The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-08
AT ACTON AND BETHANY.
Soldiers Day Attracts an Unusually
Large Crowd of Visitors to Acton.
The Expected Speakers Are Not All There
Wilfully False Announcement that Sam
Jones Would Be at Acton To-Day.


Not What was Expected, Although an I'm
usually Large Attendance of Visitors.
Yesterday, Soldiers Day. was not an over
whelming success at Acton Park, thong. he at
tendance was larger than on any previous day.
Senator Harrison did not arrive, nor did Gov.
Foraker and Maj G. L. Holstein, though
on the programme, failed to appear. Gen.
Mahlon D. Manson and Col Sam
uel Merrill arrived in the afternoon.
The camp was sumptuously decorated with
the flag of the Union. The tabernacle, where
the ceremonies took place, was also handsomely
draped with patriotic bunting. There was no
lack of music, the Shelbyville band, twenty six
pieces, and the Greensburg band, fourteen
pieces, both being upon the ground. These
two bands gave concert in
the morning, receiving the veterans
of the Acton Grand Army post and
other Grand Army men, as they arrived and
marched with them through the camp to the
tabernacle or pavilion, which was soon filed to
its utmost capacity, the doors and window open
ings being also thronged Rev. j. V. r. Miller,
of Indianapolis, led in prayer, after which Mr..
James E. Murdoch gave a number of stirring
patriotic readings, among which were "Our De-
lenders" Mustered Out" 1.-THE Veteran" and
"Sheridan's Ride" These were given with great
spirit and were applauded to the echo.
In the afternoon speeches were made by Gen.
NJ. d. Manson, Col Samuel Merrill and others.
At o'clock and again in the evening" there were
band concerts
census of the camp taken yesterday, shows
permanent "tenters" to the number of ], 402 and
persons coming and going all the time. constitu-
ting population Of 2, coo. All these in 100 cot
tages and the hotel, which gives painful sugges
ton of sardines in a box.
Rev. DR.. Payne. of Delaware. o., will preach
this evening The programme for tomorrow
will have to be amended, as the fabrication that
on that day is now ''played out" As Mr.. Small
will not be a substitute on Monday, local talent
will have to be relied upon in the emergency
Rev. DR.. Mcconnell yesterday told journal
reporter that, as long ago IS last Monday, the
camp-meeting managers knew positively that
Sam Jones would not be there on Sunday. Not
withstandng this, with evident intent to deceive,
they have not merely allowed the superstition to
remain that he would be there, but have gone so
far the primrose path that leads to perditiOu,
as to positively affirm that he would
be there. and to allow his name to
sermons to-day and for two sermons to morrow.
They have altogether ignored Sam Small who
made them definite promise that he would
come by leaving his name off the programme,
thus adding insult to injury. In their desire to
get gate-money on Sunday, the manage
ment have overlooked the. injunction
against prevarication, and It may be
said to them there is chance
that ''the gobbeuns II git you if you don't watch
out" It is not unlikely that Mr.. Small will him.
self address some pointed and pertinent remarks
to the managers on the subject MIR. Small will
preach at 1870 this morning and 3 o'clock this
afternoon. He will not remain on the camp
ground at night, but will come to Indianapolis
in time to preach in the evening at Roberts Park
NJ e. Church.