Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1896-06-19
lToN. SOUTH DAKOTA. FRIDAY JUNE ls. 1896.

IOuEAdueuI. IL was tHe largest, most
harmonious and finest tournament oil
fremen ever seen in the state, and Can
ton is proud and happy.
There were los Sioux Falls flremen in
line during Wednesdays procession and
they looked fine.
The Yankton fire boys with their blue
uniforms and silver buttons and hand
some bouquet on every mans breast, was
the winning company in the parade, and
President Grant smiled as he watched
them pass the reviewing stand 'Look
at them darlings," said he, ''they are
world beaters."
I The Mitchell "greyhounds," the name
given the running team, were an athletic
locking lot Of boys, and they marched
with step which meant that they in
tended to win the champion banner a
second time and keep it,
The Chamberlain and Armour boys
were full of spirit and proud to merit the
applause given as they marched past
the reviewing stand.
Mllt Brisbine of Yankton. the Oldest
fireman in the state, was one of the jolly
crowd of Yankton firemen who smiled
approval on the glorious results of the
tournament. Milt and the writer used to
run to fires in Yankton ~ years ago, play
ball and whoop it up for Burleigh in 1870.
Miltls two front teeth short, because a
bat in the hands Of Bud Todd missed a
ball.
jim Monkhouse. fire chief at Pierre,
was one Of the happiest boys at the
tourney Jim's manly breast was COW
cred with badges. He and the writer
used to whoop 'er up years ago at Yank-
ton.
i Mayor Sites, Judge Jones, Judge Pal.
mer, Col. Campbell, Editor Tomlinson
Col. Dick Woods, Mcdonald Cudney anc
about $50 other jolly Sioux Falls bust
ness and professional men came down or
q special Wednesday and helped to max,
the tournament glorious success.
| Mayor Laxson, President Grant ant
Chief Monkhouse of Pierre, were the hap
l piest men in town.
Judge Shannon gave the Yankton boy
g grand reception at the Harlan.
Mayor Laxson, President Grant, Treas
vrer Schatz, Col. Smith OF Minneapolis
Chief Helgerson and others were given
platform ride Thursday night
i Mark Bridge, the gallant fire boy from
Sioux Falls, was shouting his admiration
for Pettigrew.
1t was question who were the hap
piest men in town Thursday, but to tn
writer it seemed TO be tie between
Mayor Laxson and President Grant. On,
for the honor and glory conferred upol
\ CaLton. the other for the grand anc
happy results OF the tournament and th.
magnificent display by the f1remen.
i Mayor Laxson occupied the position ol
| an uncrowned king after his address ol
welcome and handing over the gold and
silver keys Of the city to President Grant,
who received them on behalf OF the visit
ing t1remen. The gold and silver keys,
prepared for the occasion, were tied with
blue ribbon. and as the Mayor told the
fire boys that they knew what blue ribbon
meant, a shout went up that shook the
court house. The Mayor was heartily
congratulated for his brief. complete and
eloquent address.
Frank Noahr, the versatile editor of the
Lennox Independent, was a welcome Wis.
isor at the LEADER Office during the fire.
mems tournament. Frank is jolly fire.
men himself, and loves to see the boys
whoop 'er up.
Assistant Chief G. F. Vincent and
Hans Johnson, Vermillion Dept. went
home at noon Tuesday. as did the veteran
Ailt Brisbine of Yankton.
Pces. Asa Grant says no amount Of
money could buy Mayor Laxsons gold
and silver keys of the city.
Not a drunken man was seen on the
streets during the entire tournament. A
magnificent record something unheard
Of.
The South Dakota fire boys are gen.
tlemen.
One fire alarm Wednesday night and
two Thursday night kept the boys full
Of bright visions Of spouting water.
About 200 firemen paraded the streets
with flags, tin horns, band of music an
Italian with accordian, banners and
transporencies, cheering everybody from
Charlie Seely and the Harlan House clear
through to Jim Monkhouse and Pierre.
Bro. Ingham of the Advocate worked
like Trojan hero, assisted by Fred
Hawn, to give the news, and the Advo-
cate did it.
The LEADER force was all broke up,