Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-07-10
THOUSANDS OF VISITORS.
Ali Roads Lead TO Grand Rapids on the
Fourth

Fourth.
Never before in the history Of Grand
Rapids did SO many visitors assemble
here as on the Fourth of July this
year. All trains coming to the city
were crowded with pleasure seekers
aud Grand Rapids was their Mecca.
Nearly all the cities Of this and neigh
boring counties sent hundreds of
people, and when the celebration be-
gan Grand Rapids population was
SWelled to eight or nine thousands.
The weather was ideal; the humOr
Of the people was almost perfect; the
business men were happy: the peanut
and lemonade venderS thought not of
morrow; the little boy with the fire
cracker was in his seventh heaven
ALI who looked for pleasure and enjoy
ment came in for an ample share.
The procession was formed at the
Northwestern depot at 10 o'clock and
marched up Center street to the lib
rarv and then back to the residence of
f. Ii. Jackson in front Of which Hon.
Neal Brown delivered the address Of
the day. After the address the people
went to the market square of the west
side where. they enjoyed a perfect
exhibition drill by the Marshfield
military company. At 7:30 o'clock in
the evening the company again
afforded the spectators pleasure by
drill in front of the library building.
The wrestling match between the
Beell brothers added to the amuse-
ment. The rifle contest between the
Grand Rapids and Marshtield gun
clubs was one of the most interesting
events. Mr.. Luttermann, of Marsh
field, took the honors Of the day in
the ten prize events. The Grand
Rapids club won the greatest number
of points, the score being 167 to 165.
Following was the individual score of
a possible twenty-five: Grand Rapids
w. G. Scott, II; O. Gottekey, 20; G.
Gottekey, "A; f. Mosher, %; w. A.
Drumb, 16; G. Lyon, IL; f. Bolcs, IS;
g. w. Mason, 19; E. Taylor, 10; Dr.
Ridgman, 19. Marshtield-W. L.
Covey, %; e. Westerfield, 19; G. Neffz,
II; e. III. Collier, IT; Otto Miller, 8:
f. Kick bush, II; Nj. G. Ewing, %; M.
Weeks, 16; r. Lyons, IL; H. McCrossen
Is.
The failure of the balloon ascension
was great disappointment to a great
number OF the spectators. Whether
the balloon was defective, the weather
unfavorable or the performers were
incompetent Is not known. The com
mittee did all in their power to carry
out this part of the program, but was
helpless. The report that the
aeronautS received compensation for
work they did not do is without foun-
datiOn.
The track events took place in
front Of the Witter House. Joe
Quinn won first place in the so yard
dash and Cleve Akey second place. In
the 100 yard dash Cleve Akey won
first and Joe Quinn second. The
swimming contest was won by WILDER
Kellogg and the tub race by August
Bandeline. The high dive from the
wagon bridge was performed by
Clarence Love.
The ball game in the afternoon at
the fair grounds, although somewhat
marred by rowdyism and kicking, was
one of the best features of the day.
For eight innings both teams played
tirst-clasS ball but in the ninth the
Nekoosa boys fell on Akey, who had
replaced Love, for eight t'Scores and
turned the game into procession.
What luck there was in the game
seemed to be entirely in NekOOSa'
favor and the home team were forced
into an uphill game right from the
start. Had Love been able to pitch
the entire game the result would prob
ably have been different as he seemed
to have little trouble in holding safely
down the hard hitting visitors.
Both teams offended in kicking
against the decisions of the umpire
but it must be said in fairness that the
home boys displayed the better incli-
nation to go on and play after an
interruption. The policing Of he
grounds was poor and there were many
delays to keep the crowd Off the dia-
mond. On the whole the teams were
quite evenly matched, the final score.
II to 4, not being fair standard of
comparison. Nekoosa eXcelled in,team
work, it is true, but it must be re-
membered that this was the home
teams first game, as, a team. If
another game could be arranged later
in the season we predict a we'll con-
tested game.
The ladies OF the Episcopal church
served meals during the day at the
G.. A. r. hall and the Rebekah lodge
at the Parrish building, near the
opera house. The two societies gave
excellent service to the many visitors.
In the evening the United Brother
hood of PapermakerS gave "a grand
> ball at the opera house. which was
largely attended and proved to be one
of the best enjoyments of the dav.