Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1889-07-25
o hav. little amusement foc the

To have little amusement 70: tn
evening, Commander Caliins was arrest
ed while on parade, charged with failur
to provide the American flag, to have i
unfurled on the highest hill to guide
visitors and delegations to camp, also t
provide straw for beds. He denied tht
charges and demanded immediate trial
which however was postponed until the
evening bugle call. The trial commen"
ed about eight o'clock and lasted until
nine. 1t was rather amusing as one
listened to the troubles and trials and
hair breadth escapes of delegations try
ing to find their way to camp, and finally
when Farmhouse asserted tEat he hau
overheard the commander intriguing
with demons to flood the camp with
lizards, the excitement reached its height,
and broke up in uproarlous laughter,
when a brave little fellow, Harry Gray
[ believe, who took it all in dead earnest,
boldly stepped to the front unbidden and
in a clear Voice, bold with anger, declar-
ed, "that the straw that Mr.. Call1ins got
was not rotten, for it came from my
Fathers barn." Nevertheless the COM
mander was ordered to be shot with a
fire cracker.
Then the camp fire was lighted, the
bugle call sounded, and all gathered
around the camp fire for song and story
and recitation. [ cannot remember the
names of those who participated. 1
would like to recall every one but can not.
And so the evening passedvery pleasantly.
About eleven O'Clock all retired to rest,
interrupted only by the usual serenade,
from nobody knows who. But this time
it was the Valley City ''comb band"
| which made such unearthly noises. some
times sweet as an aeolian harp, and again
too horrible for earth. .,..
Friday was a day Of coming and going.
Many people arrived on the ground that
day to stay over night, and many went
way. Upon the whole it was about
aeyen. The brow Of the hill at the edge
of the camp was covered with carriages
| Of all descriptions all day and far into
the night. Friday nights campfire was
the best of all. Everyone in camp
gathered around the fire at the sound OF
the bugle, Valley City being the last this
time to fall into line, when they came
| bringing a can OF gasoline, which, when
! lighted, added brilliancy to the flames.
| There was the usual round of song and
story tins night and, though there was
| the usual amount of fun and pleasure the
| fore part of the evening, the last part
was sad indeed, ,as the parting drew near.
| During the first part OF the evening we
were treated to a beautiful and approprl-
ate song from the Rev.Mr. Spur OF Valley
City. Mrs. Spur also favored us with a
delightful recitation. Mr.. Penthouse OF
the same place, entertained ali very sat
isfactorlly for few moments. end spoke
very highly of the Ladies' Relief corps,
of which he is an honorary memt er,show-
ing that he understands and appreciates
the noble work of the ladies. Col. Val
landigham' sister went through the
manual of arms, and the ''comb brigade
came to the front in truly artistic style.
We're going to have one, too.
About eleven o'clock, instead OF break
ing up as had been the custom on pre-
vious nights, all gathered closer to the
| fire, and had a truly family reunion.
Most outsiders and non-interested par
ties had gone. and only soldiers, their
! families and immediate friends remained,
and as we all sat there so closely knit
together, r,everyohe spoke as they felt dis
| posed, and as conrad told OF depart
ed brother, a conrad fallen in battle,
every eye was filled with tears and hearts
| became too full for uCterance. Ihe band
of sympathy was drawn closer and closer
as it is each year, by this gathering to-
gether under Gods leafy canopy, and
finally when Rev. Mr.. Spur was called
upon for the final prayer and benedic-
ton. and the general hand shakings and
good byes were sale, we found we had lin
gered into the early hours of morning,
and yet many were 10th to go.
Saturday morning was busy time OF
packing, taking down tents, loading
wagons, ETC. Many people visited the
camp that day, but it presented rather
deserted appearance and by three o'clock
was mostly deserted, though a few
families remained and were there during
the hard storm, which occurred between
five and six o'clock, after and during
which the lizards were out IN full force.
one lady counting one hundred and sixty
as they were driving out Of the woods.
In conclusion I wish to say that Com
mander Calkins did all in his power to
make everyone comfortable aad happy.
One large tent was reserved especially
for visitors who came unprepared and
wished to remain over night. At the
uuartermasters tent warm meals could
be procured for the small sum of twenty
five cents. Boats and everything posi-
bic were provided for the comfort and
pleasure of visitors. Q. r. V D.
Faith in Artesian Wells.