Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-02-02

stationipg himself on the side OF
a hill out of the drift of the wind
and where the suns rays would
strike him on their first sppear-
ance, he patiently awaited the days
developments.
His fears were realized at exactly
$50, when Soils glittering face
burst forth from behind a heavy
cloud for a short space of time,
but it was sufficient. The hog ac-
cepted the situation without COM
ment and retired. The ice and coal
dealers. who were vitality interested,
congratulated one another. adjourned
and proceeded TO get busy.
Ground Hog Society Meets.
Taylor Ridge, Feb. 2, 190l.-Ehe
Ground Hog society met here this
morning in annual session, and is at
tracing greater attention than usual.
Not only are large numb ers of people
here in wagons and sleighs from
nearly all townships, but many from
Davenport, Muscatine, Aledo, Gales
burg, Cam bridge, and several other
towns are also represented.
The fame of this society from its
wonderful prophesies. which have
never yet failed to come true almost
to the very letter, has become ma
tional. One reason for greater inter-
est being taken at this meeting is the
fact that at the meeting last year our
old hunter was absent, but thanks to
providential protection, he is now
with us, having in the interim made
the circuit of the globe-been clear
around the woodland is full to the
chin with new ideas and general in
formation gathered on his travels
which will be of incalculable value TO
the farmer, statesman, professional
and scientist.
As has been the usual custom. a
committee appointed by the president
visited the ground hogs lair at sun
up this morning.
In Secret Session.
The society is in secret session and
spectators will not be admitted until
the committee makes it's report and
that report is acted upon, and con-
illusions arrived at which will be in
corporated in the prophesies which
will be read TO the public at the con-
clusion of the old hunters address.
The presidents annual address to
the society is never made public. No
word or hint of what is said and done
in these secret sessions is ever known
outside of those belonging to the So
ciety, or members duly delegated
from other ike societies. But the
general conclusions upon matters
affecting the general welfare of all
citizens will be made public in the
Did hunters address
A little diversion occurred in the
mass of people who surged in front of
'he hall. strapping big blacksmith,
with barred arms and an unbeliever
withal. undertook, as he said, to
clean outn the crowd. But he
proved good illustration of the old
proverb. HE that passeth by and
with strife is like one who
.aketh dog by the ears" What re-
NAMED of the smith was carried out
If sight.
At IL o'clock sharp the doors were
brown open and the public admitted |
Until standing room was at premi- |
I'm. The old hunter arose with man |
iscript in hand. Every eve was upon
linn. The stiffness of that vast as
Iembly was awful-the. dropping of a |
Gather would have Jared the house.
The old man as he stood there was q |
light for the gods Dignity, humor.
intelligence and resoluteness we're en-
PRESSED in his makeup A short his
DRY OF the old mans life will doubt
ess be read with interest.
Original OF hip Van Wrinkle.
He was born in the Mohawk valley. |
yew York. some time in the Eight
enth century and worked contempo-
aneously with the Van Rensselaers,
he older Vanderbilts. the Van Dams.
nd is generally believed to be the or
ginal of Rip Van Wrinkle. He came
0 Rock Island county many years
90, bringing with him the first pair /
f ground hogs that entered the state.
lie ran the first store in Edgington.