The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-07-16
A DEADWoOD FOURTH.
A Mitchell Ci,izen Writes His Impressions
of Deadwood Celebration.
A prairie city or country can ha'

A prairie city or country can nave
bat a faint iQea Of a Fourth OF July Ia
in D.ad wood, as the circumstances sur
rounding the different places are simply
incompreh hensible. The city OF Dead
wood, with population OF o'ooo' Is
located in a gulch surrounded with
wonderful mountains, capped Win
rocks and pine trees, There Is no
place in Deadw where there are
three streets side by side, in fact Dead
wood has but one principal street ana
on this main street all the exercises
we're held. aud where all the people
come from is question for the tourist
The different railroads have. however,
been unloading their human frelght
since yesterday afternoon. The Ere
mont. Elknorn & Missouri Valley, the
Burlington & Missouri and the Narrow
Guage have all been taxed to their
full capacity.
will not attempt to give full dis
cription of the sights that are taking
place. The procession this morning
was led by the Fort Meade mounted
silver band, this was sight for
one to look at-the we'll drilled horses
and fine soldierly appearance OF the
musicians in their gorgeous uniforms
and silver horses. Following this was
the Lead City fire department, also the
Alert fire department Of Lead and
Lead City hose, the Dead wood fire de-
partment, the Romestake fire depart
ment. Then large float containing a
small girl, with float representing the
several states. Interspersed in the
line were floats representing the differ
ent branches of business and bands of
music. The Chinese procession was
the most gorgeous | ever saw. Pro
minent was the American tlag-"OId Id
Glory, with crown over the eagle
then the natural flag of China, very
large one. The different Chinese ban
ners were simply grand in the make up,
costing, am told, over six thousand
dollars. The Chinese band would have
to be seen to be appreciated. The
drum looked like very large hub of a
wagon wheel with leather drawn over
1t, and sitting up on end Chinaman,
times fast then slow. Another China
man has suspended from the wagon
box, l don't know what you call it, but
looks like dutch oven without feet.
This he pounds 10 the music OF the
drum. Another has something like
our American cymbal, much larger and
turns out around the edge four or five
inches. Two or three other devices.
together with mysterious horns that
sound like bagpipe, make up the
noise and you bet there is plenty of it.
The Odd Fellows, Masons, G. A. R.,
Miners Union, Modern Woodma are
all here. A large float representing
the colonial period is feature that is
good for the eye. We must not forget
the old stage coach. This procession,
passing down the stl eets of flags and
bunting between these ever wonderful
hills, is sight for the Gods. Not
least in the decoration is the Cuban
flag, surrounded with old glory. HUI
mainly of all desert ptions and forms.
most all nations. are vieing with each
other in celebrating this national day
of Independence, and assure you they
are making a great success OF it. Bus.
mess is suspended. WELL I might
accept % saloons that appear to be
stricsly in it,. The fire works tonight
are TO be grand, if so we will wind up
our ball of yarn on it and send to you
for your waste basket or an item from
that part of South Dakota which is the
richest and most beautiful on the face
of the earth, for the space covered.
We close by saying that the fire
works we're good. The air ships, how
ever, was simply grand, so far distauc-
ing the balloon ascencion that the fellow
wasn't in it, For the air ships wire
had been previously stretched from hill
to hill, away up and over the city, and
from one end the air ships was sent
sailing across the city. Some were
ordinary ships while, some were sailors
and some magnificent war ships belch
ing forth his missiles of war. The bands
are giving concerts and l an going to
bed. So good night.
Yours.
J. B. WOLGEMUTH.
d DAad Wand & d I,,l,