The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-09-23
BANQUET on BIG ISLAND.
Camp 0hest Presented to Johr
Warner by his Friends.
A GLORIOUS REUNION.

them again. Yesterday We found our
selves right in their midst, and wen no"
keep good our promise, even at the expense
of trespassing upon other items tha' s"o''u
be published. These men belong 10 race
that are only distinguished from the com
mouer sort of humanity by close observation
and intimate acquaintance. Highly civilized
and particularly ,ohite, they associate with |
the crowd and their peculiarities escape
by the casual locker on. The
remnant Of this peculiar race which is de-
scended from "Old King Cole, who accord
ing to the popular anthology twas jolly
old soul" are gregarious in their habits and
retain ell the characteristics OF their great
progenitor In common with the otter, seal,
mink, muskrat and American eagle these
men are lohthyophagisss and live princi-
pail, upon fish which they catch with infinite
skill and dexterity, and the watery humors
of which they eliminate from their systems
by draughts of q punRent and mysterious
fluid prepared with lemons and sugar, which
having never tasted, we. of course, cannot
describe, but which seems to have an exhil
arating and invigorsting action upon their
corporal systems.
The patriarch of this peculiar people is
known among men generally ss John
Warner, though his tribe name is "Joli oil
Brick" and he is noted as the most expert
fisherman aud scientific cook of the tribe
Some three miles from the town in the
valley of the Rock River where that besuti.
full stream, split into several branches, tum-
bles over its rocky bed or wanders through
the plain, are deltas and Islands OF surpsss-
ing beauty, covered with soft herbage and
un bsrgeous with ancient timber The
largest of these is known on every day maps
BY the name of big islsnd,' but to the
initiated, will for ell time be designated
John Warmers Camping Ground" Around
this lovely spot the silvry waters tumble In
wsnton activity, and the finny inhabitants
of the streams rise to the fly or lie summing
themselves bsneath the placid waters.
In the early autum when the pencil OF
| the almighty artist has touched the trees
with russell and csrmine, amber and gray,
the scene is a beautiful one, and the white
mills and neat cottages of the adjacent city
| of Camden, glitter in the sunlight like white
robed messengers of civilization. 1t Is on
are carried on and there the magic circle is
made, the sacred fires of hospitality are
| lighted, the culinary processes are carried
on and the grand Festivals are periodically
held.
Yesterday was a great occasion there and
an ovation was made to the Grand High
Angieman of the tribe, John Warner who
! for eighteen years has been high priest of
the trying pan and knight of the silver fms,
1t had been resolved TO present this mighty
icial with mark of the esteem and
friendship of the tribe which resoled
| itself into magnificent camping chest,
| fitted up with all the sacred vessels used
at the ceremonies. which, during the summer
months, take place semi very
often, whenever they feel inclined to, on
this. their favorite fishing ground. This
chest was of black walnut, with German
silver trimmings, combining four heav,
twisted handles, and an oval plate bearing
for inscription
PRESENTED TO JOHN WARNER
BY HIS FRIENDS.
Is ROCK ISLAND, ILL. 20.
The inside Of this handsome Ark of til,
Covenant Of Friendship is divided int
upper and lower receptacles. The lowe
containing two large stew pans, four larg'
camp kettles, twenty four plates, cups
saucers, soup dishes. knives, forks anC
spoons, ladies, csrvers, steel, axe and hstcbe
and pigeon hole nest, where can reposs
portion is in three movable sections, fur
nished with other culinary apparatus snC
TASKS for the preservation of those mysteri
our fluids which are used in ceremonies o
the ichthyophdgi. This chest was made
under the Immediate supervision of Johr
johnson, Phil. Alien, Joe Gregg, G.. X
Bard, Bill Strong, and Geo. Copp, at thei,
proper cost aud reflect infinite credit upol
their artistic taste and knowledge of the re
f quirements for these festivals The cos; OF thi
Offering of friendship bordered on 5000, AM
the forenoon, the initiated carried out .hi
souvenir of many meetings, covere'
, with pail, under which it lay concealed
, until the unconscious victim of the deep lai
plot was brought, no IN silling prisoner, il
front of the hollow square which surrounde'
} it, when Joe Gregg introduced Phil. Alel
as the orator of the occasion, who made tn
following neat and appropriate speech an
presented the high priest the insignia @
, command:
JOHN WARNER
1t has occasionally been my privilege to b
2 designated to express, on behalf of my friends
the re gard and esteem felt by for one of GU
= number, one of our friends, and comrades. / d
( not know when il has ever been my lot to pei
, form q more agreeable d uty-more than duty
[ cali it, for it n sincere pleasure, that fall
poor justice to the antisipations and desires Q
) those in whose behalf 1 speak, and comics
= my inability to do justice to the occasion Their
{ are many others here, whose longe acquaini
ance with on, but not. think, more soil
friendship than mine towards you, could bette
acquit themselves in this case. But young o
old, new conner, or old settler, we all know 20
in mere than one way. We have eli experience
your generous hos pitality, and have sll witness
your sndeavors to provide for the plessur
1 and comfort of your guests, as the ever-to-t
!. remembered sssembIages of this spot and you
unt1ring efforts to make it pleasant for others
: at the expense of your own time and comfort
We know shat What gives pleasure to other
gives pleasure to you, and in this We recogniz
= your hearty good will towards your brothers Q
the great human family.
In meeting here for the last time this year
perhaps. but aot, we trust, for the last time ii
> this world, tor we hope to eat many a fry Q
= Camden fish and take many another inUisorafin