The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-07
AT ISLAND PARK.
An Excellent Programme of Sports Well
Carried Out.

An Excellent Programme of Sports Well
Carried Out.
Belt, July 6.-Although Belt had no
celebration on the Fourth, the pro-
gramme at Island park on the Sd was
almost OF Fourth of July proportions,
and was thoroughly enjoyed by a large
crowd of citizens. The chief attraction
was the one and a half mile race be-
tween Hanson and Mcdonnell for 500 a
side. There was very little betting
o Hanson is a long distance man,
and his friends were all of the opinion
that he had come below his distance I'm
entering a half mile contest. McDon-
nell's friends were confident he could
win the race. but at the same time their
confidence was not of that supreme
kind which would cause them to put
their money in sight. The race was
called at 8 o'clock. Hanson, as usual,
set the pace, and 1t was a hot one.
Many of McDonnell's friends had bet
that he would tax the first lap, n he
succeeded in passing Hanson just in
time to win 1t. The first quarter was a
fast one. time, :55R. Hanson passed
Mcdonnell early in the second lap. and
came home far in the lead. Mcdonnell
quit so yards from the scratch. n
claimed he had been fouled by ALI Hal
berg, one of Hanson's hackers. He
neglected, however, to go to the scratch
and enter a protest, and thu race was
awarded to Hanson. HalbeIg did jump
into the track and run dswn behind
Hanson and in front of Mcdonnell. Nc
Donnell and many of his friends claim
Halberg interfered with him and that
he could easily have won the race had
he not done so. Others claim that Nc
Donnell was beaten beyond all hope
when Halberg jumped into the track.
However that may be, Halberg had no
business on the track and would have
had no sympathy had he lost Hanson
the race by his interference. 1t is not
generally believed Halberg had any in
tention of interfering, but the excite
ment was too great for him and he lost
his head. 1t was suggested by a good
many persons that in case of another
race il would be a good idea to tie Hal
berg to a tree. The half mile was made
by Hanson in 2:l0&. The five-mfle hi
cycle race was a very tame AFFAIR.
There were six entries, all of whom fell
out early in the race except Ed Wal
ling and Johnnie Sweeney. Walling fin
ished a lap ahead. There were two
uuarter-mile races between fat men,
tina created a great deal of merriment,
Perhaps the most exciting occurrence OF
the afternoon was the dog fight be-
tween Phil Leville's Gordon setter and
DR.. Vidal's bulldog. 1t was a hot set-to
I ldSllnB IlOlt hdh Ith AhhlioNNS NV So
rounded by 400 yelling men. The setter
a the best of the fight until the last
round, when he lost his nerve and es-
capped between the bow legs Of a spec
tator.
Crowds OF our people celebrated the
Fourth at Sand Coulee, where a grand
time is said to have been had. Quite
a large party went out to the box elder
home of Mr.. Ed Fox, where a genuine
| old-fashioned country celebration was
held. A good programme of sports was
arranged, a dance was held in the
evening. and those who attended from
here report having spent a most enjoy
able Fourth. The day in the camp was
very quiet, the stiffness being broker
only by a desultory popping of hre-
crackers in the hands of disappointed
Youngsters who were not able to attend
the out-of-town celebrations. In n
evening a great many families arrange
for small home displays of fireworks
The effect as seen from the uphill par
of the town Was very beautiful, the va
rious colored lights flashing simultane'
ouslv over the camp presenting a bril-
liant and pleasing spectacle.