Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-07-11
WE CELEBRATED.
In spite of Hot Weather and High Water, OF
Words to That Effect

July 4th would have been a gala day
in Grand Rapids had it not rained 50
early and rained SO long. AS it was
there was large crowd from the
country round about who Joined with
the people in this city to enjoy as
fully as possible all the pleasure there
| was to be had from the entertainment
provided.
OF course every feature of the pro-
gram was marred by the frequent
showers that occurred throughout the
day and which in the evening turned
| into a heavy rain. For this reason
only partial attempt was made at
| fireworks land even that ought not to
have been madel and the dance at the
Opera House failed to materialize.
The people out of town were, how
ever, we'll pleased with the effort
made to entertain them and no fault
was found with anybody or ANYTHING
but the weather. The committees in
charge did all they could do to make
the celebration d success and deserve
credit for their efforts. The impossi-
BILE was not expected of them.
The program opened with a march
down the principal streets led by the
band and participated in by number
of courageous citizens and the G. A. r.
organization. Miss Ella Scott with a
handsomely decorated wheel was in
the procession and won the S. prize
to be awarded for the best decorated
bicycle. The climbing of the greasy
pole and the run of the west side fire
company completed the attempt at
carrying ont the program for the
forenoon. In the afternoon the prin-
cipal events were the ball game.
bicycle race, horse race and few
other minor attractiOnS-aS many as
could be successfully handled in the
mud.
The ball game between the Nekoosa
and Grand Rapids teams attracted a
large crowd to the fair grounds at
about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and a
warm game was witnessed. with plenty
of ''rooting' for both teams and big
score. The enthusiasm of the players
aud the OnlOOkcrS was about evenly
matched for it mattered.not how hard
it Showered everybody stayed by the
game ana yelled Justify for the victorS
when in the 9th inning the game came
to close with a score of Il to Is in
favor of Grand Rapids. George
Grignon umpired the game as artis-
tically as anybody could and came out
of it with nothing worse than wet
skin.
In the bicycle race were three
entries. The start was made at the
bridge and the boys ran to the G. NJ. &
ST. p. depot and return. Derrick was
first, Jenkins second and Crawford
third.
The same number of entries were
made in the horse race, which was an
imprOvised affair taking the place of
two events made impossible on ac-
count of the rain. 1t was a warm
contest with Hall first, Res. Garrison
second and Bob Nash third.
w. Pouse won the sack and wheel
barrow races, with A. Carlson second
IN the first and Joe Noel second in the
last named race.
In the 100 yard foot race Akey was
first, Jenkins second and Crawford
third
Irve Henry caught the creased pig
and all the other lads said, "Well, he
ought to have caught it: he's a
butcher boy"
Mccarthy was first and Noel second
in the potato race.
The 200 yard dash was won by Akey;
Crawford second. Jenkins third
In the running broad jump Wood
was first, Crawford second, Jenkins
third.
Saturday evening a large crowd
assembled on the bridge and lined the
banks of the river to see the residue
of the fire works go up in smoke and
tonight the observation-disclosures
tiOn will close with the gayeSt kind of
ball at the Opera House.