The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-07-12
GOVERNOR
FERGUSON
SPEAKER
Medford Postponed CeIebra-
ton Until July 7
HAD A GRAND PROGRAM
Executive Has an Audience Fill
ing the Hall

| l dlilOl says
While Medford did not celebrate our
glorious natal day, the 4th of July, hay-
ing In view the celebration of Tuesday,
July z. when our citizens had prepared
few higher grade amusements to fill
In the time not occupied by the Farmers
union and their program, the doings of
that day much resembled, a full-fedged
| Fourth of July celebration as from the
! dynamite salute in the morning to the
wild and hilarious oatmeal parade in
the evening incidents usual to that day
| were constantly transpiring.
| Early in the morning our citizens be-
gan preparations to entertain our guests
and Cherokee avenue, with it's pave
| ments and awnings, was placed in a state
! of perfection, being seated and well
| sprinkled, with ropes stretched to keep
out vehicle passage. Ice water was
| placed at convenient intervals and
band stand erected in the center of the
street. where the Wakita band, which
arrived early on the scene, discoursed
music throughout the day.
During the forenoon several of the
members of the fire department erected a
credita bic house out of boxes. barrels,
etc. to be used as a burning target for
the fire drill scheduled to take place at
o'clock. But some one. either through
malice or carelessness, set fire to the
same about 2:3O p. m. when the mem
bers of the company were at the speak
ing and other places, and 1t was soon
consumed, although one of the hose
carts was used in keeping the fire down.
However, II prevented a fire run and
when the fire company was scheduled to
give the exhibition all they could do
was to give a practice drill.
After dinner the people repaired to the
opera house, where prayer was offered
by Rev. Brooner Of Enid, after which
Mayor Reed, on behalf of the citizens
extended a welcome to the members of
the Farmers union and guests of the
city.
Abraham Slaughter responded on behalf
of the union, after which Governor Fer
guson addressed what was probably the
largest crowd ever gathered in the opera
house on similar occasion. The seating
capacity of 900 was well filled and many
were kept standing. His address lasted
for an hour and fifteen minutes and,
although his hearers embraced people
from nearly all classes of business, none
begrudged the time spent in listening.
While necessarily an address to the far
mers and the farming interests, it was |
not confined to these channels but tenn
ed with ideas that will furnish food for |
and other speakers also addressed large |
and appreciative audience after supper. |
when the members of the union elected |
officers for the ensuing year
While the speaking was going on at |
the opera house those more of the ath-
letic mind were witnessing a good ball |
game between Pond Creeks first nine
and picked nine of players from this
city. which resulted in a score of to
2 in favor of Medford. While this score
was somewhat of surprise to the local
fans. it developed the fact that we have
some ball players in our midst, as Pond
Creek nine have been winning victories
right along when playing with regularly
organized teams
Following the fire drill in the evening
was the balloon ascension Cor rather
the attempted balloon ascension). as the
balloon was only partially filed when
turned loose and did not have enough
gas in 1t to carry the aeronaut over the
two-story buildings, coming down about
a block from where it started and leav-
ng the man suspended on the telephone
wires where he was jerked loose from
the balloon. When the word was given
to turn loose the ropes that held the
2x6 supports on either side of the balloon
no warning was given the crowd standing
near. and the supports some so feet high.
fell among the crowd. one of them break
ing young girls arm and the other mar
rowly missing a boy On a pony, but
struck the pony just across the back.
lust behind the saddle. badly Gripping il.
The young lady who was so badly hurt
was Miss Ream. This was the only ac-
-ident happening during the day of a
serious nature. and. coupled with the
failure of the balloonist to make the as
,ension. marred the pleasures expected
from this attraction.
After supper quite few fireworks
were displayed by private parties. al
though there was no demonstration OF
! public nature
Lacking something else to DO some
me in the crowd got a box Of oatmeal
md began throwing the same. The con-
agion spread and soon oatmeal was
Hing the air in all directions until the
streets were carpeted with the stun. So
hick and tramped in was the oatmeal
hat after sweeping the walks the hose
company had 70 wash them the next
morning.
People came from all parts q. OF the
'ounty. and although 10 special effort .
vas made to entertain. all seemed well
LEASED with the day spent in the Hub
4 Grant county. Many were present who
lad not visited the city in two years
nd expressed themselves surprised AT c
Re improvements made and now under =
way. 3,
II is estimated that nearly 90 out-of- a
owa people were in Nedford TUESDAY. e
ut. while our restaurants and hotels @
yere not looking for half that number. p
hey We're wei taken care OF O.
Messrs. J. 4 Hopkins and 7. 7. Cod e.
7ey deserve much praise for the enter q
ainnent furnished. as they were leaders y
! the idea but they were well sun ?.
orted BY our citizens generally. many r,
o. only contributing 70 the runs 10 n
ecGTe the entertainments. bui lending
ersonal assistance as we'll
POTATO GROWERS souEAL. Of