The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-02-21

ptdutSu oil over Tie SlOeS Oh tIl0 IOOI
space. One entire end was devoted to
mountain scenery. At the foot was an
Indian tepee with all the trimmings.
Back Of it was the craggy hill side dotted
t,ickly with evergreen trees with paths
running here and there. About half way
up along one of the paths was another
tepee Which was occupied, and the smoke
arising from fire near by suggested,
that the dog soup might be most ready.
Near the tepee stream came winding
down, ending in splendid represen-
tation of Minnehaha falls, and the splash
Ing of the water furnished pleasing ac-
compartment to the scenery. The whole
center of the building was pond of
water with two islands in it and spanned
in one place by rustic bridge. Indians
were padding about in birch bark canoes,
two elk were browsing on the hill side,
mounted game birds in the act of flying
were suspended here and there from the
great domed ceiling, the quick sharp re-
ports of the rifles in the shooting galleries
near by indicated there were some sports
there who could hit the bulls eye; every
thing seemed SO natural that you could
hardy imagine yourself indoors. Even
the floor was covered with dark saw dust
and litter. A portion of the pond was
screened off to represent marsh and in
it the game birds were thicker than they
ever were in the slough couldn't help
thinking lt/would be such an eloquent
chance for ''pot shot" There were
fifteen varieties of wild ducks shown to-
gether with wild geese, white and black
sawn. Here and there tree was SCREEN
ed of and in it would be ''treed" Just as
natural as could be, either 'coons or
squirrels, In the parks at one end of
the building were shown varieties of
deer, moose, cariboo, buffalo, &c. In
cages were all sorts of "game' from a
skunk to a black bear. In tank were
beaver and muskrats. In aviaries were
pheasants, wild turkeys and quail galore,
while large crowd was always interest
ed in the different aquariums of fish. It
certainly was sportstnan's paradise. I
came pretty nearly getting sporty myself
and swapping few lies about some of
game didn't kill, but was afraid it might
get back to Pembirm. There were a
whole lot of other interesting features 1
can't take space to mention. About $50
we got good seats up in the great gallery
and took in the program. The first
number was 300 yard swimming con-
test for the championship of Illinois.
After that followed two games of water
polo. That's just another name for foot
ball in the water, only it's worse than
foot ball, for when one of the opposing
team wants to squelch you he simply
puts you under and holds you as long as
he thinks he dares. Several times saw
groups of 5 or 6 go clear out of sight in
their endeavor to get the ball.
Following polo came the event of the
evening-the play of Hiawatha by native
Ojioway Indians. A great deal of ii was
done by pantomine, at least so far as we
were concerned, for we couldn't under
stand it, but it was nicely done and greatly
appreciated by the great audience. had
only one great regret, and that was that
Frank Hart wasn't there to learn new
step IN an Indian dance. Pm sure there
was one or two Ojibway waddles that
even he never attempted. There were
about 30 Indians that took part in the
play. The whole evening is one of solid
enjoyment to anyone who loves nature,
even if he be not sporty at all, and time
passes all too quickly. Well, Pm using
up too much space so will close. We
expect now to resume our journey to
California on the 24th INST
w. c. SHORT.