West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-07-09
OUR BIG FOURTH.

| Kingwood celebrated Independ-
ence Day this year in a manner
never to be forgotten. The day
opened fine and a large crowd came.
1t rained in the evening as usual,
bnt did very well for the 4th of
July. The Pennington Band and
a number of people came IN Friday
evening, and Saturday morning the
excursion train on the r., K. & Il.
was loaded down and came in with
colors flying, pulled by two engines,
and covered with evergreen. The
Rowlesburg Guards in full force
under command of Capt. Dawson,
paraded the streets and went
through the manual of arms.
The parade was immense and
lasted from 10 u. m. till noon.
Four Bands furnished music, the
Pennington Band, Austen, Grafton
and Kingwood. The knights of
Pythias in full uniform under com
mand of Lieutenant ID. II. Jackson,
made a fine appearance. The Red
Men from Grafton with their beau
tiful silk banner ana headed by the
Globe Clothing House Band in con-
junction with the Reds here, made
splendid show. Then the Odd
Fellows and Patriarch Militant
helped to make the finest parade
ever given in Kingwood. But The
best of all was the Calithumpians
under command OF Capt. j. A.
Wardwell, who had taken great
pains to prepare for it. This
motley crew broi ght up the rear,
deeked out in all manner of fantas.
tic garo and representing various
nationalities, on horseback and in
wagons, led by two clowns which
were immense. to the great delight
Of all, both the large and the small.
After dinner, the Tournament
came off over on Skaters Knob
and was grand afflir Twelve
valiant Knights rode and competed
for prizes. The riders and the
rings take each. were as follows
Geo. A. Williams 5, Mack Evick A,
George Menear Z, j. K Monroe 6,
N. j. Fortney 5, ". G.. Brown 6.
j. A. jackson 6, DR.. Pratt Z, III. o.
Baker 9. Staley Martin 6, John
Copeman 3, George McGee 4. The
first prize was awarded II. O.
Baker who received IS gold piece
and copy of Longfellows poems
and crowned Miss Sadie Fields,
Queen of Love and Beauty. John
Copeman would have taken second
prize, but one of his runs was
thrown out because he failed 70
make tho time required. The dis
tance 100 yards, was limited to nine
seconds and the average time made
was seven seconds although Jackson
made it twice In five and made the
best time. DIR. Pratt got second
prize, S23 gold piece and book and
crowned Martha Eliza Pratt his
charming little daughter as Maid
OF Honor. George Menear got
third prize and crowned Miss lisa
Monroe, Maid of Honor while John
Copeman, received fourth prize and
crowned his sister, Miss Matte as
Maid of Honor. Prof Rufus
Holden delivered the charge to the
knights and 2. j. Crogan made
the presentation speech, awarding
the prizes. Both speeches were to
the point and we'll delivered
Witty, eloquent and heartily APP
plauded by thu audience. Alto
gcther it was grand success. At
night the fireworks were immense.
A number Of balloons we're sent up
and the fireworks under charge Of
IL. ID. Potter, delighted tho large
crowd OF spectators, who all unite
IN declaring the day big ono for a
quiet little town like Kingwood.
The affair was under the manage
ment OF the Mozart Band, and the
success attained is something for
the boys to be proud Of, and the
whole town should feel honored.
s-~-.