The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1902-07-04
OFFICIAL COUNTY PAPER
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1902.
The FIREMEN AT MITCHELL.

The firemen of the state have come
and gone, and we trust that theil
brief stay in Mitchell has been a:
pleasant to them as it has to the citi'
zens. The tournament brought Eo
this city a fine class of young mer
from all parts of the state-youne
men who stand ready to protect the
homes and the business property Of
the community in which they live.
When a lot of courageous young men
get together in an annual reunion it
IS expected that they come for the
purpose of enjoying themselves and
that the fremen did so-goes without
saying. They were here for that
purpose the freedom of the city
was extended them by the mayor
and it can be said to the credit of
the tiremen that they turned it over
to the city authorities in as good
shape as they received it. The young
men took great interest in events
of the tournaments and everything
was conducted in a manner that
showed careful management and JUS
tice was shown every individual who
competed in the races.
This is the first time in the history
of the association, at least in later
years, that so many towns have been
represented at the tournaments. 1t
has been the case that perhaps four
or five towns would send their rum
ing team to compete in the races
but the men were more or less pro-
f%essionals but the departments in
the smaller towns had an equal show
this year to send a team of ANA
teurs, and it rested with them
whether they won anything, that is
il they had put in the practice,
The tiremen were given an oppor-
tnnlty to make a good appearance in
the parade and they we're in every
way worthy Of the applause they
received as they marched along the
main street Of the city. Their uni
forms were neat, their hands were
sencased in white gloves. and a but
tonhole bouquet adorned the breast
of nearly every man in line. They
marched with precision and dignity,
did these fremen and any communi-
ty in the state which had representa-
tives could well have heen proud Of
them had any of the citizens been in
Mitchell to watch that parade
Miuchell's citizens were indeed proud
of their guests as they gathered be-
fore the reviewing stand and listened
to the words OF welcome as expressed
by our honorable mayor, and there
was not the slightest question in
his mind but what these young men
would deport themselves with credit
to the communities from which they
came and also to the credit of
Mitchell. The mayor was not dis
appointed in the least.
After the tournament has been
passed around among the towns
Mitchell will again be pleased to
entertain the iremen of the state.
The tiremen who were here found
everything to their liking and the
instances were many where efforts
e personally made by the citizens
to insure the success of the affair.
The business houses decorated in
honor of the presence of the firemen
but the rain had the effect of spelling
these to some etxent, but it showed
the respect held by them for their
guests.
The success of this tournament
augurs well for the ones that are to
come in the future. A new basis has
been established for the success of
these annual events, in that profess
sionaiism has been barred.
The local department assisted Cor
responding Secretary Adams in max
ing the tournament a success and
from Chief Purdy down through the
rank and file all the members worked
in harmony to make the affair a sue
cess, and no little credit is due them
for their efforts.
The state association honored
Mitchell by making Mr.. H.. B.
Adams its president for the ensuing
year. Mr.. Adams has been identified
with the tournaments for a good
many years, and we feel confident
that he will make the tournament of
1903 a splendid success. so far as his
duties are concerned.