The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-05
ACTON Il
Board of Trustees Decides to Make
Numerous C~hanses

before, and had proven itself a go-ahead
body of men. The result was that the
campers experienced a new kind of revival
in addition to that conducted so success
fully by Evangelist Hartsock. This was a
revival of camp pride, and any one tempo
rarily sojourning in Acton yesterday would
have been compelled to believe that no
greater resort exists on the face of the
earth. 1t was pointed out that the near
ness of the beautiful grove to the great
capital city of the State made it the most
available and desirable place for I~ndianapol-
itans to rusticate and still be within gunshot
range of their business. All that was need
ed was some aggressive action looking TO
needed Improvements, and these once Oh
tanned would place the camp upon the high
wave of prosperity. Among those needed
improvements was a lake, a beautiful eX-
panse of placid water which the moon
would streak with golden beams at night
and which in the daytime could be used
for boating and fishing. Such u lake as
this is now a foregone conclusion. The trus-
tees have decided on it, and John S. Dob
bins, OF Shelbyville, a contractor and ex-
pert in such matters, the whole
ground yesterday and pronounced the
scheme thoroughly practicable, and that at
a moderate cost. The entire work will be
completed this fail, so that it will be posi-
be to raise a crop of ice on the lake this
winter that will be sufficient to supply the
whole village of Acton, besides the needs
OF the cottagers, next year. The trustees
also decided upon sinking a deep we'll in
the nope OF striking arIeSlan water. A flow
ing well exists within d half mile of the
camp, ana 1t is the judgment OF experts
that a stream of neXnauStiDle water may
be found d comparatively short distance
below the surface. An engine will be pur-
CHASED Tor pumping the water, IN case 1t is
needed, the determination being to run a
sufficient flow of pure water into the lake to
keep ii pure and fresh. a substantial dam
Will be constructed and a number of good
bridges will span the narrower portions oil
the water. 1t is also the intention of the
shuts on a good part of the grounds, and
to plant trees along the sides of the new
lake. lighthouses and boats will also be
provided as soon as possible. Among 9TH
er reform steps taken by the board was the
adoption of a resolution that all tent own
ers who wish to rent their cottages must
do so through the superintendent of the
grounds, the object being to exercise some
control over the personnel of the campers
The most important action of the board.
however, aside from the business concern
ing the lake, was the election of George
Hodell as superintendent of the grounds.
Mr.. Hodell is a retired business man of
doing things by halves. The retiring super
intendent, Rev. Robert Roberts, OF Fetch
er-place Church., is so greatly occupied with
the duties of his pastorate that he could
not we'll spare the time necessary to look
after the affairs of the office, and he retil IS
with the good wishes of all. Mr.. HCdell
is the present treasurer of the association,
and a melting of the tent owners has been
called for Monday to fill the position he
vacates. This meeting will also make the
final arrangements for the carrying out of
the new improvements.
The ladies have taken an active part in
the crusade for improvements and a COM
TniffQQ of these onnCiGfinO 0f Mrs Ida "
Steeg and Mrs. George H. Dunn, yesterday
canvasSed a portion of the camp and in
half an hour received subscriptions for $235.
1t was also announced that three persons
had intimated they would give 800 apiece,
and no difficulty is anticipated in raising
all the money necessary If once the work
is undertaken.
Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. steeg also made an
examination of the eight different wells in
the camp and found that each has different
properties, all more or less medicinal.
There is one well near the main entrance
to the ground that has a pronounced Mar
tinsVille flavor and no less than a dozen
campers are firm of the belief that the
water of this and the Grassland well has
cured them of various complaints. Mrs. T..
J. Watson says that the drinking of this
water and life at the camp had cured her
of asthma. Mrs. John Jordan says she was
cured of hay fever. Mrs. Norwood was
cured of a similar trouble and Mr.. Weak
ly, the eX-station agent, declares the water
cured him of kidney trouble. MIR. John
Jordan also suffered from the latter dis
esae and is now thoroughly well. Mrs. Ed
Williams, wife of one of the trustees, says
that she used to be troubled with sick
headaches, but that they no longer bother
her, thanks to the wonderful water of the
old pump near the station. The water from
this pump has the requisite sulphuretted
hydrogen or .rotten-egg odor and it is
thought that it demonstrates the fact that
Acton Park may by proper development
of it's water supply become a great health
resort. There is. therefore, an Interior
motive in sinking a deep well to supply the
lake.
The assembly programme for next year
will also be radically reformed. The trus-
tees have announced their intention of
spending some money In the acquisition of
talent and it is almost certain that the
Whiteland Band will be obtained for the
whole season, voluntary subscriptions for
the purpose having already been made.
Evangelist Hartsock began the spiritual
programme of the day yesterday with long
and continuous ringing of the pavilion bell
at 6 o'clock in the morning. Some ladies
had told him that the bell had never been
rung as it should and he therefore took
it in hand himself. He made a great sue
cess of 1t as not a person in camp but
what was thoroughly awakened by it. The
morning service was consequently we. at
tended. AT 10 o'clock DR.. d. II. Moore,
editor Of the Western Christian Advocate.
delivered a very excellent sermon on
the text: THE Lord was not ashamed to
be called their God when he saw the faith
they had in Him"
sermon. His subject was The Endowment
Of Power He said that the office of the
Holy Ghost was to bring the sinner to
repentance and to re-create him.. 1t rot only
restores the sinner but endows him so he
can retain his restored relation. The power
of the Holy Ghost is the privilege of all
believers. All national distinction. all
ceremonial distinction and all social dis
tinction give way to the sway of this
power and Christ becomes the all in all
to the soul 1T endows. The gift of the
Holy Spirit is the power in all believers
ard meets and destroys the power Of Satan.
Evangelist Hartsock spoke about agoniz-
ing prayer at night. He said that the sin
of the age was the prevalence OF semi
skepticism. Men pray for things but do
not exercise faith in the fuifllment of
prayer People also ask too little of God.
They should pray for great things because
a great God likes to show His power. The
meeting was notable for its religious en-
thusiasm and many received a deeper con-
Viction Of divine grace.
After the evening service a watermelon
party by lamplight was held in the woods
back of the camp. The guest Of honor was
Miss ClauCo Kyle Of Aurora; The
B. Cornelius and Mrs. Ida z. Martin.
Among the guests were Thomas Shipp,
Alta Roberts. Maud Roberts. Jennie Well
ing. J. Erastus Harper, Lillian Ardt, George
Roberts, Carrie Culbertson. IT. p Patten,
Mr.. and Mrs. Elso Reed, Emma Holloway,
Mary and Ada Wheeler. Frank Holloway,
Josephine Reynolds, Chambers Hadley,
Mrs. Hattie Dunn and Mrs. Dick Saylor.
The Epworth League lawn party which
was to have been held yesterday was post
poned until this afternoon. at which time
the Elite Mandolin Club will be present
and a number Of recitations will be given.
Refreshments will also he served.
A notable event Tuesday night was the
Towering of a night-blooming cereus be-
longing to Mrs. j. V. Ship. There were
three great flowers of wonderful beauty
which began to unfold in the evening and
reached The climax Of their loneliness about