The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-02

csai to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
ROME CITY. Ind. Aug. 1.-The dipIo-
matte communications between the gov
srnments OF the United States and Russia
over the Kishineff affair were not more
polite and self-contained than the extraordi-
nary passage at arms which occurred be-
tween the board OF directors Of the West
ern Chautauqua Assembly and the president
OF the Cottesers' Association at this place,
over the proper observance of the Sab
bath. In q printed notice tackled conspic-
uously on the covered entrance of a bridge
crossing the channel from the main land TO
the island. the directors respectfully re-
Quested the oottasers TO refrain from all
avocations and pleasures on the Sabbath
not consistent with the Christian spirit and
the law Of The land. The president OF
the Cottsgers' Association replied in a
printed notice tackled under that of the
directors. In language equally couched
without offense, to the effect that the
wrongdoings which the assembly intimated
were In existence could not be traced to
the cottagers, but that. if there were any.
several officers of the Chautauqua were
responsible for them.
Out of this little mound mountain was
built by several newspapers in the way of
cartoons and war-like editorials, thus
arousing morbid curiosity among an ele-
ment of people who made themselves be-
lieve that there would be serious clash.
Nothing Of the kind occurred. The whole
island on Sunday, occupied by its various
Chautauqua buildings, hotel, restaurant,
croquet and lawn tennis grounds. resembled
the sancfity of the interior OF a church
edifice transferred to the open air. and the
day was devoted to complete rest and devo-
tiOnal exercises.
The island on which the assembly is
located consists of about fifteen acres Of a
rolling topography and circular in shape.
1t is heavily wooded with natural-growth
oak. pine, balsam, cedar and maple trees
of medium size. and contains no cottages
or privaae dwellings. Connection with the
main land is secured by two bridges from
each of the two sides. The head of Sylvan
lake surrounds IT,. The grass is green and
well kept; the walks are many and lead
under dense foliage, with here and there a
rustic seat. A complete system OF sewerage
has been put in. and the refuse from the
island. instead of being drained into Sylvan
lake. Is carried across Ii and the water is
not contaminated There is a system OF
water works also on the island, and i'm
provements are constantly being made to
make IL more modern, convenient and at
ORIGIN OF THE LAKE.
Sylvan lake Is one OF the most beautiful
bodies OF water in the Middle States. 1t
Is OF winding. irregular. elongated char
acter. resembling very much the outlines of
the bay of Santiago de Cuba. extending a
distance Of five nniles-the creation of ma
ture and the handicraft OF man combined.
II is fed by springs, the banks are high and
sloping. and there is no places of stagnant,
3ever-breeding water. which explains the
absence OF mosquitoes and the freshness
and purity Of the atmosphere.
The origin OF the lake with it's delightful
islands dates back to the year 1872, when
The State Legislature passed an act to con-
Btrucf canal from a port Lake Michi-
gan eastwardly to the Ohio line, where IL
was to be continued through Ohio and part
81 Pennsylvania to port Lake Erie
by an agreement with those States A Sec
lion Of the canal was excavated from Rome
City To Fort Wayne When the air line
division OF the Lake Shore az Michigan