Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1890-07-17


Union army as major general; by the
Cleveland convention of 1864 was again
nominated for president and was again
defeated.
From the G. A. II, Camp.
Between three and four hundred peo-
pie are taking weeks outing at Spirit
wood lake. The annual summer en-
campment Of the G.. A. r. is nowin prog
ress aud delegations from all over the
central part of the state are camped
within the wire fence which encloses the
grounds. Steele, Dawson. Coopere-
town, Sanborn, Valley Citynand Hope
are a few of the towns sending large del.
egations. The Hope post Is there IN
force. They brought with them brass
and string band, and number over sixty
people.
One Of the most picturesque spots on
Spiritwood lake is the Grand Army
camp ground, the temporary home of the
big party of merry campers. The
grounds comprise an 18 acre point which
pierces the west end of the lake in regu-
lar peninsular form. They are located
ON the south side, about a mile west Of
Wallace's and Gray's. The direction,
when you get to the big coulee take the
trail to the northwest" is enough to en-
able anyone to find the camp. The high
est point on the grounds is near the en-
trance frolh town and this butte in min
iature is surmounted by the stars and
stripes, which serves as an unerrng bea-
con to guide travellers into camp. Near
the flag staff the incoming picnicer no.
tees small canon. This is Capt. Glea-
sons battery in times OF peace. At sun
rise every morning the redoubtable hero
Of two wars is up and doing, and the
booming of the cannon soon tells the
awakening campers what he is doing.
The camp grounds are mostly wooded.
The ground is broken enough for scenic
effe.'ts and the trees thick enough to af-
ford innumerable shady hooks in which
to pitch tents. The local post has clear
ed up a considerable portion OF the
camp and added numerous convenien.
ces which heighten the enjoyment of
camp life. Down on the east corner of
the grounds the boys have found a ssnd
beach. A tent has been pitched on the
shore and natatorium improv ised. The
ladies' are developing fondness for the
water and under the accomplished tutel-
age of John Vennum some of them are
fast becoming good swimmers. Next
season, The Alert was informed, it is
proposed to erect boat house, fix
up the beach with accommodations
for swimming and clear the whole tract
of underbrush. It is estimated that this
can be done for $500 or $400 and it will
serve to make the grounds permanent
resort all through the summer.
The encampment opened Tuesday.
That day was occupied in pitching tents
and getting settled down. In the even
ing a musical program and an old
fashioned dance whiled away the even
ing until the storm arose. Ihe first
night in camp has heretofore been one
of pranks and jokes. The rain and wind
however, suppressed the restless and
sleep.disturblng spirits and an unevent-
full and reposeful night was passed.
Wednesday morning the ball was opened
up with music and some of the old vets
gave the young people an exhibition of
''how we danced when we were boys"
Several of the old warriors were partlcu.
larly handy with their feet and threw Oft
some highly artistic steps. The heat
was oppressive all day and the lake was
pretty rough, but nearly all the boats
were on the water. Fish did not bite
with their accustomed avidity but that
did not deter the fishermen. A good
many perch were caught, but pike and
pickeral were scarce. In the evening
the young people enjoyed themselves
with dance on the greensward. When
1t got dark the camp fire program was
inaugurated. Commander Graves acted
as master Of ceremonies. Rev. E. H.
Teall invoked the divine blessing and
after song, Marching Through Geor-
gia," Commander Graves delivered the
address of welcome. Hon. David Bart
lett, one of the state railroad commits
sioners, was then introduced and
delivered an interesting and
eloquent address. Mr.. Bartlett
is one of the best takers in the state
Miss Hattie Bigelow recited selection
IN very creditable manner and the
Misses Brown of Cooperstown sang a
duet. Col. Carroll OF Steele, told some
interesting war stories and the reminis.
cences and the program was concluded
with recitation by Miss Georgia Stet-
son.