Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1918 — THE KANKAKEE. [ARTICLE]

THE KANKAKEE.

Of all the jolly sporting grounds, The world did ever see, Is the reedy marsh and moorlands Of the grand, old Kankakee. Where the deer once bounded through The glade and swamp and glen; And the ’coon and mink more plentiful Than they’ll ever be again. The swamp oak trees were full of bees; Pheasants drummed on hollow logs, Thunderpumpers sat on the tussocks and boomed, Keeping time with the croak of the frogs.

Millions of ducks and geese were there, .n bayou and channel and slough; And the sportman was shooting from morning til night While pushing his hunting canoe. There were squirrels on all the ridges, ?lenty of muskrats in the dens, Wljere the marsh was full of snakes And coots and rails and werns. It was the hunters paradise, Jut those grand old sports are done at last, The Garden Grape-Island and Grangers Camp Are but relics of the past. We have heard, however, lately Of a crude but sure device, Which pulls out Carp and Dog .. fish, Through the air-holes in the ice. t JOHN E. ALTERS.