The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1902-07-11
THE GRAHDSTAHD COLLAPSED.
One Death and Many People Hurt at
Burlington, Col, the Fourth.
Days Festivities IIarred BY the TumbIing
Of a Fraii Ampitheatre, HurlinE Several
Hundred People in q HeaP-GoOd-
Iandites Among the Injured.

u - I'll An
Hundred People in q HeaP-GoOd-
Iandites Among the Injured.
The people Of Goodland did not for
mally celebrate here the Fourth, but
everyone, following his own peculiar in
clinations, either stayed at home or
joined his patriotic reclamation with the
people Of neighbOring towns. For the
reason that GOodlsnd is to hold jubilee
commemoratiDg its fifteenth anniversary
IN conjunction with the annual encamp-
ment Of the Northwest Kansas Veterans
association, the citizens thought e best
to dispense with a celebration on the
Fourth and concentrate its energies on
the coming celebration, which viii be
held September 6 to IL.
Consequently, GOodland had repre-
sentatives at Burlington, St. Francis,
Norton, Ruleton, Clayton's grove and
MallOck's grove, July 4.
The largest delegation went to Bur
lington, where a lively celebration had
been planned. The program Of the day
went without friction or accident until
the five mile horse race was called. A
temporary grand stand had been con-
structed opposite the judges stand on
the race course. 1t consisted Of planks
arranged in an ascending series Of steps
As It was new lumber, just enough nails
were driven to hold the mass together,
and ID under braces to support the mid
die part. Above this was stretched al
awning. Three hundred spectators
were setting in this rudely constructed
amphitheater, and were just witnessing
the break-aEsy in the FIVE mile dash,
when the supports gave way and the
stand fell with q heavy crash. Men,
women and children went down in a
heap among the timbers, and a number
were injured more or less.
A baby in the arms Of its mother sus-
tanned a broken arm and serious internal
injuries from which it has since died.
Several other Burlington people were
slightly bruised and cut. or the visit
ors from GOOdland, Mrs. A. L. McCants
sustained the severest injury. She vas
injured to such an extent that she had
to be carried from the field on a stretch
er. Mrs. Earl White received a sprained
ankle and Miss Myrtle Critchfeld and
Mrs. Radcliffe we're slightly bruised
The responsibility Of the accident
rests upon ". A. F'eIlers, manager Of the
Foster Lumber Company at Burlington,
who constructed the stand, as an indiv-
idual enterprise. The Foster Lumber
company disclsims having any thing TO
/ do with the enterprise. ". f. McCue, aud
itor, was in GOOdiand Monday, and gave
out this statement to Mr.. McCants who
was considering entering e damage suit
against the company. But it is under
stood that Fellers will reimburse Nc
Cants for the expense incurred by the
! accident. Mrs. McCants is regainiDg
strength, but it is thought the strained
condition Of her back will not entirely
disappear for several months at least.
/ A few GoOdlandites went to st.
Francis. One Of the chief attractions
was the second game Of base bail be-
tween the st. Francis and Haigler, Neb.,
teams The previous game had fallen
TO the st. Francis club, but the game on
the Fourth was Won by Haigler. The
score stood to 10. jim Bsinbyidge was
umpire.
Celebrations on a smaller scale we're
held at RuletOn, ClaytOn's grove and
MallOck's grove, but was none the less
patriotic and spirited
Several residents went to Norton
where John Cullins conducted e Fourth
Of July dance in the opera house.
Thus was the inhabitants Of Good
land scattered without chsPeron on shep
herd, but all returned to the fold, sOmG
injured, some broke, and some in tact
In the evening individual IRE works
emblazonsd the sky-the last tribute X
the 10th anniversary Of the nation.