Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1889-07-25
The e. A. R. ENCAMP MENT.
Ola Soldiers and their Families
Temporarily Vanqulshed by
al Army OF Lizards.
At the Camp Fires Mem ories Of the
Clash OF Arms and Echoes
of War are Revived.
THE COURT MARTIAL.
CAMP Ben HARRISON, !
SPIRlTWOOD LAKE.

CAMP Ben HARRISON,
SpIRlTwooD LAKE.
1t has beel the custom of many OF the
C. A. r. posts throughout the United
States to 90 into camp once every year
for grand reunion. The United States
provides tents for this purpose. Some
times the old veterans 60 into camp
alone, but more often are accompanied by
their families and friends, and as they
gather around their evening campfire,
and relate incidents of the war; telling
story and Jest, and blend and raise their
voices in the grand old songs of war and
freedom, it seems it must inspire the
veriest hearts Of stone to deeds OF pat
riotsm and valor. Anyone who has once
participated in these pleasant gatherings
seldom fails TO attend again, and many a
time [ heard the remark from different
parties that nothing could induce them
to forego the pleasure of the encamp-
ment. and Providence permitting, they
should come every year SO long as they
llVSIl. utsu SotltC ttu tlO 'JCo oiaSA
stay until the end. One old soldier re-
marked, Il have nothing 10 be proud Of
but four years service. entered the war at
the beginning and stayed until the end
And the thought came to me, what more
could man have to be proud of than
four years faithful service to his country
. III time OF war, volun ntarily given, every
day and hour OF which his life was Offer
eel as a sacrifice to preserve the national
honor. Old soldiers. our nations noble
heroes, few there are that are left OF
them, and these few grow less each year
as death enrolls them On It's long honor
list.
Early Tuesday morning vehicles Of all
kinds and loaded with all sorts Of camp
ing aitfits could be seen vending their
way to Splritwood lake, the camping
ground OF Wm. II. Seward post. 1t is
. beautiful spot, nature has done what
she could, and with d little assistance
Of human hands might be made a verita-
ble Eden, and as soon as North Dakota
becomes state, steps will be taken to
cit permanently for this purpose,
and probably by another year these
grounds will be very much improved. BY
nine o'clock carriages began to arrive,
and ere the shadows Of evening fell, some
thirty-tive tents were erected, and filled
to overhowing with bright and happy
faces. Every one, as soon as they arrived
on the grounds, proceeded at once to
make themselves as comfortable as posi-
ble, by clearing ground, erecting tents,
arranging beds, hamnocks, tables and
cooking utensils. Some came with whole
families, from the oldest to the youngest
babe in arms. The gentle COW, dog and
the wee little kitten, the pet of the camp,
were there. There were delegations from
Geo. P. Foster post No. 13O, Hope, John
A. Logan post No l35, Darlington, }. 5.
Wiser post No. 166, Valley City, Burn
side post No. 54, Davenport, Ind,
Frank NJ. Rockwell post No. l3l,
Cooperstown, and others l did not get.
pared for taking life easy in camp. Mr.
and Mrs. Soule of the Kindred house,
having the party IN charge, did all they
could to make life pleasant. They
brought their cook and nurse girl. gaso-
line stove, carpets, chairs, hammocks,
beds, and every convenience, and 1t was
truly delightful to see how pleasantly
they we're situated Many parties
brought carpets, oil stoves, mattresses,
camp chairs and rockers, and as
you took peep into their quar-
ters you would think you had
stumbled upon fairy bed chamber.
The white walls Of the tent roof buried
in the green foliage, the fresh, green
grass peeplng out from the edges OF the
pretty carpet, upon which lay the neat
beds with snowy sheets and dainty pill
lows, was picture we'll calculated to WOO
the weary ones to slumber. Many
retired early on that first night in camp
and others were preparingto do so, when
suddenly we became aware OF silent
visitor in the shape of a lizard about ten
or twelve inches in length making direct
ly for the entrance of our tent The ladies
screamed and jumped on chairs. A
gentleman rushed to the rescue, killed
the intruder, and endeavored to quiet
their fears by banking around the tent
and placing board across the entrance,
which rendered it safe from intrusion.
But it was not long ere we became aware
that that was not the only lizard in the
camp From another part OF the woods
came scream of ''Oh, a lizard. Soon
from all parts of the camp came shrek
upon shrek for help, lizards, lizards
everywhere. Soon lights were flashing
in every direction, blows and words more
loud than sweet filed the air. From
nine o'clock until twelve pandimonium
relgned supreme. The camp literally
swarmed with lizards. There must have
been thousands. They seemed to make
directly for the tents and beds and wher-
ever there was light. In one tent
forty-two were counted killed, though
they are as hard to kill as an alligator,
which they resemble. Commander Calk-
ins was in great demand that night and
he responded nobiy, as well as all other
gentleman. From one tent, occupied by
some eleven or twelve ladies, situated
little out from the others, came the most
unearthly screams for help. The com