West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-07-09
The Glorious Fourth.

The great national patriotic holiday
of this country has come aud gone once
more and the boys can again wear their
hats comfortably aud ice water has
been IN great demand for the past few
days However, there was but little
drinking la Gingwood, aud no oae very
drunk. Several picnics were held in
various parts of the county, one down
at Valley Point aud nies tins out At
Bethlehem. whore n large crowd x tta-
cred and had pleasant time. Prof.
Rufus Holden made au address that
was well received. Several other
speeches We're made. Rowlesburg, like
Kingwood, celebrated with biz game
of bail Howesviile had the usual pic
mic and dance, which has become an
annual feature OF that place and COMES
as regularly rs the 4th OF July.
Over at the "old Stomping Ground"
la the Whetsell Settlement, there was
a big time and lots of fun. Every body
danced pretty and a good long while"
and was hilarious enough TO satisfy
the Rowlesonrg rooters even at base
ball game. Here i'm Kingwood after
the ball game. a large crowd assem-
bled at the Bicycle Park tn witness the
exercises there, which were very enter
tanning, and were carried out in full.
ID. NJ. Wotring was Chief Marshal and
announced the program and perform
ers, while riding gallantly back and
forth on his frisky bike instead OF a
prancing steed. The first was parade
and drill by the club i'm which most OF
the mem oers took part and quite a
number of ladies. All rode we'll and
made very pretty display. in fact the
club covered itself with glory and at.
tracted much favorable comment. In
the driil. the riders came around, in
single die and then changed 10 double
file and then three abreast, and bacs
to double and single, etc, without a
break. Then came a foot race between
three boys, Charley Mauear, Alton
Jackson and Vernon Fortney, for IA 20
around the track. The race was wor
by Charley Mansar. the smallest OF the
trio. Then came the main feature o.
the occasion, the Bicycle Tournament
ia which the following parties com
petcd for the honors
T.. J. Crogan, DIR. 5. A. Pratt, w Il
Parkhurst, j. X. Monroe, j. w. Fawcett
Daniel Dawson Young beavers ant
Stanhope Crane. Elch rider had fy,
turns ana FIVE rings TO try for eacI
time, SO that it was possible TO take q
rings. John w. Watson was haginan
Henry Clay Hyde time-keeper an'
Charley Dering score-keeper. Th'
rain spoilt the beginning OF II, and tn,
track was too slippery 10 ride on. bu
DIR. Pratt tried IL anyhow just at tn,
worst time and got knocked out by f,
bad fall His wheel slipped in turning
and he came down broads.de. bending
a psdal and disabling his wheel bu
escaping injury himself. However h'
had TO retire from the contest anC
Messrs Crogan and Parkhurst tied
scoring % rings each. They then con
tested again and Parkhurst won b.
one ring The distance was about 90
yards and the time limit 20 seconds
Some OF them made 1t in 3 and tn,
average time was II seconds.
After this came a sack race between
Alton Jackson, Charley Manear an,
Vernon Fortney. Then cams bicycl,
speed contest for the best time aroun,
the track J. X Monroe made it in 3
seconds, Clyde Watson in A. 3-5 second
AMI ". u. Parkhurst won in "a 3-5 sec
onds- III. Parkhurst rode a Monarcl
wheel and IS "a very expert wheelman
After this came wheel-barrow rae
with three entries. Benz Bowermaster
Charley Manear and Alton jackson
This was won by the first named
The last aud most exciting race O
/ all was the egg race in which 81.
boys tried who could pick up don
on eggs each laid along abou
/ two yards apart and carry them. one "a
a time, and put them in their hats a
/ the starting point without breakinj
/ any. The boys were George Evick
Harry Shaffer, Clinton AIanear, Georg
/ Giles Charley kvick and Ross Jackson
/ The last named aud Clint Manear tie,
| and divided the eggs between them
/ II WAS lots Of fun and the large crow,
enjoyed it hugely.
The managers Of the affair deserv
/ special credit for getting up and ~
/ successfully conducting such "a new n,
/ novel entertainment and making it al
/ free 20 the public. 10 was the frs
/ bicycle tournament eyer held In tn
i county and was something new an,
I novel for the general public. At nigh
I the club gave a bicycle parade on TIA
I grounds and around town with th
\ wheels decorated with bunting, rib
/ bons and japanese lanterns. This wa
I very pretty and attracted considera bl,
/ attention. Fireworks we're put Oft fl
/ various parts Of town aud Che SINAI
4 boy and his hre-cracxer was heard al
! day and till late az night. OF course
| it had to rain, as IL was the 4th Of July
/ but still H. was not % bad day an,
I withal was pretty we'll observed an,
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