The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1884-09-26
Eagle Lake.

The Camp Fire of q. \. Il. boys held at
Eagle Lake, sept. 18th, was Il success in ev-
cry respect. ". &. Durkcc POST assembled
al their hail at 9a. M, and about that time
the boys of a. Wilkin pest, Mankato, began
toarriVc in carriages. Some 70 of the post
at .ancSviilc headed by their cJmmander
Baker, hal already come on the ears, ana
with beautiful morning and bright sun
shine every thing seemed tO hc auSpiciOuS
for happy results. Gen Baker and lady came
10y ctrr:IIGa from their farm in Rapidan. Col
Thomas and Judge Severance from MankatO.
At 1880 the procession was formed with the
drum corps from Manknto and GAINESVILLE at
the hcud Of the GAINESVILLE post, then the
Mankato post and Eagle Lake boys took no
the rear. The line marched down Agency
street Ia liiltOnS Hotel, then back To the hall =,
where il opened ranks and the carriages con
tanning Gen. Baker and lady and Others pass
ed between the ranks and took the lead To
Cornell park Cornell park is just out of
Eagle Lake on the MankatO road. and is adj
mi,ably situated for such entertainments.
The camp WIS decorated with flags. An arch
over the entrance gate said "wcicome," and
il meant just what Ii said. Two organs were
on the stand, one for Miss Barron, and one
for Miss ltumiston, both very fine players
After singing, and prayer by Rev. N. Ii.
FOOte, Commander Cummins of Durkee
post welcomed the visiting posts i'm Il neat.
appropriate speech, which was responded to
10y Col. VIM. Thomas of MankatO, followed
10y music 10y the band and II song by the choir.
Then the president of the day introduced the
Hon. james III. Baker. My pen fails to de-
scribe h " beautiful sentences and grand pc
RODS. lie did not diSappOint his audience.
cannot give a just synopsis of the speech and
will not attempt to. As soon as General Bib
ker finished his speech Il half hour was spent
in singing, old comrades shaking hands, and
others forming new acquaintance Then
the word was given that dinner was ready,
when about 800 took their places ut one TIA
bic which had been neatly arranged by the
good ladies of Eagle Lake and surrounding
country. All that could not be accommodate
I'D nf I'm hN.st fnl Nuaal MI
second. At 2 p. IN. the camp was called to
order, and Commander Cummins introduced
Hon. Judge Severance, and well might the
q A X. boys feel proud that they were hon
Ored with two such men rs Baker and Sever
ance. The Judge made one CT his character
istic speeches full of wisdom and fun. He
was followed by Cannon, Pope, Kcysor and
Coon, when our fun was 1nterfered with by
an act that was not on the programme. r.
w. Sewers, NJ. l., Lockerby, and Geo. Per-
kins had invaded Com radc Simunds bee farm
and took a swarm of bees, and had brought
it into camp. placing it right on the speakers
stand. LOckerby opened II either on pur-
pose or by accidental jury will have to tell
which, l do not know. All can SHY is, the
bees took the camp, and "brave boys are
they" were soon making hasty retreat.
Miss Barron held her forces i'm good order,
and sang ''Hold the Fort" and, to the ever
lasting disgrace of those brave boys the girls
held the fort until the enemy was removed.
got some OF the honey and two or three bee
stings LOckerby had tn go down behind the
barn, and some say bee or two wis up his
pantaloOn legs. just before dark the boys
fell i'm and, headed by the band, marched up
town and back. The speakers i'm the even
idg were Cook of the Agency, Capt. Dane. |.
Ii. Reynolds and Cook of Eagle Lake, Selieck,
&. Wilkinson, Hustled, Bennett and c. Stokes
of Smiths Mill all had stories of the war to
tel, and the evening tasscd nT pleasantly,
and all went home sal tisiicd that the soldiers
reunion at Eagle Lake was grand success.
] ID. REYNOLDS.