Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1900-07-26
FARM LOOMS
5 per cent. interest once a
y6dr, 500 optional payments
with Davenport Savings Bank.
CHARLES BAGLEY
The Tournament

| The best laid plans of men are
some times thwarted by the elements,
and Tuesdays tournament was one of
these times. Monday afternoon the
terrific rain, followed by nights
rain and forenoon of lowering
clouds, made il seem impossible to
hold the races. The racing team from
Adair, however, had come in before
the rain and were ready for the races.
The Atlantic town council had voted
money for their boys to 90 Oh, and
regardless of the lowering clouds, the
band and two hose teams and the
hook and ladder team, with many
citizens came.
A few scattering ones from other
towns came but most seemed, aside
from the ones mentioned, to lack the
nerve to venture out. The appear
anoe OF the Atlantic delegation was
the first word Of cheer the local de-
partmenl had, but when the seventy
five from there, headed by the band,
which is one OF the finest in the state.
and the three teams all in fine uni
forms and their banners flying, fol-
lowed by the delegation of citizens,
filed off and marched up the walk to
the time Of we'll played march, en-
thusiasm began to kindle in the
breasts Of all who saw them. They
were marched to the hall, where they
were waited upon by the local team
and then to the court house hall
where the local team had prepared a
sumptuous dinner for them at a
nominal cost. Many flags were seen,
even it the weather was threatening,
and the large banner across the upper
end OF Broadway waved welcome to
all visitors.
Before going to the grounds the
band gave concert in the park TO an
appreciative and wildly demonstra-
tive throng.
After dinner all fell in for the pa
rade down the street and to the
grounds, which the boys had been
working hard to get in shape, but
which were quite muddy when the
crowd first arrived.
The scene OF the parade was but a
slight miniature OF what would have
been had the day been bright. AS it
was Atlantic was awarded the prize
for tn largest delegation present.
While the track was being dragged
and citizens were pounding the course
by driving up and down it, the band
played several selections of as good
music as was ever played on the
grounds. All the business houses had
closed and the town seemed to have
turned out enmasse to help cheer the
boys in their enterprise.
While waiting for the races to be-
gin the crowd INDUCED in good
natured raillery at visiting teams and
the home team for being so slow, yet
with patience that showed that
they knew the weather was to blame
for all delays.
By three O'Clock the track was in
fair shape, SO that the races were
called. A judge was chosen from
each town, i. e. Audubon, Atlantic
and Adair, and in the drawing for
position Adair drew first place, for
the 200 yard straight away. The
boys were shy a few men but made it
IN 273 seconds. Atlantic followed
with her full number on the web and
made it in 81 seconds flat.
This was followed by the hose race,
Adair made the best time for the run
but failed to make the three turns
necessary and lost the race. Atlantic
followed but only trotted through,
knowing that the race was theirs.
The time was such that we fear to
give it.
Then came the coupling contest.
run 80 yards and make coupling.
Adair made first trial and failed. At
lantic came next and failed. Brain
ard and Jones from Audubon follow
ed and made good time but were
bea ten by Ed. Freeman and Chef
Jones.
The standing contest resulted the
same as above.
In the hook and ladder race Adair
had no team and as Audubon was
barred, the Extra team which had ar
rived too late to enter the hose races,
filled the web of the hook and ladder,
lCdV1uS AuUuDOu W iii OuU duu
handle the ladder. The Atlantic
team made the run and climb in 41@
seconds while the Extra entry, made
it in 36 seconds, but the protest from
Atlantic awarded them the money.
This was followed by free for al
100 yard foot race in which George
McFarlane took first money.
The other races were declared off on
account of the weather. The time
made was not the best on record, but
taking the heaviness of the track into
consideration, it was good. Besides,
none of the teams had practiced any,
and were just picked up from the
ranks.
After the races the crowd returned
to town, where the visitors were seen
after by our citizens and all given a
good time. The fire boys served
supper in the court house and the
visitors were we'll provided for.
/ The loyalty of the citizens and
town to our boys is commendable.
Few towns can boast of a better or
ganized department than ours and III