Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-07-14
THE ORANGEMEN'S PICNIC
More In Detail of the Great Gathering at
Little's Grove.

Little's Grove.
PREEMPTIoN. July ia delight
ful day, convenient and beautiful
grove, an attendance of fully 5000
persons and speakers were the flat
tering circumstances under which
the picnic and parade of the LOYAL
Orangemen OF Presumption and Rey-
nolds was given. Atabout 10 O'Clock
a. M. the line of march was formed
a short distance south of Presumption,
headed by the officers of the day and
the Gilchrist band. The procession
was one of the most magnificent and
one of the largest that has ever oc-
curraed in this section of the state
First cane 1000 foot, uniformed in
gaudy and symbolic attire; then
came wagons, carrying hundreds OF
gaily-dressed children, the national
colors being entwined about every
exposed inch of the wagons. Then
came a long line of carriages, their
mum Der being exceeded only by the
footmen, for there were fully 400
vehicles bringing up the van. In
the line were the A. 2. A. lodges
from Gilchrist, also number of the
same stripe from here and elsewhere.
Under the guidance of the mar
shals of the occasion, Henry Blakely
and Il. b. Clark, the march was taken
to Little's grove, most beautiful
and well laid out spot for just such
an occasion.
At the Grove
At the grove the crowd of the
procession was augmented by people
from all over. The trains brought out
large number, and wagons were also
utilized for transit of those from the
country. The president of the day,
j. T. johnson, of Reynolds. uni
formed to Il high and beautiful stan
dard of perfection. announced the
speakers and program for the day.
and after the dinner hour, music was
furnished by the Gilchrist band and
the Reynolds martial band, both
bodies being uniformed in tasty and
elegant apparel.
The speakers were: Rev. ii. Ilir,
OF Abingdon: DIR. TAYLOR. of Rock
Island. and DR.. Puffcr, of New Bos-
ton. Their discourses were, compar-
atively speaking, of like nature and
tenor, their utteranccs simply por.
trayinT the well known sentiment of
the men known as Orangemen.
Character of the Speeches
The speeches were well delivered,
the sincerity and subservicnce of the
speakers very much impressing their
auditors. The picnic withal was au
unparalleled aud unprecedented sue
cess. The woods fairly bristled
with carriages, the crowds swarmed
the pleasure ground AMI none had
cause to complain.
Farmer Whitsitt strolled over
long enough to see that everything
was rolling smoothly.
DR.. S. Bailey, formerly of Pre-
emption. now of Mt. Ayr, Iowa, was
in attendance, wearing a beaming
face for the many friends of his boy
hood.
A large number of the l.. A. w.
neat uniforms and highly polished
wheels. They presented quite a
pretty sight.
Fred TitterinGton and half dozen
of his male relatives were also pres
ent to see what they could see. They
were much disappointed in some re-
spects. but the picnic and crowd
were not among the respects alluded
to.
Coming Sheriff Negus was down to
see how many people there were in
Rock Island county he did not know.
However, strangers to him were so
few that he became acquainted with
everyone of them before the curtain
fell. and he is glad of it.
John Ohlwciler was present and
did rushing business in his respec-
tive line. He had several wagons
loaded to the high mark when he
went out, and his horses plainly be-
spoke that III, ir load home was much
lighter than when they went out.
The Reynolds Martial band was IA
conspicuous body among the many
gay and gaudy participants. and
many heart beat quicker, and
many thought reverted momentar-
lily to the long ago while the time
honored and beloved national airs
were being melodiously produced
The Gilchrist band added new
laurels. to its already long chain, by
producing the enhancing and soul
stirring music which emanated from
the costly instruments. Gilchrist
may have equals in her neighbor-
hood. but she has no peer in the line
of musicians. The arduous and in
ccssant labor of Leader +. j. Smith
is truly to be appreciated, and is not
to be overlooked
The people of Presumption should
seriously consider the proposition of
building more houses for the accom-
mediation of those who attend the
next picnic in that locality. Last
Thursday night demonstrated this
fact. when fully 20 people were COM