The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-07-07

The Fourth of July dawned rather
early this year, Judging from the fact
that the noise of exploding powder
had barely ceased on Monday night
before the sunrise statutes began and
few slept through the racket. The
small boy was soon in evidence, and
began long day of fire-cracker fun.
The first and main attraction of the
day were the horse races on the Ra &C
Track on Shelton Prairie, which had
been fenced and prepared in as good
shape as possible. There was a large
gathering present, and teams confirm.
ed to arrive during the morning from
all parts of the county. A large NUM-
Der of Indians were present from Sko-
komish, Puya1lup and Nesqua1ly and
some of them had some fine horses to
enter in the various races. In fact, the
indians carried off most of the purses,
and provided most of the interest in
the races, as they were in it to win.
The races, several of which were quite
close and exciting, came out as follows:
4 mile running race, "Benell," first,
time SIX, "Sorrel George" second.
Prizes $35 and SIS.
4 mile race, Queen, first; "Kate,''
second, time %; prizes SIS and $40.
Il mile free for all, Queen" first;
'Doc" second, time 58H, prizes SIS
and $40.
Pony race, 4 mile, "Jane," first;
doc" End, time 26H, prizes $40 and
SIS.
Trotting races; gentlemen's driving
horses, "Rowdy." first; DUKE" End;
prizes SIS and $40, time 3:35.
Mems Bicycle Race, mile, Joe Rit-
ner, LIST; Tom Taylor, End, prizes $40
and SIS, time 3.37.
Boys Bicycle race, u mile, Jennings
Johnson, first; Smith, End, prizes SIS
aud $3.50.
Ladies Bicycle race, Kate Saeger,
first. Nina Dunbar, second prizes SIS
and $3.50.
The following horses among the
winners were owned by the Indians:
Queen, Doc, Benell, Jane and Kate.
The races being concluded at noon,
the crowd returned to town, and for
two hours the hotels and eating houses
were rushed with hungry people. In
the afternoon ball games were arrang-
ed, the first, game between the Shell
ton and Oakland boy teams, the latter
winning with ease and pocketing the
prize. The game was quite interest
ing and some of the youngsters showed
themselves the making of splendid
players. The game announced be-
tween the Port Gamble Indian team
aud the home club failed to come off.
1t was not learned they were not COM
ing until too late to arrange a game
with another outside team An oppos-
ing nine was secured among Indian
aud other players, and five innings of
Indifferent ball was played to pass the
rest OF the afternoon, the prizes being
divided among the players. While
not of much interest to visitors the
game gave the home team some need
ed practice for later contests.
The Bicycle Parade was a fizzle,
coming in the evening when riders
were too tired to clean and decorate
their wheels. Ida Needham was the
only one to take the interest and she
secured the prize for her prettily dec
| Grated wheel, wheel was covered with
bunting and roses.
Preliminary to the town display,
everybody took hand in shooting off
bombs, rockets and candles, cleaning
out all the stock in town. At o:3O ].
B. Shelton and Wallie Rex began the
public exhibition, consisting of some
mammoth rockets, mines, and small
set pieces which made good display
| and interested the crowd for an hour.
Money does not go far in fireworks,
but the display was quite. satisfactory,
while it lasted.
The closing event of the long day
was the Odd Fellows Ball at Knee
lands Hall, which attracted the usual
large gathering of dancers, outside
places being well represented. Messrs
Sam Schumacher, w. r. Early, Chas.
Norton and Prentice Dunbar furnish
ed the music and W. S. Brown did the
prom pting. The orchestra was sup
piled with number of new pieces,
and the music was appreciated About
IS tickets were sold and $50 netted by
the Odd Fellows. An excellent supper
was served at the Webb at midnight
and the dancing continued until 4
O'Clock in the morning, before the
celebrants were satisfied to call it
quits. The following day saw the
last of the visitors and Shelton settled
down to quiet week.
Pop on ice at McLains.
An exchange says that the s'class of
SO" sounds all right, but what will you
do next year? Will it then be correct
to speak of 'sweet girl graduates of
naughty naught."
Fresh fruits and Temperance drinks
at McLain's.
Mrs. Eaton has added a nice line of
rew White Sailor Hats. Come and
sec ,hem.