The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-08-08
w. G. RIALE & co.


|
The location of Camp Weter on Buffalo
Rock for which, we think, J. d. Hammond
is as much responsible as any one man in or
out Of the city not in official position) has
opened up terra incognita to the people c.
Ottawa. Lying near to the city, accessible
readily in one place only, few thought it
worth visit, and of those few only the en-.
thusiast saw there much to admire, covered
as it was until few days ago with dead
trees, nnder-brush, last years corn stalks,
and the dirt Of farm field or woodland. But
to him who overlooked the dirt at his feet or
saw through it the possibilities of the place,
the Rock had charm and beauty exceed
ed by no piece of land in the Illinois Valley.
| From its summit, raised high above the
surrounding country, the eye, as from noun
tain top, takes in the valley in all directions
for miles and miles. From Camp Welter, to
south and southwest the wooded bluffs,
and between them and the river which skirts
the base Of the Rock, lie the meadows and
waving fields of grain on well kept farms.
Eastward the eye sees the windings of the
river under the bluffs; the farms between the
Rock and the city, the city spread cut as n
map, and beyond the hills far away for miles
to the east. 1t is a magnificent view, an
ideal camp-ground and as on a hot day one
stands in the shade and is famed by the
cool breezes blowing up the valley and off
the river, he wonders why all this was not
discovered years ago. AS "a pleasure place
we know of no more attractive grounds
within twice as many miles, combining all
the features of woodland and meadow, with
a veritable panorama of scenery, present
ing from each Of the innumerabe points of
observation new picture at every turn.
As natural accessories, as though planned
by nature as a pleasure ground, the Ottawa
and Sulphur Springs lie at only few min
utes' ride distant, with natural boulevard
in any direction, with fishing and boating
at u minutes notice.
For the camp the Rock has undergone a
Thorough transformation. All the brush and
debris has been removed; the water has been
taken to the summit and distributed, 50 that
stand-pipes furnish running water to general
or regmental headquarters. Eight electric
lights will illuminate the ground, being ar
ranged in n circle around the grounds, so
that every part will be thoroughly illuminat-
ed after this evening. The tents will be ar
ranged more in circle than shown in the
scheme elsewhere, leaving the parade and
drill field in the center The road has been
cut down and widened, making the ascent
easy, and allowing vehicles to pass on the
hill in every part of it, save one, perhaps,
above and below at which sentiuels will be
stationed to prevent all possibility of acct
dent. The Rock Island road has built n
roomy platform station just at the bridge, n
few hundred yards from the Rock, and dur
ing next week all trains on the road will
stop there to receive and drop passengers
while canal steamer and vehicles from the
city will make regular trips to and from the
camp, the vehicle charge being fixed by or
dinance at 25c each way.
A view Of the camp last evening showed
tents Of several regiments up and ready for
the men. The programme has not been an
nounced, Gen. Fitz Simons not having ar.
rived. On Sunday, however, there will be
services, Rev. DR.. Thomas, of Chicago, oflici-
ating, the hour not announced, however.
The singing will be conducted by some fine
vocalists from Chicago.
Thursday will he the Governors Dav, the
Governor and his staff reviewing the brigade
at the camp.
Every evening just before shutdown, there
will be regimental dress parade. This will
be the most enjoyable hour for visitors, and
the scene will be very brilliant, the regi-
ments in dress parade, with regimental
bands playing, &C., in the cool of the even
ing. The camp will be practically free for
visitors, though Ii will be best to leave car
riages at the foot Of the hill, reaching the
summit Of the Rock on foot via the plank
walk laid for the purpose.
Gen. Fitz Simons and staff will arrive ear.
ly this evening, leaving the cars at Ottawa
and taking horses to the camp. The Battery
will probably arrive at the same hour, pro-
ceeding through the city on their way to
camp.
During the day there will be company
and battalion drill, target shooting, &c. Col. |
,Shatfer has located his rifle range just ives,
of the parade ground in clump of trees,
shooting north 300 yards across the canal
and railroad into the solid rock bluff, the !
men while waiting for their turns having
nice shady grove to lounge in
The week indeed promises to be a brilliant
one, the programme Of which Gen. Fits ST.
mons will probably snnoanse on Monday.