The Van Buren press., 1897-08-28

upon to be on the alert and ready TO
meet the exigencies of the hour. -
The day was all that could be desired,
resembling one of those early fall days
when the power of the sun is partially
obscured by haze. A light breeze
was blowing the greater part of the
day, still further modifying its heating
power.
Before dawn the armies who intended
to participate in celebrating the event
began to move on the city by wagon, on
horseback, by railroad and every other
manner of conveyance and as the day
progressed it kept increasing until by
afternoon it had become unwieldy, fill
ing Main street to the overf1owing. The
crowd was variously estimated at
between 5000 and 5000 by business
men and to the average observer the
latter seemed not too large figure.
All the towns within radius of 10
miles contributed their quota and it was
estimated that at least 1000 of the
inhabitants of our neighbor, Fort
Smith, were on the streets during some
portion of the day.
The proceedings opened at 10 o clock
by parade of the Queen City Band and
bicycle corps down Main street to court
square. There the first feature of
interest was the baby show for five
dollar prize offered by Edmondson and
Britt for the best looking baby. The
contest was spirited and resulted by the
judges declaring the 10 months old
baby of Mr.. and Mrs. Shufford, of
Fort Smith, the winner, with Master
Hugh the son of Mr.. and Mrs. Hotf-
man, of our city, close second.
After number of splendid selections
by the Queen City Band Hon. w. H..
Neal on behalf of our citizens bade
the visitors welcome within our gates,
incidentally tracing the progress of our
little city to its present position and
pointing out what may from all indi
cations be its future.
He was followed ON behalf of the
visitors by Judge Edgar E. Bryant, of
Fort Smith, who in his usual eloquent
style accepted the hospitality extended
and complimented our officers and
citizens on their progressive spirit.
Dinner was the next order of the
programme and it lasted until $3.50,
when everyone began seeking place OF
vantage from which to see the balloon
ascension and double parachute leap OF
Prof. Chas. Raymond and Mile.
O'Dell. The initiation of the large
canvass sphere took place in the vacant
lot opposite the Collins Hotel and when
everything was ready the aeronauts
took their positions in the trapeze
attached to two parachutes and amid
the shouts of the thousands of spectators
began their ascent. The atmosphere
was perfect for it and it rose almost
perpendicular for a thousand feet OF
more, when Mile. o Dell cut her para
chute loose and began graceful
descent. Prof. Raymond continued
his ascent to nearly double the distance
meanwhile performing on the trapeze
bar. After height of several thousand
feet had been reached he also cut loose
landing within half mile of the start
ing point. The whole affair was pro-
nounced by all grand success.
Next on the programme were the
cycle and other races and the crowd
began surging toward Broadway, which
was soon filled from one end of the line
to the other-one- third of mile il
length.
The races passed off smoothly, though
no exciting finishes took place.
The entries in the first, a novice race,
were Ed Briscoe and Guy Bunch, both
4 of Fort Smith. Briscoe won easily.
2d-Boys under 12-Gerald Creek
more and Frank Williams entered
, Creekmore won handily.
/ 3d-Amateur race-Ed Briscoe
Arthur Kistler and Guy Bunch entered
Briscoe won first prize and Kistlel
second.
4th-Boys under 1s-Carl Jones anC
Ralph Wells entered. Jones won thi
race by several lengths.
-Professional-Wa Wallace Daugher
ty and Arthur Kistler entered
Daugherty won.
There were no entries in the girl
races.
The CREASED pole was climbed by
Louis Speaker.
Farrow won the 100 yard foot rae,
by safe margin.
At the close of these contests the firs
department races took place.