stately oaks, knit together at the
top to form dense shade, without under
brush, and carpetcd with velvet green
Here we found company of four or five
hundred assembled, comprising the fathers
and mothers, sons and daughters, and
rising generation" of the surrounding
country. As everybody was expected to
contribute something to furnish the tables,
everybody seems 10 have gone to work with
the idea that nobody else would bring any
thing, for such mass Of good things to cat
We never before saw provided for the same
number Of people.
Previous to sitting down 20 meat, the ey-
ercises were oqe' with AZ appropriate and
impressive prry ,h- Rev. -. 4 few
fitting remark made by Capt SrADDEv,
the president OF the day, when the Declara-
ton was read by your humble servant, fol-
lowed by an Grafton by JESSE GREEN, Esq. I
The address was ably written, well delivered, 1
and in matter admirable-presenting many
forcible thoughts adapted to the times. The .
invitation was now given to surround the /
two hundred yards in length, /
and to partake freely and fully of the "crea- .
tUre comforts 50 abundantly provided. 1t .
is sufficient to say they received ample just
ice, and there were many baskets left The
repast concluded, and the cloth removed,
the regular toasts were read, accompanied /
by such cheers as can only be given in the .
topped off by reverberating boom
from the big gun. Volunteer toasts follow
pithy little speeches contain
ing many pleasant sallies and paIpable hits,
hat kept the company in high spirits and
sXccl,cnt humor. Unfortunately these toasts.
which were too good to lose, were scattered
by 4 treacherous breeze, and given to the
fishes, which must account for their omis-
sion here. The company fingered until a
late hour in the day, apparently 10th to quit
50 pleasant z spot, but finally parted-one
by ouc-w.th many kindly greetings, and
mutual pledges to meet again On the same
spot yea: hence.