Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-07-28
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z. 4 c. Railroad, about twenty miles
north Of this city. For many years it
boasted but one or two houses, one
store, and railroad switch; but during
the past two years it has grown with
surprising rapidity. Several large and
substantial dwellings have been erected,
one or two store-bouses have been add
ed, couple of churches built, and other
evidences of prosperity given. Modest
as is this little town, it is known BY two
names. If you would write letter to a
friend there, you would direct it to
Fort Branch; if you were going
there personally, you would listen for the
brakeman to call out Lagrange" BY
which name it is known on the conduct
ors' checks. r 4oA g
Fort Branch is favored with two or
three excellent Sabbath schools-real
live, active, jealous institutions. Some
weeks ago these Schools determined in
their hearts to have grand celebration
or picnic, and invite the Schools in their
own immediate peighbOrhood and in the
adjoining towns. Yesterday was the day
set apart for the joyous occasion. Know
ing the enterprising character Of those
having the celebration in charge, and
the liberal disposition. of the good peo-
pie of Gibson County; and, moreover,
being persuaded by several Of the more
active Of the Sabbath School men Of our
own city, we determined on attending
theoeelebration and participating in The
exercises, hoping to have the monotony
of humdrnm life broken into and re-
lieved by Witnessing the happiness and
sports of Young America. - 4
Leaving Evansville on. the regular
mail train, we arrived at Fort Branch q
little before II o'clock, in company. with
a delegation Of Sunday School tslkers
and laborers from our Sunday Schools.
On getting out of the cars. slight
shower of rain was falling, but twas re-
garded as nothing, and the arrangements
progressed as though it was not Rev
Thomas Strain, who was one Of. the
leading spirits of the occasion, was
busy marshaling his squadron of little
people decked in their brightest coIors
and their faces beaming with satisfac
ton and joy at the prospect Of good
time. An. extra train from Princeton
and Patoka had arrivedein advance oil
us, well loaded with children, teachers
and young people from those two places
Immediately after US came a long pro-
cession Of wagons and carriages from
Owensville, loaded with the members OF
a couple of Sabbath Schools in that viii
age. They came with their ribbons and
banners flying, and their baskets vel
filed with the Injuries and Substantial
for which the country around Ovens
vile is celebrated. t-ss4g 6s- ~
By this time it was hoped the rain haG
"gone round" and the procession wat
formed with band of martial music il
front Nine Sabbath Schools were re-
presented in the procession. SUSPECT
GUS of rain, many of those present tool
the precaution to provide umbrellas
while others, still more wisely, remaines
in the churches and cars. The MAORI
/ ty, however, we're anxious to partake o
the dinner which had been spread upol
the tables for some time, and which, i
was feared, would be spoiled by the rail-
if not eaten soon. The children we're
marched 20 the spot prepared for Thu
speaking; and, as it commenced sprink
ling again, they atonce proceeded to tn,
tables for dinner. The most liberal ar
rangements had BesH made for eating
The long lines of tables fairly groanee
beneath the substantial food and luxu,
ries that had been piled upon them
Chickens, (think of that, ye poor souls
who are in the habit of paying so cents
apiece IN our city for. some not larger
than quails), were in ABUNDANCE anc
nicely baked; while nice bread and but
ter, pies, cakes and sweet meats q
every variety invited the hungry to par,
take and be satisfied In the meantim.
the clouds had gathered thick and blael
above us, and just as the children were
on the point of commencing to dispos,
of the good things before them, thi
storm in all its fury burst upon them
A scene of the widest confusion ant
most pitiable distress at once followed
The thunder rolled and ratified, Earring
the earth and terrifying the younger
children; the lightning darted and fash
ed through the trees in way that seri-
Ously alarmed the older persons; while
the rain poured down in torrents. Al
first the children gathered, in dismay
and terror, beneath the trees and UNI,
brellas that we're on the ground, ba,
these afforded no protection. Umbrel-
las were as incapable iof resisting tbs
food as thoogh made of tissue paper
The trees, in like manner, afforded NJ
protection. But few minutes were re 1
quired, to drsneh al, and almost drown
some of the swee ones, who gasped for
breath as the torrent poured upon their
! heads and down their necks. The dan.
ger Of remaining in the grove in such :
storm at last became spparens Il
all, and in great panic the crowd
started for the village A Hogartb
could not pencil the scene that en-
sued, and do it Justice. The most
ludicrous as well as pitiabls sights
| greeted our eyes in every direction