Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-07-09
Rocky Ford Welcomes Patriotic
Thousands and Has Success.
full Celebration.


grounds, where the finest of shade and a
commodious ampitheatro afforded every
accommodation that which could be de-
sired
After music by the band the program
opened with the "Star Spangled Banner"
by chorus OF forty girls who had been
trained for the occasion by w. L. Albert.
Rev. W. r. Greear, the orator Of tho
day, delivered an excellent and highly
patriotic address. He deplored tho fact
that the anniversary Of the declaration
Of our national independence had degen.
Grated into day Of merry making. 1t
was the most important day in the his
tory OF the United States. A high tribute
was paid to the soldiers Of tho revolution
and the statesmen who laid tho foundn-
tions Of the government. Our American
citizenship was built on the declaration.
a prander document than which exists in
the archives OF no nation on earth. That
the anniversary OF tho adoption Of such
an instrument should be turned into the
channels Of frivOlity and nonsense was
greatly to be regretted. We should meet
on the Fourth Of July to honor the decla
ration and the men whose valor won for
us our highly priced Independence. Tho
results which followed the declaration
have made the United States beacon
star for the nations Of tho entire globe,
but we have largely forgotten the purpo-
see OF the day that we SO noisily celebrate.
We are also forgetting the true meaning
uf another day-memorial day. Think
OF thirteen feeble colonies taking up arms
against the greatest monarchy and strong
est war power on earth. But with bleed
ing feet, naked and starving, the soldiers
Of the revolution marched to certain VIC
rory-all the direct result Of the declara-
was paid to the fathers Of the revolution.
ary period, whose memory is not cherished
as it should be. The services they rem
dered the country entities this day 70 be
devoted TO the cultivation Of the spirit OF
patriotism. This nation is providential
in its origin and perpetuation. It was
not by might nor by power that the colo
nies triumphed. George Washington
during the revolution was kept by su-
preme power for the immortal work which
he accomplished. The nation has passed
through other trying ordeals and come
out stronger and purer, all Of which
naeans that the United States were not
planted by chance. Immediasely after
Independence was gained the land began
to blossom - the rose and has maintained
prosperity and development not paral-
lelled IN the history Of the world. The
influence Of our republic i now felt
around the entire globe.
Colorado never gave honor 10 . greater
man than Senator Teller. Tho American
people in the closing years of the nine
teenth century are going to ospeak in terms
that will be understood. We are going
to have what we once had-free coinage
Of silver in the ratio of 16 to /. Partisan
feeling is taking back seat TINT princi-
pie may come to tho front. Compare the
condition Of the country before the de-
mobilization of silver with the present
and all must acknowledge that the for
mer days were better than these. But
We arc going to have restoration OF the
old time money-gold and silver together.
With its uncertainty and disaster the
business aspect Of the country would JUS
tify this crowd being in sackcloth instead
Of holiday garb. Over thirty years ago
the slaves were freed and now we are 60
ing to have another similar great historic
industrial breaking Of chains, we are 60
ing to secure the emancipation Of the sill
yea dollar, which will be tho beginning
OF an era OF renewed prosperity.
The address was received with close at.
tention, but the speakers words were at
times drowned by the noise OF game Of
base ball and the explosion OF fire crack
ers.
The address was followed by "Colum-
bia, The Gem Of The Ocean," by Mr.. Al
bert's chorus.
The Liberty Bell" was most effectively
recited by Mrs. W. T. Albert.
Another national song, freedoms
Banner" was given by the chorus.
Miss Ollie Baker followed with the
reading Of the declaration of indcpend-
ence and executed her task excellently.
The large crowd then dispersed for din
ner. The beautiful grove within the fair
grounds afforded every facility for picnic
ing and the recess hour was passed most
enioyably by the great throng OF celebra-
tors.
During the afternoon the ampitheater
was crowded to it's fullest capacity to
witness the sports in the ring.
The first event was 3-ninute trot,
with five entries, won by 10, w. r. Dye
owner, and Tom Payne, j. B. Wieland
owner, second.
The one-mile bicycle race given for
Rocky Ford youngsters, was won by
Frank Browning and Norman Ringer.
The three-mile bicycle race wns cap
tured by Mart Denaon first, Chas. Boyd
second.
4udrt DeuSOn won the uVe-mlle bicycle
race, making it in the best time .ever
scored on this track, 1927. Chas. Boyd
took second and S. A. Mcdonald third.
In the free-for-all trot or pace, there
being only two entries, Sleepy, J. K. Dye,
owner, taking first away from Rosa, II. A.
o. Tagader, owner.
Grow, owned by j. Fl. Hackworth, took
first money in the half-mile dash with
Lulu b, II. A. Kolde, owner, second.
The burro race caused an immense
amount Of fun.
The program closed with a race between
four driving horses called club trot.
George Willis won first place, F. Y,
Hauck second and Ford Stewart third.
La Junta did nobly in attendance on
the Fourth. Some OF the visitors from
the county seat compared the accommo-
dations enjoyed with the lay out which
La Junta provided last year. The con-
trast was greatly to Rocky Ford's credit,
Manzanola and Fowler, our neighbors
nearer the head OF the canals, wero pres.
ent in strong force and evidently enjoyed
the day.
It is unquestionably true that no place
in the county affords auoh grand accom-
modations for popular gathering Of the
people as does Rocky Ford. The result
is that when visit il made TO the water
melon metropolis on holiday oceasion
ogt thousands OF visitors go home with