The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-07-13
From the Chicago Times, July 10.
Gypsy Encampment.
reRTUSE-rELLRas AND CHICKEN
srEALERs.
THE ORIGIN or THE GIPsIEs AND
THEIR HISTORY In THE EAST.

THE ORIGIN OF THE GIPSIEs AND
THEIR HISTORY In THE EAST.
A genuine band of Gipsies are now en-
canned in q grove about half mile south OF
Camp Douglas. Several wagon loads of
them arrived there about week since. and
pitched their tents. They were soon joined
by others, until now the encampment mum
beers about $50 persons. to say nothing Oh
numbsrless dogs and many hne horses.
They have evidently made up their minds
that Chicago is full OF rich plunder, and ac-
cordincly have made their camp comfortable,
nrenaratory to a long stay in our midst. On
Saturday many of their women and children
were in town, telling fortunes, selling baskets
and fancy bead work, and buying vegetables
and necessaries for their camp. Their
strange appearance attracted much attsn-
ton The women wore red dresses and
shawls, with faunting yellow ribbons, and
curious turbans on their heads, Their long
black HAIR falls regularly down their shout
ders, and they present the most utter disre-
gard for people who do not belong to their
band. This n0BchGl1Hce is not affected, but
so natural that one wonders how they can be
90 unmindful of what they see around them.
wares, and descanting upon their knowledge
of futurity. Shopkeepers gently kept their
eyes on them as they called on Saturday,
and also on their goods, while frait dealers
took in their fruit stands as they passed
along. The women returned to their en-
campment with baskets laden with eggs,
bread, rueat and onions. How they obtained
them NO one questioned, so they were satis
fed they had lost nothing themselves. -.
APPEARANCE OF TEE CAMP. 81
Following these curious creatures to their
encampment, for they FIRST attracted atten-
ton on our streets, the visitor is struck by
the air Of contentment which pervades the
scene. The wagons are arrayed in squads oil
three, or four, or five, their fronts being to-
gether. They are covered with oil cloth
aud many of them could not have cost less
than $3.50. Internally they are arranged
with q view to house keeping. On the sides
which spread out over the wheels, in the
form of a rack, beds are arranged, with a
movable table in the centre. Shelves and
closets are made on the sides and fast
ened to the top, giving the interior of the
wagon the appearance of a little cabin. Ths
| whole 10 mounted upon strong springs, and
| drawn By two horses. Behind is a capacioui
| ''boot," where the cooking utensils, anc
etceter0s, are carried when On the march.
| Around these wagons, as If TO protect then
from civilized marauders. tents are pitched
Boughs of green wood all bent aud the end
driven into the earth. Over these blanket
are spread, and little trench dug arouni
| the sides, TO carry off the water, when i
rains. The back of the tent is covered with
a blanket. and the front part left entirel,
opsn. A bit of old carpet is spread on tn
ground within. These tents appear to b
set apart especially for the ''besuties" in tn,
party, who sit within them and ..smoke thei
chibouques, or dirty pipes, with the utmos
abandon.
Within the Enclosures made by the wagon
and tents fire is lighted, q stump or loa
being used to keep it in place. By the sid
| of the fire curious iron rs driven into fh
ground, which extends over the fire in tn
form of an ancient crane. Upon this th
| Gypsy women hang their kettles, and cool
their food. A more novel spectacle canno
be imagined. When their sictuals are cook
ed, they spread a blanket upon the ground
fastening down the corners by laying stone
upon them. The plates are then set out, ant
quite an inviting board spread. On Satur
day night they held a sort of banquet, to pay
for q hard and successful days work in town
Fricassed potatoes, boiled eggs, onions
| bread, aud cheese. constituted their repast
Tea was made in the kettle where the pota
toes were cooked, and sugar put into 1t whel
boiling. When all was ready the family
squatted upon the ground, and fell to with
their fingers, all eating out of the same dishe
promiscuously. One fine looking gypsy CIR
had no less than four full blooded Mexican
| pups in her capaciOus lap, which she fed with
the same food that she was eating herself
Such motley tea table Chicago has not wit
| messed for some. 1t was in strange contras
with the fashionable silver sets down town
| and the tea parties there In progress Bu
the subject may be odious.
The bushes around the camp were hung
with garments fresh from the wash tub. II
was blue Monday. Evidently working i.
not a cultivated trade among gipsies. The
horses browsed near by, some of them beins
valuable animals. They were 60 well train
ed as to respond momentarily TO the whistle
of their master; and every one of them could
thus be brought into camp if it CHANGED to
stray away. What with the dogs and hor-
ses, this band of nomads are we'll supplied
with quadrupeds Each woman lays claim
to at least half score of children, who lie
about the camp, ragged, dirty and hungry
They are taught not to cry and therefore
maintain a stolid countenance, like veritable
ape. They grin very like monkeys, with
quite as much intelligence in their faces.
THE GIPsY WOMEN.
The gypsy women are very dark. Their
physiognomy is decidedly Asiatic, with quick
black eyes, long dark hair, high cheek bones,
slightly projecting lower jaw. narrow mouth,
with fae white teeth. With their 1.-the and
agile figures. many of these women may be
considered beauties. Their habits are how
ever, so squalid and depraved, as to cause
Al L.C.- thaxr Ia 80 all