The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-25
BLACK HAWK REUNION.
Great Assemblage of Veterans at
Provo Lake.
Especial Correspondence


Provo. Aug. 24-Today was the first
day of the seventh annual reunion oil the
Irrah county veterans of the Black Hawk
wars. All Jay long through the city OF
Provo wagons full of people wended tnelr
way toward the lake resort, whele tne
encampment is being held Last year the
attendance was large, but this year it is
/ larger STILL On the GROUNDS there are
upward of 1880 people already ana there
are many who will not reach the camp
till tomorrow. -,
In one day a little city of tents has
sprung up near the lake. Just north OF
the dancing pavilion on long strip Oh
dry grassy ground the campers nave
nifched their tents. They are in two rows
with a wide avenue between and the scene
is quite picturesque. Some are blessed
with tents while others nave noIn 1iIs, pu u,.
stretching it from the wagon tongue ana
pinned down to the ground Win niue
pegs. Some. remembering the teacningS
of necessity of the early days, lifted their
wagon covers bows and all, bodily from
their wagons and planted them in a con-
venient SPOT. The majority nave 10 COOK
on the outside of the coverings. Onder
the tents and wagon covers are drrdhseu
the campers beds.
The first day was given up 10 the snaK-
ing of hands and meeting between the ola
comrades Many were the pathetic scenes
between the old boys as they tottered 10,
ward each other and shook hands or ieii
into each other outstretched arms. one
when he met a comrade. They wanted TO
hug each other but the drum Woulon
come OF quick enough, and the drummer
was heard TO say: D. the drum, Lace ~
make the matrons cook their best dinners
just to see the old gray-haired and gray
whiskered boys meet one another ana
smile and be happy as they were III the
DAYS when they were boys in rea1ty-
At the pavilion they danced. And they
were Il merry lot to see Down one Sloe
r.. ~rsrNv nd oil a n
like the music they never seemed to tire.
Some were too portly to keep IL up long;
they had to stop for the want OF breath
and often one would see an old couple SIT
together and wipe their perspiring faces
with one large bandana handkerchief
Among them were many young folks
They too danced and the contrast OF
their dancing and bright colorS with the
dancing and more sober dress of their
elders was gladstone sight. And none
thought it more so than the old people
themselves.
The position for the encampment is a
good one. This is the sentiment of all.
Very few are discontinued. The general
sentiment is that no better place in the
county could be had. There is, however,
one objection. and that is that there are
so few trees Where the tents are pitched
there are none at ALL and the matronS
who have to spend their time there cook
meals, find it not over comfortable.
Although they are all together, still
they are separate Eacn party mas It's
own plot of ground for cooking and sleep
ing. Meals are not general. All parties
cook for themselves and are as much TO
themselves as they may desire. The OBJ
ject is to lead a camping-out life as much
as possible while they are there and be
like they We're in the time when they had
to do the same for the want of houses to
live in, and when the Indians We're as
thick as the trees on the hillside.
Tomorrow and next day there will be
programmes in the mornings and after
Moons and dancing in the evenings. Mar
tial music will resound through the camp
At the last hour the bugle will sound for
the annual roll call. Some have left since
they met last year, but there are still
many who will answer for long time
when their names are called.