The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-28
DANCED IN THEIR pYJAMAs.
Studebaker's Bandsmen OverjOyed at
Prospect of Receiving Pay.


Correspondence of the Journal.
PORT TAMPA CITY, Fla, Camp of the
One hundred and fifty seventh Indiana
United States Volunteers. June 27.-The
weather continues hot. Last evening dark
clouds appeared on the horizon and for the
time being it looked as though a terrific
storm was approaching Everybody closed
their tents and prepared for the tempest.
but strong wind came up which drove the
storm over the camp. so that ii only re-
ceived a little drenching rain. During the
entire evening the clouds lowered above,
but at midnight the sky was again clear
and foretold another bright day. The tenn
perature remains at a steady heat during
the entire day, hotter than the sweltering
midsummer days at home, but, unlike the
North, the evenings here grow quite cool
and afford an opportunity to obtain a COM
Portable rest. In addition to this, there is
a breeze during the entire day and luxurious
bathing facilities which tend to make life
more pleasant in this climate.
This morning a party consisting of AS
sistant Surgeon Reginald w. Garstang,
Captain James F. Lahnum of Auburn, Os-
car Werweire, chief musician; Benoit j. FL
lert, private secretary to Colonel Stude-
baker; Elmer D. Rex, acting adjutant DR..
Moses of Angola and Color Sergeant How
ard Long Of Angola, went bathing in Tampa
bay. AS the white sand on the beach
makes it inconvenient to lay clothes on
without getting them covered with the sand,
the party took their rubber ponchos along
to spread on the surface. 1t was beauti-
ful morning and the sun shone down on the
bay, giving it a mirror-like appearance.
The excellent salt water, clear as crystal,
is very stimulating and invigorating. The
water near the shore is about foot deep,
but the party waded out about half mile,
where it is about seven or eight feet deep,
which is about the right depth for pleas
ant swim. Star fish and shells abun-
dant. Chief Musician Oscar We~weire has
a special fad of gathering these water Curl
osities and has accumulated quite collec-
ton, which he intends TO take with him as
a memorial of this saw-palm camp Great
pleasure is derived by turning somersaults
and diving under the water, but special care
is taken to keep the mouth closed, SO as not
to partake of the brackish stuff. A very
interesting and picturesque sight was a
school of fish jumping out of the water.
Some of them were two or three feet long
and seemed to be excellent gymnasts, as
they leaped four and five feet into the air.
A great many of the men who have been
troubled with catarrh in their Northern
homes have recovered by the surf bathing
and shifting of the salt water 1t Is also
considered good for the eyes me party
returned after an excellent swim, and no
doubt in future years will refer with de-
light to the pleasant time they nad In ram
pa bay and will often wish to be trans
ported back again.
Yesterday was a busy day in camp, as
the pay rolls were being prepared All DAY
long the captains and lieutenants were Ia
evening succeeded
ing the necessary copies. The boys are very
glad to know that 1t will only be short
time before the money will arrive. Ine
band boys were particularly pleased with
the news and in the evening had pyJamas
parade and gave clog and buck dance. Ire
music was furnished by their chief, oscar
Werweire, Bill Stradley of Fort Wayne anu
Norman Niseley of Bourbon. The dance
was led by Sergeant Briner, OF South Benu,
who was attired in his pyjama, with lnolan
feathers sticking in his hair and hatcnet
in his hand. The other members VINO TOOK
part in the dance were Delbert Ne We'll
Snyder Of Bourbon, Ind, drummer mas
tiers of ceremonies; Harry Brown, cornet,
bone of Hammond. Ind; Cymbal,player
Peters, of South Bend, and William Thomas.
tuba. The dance lasted an hour. Ih ere
was quite a crowd of spectators, ana the
hilarity rose to such height that the guard
was called out to stop de music:
Alligator expeditions still continue, not
withstandng the experience of Major Bar
nett. Yesterday a party composed OF capt
Charles e. Barnett. DIR. Harvey A.: Moore.
DIR. Schultz. Hospital Steward Q. G. Shell,
Benoit. j. Ellert, Colonel Studebakers prl-
Vate secretary, Captain Gilbert and Sergt.
Major John II. Wort made an excursion TO
a swamp about two miles from the camp in
a northeasterly direction, where, a scouting
party had located an alLgators nest Tne
day before. They were positive that alliga-
tors made their abode there, for the reason
be plainly seen. They marked the spot, and
the expedition was the result. Every mem
Der carried q 4S-caliber Smith & Wesson.
DR.. Moses carried pick ak. Hospital Stew
ard Shell a shovel, and Sergeant Major
Wort graphing hook. Arriving at the place
the nest was examined. The marks In the
sand were intact. The entrance to the hole
was guarded and the length of the cave
measured. 1t was found to be twelve feet
long Then Captain Barnett suggested that
they begin at the other end of the cave
Promptly all hands were at work, Shell TAX
ing the shovel and Ellert the pick ak. After
digging for while Drs. Moore and Moses
relieved the former. 1t was an interesting
sight to see DR.. Moore get down 10 manual
labor, and would have been treat to the
folks at home to have a picture OF him at
work. A hole was made about five feet deep
and all at once an opening appeared. Every
body was on the lookout for the ,alligators
to spring out. Pistols were ready. and II
the reptiles had appeared ii would have been
a sorry day for them and perhaps, also, for
some of the members of the expedition. Or
ders were given to replace all pistols, ex-
cept the one carried by Sergeant Wort. who
is considered crack shot. Captain Barnett
look the graphing nook, ana, placing IL IN
the opening, pulled out a gator about two
feet long. Shell grabbed the reptile by the
neck by the direction of Captain Barnett.
Elert grabbed him by the TAIL and Gilbert
and Moore placed a wire around its neck:
1t was then securely placed in barrel end
the top fastened. When the party returned
to camp the gator was turned over to Bill
Stradley. who has the reputation of being
an expert trainer of such reptiles.
Master Milton G.. Studebaker. the ten
year-old son of Col. George NJ. Studebaker.
is visiting his father at camp to-day. He
delights. to see large body of troops. and
says If he were old enough he would enlist.
He is a very bright, intelligent and prom
Using young man.
Mrs. john c. Capron, of South BH7d. is
visiting her husband at camp. 81 will
probably stay until the troops NOV away.
B. j. L.
Cheap Rates for Soldiers.
NEW YORK, June 27.-Tbe American.