Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1882-07-10
TIE FOURTH AT FT. RENO.

celebration Of the Fourth took place at
TT. Reno, the weather being all that eou Id
be desired. The rain the night before had
laid the dust, frightened up the grass and
showed up the parade ground and the
trim quarters ard orderly barracks to
good advantage; and the Post, with all
its surroundings, was model of neatness
and order. The country for miles around
furnished large crowd Of sight-seekers,
and Darlington was we'll represented
throughout the day.
The course for the foot races was around
the parade ground, and the first race, for
400 yards, was undecided, owing to a mis-
understanding as to the course. The
second race, for 200 yards, with two hur-
dies, was easily won by Pringle, of Co. 1,
9th cavalry. The third race, 100 yards,
was closely contested one, and the prize
was carried off by Lathrop, Of Co, c, 10th
Infantry, The half mile walk afforded
considerable amusement--one scientific"
man went around the track with gait
'half.a-running-walk- k-and-half.a-dog-tr
and came out far in the lead. The first
trial being declared foul, another "fair-
and-sQuare" walk took place, won by
Hamilton, of Co. ID, 20Ih Infantry.
| Next came the national salute OF thirty
eight guns from two field pieces.
After dinner, the crowd again assem-
bled on the parade ground and witnessed
the sack race. where the human toads
kept the audience in a roar during the
race. Those losing their equilibrium,
were obliged to lie helpless on the ground
until relieved Of the sack. The boss toad
in this race was Crow, of co. &, Goth dn-
fantry.
Next came the wheelbarrow race, and
blindtOlded men were seen dashing all
over the field in a reckless manner that
caused general scramble for safety.
Crow, Of co. &, Goth Infantry, was the
winner.
The tug of war attracted by far the
most interest of the contests; the first
pull being between companies & and j.,
Of 10th Infantry, and was won by COM
: pany 9. 1t was a curious sight to see the
men on each end Of the heavy rope, get
down to the ground at the signal and
planting their feet, strain and tug on a
straight pull until wind and weight would
the dead line. A second test between
companies G, both Infantry, and /, 23rd
Infantry, was also won by company C..
Next followed the jumping, and Pringle,
of company |, 9th cavalry, made the best
long jump; McDermott, OF company /,
23rd infantry, the best three jumps, and
O'Leary, the best high jump.
After this, The crowd adjourned to the
CREASED pole, and McLawren, OF company
Z, 10th infantry, shined up the pole and
covered himself with soap and glory.
During the time intervening before the
races, the Agency Indian Police, in full
uniform, mounted and armed, passed in
review before Major Randall, Post COM
mandant, and won universal praise for
their train appearance and sOldierly bear
ing. They are indeed a fine body Of men.
During the afternoon the Indians had
been gathering for the races, and by this
time were swarming in every direction on
horseback and in wagons, eager to parti-
cipate. The course having been decided
the Indian races commenced. and while
they lasted caused the greatest excitement.
, 1t is estimated that there were 1000 mount
cd Indians on the ground. The running
races, six in number, consisted of a gen.
eral stampede of at least dozen starters,
and it was wonderful TO see the way in
| which the Indian ponies kept punched to-
gether during the entire race-the win
ners taking the lead. The prize for each
race was saddle given to the Indian
winning. During one of the races an
Indian was thrown from his horse and
injured so as not to be expected to live at
the present writing.
Following the Indian races came the
running races for cavalry horses, and the
quarter mile, 800 yards and half mile