Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1883-07-04
The Fourth at Elk Point.


the sky remained dark and cloudy
until nearly ten o'clock, the people
gathered and a crowd far beyond
the most flattering anticipations COL
lected by train time and were at the
train along with. the band, the
Grand Army boys, the Broom Brig
ade and the Car of State to meet
Hon. r. F. Pettigrew, the orator of
the day, from whence the procession
proceeded to the grounds. There
were by twelve o'clock probably
twenty-five hundred people in town,
by far the largest crowd ever assem-
bled in Elk Point. The programme
was carried out to the letter. The
proceedings were opened by song
by the choir and by prayer by Rev.
M. Miller, followed by the reading
Of the declaration by Ira l.. Nichols
and the reading of the address to
the people by Hon. f. w. Miller.
Tho orator, Hon. r. F. Pettigrew,
was then introduced who delivered
a magnificent address, the finest,
probably, ever delivered in the coun-
ty. He spoke of the past conduct,
the present condition and future
prospects of Dakota in q way that
awakened the admiration of every
one for both Mr.. Pettigrew and their
State. He dwelt at length upon the
subject Of statehood and the rights
of the people. The programme for
the afternoon was read and the peo-
pie disbursed to the tables set on
the grounds and to their homes, and
again assembled at the race course
at one o'clock, where the glass ball
shooting occurred at half past one,
which resulted in tic between Joe
Coverdale and Thos. Wagner for first
prize. The second prize was taken
by John Steckman ON breaking
eleven balls.
The horse race was announced at
half past two, which resulted in first
premium being awarded to Charles
Murtha's bay gelding, second to B. f.
Crum' sorrel and third to DR.. J. G.
Conley's colt. The half mile race
was taken after three heats by Thos.
Flannery's horse, second by John
Gray's, Flemming's horse being rul-
ed out ut the end of the second heat
The pony race was taken by John
Gray, second by Mr.. Herrity, third
by Fred Strobe. A foot race which
was an exciting feature was won by
J. Michel, of Civil Bend, second by
John Ryan, of Burbank, third by L.
Hamilton, OF Civil Bend. The game
Of base lall played b. tween Elk Point
ers and the Brule boys, was suspen-
ded after the fourth ending, in favor
of Elk Point. The score standing IS
to 6.
At six o'clock the rope pull took
place on Main street, between Civil
Bend boys andJeilerson boys, which
resulted in Civil Bend carrying away
the laurels. The afternoon sports
closed with Prof. Lee walking the
wire stretched from the second story
of LABELS hall to the COURIER Office.
After dark the committee on fire.
works gave the most interesting dis
play ever given in this city, which
lasted until ten o'clock. We then
visited the bowery dance and the
ball room at LABELS hall, and being
tired out by excitement and travel,
went to bed feeling that the 4th had
been success, and that everything
had been Of the most interesting
character. We would say, too, that
civility and sobriety were particular
ly noticeable. Everyone seemed to
be on their good behavior, giving
strangers present a splendid impress
sion of our people and county.