The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-07
NOVEL PLAN ADOPTED
AT THIS SUMMER RESORT.
All the Campers Form One Big Family
and Eat nj Same Table to Which
Each Contributes.


REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Harrisburg. Ill. June with the OPEN
ing of the summer season or about the mid
die Of June. will begin the annual mecca
TO Eagle Mountain and Sulphur Springs.
which is situated ten miles south of this
city and is one Of the most interesting and
picturesque spots 20 be found anywhere.
At about this time every year hundreds
Of families throughout Southern Illinois
with relatives and friends from a distance.
flock to This place, and camp during the
hot season. until the whole territory pre-
sents the appearance of an army in camp.
Unlike other resorts OF this kind every
thing is free, as far as the use of the
grounds. and all other things that might
be made use OF, such as fuel for cooking
purposes and pasturage for horses and cat
tie by those who bring them.
As a rule these people are wealthy busi-
ness men. and go there TO escape the dust
and noise of city life. and 10 recupsrate and
enjoy weil-earned rest. After a time tde
colony becomes one vast family, and. ~
stead of dining separately. d long table is
constructed and all contribute and eat as
one family. \ boy with team is hired for
the season to haul supplies and carry the
mail 10 and from this city each day.
In the vicinity of the camping grounds
are a number OF natural springs, among
which is one OF sulphur. and close by an
other of lime. and to the medicinal quail
tributed the fact that very little sickness
is found among the campers during the en-
which contains most all kinds of fish. and
besides lend enjoyment TO those inclined
to angle helps to supply the table.
Eagle Mountain near by towers nearly
800 feet above. and half way up its side
is cave. the end OF which no one has yet
been able to find. Nature has evidently
in this vast mountain. Huge pillars, as il
carved by human hands. So perfect IN
shape. divide the entrance into numerous
paths which lead into as many different
directions.
So mysterious and deceiving to man are
without the aid of long rope or string
with which to guide them back to the en-
trance Two hundred yards is believed 20
have been the greatest distance yet made
into the mountain by any one. a story is
told of TWO men some years ago having
entered the cave On wager to 20 into the
mountain a distance Of hundred yards 20
small stream which runs through it. with
fact that they had gone the distance stipu-
lated they Were to bring back one or more
of the blind fish which were known to in
habit the. stream; 1t is said that for two
made the wager waited on the outside for
their return, and falling TO return they in
found. and it is believed they persisted in
the mountain.
Tradition has it that this cave for years
was refuge for many criminals and out
laws. who. when pursued had only TO reach
the cave and they were safe. Scattered
throughout the interior Of the cave may be
found the bones of many wild animals
which made their home there in the early
history of the country. hut time and the
hunters have so changed the aninla hab:ta-
ton in the cave until irov nothing remains
but the bats and blind or eveless fish. /,
was here in the vicinity Of This camping
ground that zinc. copper and other minerals
were discovered.