The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-07-11
From Leland.

LELAND, JulN1th, 1914.
We are just getting over the Fourth, il
having been the grandest day Leland ever
saw. There were between two and three
thousand people here that day. The salute
began little before four o'clock in the morn
ing, and by eight the streets were full of peo
pie to witness the parade Of the ragamuilins
which caused more sport than any other thing
Of the day. About fifty of the worst looking
creatures paraded for an hour 1t was called
the best performance of the kind seen in
these parts. After this came the rush for the
grove, which is the finest in the country for a
celebration, and of course eating and drink
ing were the principal feature for an hour.
Then came the shooting match, which, rs
most of lis lad never before seen anything OF
the kind, was very interesting. The score
was: Taylor 10; Potter s. Clarkson 8; Dcwy
8; and several smaller numbers. Potter
Clarkson and Dcwy shot off for the second
purse, and Potter and Clarkson getting the
same number of birds divided the purse. In
shooting double rises Barnes of this place,
came out ahead, killing every bird; Taylor
second.
The noXt thing on the programme was read
ing the Declaration, which Montgomery cN'
Iecuted in good style. Music ;hen Grafton by
Capt } II. Freeman,--one OF the best
speeches ever listened to on the Fourth
ToastS were given and responses made by )
l. Montgomery, VIM. Foreman and Frank !
Dale; after which there was general rush
to satisfy the inner man The sack race had
three entries, Willie Minard carrying oil the
purse before the rest cot Il r0d from the start
ing point. There seems to be quite knack
in this race Mlnard winning it by jumping,
The other two tired running and quickly
found themselves on their faces. The wheel
barrow race had five entries and wheeled for
a stake. One young chap had friends who
told him SO he managed to get very near the
stake OF course the telling necessitated an
other race which was won by the same one
stopping on the stake The hetty race had
several entries Barnes of Waterman came
)ut first, Gray Of this place second AS
Barnes only weighed lG5 pounds it was de-
,ided in favor of Gray, he weighing the re-
iuistc lS0 pounds.
The only thing that caused any dissatsac-
ion was the base ball The Clintons, North
lilies and Paw Paws entered for the purse,
which would necessi,atc playing in the morn
ng The Clintons were to play the Paw Paws
i've innings, and then the club that got
beaten were to play the Northvilles in order
10 find the two best clubs for the afternoon
game, which resulted in a victory for the
Clintons by a score of "a to 20, the wind blow
ing gale at the time, made 1t very eXhaus-
tive game to play. Then the Paw Paws, in
stead Of playing the Northvllcs rs agreed,
backed down completely and wouldn't play,
which of course left the Northvilcs fresh for
the Clintons The Clinton club not liking
this, got on their car" and refused to play |
but by great deal Of persuasion, were final.
IS induced 10 try their luck, and at first were
unfortunate enough 10 get II Worthwhile UNI
pirc, who allowed several men to get out |
without calling, letting the Northyilles score
from 10 To 10 tallies in the first two innings
and scarcely allowing the Clintons any. AT
the third inning the umpire was changed and
IIiscocK, from Earl, umpired the rest Of the
game to the satisfaction of both mines. The |
game ended on the seventh inning by score
of 90 to 10 in favor of the Northviles. OF
course the ClintOns were the best club but
everything working so against them left them
no chance Tor winning. At last accounts the !
C!intons were trying to get up purse of $50, |
but the Northvilles were sharp enough not 10
"scc it."
There was Il large crowd in town in the |
evening to see the fire works, which were very
satisfactory as far as the fire works were con
ccrncd, but instead of taking three hours TO |
shoot them oil they might have been through
inside of an hour
The conductor on one OF the evening trains
WIS knocked oil the car 10y the watcrspout
OF the Tank in this place, and striking on
his back WAS pretty severely injured His
home is in ualcsburg. lie is receiving the
the best of care and will probably be around
in short time.