The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-07-29

The tasselled fes Of the Mystic
order Of Yelled Prophets Of the
enchanted Realm. was the crown
and scepter Of complete sovereignty
! At Watch Tower park yesterday,
when Amoo Grotto held its annual
paerry-making. The Grotto men
ruled the day.
E George r. Stevenson said, but not
complainingly, that they late him out
az house and home" For though
having stocked the harder to more
than twice its ordinary providence
at Black Hawk inn, Steve" was
unable to foresee that he was to
entertain the biggest picnic OF the
year, and that the inn refreshment
stand would be called on to accom-
n1odate thousands.
II was estimated that 1000, in
cluding Grotto men and their fam
lilies, visited the park throughout
the day. The picnic was called not
only the biggest, but the most sue
cessful, in the history of the or
der.
Not Enough Melons.
There was just one disappoint-
ment. The country store commit
toe neglected to buy enough water
MELONS. Only two carloads we're
npurchased and after the Grotto-ites
had licked these up like hot cakes.
william l.. Franks, general COM
mittee chairman, was delegated to
beg, borrow, or steal another car
load. But the additional carload
never was seen, and it was said they
mysteriously disappeared and Bill"
with them.
The afternoon was taken up with
the races, the country store activi-
ties, and the merry-gO-round. At
4:30 there was brief ceremony, in
which IA were indicted into the
order. At 7:l5 in the evening there
was program, followed by dane
ing in the inn.
The ladies' ball-throwing contest
was the hit of the afternoon, for
the ladies slung a nifty pill that
would put Ed Walsh to shame. One
of the Contestants Is said to have
thrown the ball clear to Milan,
where it bounced on the school
house roof, and returned, being
caught by the pitcher.
Otto Wouldn't RIM.
There was fat mems race, but
Otto Hildebrandt refused to take
part in this. Other events of like
frivolous nature were held. and con-
testants received elaborate prizes
Otto Priester was the good fairy
of the kids. He presided over the
merry-go-round. dispensing free
tickets all the afternoon, and many
a youthful equestrian rode the
horse, the goat, and the donkey.
Eewpie dolls, blond, brunette
titan or any complexion desired
were offered at wonderful bargains
at the stands, while at the country
store, commodities varied from a
sack of -four to a box of spinach
seed, and many a newly-wed stock
ed up the pantry shelves for days
to come.
The crowd began to arrive toward
5 o'clock, and by all tables in the
park were occupied and picnic
lunches were spread in every avail
able spot on the grass.
immediately after the clearing uE
Of debris and left-overs, the throne
assembled in front of the band shell
for the early evenings entertain
ment. Otto Hildebrandt, chairman
OF the entertainment committee
presided.
To the success Of this program
the Grotto band was one of the
biggest contributors. They gener.
ously played difficult program OF
classical numbers and popular mu'
Sic. Nifty in their white uniforms
and playing with excellent ensem-
Die. with snap in jazzy numbers and
artistry in their rendering of popu,
lar classics, they won hearty ap-
probation and applause.
individual performers also Won
appreciation. Following the band
music, Downing and Coyne, aero
pats, did a rough and tumble act