Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-05-26

kon, Cedar Falls and West Union.
but few weeks previous to the en-
campment Maj. Weiser received a
letter from Col. Thrift saying no
corps will compete with the Deco
rah, so l have withdrawn the purse
of 500. The following challenge
was published in the DEBORAH and
Dubuque papers, also in the New
York Clipper:
THE DEBORAH Drum Corps here
by challenge the Dubuque Drum
Corps to play for 500; $25 forfeit
to be deposited in the Delaware
County Bank, on or before neon of
August 26. Time, August 20; place,
encampment at Manchester, and
judges to be selected from persons
who have not heard either corps, if
such persons can be secured.
I'm behalf of drum corps,
&C. j. WEISER, d. M
After a long season of waiting the
Dubuque papers published what the
Dubuque drum corps called an ac-
ceptance.
The Dubuque Drum Corps ac-
cepts your challenge of August 7th,
for 500 and the championship of
the northwest. Being the chal-
lenged party, it is our privilege. to
name the place and date of contest,
which we do. Date, Friday after
noon, August %. 1884; place,
Waterloo"
The above acceptance with the
following note was sent to the New
York Clipper:
Of course it was little departure
from the regular rules in the chal-
lengers naming time and place; but
it was done thinking that at such an
occasion as the encampment at
Manchester all drum corps would
be anxious to be present, and espe-
cially the Dubuque corps; but they
take the liberty in direct disregard
for the terms Of the challenge, to
specify a date a week earlier, and
\an entirely different place They
say they accept the challenge; yet
do not agree to its conditions. Is
this an acceptance? Judge YEP"
The Clipper replied:
LIST. The Dubuque Drum Corps
biu ilOl dSNCPI TIC CudlicHSS DIS Is
sued, which named time and place.
I'd. They could claim that privi-
lege If they were champions, not
otherwise"
The Dubuque boys sent a delega-
ton to Manchester, while our boys
were there, and the little dispute
was happily settled.
international Drill at Mobile.
In March, 1885, the corps having
accepted an invitation from General
Bentley to attend the international
drill to be held at Mobile, Alabama.
and at the exposition at New Or
leans, La, in May, proceeded to
practice TO be in shape to attend.
Leaving home early in May, they
went TO Dubuque and there secured
a car and left for the south via
Illinois Central, under the guidance
of Travelling Passenger Agent Capt,
j. Z. Merry, who knows how to lead
an excursion, to Carlo, H., and
Corinth, Miss. At Jackson, Tenn,
they met the renowned Busche
Zouaves who gave up their berths in
their sleeper and compelled our
boys TO take them Arriving at
Mobile Sunday afternoon at 1880,
the excursion composed of eighteen
cars. and in two sections, was met
at the depot by large body of mil
itary and citizens. After long and
tedious march they arrived at the
camp ground, about three miles
from the city, where a fine supper
composed chiefly of oysters, was
spread for us. While eating we
heard the following song:
Tenting Tonight.
We're tenting tonight on the old
camp-ground,
No picket lines thrown out,
With peaceful trust in Southern
hearts
That circle us about
We're tenting tonight on the old
camp-ground,
The mingling gray and blue,
All bitter memories laid to rest,
In graves of comrades true.
We're tenting tonight on the old
camp-ground,
One flag above us all;
May that old starry banner bright.
The Fathers deeds recall.
We're tenting tonight on the old
camp-ground.
One country now and ever;