Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1904-07-08
HOW THE FOURTH
WAS Celebrated
Large Crowds Of People Enjoyed
the Day in Alma.
PROGRAM CARRIED OUT
IN EVERY DETAIL
No Accidents Happened TO Mar the
Pleasure of the Day.

All previous efforts were eclipsed Mon.
day in the celebration Of our great
nation holiday, and much credit is due
the management for the splendid way
in which the comfort and welfare of
the crowd was provided for.
The morning dawned with great black
clouds in the sky and occasional showers,
which gave promise Of most dismal
day, and the prospects of large crowd
from ont of town looked all but encour-
aging. But the weather man finally
became ashamed of himself and allowed
the sun TO come smiling through the
clouds about ten o'clock, and it wasn't
long before strings of teams were seen
coming into Alma from all points Of
the compass. All OF the trains on both
roads had on extra coaches which were
crowded to the sign Of S. r. o.
Undaunted by rain or wind the small
boy shattered all quietude and peace
that prevailed from the early hours of
morning until late at night, ana it
seemed as though the supply of powder
was exhaustless.
The rains of the morning did not
dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd,
which by the time for the parade,
almost filed the sidewalks. The parade
started promptly on schedule time and
was interesting and amusing as well,
and the automobile contrivance Of two
Of our enterprising business men, Mes
singer and Bivins, provoked a good deal
of laughter.
One of the most interesting and in
structive features of the day was the
exhibitions Of running and hose-laying
of the Alma and Ithaca fire departments
The prize, a handsome loving cup, was
awarded the Ithaca department and
was formally presented TO them in
pleasing little speech by 7. \. Ely, at
Alma's Public Building, after the race
The people also had the pleasure Of
witnessing the Alma department in real
service, they being called out by an
alarm of fire turned in at the Wright
House, N less than a hour after their
exhibition.
Alma and Mt. Pleasant ball teams
crossed bats in the morning and both
were playing a red-hot game when they
were compelled to stop at the end Of the
third inning on account Of rain, the
score standing and (. In the afternoon
a b. crowd witnessed their second
attempt and the game fell to Mt. Pleas
ant with a score Of II TO :.
1t is estimated that Is, 900 people ere
in attendance, but in the face of the
large crowd the day was generally
orderly, there being very few of the
good and patriotic citizens CD who pre-
ferred TO celebrate by state Of inward
exhilaration" rather than by outward
display Of noise, and the officers Of the
day had little trouble in taking care Of
the crowd.
After the parade a high wind, accom-
panied by clouds Of dust, prevented the
speaker Of the day, Mr.. Clarence L.
hoag, from addressing the large crowd
that had assembled 60 hear this eloquent
gentleman deliver his address. His
voice could not have been heard ten feet
but the Alma band under the able leader
ship OF Bert Pulfrey entertained the
crowd with timely and popular airs.
This concluded the program for the
Il 1 Ill - H.
assembled upon the banks Of the river
70 witness the water sports, but as the
wind at this time had increased TO a
sixty-mile gale, some Of the sports
scheduled had to be omitted. The
swimming contest was won by Paul
Engelmann. Almer Pettyjohn and
Fred Wagstaff became exhausted after
battling with the wind and waves for
some time and gave up before the finish.
Walking the creased pole created no end
of amusement. and one by one the CON
testants gave up the attempt 10 reach
the flag at the end OF the pole. Finally
George Oowles came out OF the crowd
and volunteered 10 make the attempt
and as he had evidently been mp against
the game before, after several fruitless
attempts reached the flag, as he was
falling from the pole. The 100 yard
race was sprint from start 90 finish
and was won by nose by j. Hackett,
j. Schultz second. Mr. Hackett also
won the 220 yard race, With Mr.. Schultz
again a close second. The egg race
created a good deal Of interest and was
won by Nern Tracy with Newill Dancer
second. In the boys three legged race
Lutz and Babcock won, Dancer and
Yats second. Six riders started in the
bicycle race which was won by +. Rood,
q. Balmer second.
One OF the features OF the day was the
entertainment furnished by James Max.