The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-07-09
CAMP GEER
ON SUNDAY
THE PomP AND GLORY OF MILITIA LIrE

Crowds Visit the Tented City and Greatly En-
Joy the Sunset Eyohtlons.
Militia life in the Oregon National
Guard has it's attractions for the young.
The pomp and circumstance Of war, the
glory OF parades, the glitter Of trimmings
and the pride and bravery Of men in uni
forms lend glamour and romance to
the career Of even a private. Life in
camp, eating camp grub, to say nothing
OF the glory Of marching beneath the flag
is compensation enough to say nothing
Of $3.50 day.
SUNDAY AT SALEM.
Sunday was gala day at the encamp.
ment of the Oregon National Guard. Be-
sides great throng of people brought in
by the Foresters excursion, it seemed
that every resident of Salem who could
get away spent part Of the day at the
grounds. They thronged the streets Of the
city OF tents, gathered in groups around
the boys in blue, or sat on the grass in
the shade Of the oak groves.
The ground is splendidly adapted for
purpose Of the encampment, and the or.
derly and symmetrical arrangement of
the whole camp is very attractive.
OF course the militia boys IN their
natty blue uniforms we're the centre Of
attraction, especially for tae fair sex.
The girl who could walk through the
crowd with one Of those uniforms in tow
was the envy Of her less fortunate sis
ters who had not been able TO make
such happy arrangements.
IN CIVILIAN EYES.
The civilians watched with interest
the various movements, military or 9th.
erwise, Of the soldier boys, and the mess
calls brought hungry crowd to the
company mess tents TO look with longing
eyes upon the disappearance of the piles
OF good food. It was a great appetizer,
but the people went without their sup
pers for the sake Of seeing the dress pa.
rade at sunset.
Around the whole camp sentries sol
emnly paced their beats. That is the
ideal. In practice some of the boys, be.
ing inexperienced in military life, walk
ed much like farmers boy going to the
bayfield, with pitchfork over his should.
er, land rubber.necking in all directions
TO see II his dad was coming.
While the behavior of the boys was
very orderly and in every way a credit
Na NhntH lFnu t,lVs II
they are new TO the service and have
not yet all attained the wooden and
jerky bearing which is the ideal Of mil.
itary disciplinaries. A few men out of
the 20 companies found their way 10 the
guardhouse, but taken as a whole their
Conduct in the city and in camp was ex-
cellent.
CROWDS GATHERED ATsuNsET.
As the time approached for the re.
view at Sunset the crowd seemed 10
increase, and there must have been at
least 1000 persons gathered at the east
of the parade ground.
IL was an inspiring sight when all the
three regiments were lined up along
the west side OF the ground in a double
line stretching out nearly a quarter Of a
mile.
After the soldiers had been put
through few evolutions which were
we'll executed, the sunset gun was fired. |
Then the officers and some civilians un-
covered while the band played "The |
Star Spangeled Banner"
Then the troops were marched around |
and were reviewed by General Beebe, |
sitting his horse on the east side of the |
ground.
Then the throng of people started |
back 20 the city. The streets were filled |
with carriages and bicycles and a great
many walked, seeing the hopelessness |
Of all attempting to come on the street
cars.
MONDAY NIGHT.
The program includes preliminary |
review, in anticipation OF the dress pa
rade and review on Tuesday evening
by Gov T. 7 Geer and staff. The officers
all speak in the highest terms of the
camp grounds, the water supply and
the way the camp is lighted. There will
be reviews each night this week.
TO THE PIN.
"A whole company got leave Of absence
his afternoon TO visit the State Peniten-
ssu.-.u~...-..~.-uu--.