Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-06-17
A DAY WITH
THE MINERS
The Gold Diggers Of the Kendall Camp
splendidly Entertain a Large
Number Of Visitors.
LEwlsTowN WAS REPRESENTED
Many People From the County Seat
Enjoy a Day In the Greatest
Little Camp on Earth.

Kendall, the biggest little mining
camp in the west, threw open her
doors to visitors last Saturday and
showed that though small in the mum.
ber Of her people, she is large 10
knowing how to give an all days ep.
tertainment.
The occasion was the celebration
Of Miners Union day and not only
were all of the principal mining camps
in the county represented but Lewis
town and the surrounding country al
so sent over large number of peo-
pie to aid in the fitting observance
Of the gold diggers' holiday.
The day was most propitious. Jup-
tier Pluvius lined up his cohorts of
clouds several times but kindly re.
Trained from making a charge, simply
sending few scattering volleys early
in the evening, which only served to
settle the dust and make the remain
der of the evening more pleasant.
Both mines were shut down and all
of the men not actually required to
keep the tanks and engines running
were down town and did their best
towards making the visitors have
good time and having one themselves.
]. r. Jones was appointed a special
deputy to preserve order, but, unlike
every other mining camp on earth,
they do not have much need for an
officer of the law in Kendall. No
more law-abiding and orderly people
exist than those who live in and about
that camp. For that reason Special
Officer Jones had regular sinecure.
There were few, very few, present,
who, before the day closed. were feel.
ing to a greater or less extent the ef-
fects of partaking too freely of the
cyanide solution, but they in no way
marred or attempted to mar the pleas
ure OF the day by any peace disturb
ing tendencies.
The program prepared for the day
did not begin until the afternoon,
when the rock drilling contest open
ed proceedings. Five teams compet-
ed, including one from Maiden and
two each from the Kendall and Barnes
King mines.
The rock was porphry granite
from Maiden canyon and was about
as tough a drilling proposition as
could be found in the mountains. The
visiting team, Nels Nelson and George
Kieglanda, drilled first and worked in
good form, putting the steel down
27h inches. Theo. Nontell and Tom
Dignon, of the Kendall mine. then
went to work, and after some partic-
ularly pretty work were stopped by
the call of time" just as they reach
ed the 3O-inch level. They got the
second prize of $50. The third team
comprised the champions of the
Barnes-King, Dan Foote and Sol Ko-
ko. They were both strong and fast,
missing scarcely stroke and chang
ing in great shape. When their if-
teen minutes were up 1t took ruler
32h inches to measure the hole which
they had made in the stubborn gran
ite, giving them the first prize of 500.
Jim Mcdonald and Charley Bell. of the
Barnes-King had hard luck with their
steels, which were not tempered to
suit the stone. The first steel broke
and this made a handicap which the
boys could not overcome, although
they worked like Trojans. To this
unfortunate circumstance was due
their poor showing, which was only
24h inches. ]. F. Robertson and John
Melan. of the Kendall. finished the
contest and did some clever work, go
ing down for 29A inches, making them
a close third. Hugh Tully and George
Baker were timekeepers and did their
Jobs we'll, as did John Kussi and Nels
Johnson, the judges.
After the drilling contest came the
tug-of-war between a team made up
of Kendall boys and outsiders. After
a strong, stiff pull the Kendallites
pulled their little less husky oppo-
nents over.
e. Z. Wright won the long Jump
with 91a feet, three inches better than
his closest competitor. w. r. Wood
son, of Lewistown.
In the shot put Bill Reese was in a
class by himself. At his last try he
sent the leaden missile through the
air for 1914 feet, just feet farther
than his nearest competitor, Jim Mac
Kay.
A good horse race and some foot
races completed the afternoons pro-
gram, and a lay-off was taken until
about O'Clock, when dancing was
begun in two halls, the old Miners
Union hall in one end of town and
the Cook hall in the other. Both
places were simply jammed. neverthe-
less, by means of the fine work OF the
floor committees every one present
had a good time. II is estimated that
over 200 tickets were sold for the
dances. The suppers. which were
served at the Stephens and Shaules
hotels. were a most satisfactory part
OF the evenings program, any pur-
chaser of a dance ticket being entit-
led to a supper.
At 7 o'clock a rattling good ten
round boxing contest between Silent"
Rowan and Eddie Santee, OF Portland.
was pulled off with Ed. Barry referee
ing. The boys were very evenly
matched but the silent lads clever
ness won the decision for him.
The entire program was excellently
arranged and the manner in which II
was carried out reflected much credit
upon the Kendall union. The Lewis
town people who were present took
occasion to invite the Kendall people
40 n au,tsknun nn tho Fourth 0f Iuly