The Nevada County picayune., 1921-10-20
AN OUTING ON
 BIG JOHNSON LAKE

1 den. n the III u>t VI " vast |
 forest in Calhoun County, lies toautjful body of water about one and one half miles in length by two to tbree hundred yards in width, known las Big Johnson Lake" The waters of the Lake abound ill many of the ordinary varieties of fish, while the surrounding forests are the home ot inc sau rrel. raccoon and oppoSsum. From the me of the early settlers ot fine country until now this Lake has been a sort of sportsmans paradise.
 About midway of the Lake, on high bluff overlooking the beautiful expanse of its waters, stands a com modt0us and comfortable Camp House erected some twenty years ago by the lafe= Col. ]. R. Thornton. of Camden, who by the way. was one of the ahlest lawyers of his day, and one of the #llnfghtliest souls who has ever honorcd our great state. Through the courtesy of h,s sons, Messrs T. l. and X < Thornton. this house has become the rendezvous of company of Methodist preachers and laymen who are accustomed to meet there once q year for q weeks outing.
 Having been a member of this con genial party for the past four years i limo lrpW near for our annual outing. l became more and more conscious of the call of these familiar scenes and assoc ations of other days so that it was with al- most boyish delight that on Monday morning October the 10th l boarded the train for Camden with Big John son Lake as my ultimate destination.
 Arriving at Camden about half past twelve o'clock. I was met at the stu | on hy my good friend the Key. R. II. Cannon my successor as the pre- siding elder of the Camden Dzstire1. and given seat fn his Dodge car soon We were speeding towards the camp and as the roads were in fine condition ii waS hd T little while uutf I was greeting the other mem hers If the company on the banks of thp# Lake.
 our company was composed of Rev. W. r. Whaley of Monticello, Rev. B. r. Scott and MT Snquelicld of Spark man. Rev Fred (. Roehuck Of Bear den, Rev. Geo. N Cannon of stephens, Rev. Dr. John ". Cline of Soochow, China. Rev k IL Cannon. Judge w. r. Tate and SonS Henry and Lewis. Messrs. T. L and \. $. Thornton and AIr. J. w Policeman of Camden, the not least our colored cook Joe and his helper Rufus. Other friends dropped in on Us for d short time at different periods during the week, among them Rev W. T. Wilkinson, the genial and accomplished pastor of the Methodist church ill Camden.
 To give detailed account of the weeks activities and experiences would fill more space than the editor would care to give t0 this story Suffice it to say that a yery careful record ro vealel that 1o5 squirrels, two raceoous tNo poSeums and l53 fish had been brought into camp during the wccl,. We Lad plenty and to spare for our table and il k no small matter to feed fourteen hungry men whose ap- cities have been sharpened by the first nip of frost in thrs air and by the prD~elee of great dishes on the table p}ed high with perfectly cooked fish and squirrel
 Taken all in all the occasion was a most delightful one The writer especially delights in recalling the evenings spent around the big camp fires where good fellowship aboanded. We talked together on many themes. sang the old hymns and songs told our hest jokes and stories and closed each day with public prayer of thanksgiving and suppIieation to the giEer of all good The writer did not hear, during the entire week. one un clean word or single questionable story.
 Leaving the camp carly Friday