Amador ledger., 1900-07-06
The Fourth Of July at Sutter
Greek.
AN Immense 1aRoNG VAS GATHERED There
From Morning Until Night the Visit.
ors Were Very Appropriately
Entertained.

the thrilling cheers of a patriotic peo-
pie, which was merely an echo of the
sentiment of our people, announcing
the presence of the National Day of the
United States OF America.
Sutter Creek, bedecked with the en-
blematic colors Of our nation, presented
beautiful sight on that day. Her
many blocks of business houses were
gaily decorated with red, white and
blue bunting, her beautiful residences
showed the loyalty of their occupants,
and here and there, streaming out into
the breeze, quivering and vibrating
from the tops of flag-statfs, fioated the
Stars and Stripes.
Early in the day the little city of the
mountains was thronged with people
from the county over, congregating
with view of making one mighty de-
monstration, commemorating the in
dependence of our country. Young
America kept up continual din with
firecracker, torpedo and fireworks.
At Q O'Clock the first feature of the
days programme was had, q musical
concert by the San Andreas and
Preston School of Industry Bands.
Both bands made an admiral presenta-
tion OF not only national airs, but many
other inspiring selections.
Within short time the literary ex-
ercises were rendered from a beauti-
fully decorated platform near the
bridge on the south end of Main street,
the announcements being made by
President of the Day, Robert C. Bole.
After prayer by the Chaplain,
Madame Elizabeth Regina Maurey, a
favorite society dramatic soprano of
San Francisco, rendered the patriotic
song "The Star Spangled Banner" {"
but evidently was not familiar with the
selection judging from the rendition.
President Bole then introduced Ora.
tor Colonel Leonard S. Calkins of
Nevada City, who, in q clear, distinct,
penetrating voice, delivered one of the
most eloquent and instructive orations
ever delivered from platform in this
county. Commanding the attention
OF vast audience, deeply interested in
the welfare OF our country, he gave
forth facts on the progress of our ma
tiou which the most stubborn of man.
kind could not deny; facts that showed
our standing and growing Importance
as an independent Nation.
At II o'clock members of the Olympic
Athletic Club OF San Francisco, gave
an exhibition of their gymnasium work
wrestling and other acrobatic perform
ances.
Shortly after l O'Clock p. m. the
swaying crowd began to move toward
the platform erected for the drilling
contest on north Main street. The
usual preliminaries were gone through,
the reading of rules and many other
necessities being attended to. The
drilling commenced, and from then
nntil late in the afternoon the sound OF
the hammer, and the husky cheering
as good change was made, could be
heard. Seven or eight teams eagerly
sought to capture the purse of 500.
Sutter Creek produced the winning
team, James H. Oates and Kempthorn
they drilling 34l inches.
Just before the contest, small groups
OF men were talking, some of them be.
ing somewhat excited. In one of these
groups was Joseph Datson, the drilling
partner of John Kitto. Speaking about
drilling Datson said, 81 hold the record
of Colorado for fifteen minutes drilling.
l drilled 52f inches in Gunnison gran.
ite," He further said, "T'll drill any
man in the United States fifteen min.
utes at 160 pounds.
During the afternoon the Olympic
Club gave an aorobatic performance,
the chief feature of which was box
ing contest for scientific points, and a
wrestling match. About 5:30 O'Clock
the most horrible of horribles paraded.
At 8 o'clock in the evening the music
of the band drew the people toward the
platform on south Main street, where
Madame Maurey rendered vocal selec.
tions, being followed by another per-
formance by the Olympic Club, which
exhibition was simply q repetition of
previous ones.
Everywhere display OF fireworks
was visible; from every street and alley
there shot into the air the eomet-lik 9
skyrocket, Kissing as it sped up
ward, dying away in the distance,
where with deadened pop it bursted
into a myriad of colored sparks. On
every side the firing of great bonn bs,
and the smaller frecrackers made a
startling noise.
Shortly after o'clock hundreds of
people jammed the walks on either
side OF the great dancing platform,
while the balconies of the surrounding
buildings were crowded with spectators.
Suddenly there was dull thud upon
the DER spreading canvas, as a spent
rocket fell upon it, it being noticed by
only few of those in the balconies.
In few seconds darkened spots began
to appear on the canopy, then burst
through in small circles of flame, dying
out almost Immediately. Water was
thrown upon it, but it did no good.
AS the holes increased in size the fire