The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-01
GlDEON'S BAND.
Their Second Annual CeIebra-
ton.
Ten Days Of Camp Life On Browns
Lake.
The Grand Gala-Day and Dress Party
Dance,

Some twenty-five miles west of the city
of Racine and on the Western Union rail
road is the village of Burlington, Wis.
surrounded by beautiful, rich and ro-
mantle country, Astounding in handsome
farms and delightful groves. Not the
least of the many beautiful places is
Browns Lake, sheet of crystal water.
something over a mile in width and per-
naps two miles long. 1t is about two
miles from the station, and is surrounded
by grand old shade trees, with here and
there green meadow sloping down to the
waters edge. On an island in the centre
of this beautiful lake, for the first time,
on Saturday morning last, we met the ia
nous Gideon's Band, composed mostly of
railroad men from Chicago and Racine,
hearty, whole-souled fellows, and as true
lovers of liberty as were the resolute band
of old, which drove the fierce tribes of Mid
ian across the Jordan towards the Syrian
Desert.
The members of this band had pitched
their camps in the centre of the island on
the Monday previous. There were twelve
large sleeping tents, containing oyer one
hundred and fifty camp cots, amply sup
piled with blankets and pillows. Further
up the island were the commissaIy tents,
and large dining tent, 80 by 80 feet,ca
BILE of comfortably seating two hundred;
near by was the saloon tent and barber
shop. In the centre of the island, which
contains about three acres, was a
flag staff from which hoated the
stars and stripes, and picture
of Gideon blowing his horn. A
long arbor extended half way through
the island, between the two rows Of sleeping
tents. The whole island was decorated.
The members of the band wore large straw
hats decorated with feathers as fancy die
tated. On the lake were row boats,a min
iature steamboat, and trim sailing yacht
under command of Charles Finch. an exne-
rienced sailor, and sometimes commanded
by Capt. Vance, and first and second mates
Raymond and Martindale.
The supplies were the best the markets
of Chicago and Racine could produce and
, were ample for small army. So watch
full was the care of Fred Wild. and persis
tent the work of Fred Wells, that nothing
was lacking for the amusement, pleasure
and convenience of the party, which at ont
time numbered over five hundred.
The week was passed in fishing, sailing
rowing and camp sports, songs and stories
, and occasionally foot race by the heav!
men and their ''oyerly anxious starters
: Now and then Dutch song or story
some sell or a joke, and serious consulta
tons with the medical adviser" followe
by grape vine' waltz to Thompson
the startling 'Pottawattum" war dance
r and then hunt for that ''poy Jake" yell
ing give her line"
s On Monday the first delegation of ladie
:, arrived, from Racine, and was receive
with honors at the foot Of the lake and e.
corted to headquarters and thence show
to their tents. In the afternoon of th
a same day, some fifty or sixty ladies arrive
from Chicago, and were similarly receives
60 In an hour the newcomers, numberir
~ about one hundred and fifty, were Gale
81 to the dinner tent While seated, AN arti
., photographed the scene. Before leavir
the tables the ladies surprised Mr.. FRI
ty Wild with a handsome boquet of a0i
lie flowers Then followed jolly happy tim
the members of Gideon's Band provir
themselves true gallants and handson
az entertainers, until the sound of Severan
ne & Williams's full band, from Milwaukee
nd called the company to the dance. tt
ia was the grand affair Of the season. T
re ladies and gentlemen, in full evening DIRE!
20 to the number of some thr
or hundred, with from sixteen to eighteen sc
TO- 1on the floor at every dance; the GRO,
mr. surrounding the tent, in which were f
nd locomotive head lights and one hundr
and fifty Chinese lanterns; lights hangi
from the surrounding trees-all present
10 a grand gala scene, while the desert
white tents at the other end of the isla
If nesting under the overhanging tire
ex through which struggled the moonligl
ut completed one of the finest pictures
tx camp life that artist ever dreamed of
no pencil ever painted-too grand and bes
go. tiful to be adequately described in ''th'
few lines," At an early hour the dance
ay- ded and the ladies were escorted to th
at tents. Patrols were stationed and gu
put reigned.
rs. The next morning the camp was tn
- oughly aroused by the Modoc war dan
breakfast served, the ladies escorted
the boats, and the few hard workers,
,ad der the command of Mr.. Fred Wild, {
70 president of the band, commenced
o;o ''break camp"
The al tne mystic lour' even as when u
be con of olden-time called his band togetl
among the Hills, the band met and cleo
ED the following officers for the ensuing We
Fred Wild, Racine, President.
Dan NJ. Boynton, Chicago, lst Vice PI
JUG Ham Utley. Racine, I'd Vice Pres.
Dr.L.kords. Burlington, Sec. and Ire
III ---
ind OF Course He Did.
has He was finely dressed young m
the and as he handed boy bundle and
ha Sofd.