The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-07-18

of the immense power house and the
concrete arches Of the dam extend
ing about half way across the river
from the Illinois side. The work
men build one arch day on IN
average. The old lock and the canal
are on the Iowa side of the river and
are to be abandoned when the new
ones are completed The gates on
the new lock are said to be larger
than any at the Panama. After look
ing at the dam for two or three
hours we sought camp north OF
town.
Edgar Rowell.
Monday, July 8.
We camped last night miles
north of Keokuk on the west bank
of the Mississippi. We could have
camped closer in but at every good
place railroad men and Mexicans
were camping so Mr.. Bradshaw did
not want to camp near them. 1t
was pitch dark when we pulled into
camp. 1t was the worst camping
place we had on the way on account
of chiggers and mosquitoes. Some
of the boys hunted pigeons in an old
clubhouse, because they saw some
one sitting near by in this old house.
The boys caught some and put them
under the dish pan. Harlan An
drews went and got the dish pan
and so l went and kicked them and
they flew away. So the boys went up
to the old house two or three times
but could not find any more. The
next morning we broke camp at 8
o'clock and went into the market
and waited for Mr.. Bradshaw to
find a suitable camping place. Some
of the boys went to the post office
and John Gates wanted me to go
with him up to the post office to get
some postal cards so l went, and
while was there Edgar Rowell came
in and said that he had been down
to the drug store and that the man
said that Mr.. Van Werden had been
in there. John Gates and walked
up the street to see him and as we
were coming back we met him and
took him down to the wagon. Then
we went to the Y. NJ. G. A. and went
swimming and then went over to the
Illinois side for a permanent camp.
Chas. Van Werden.
Tuesday, July o.
Got up at 5 o'clock. Ralph Stew
art and Forest Grimes cooks, John
Gates, Leal and Wayne Buchanan
tent raisers, Frank Bradshaw and
John Gates dish washers. Dock
Rowell and l water carriers. After
breakfast we all did the camp wash
ing, every fellow washing his own
clothes. knife, fork, and spoon.
Rested until dinner after which we
went to town. Mr.. B. gave us each
'25 cents apiece. We went on the
street car and our money for ice
cream and soda water and candy as
quick as we could get there. Two OF
the boys had great luck. They
found a jewelry store and bought
: each one a diamond ring for 10c
apiece. The diamonds glitter like
stars and are as large as marbles.
The rest of us failed to find this
jewelry store until our quarters had
all gone for things to eat and drink
so nobody but Edgar Rowell and
Ralph Stewart will come back with
diamond rings. We found Mrs
Bradshaw and borrowed some money
and we are going to keep it if We
! can until we get in Fort Madison
Mrs. B. took us to the Y. NJ. G. A
swimming pool and we had lots OF
fun. We plunged and jumped and
hollered and swan and dived and
laughed and had the time Of oul
lives. 1t cost ten cents apiece but
was worth 10 dollars to me. After
= that we went the rounds of the soda
pop again. Then Mrs. Bradshaw
took us out to the park on the cal
and we ate and drank some more
In the evening on our way home or
the car we found Ray Layton headed
, for our camp with nine or ten cat
fish. He came on with us and
cooked the fish and that supper was
a dandy. Ray Layton is assistant
superintendent of the construction
department of the big dam and he
helped to get us special permit tc
see the dam. This Is a very special
privilege as very few are ever al
i. lowed out on the works. So ends
the day with the promise of the dam
| tomorrow and steam launch ride
on the Mississippi.
Harlan Andrews.
Wednesday, July 10.
In the night big storm came and
blew our tent GOWN anu VIC iou "
skiddoo for an old barn near by, we
went to sleep, barn or no barn, and
slept like logs until seven. we
found the wind and rain had played
whaley with our tents and clothes
, We got our things together and
dried our blankets while Forest go1
breakfast. Everything was turned
| upside down and wet and spilled sc
! we didn't have much for breakfast
We packed up and caught the street
car for town.
The Scout Master at Keokuk lei
us put our baggage in his real estate
| office, then we hiked out and ran the
town. But there was such gnaW'
ing in the pit of our stonachs We
had first to find place to eat II
! was the Y. w. c. A. where they
serve home cooking. We ate al
that was set before us. We cleaned
the dishes like they had been wash
ed. Feeling fine we went to the
Water Power office, and got a specla
permit and guide to visit the dam
We were lucky because no one Is al
lowed to visit the dam on week days
but as we had Travelled 40 miles tt
see it, the Chief Engineer, Mr.