Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1900-07-05
'CHOUTEAu efLEesATION,
Under Auspices Of Woodmen
Of the World.

Wednesday last was a gala day at
Chouteau, the occasion being a
basket picnic, given by the mem
bers Of the order Of Woodmen Of
the World at that place. Although
gotten up on short notice and its
promoters meeting with slight re-
verses, II was a good success.
The Vinita band Vas engaged,
going down on the A o'clock pas
senger that morning.
When the passenger arrived
from the south bringing Hon. VIM.
Hunt, OF Wagner, the orator OF
the day, the Woodmen, with their
axes, headed by the band and fol-
lowed by a procession Of citizens,
marched to the school house where
badges were provided and the pro-
gram agreed upon, after which
nearly the whole population, and
numerous visitors from adjacent
towns left for the picnic grounds,
four miles southeast OF the town,
on Uhouteau creek, where the day
was pleasantly spent.
Some enterprising fellow had a
"merTy.go. round" in operation,
and refreshment booths and the
usual assortment Of amuss toents
on like occasions were running in
full blast.
A nice platform for the musicians
and speakers had been erected,
and after the band concert Hon.
Wm. Hunt delivered a very inter-
esting and instructive address on
Woodcrsfi, showing the order up
as a very desirable method Of life
insurance. There were brief talks
by local members also, all of which
was we'll received.
Not the most Insignificant fea-
ture Of the day was the dinner;
they had almost everything the
inner man could crave To Agent
Fults and his estimable wife, and
to w. E. Grant and many others
whose names we fail to recall, the
Vinita delegation is indebted for
the splendid dinner; and right
here we want to speak word Of
praise of the citizens Of Chouteau.
1t has never been our lot 20 be en-
tertained more royalty and looked
after in a more interesting, oour-
teous manner than were we by
this people.
The afternoon was spent in mix
ing around and having a good old
fashioned social time, and Ninila
got her share.
A part Of the afternoon was oc-
cupied by a crowd of horsemen-
a riding tournament. Five posts
we're set in the ground in a straight
line, twenty yards apart, covering
a distance Of 100 yards. From a
cross beam on each post was sus-
pended by wire asmal. iron ring.
The horsemen would, with a spear
some six feet long, ride down the
line in dead run and attempt TO
string those rings on the spear.
One fellow, an expert, made the
run in six seconds, and "took Off
all five rings, twice in succession.
Others did nearly as we'll, and the
contest was interesting and ex.
citing.
Late in the afternoon the crowd
returned to town and a number oi
citizens and their families gave q
spread supper on the lawn at the
! home of L. F. Fults and fully one
hundred persons, including the
Vinita people,. participated in the
: supper, which was just like the
dinner. From then until train
time the band boys gave a concert
and the evening was happily spent
The band boys, who were chap
eroned Ly Deputy Pleas Thomp,
son, returned home on the 11:55
! train, each feeling that picnict
might come and go, but the genu,
, inc hospitality and friendliness ex
tended by the good people o.
Chouteau would never fade in then
memory.
OItT Op TH- cap vyINnOtN