Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-07-06
The One Hundred and Twenty Seventh Ami
versary of the Nations Birthday
Between 1000 and 10000 Visitors are most Pleas
antly Entertained. Rain in the Morning
Spells Parade. Interesting Sports
Good Hu1nor Prevailed.

The Fourth OF July celebration in
Aberdeen passed off splendidly. TIE
rain in the morning caused the calling
Of OF the parade, but, perhaps this was
as well, as, owing to want of attention
on the part OF the committee-some Of
whom did not know they had been so
appointed-and a number OF organiza-
tons whose presence was looked to for
the success of this event would not have
appeared. However, the city was in
holiday attire, and, ii appearances count
Cor anything, our visitors were ali having
Jolly time. Ii the census could have
been taken at 2 p. m. it is safe to say
that fully $4,000 people would have been
found within the limits OF Aberdeen.
The exercises were held from the band
stand, at G and Heron streets, which
was wise move, as the opera house
would not have accommodate the i'm
IN ,nse crowds that thronged to the ex.
er Uses. At II o'clock, the exercises
were opened by f. f. Borer, president
o. the day. After an invocation to the
ID .ity by Rev. G. W. Griffin, the Declare.
ton OF Independence was read, in splen-
dld voice. by Rev. Chas. McDermoth
The address by Governor Mcbride was
a magnificent effort, and was listened to
with wrapt attention, Notwithstanding
the slight rainfall, by as dense crowd
as could get within hearing distance of
the stand. The governor dwelt elo-
quently upon the history OF the nation
since its birth in 1875, and, in fine lam
guage, explained the governmental con-
ditions OF the world at that period, with
the then universal doctrine OF Divine
right governors, kings and emperors
going on to show the gradual growth OF
the principle of government by consent
of, and for the benefit of the governed
The utmost good humor prevailing
during the day was noticeable feature,
and, considering the numbers in town,
The arrests were very few, and those for
but minor offenses. The Grays Harbor
Company of the National Guard came
up from Hoquiam, as men strong. and,
although the parade did not occur, the
nattv boys in blue were strongly in ev;-
dence during the day, and it was easy to
see that they readily outclassed the
snere civilians in the favor OF susceptible
,lamses.
II the afternoon the weather cleared
.off, AMI the sporting events were appre-
ciated by tie largest gathering ever seen
on the streets OF Aberdeen. Excepting
the disappointment caused by varying
from the program during the base ball
-ame everything went off nicely, and
each event was warmly contested, and
great interest maintained rom start to
finish.
The sports began with a pie eating
contest, in which five boys tried their
digestive apparatus on chunky black
berry pies. When time was called it was
found that John Griffin had taken first
prize, with Larry LaFountain COOL
second
Ed. McWhinney and Tommy Black,
respectively, took first and second prizes
in the shoe lacing contest, three other
kids finding themselves outclassed.
In the wheeibarrow race there were
three entries, and Clifford Gillies took
first prize, and Bonnie Ecker second.
The foot race for boys under Is brought
out a bunch of swift kids, who did some
speedy work for 100 yards on the plank
street. Bonnie Ecker came in first,
with Malcolm Stewart so close second
as to almost make matter of doubt.
For the 100-yard foot race, open, quite
number of running men entered, but
y. C. Gearhardt, OF San Francisco, won
easily, with J. II, Smith, of Hoquiam,
Only 90 feet behind him.
There We're but three entries in the
ladder climbing contest, and j. H..
Smith, of Hoquiam, took the prize,
Time 10 seconds.
The 1O0-yard foot race for members OF
the s. ". base ball league had but three
starters. Donavan and Meade, of the