The San Francisco call., 1896-08-23
A Live Property of the Funeral
Parade Refused to Quit
Acting.
SOLDIERS CONDUCT PRAISED.
Los Gatos Citizens Have Only Words
of Commentator for the
GuardSmen.
CAMP CITY GUARD,


was celebrated by high jinks, to which
many ladies were invited. AS grotesque
and humorous entertainment. it beat any
thing that the hospitable people of Los
Gatos had seen in long time. A large
crowd of spectators gathered around the
campfire. There were so many that it was
impossible to find seats for all the ladies,
and many sat ON the hillside and looked
down on the scene.
The first specially was a cavalcade of
grotesquely- guardsmen. 1t was
supposed to be a funeral procession on its
way to the grave. The thing to be in
tered was a bottle, the favorite bottle of
the camp pound" which had at last died
from exhaustion and overwork.
Sergeant Townsend attired in silk hat
and a clowns costume, led the way astride
donkey that had been borrowed for the
occasion. Then came a fife and muffled
drum playing a mournful march, followed
by squad of men with trailing arms.
Behind them the long-necked glass corpse
was borne high on a brass salyer, and then
came other guardsmen in grotesque attire.
The rear OF the procession was brought up
by Privates Sieberst and Osthoff in bur-
lesque costume of Svengali and Trilby.
The cavalcade marched around the
campfire amid shrieks of laughter. Even
the donkey seemed to catch the spirit OF
the moment, for he lifted up his voice and
brayed SO loudly that the echoes in the
hills were awakened. A grave was dug
with pick and shovel and the bottle was
in tered amid much weeping, wailing and
laughter.
DR.. Sieberst delivered very touching
funeral oration over the tenement of the
"spirit" that had fled. Sergeant Taylor
was master of ceremonies and he prodded
with bayonet the man who refused to
weep. After one of these iabs there was
not man in the cavalcade who refused
to get down on his knees on the cold earth
and shed bitter tears. The singing Of
hymn closed the funeral services at the
grave, and the procession moved slowly
away amid applause. The long-eared DON
KEY was SO overcome by the spectacle, or
made so sleepy by the warm glow OF the
fire, that he could not move. A special
detail pushed him from the ring of light
into darkness.
The remainder of the programme con-
sisted of songs and recitations by mem
bers of the company who previously en-
tertained the campfire on similar occa-
sions. Tonight Mrs. S. S. Austin, wife
of the proprietor Of Ell McLte H ,teI, had
the dining-room cleared and furnished the
music for tho closing ball of the en-
campment.
Major G. e. Jensen, brigade inspector,
who has been here two days, said: 81
am glad to find that the people OF Los
Gatos are impressed with the gentlemanly
conduct OF the members of the company.
They at first hesitated over having the
encampment here, understand. but Com
pany B has dispelled all fears of disor-
derly conduct that they have had. For
merry members of the National Guard
seemed to think that the moment they
got into uniform they had special license
and special privileges, but l am glad to
say that the feeling has changed, and that
the troops feel they have the good name of
the State to uphold"
Tonight Major Jansen challenged the
sentinels, and attempted to run the guard
to test its efficiency. He was satisfied
with the vigilance of the sentries, not
withstanding that it was the last night in
camp.
M Ma1or-General N. i. James ana StaI-
comprising the following officers: Colonel
John Gallwey, surgeon; Lieutenant
Colonel Thomas Nj. Cluff. inspector of
rifle practice; Lieutenant Colonel g. r.
Burdick, Quartermaster- Major P. s. Pott,
Aid-de-Camp Colonel William McDon-
ald-arrived this afternoon. The follow
ing officers of the First Infantry arrived
on the same train: Lieutenant Colone. V.
d. Duboce, Major Charles Boxton. Cap
tain A. J. Kelleher; Colonel L.
Barrere, inspector of rife practice; Lieu
tenant M. Hecht, paymaster; Lieutenant
Maccreagh, Captain Connolly, Lieutenant
Brown. Lieutenant Huber, Lieutenant
Tobin, Captain Sutliffe and ex-Lieutenant
Guisti.
Tomorrow after luncheon Company b
will break camp and return to San Fran
cisco on the afternoon trains. No guard
will be left behind, as the camp will be
packed up ready for shipment. While the
members of the company have enjoyed
themselves all week and profited by the
encampment, the majority of them are
ready to return to the City and to work.