The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-07-16
Dailp Argus.
OFFICIAL CITY g. COUNTY PAPER
PHILADELPHIA CORRESPONDENTS
PHILADELPHIA, July l3, 1870.

PHILADELPHIA, July Is, 1870.
Dear Friend Drake:
Your paper, 1.-The ARGUS" reaches me as
regular as clock work and furnishes me the
foreign news and market reports nearly as
soon as our own papers, which indicates
your enterprise as we'll as the progress Of the
present age. But the most pleasing to me
are the news | read from my former home,
still cherished and endesred to me. Your
accounts about an approaching Turner
Festival are particularly interesting to me,
Five years ago, a committee of the Dav,
enport Turner Society, consisting of Chris
tan Mueller, Esq, Henry Haak and myself
had interview with the Rock Island
Turner Society, to induce them Joining
Davenport to form district for the Missis-
slppi alley. They accepted our offer. and
ABOUT a month later a convention was held
at Lahrmans Hall, of the different societies
from your city, Davenport, Burlington,
Muscatine anf keokuk, and the District of
the Northern Mississippi permanently organ
iZed. Ever since, this organization has
been steadily increasing, aud to nv prea,
pleasure, notice by your paper that i. counts
now 20 different societies as members
Many OF your readers may ask what is the
ooJect OF the societies, and for their enlight
enment l will state it. 1t is neither festive.
nor political, or antagouistic III religious
matters. The Turner Society is purely a
hnmane and educational society. They
train the body we'll as the mind, and add
10 tnelr exercises social entertainments,
! al
members are assisted by the society. Since
the war ended, similar societies have been
organized over the entire country, particu.
iarly In the West and South, and in order to
haFmonize IN their work, the Bund Union
with districts has been formed, each district
has Its separate administration, subject to
the rules of the Band. The District of the
Northern Mississippi counts among its
mam0ers veterans who have worked for
years to improve and increase the societies,
and It Is destined to be one of the leadiuC
districts In the country. They have NV
best wishes for their success, which thew
deserve,
In this city we have large German pop.
ulatlon, but only one Turner Society. The
object is as much appreciated as it is west,
but Is attained IN schools and gymnasiums
and the social entertainments are furnishe
bV the singing societies and clubs. Your
effort to enlist the interest Of your citizens
for the evening festival l hope, will be
crowned with success, and | wish you all
merry time.
From here l have very little news to
report Trade is dull. Many of our mer-
chants are sojourning at the seaside, and
read very comp lacent how hot it is in the
city. To morrow the n. 7. 7th regiment
will arrive here on visit, and then proceed
TO Camp May, where ball will be given in
their honor. No doubt you will receive the
particulars IN due time.
Your exchanges furnish you with the
news of the day, and it is not my wish to
enter in competition with them. However,
shall send you few lines occasionly, to
prove TO you that | have not forgotten nv
former friends. Yours,
FRATERNAT