The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-07-07
peared they had to be called off.

| FS.S- ~ S,.SJ AAthNe w OS CdIlCQ Ols
After the awarding of the prizes
good share of the crowd went to the
ball park and witnessed an excellent
game for the championship of Decatur
county between the Woodland and Val
| Vert teams. Woodland has perhaps
the fastest team in southern Iowa, anl
easily defeated Van Vert, the score
standing 13 to in favor of Woodland
The fact that the outfield was covered
with tall grass in which the ball became
! lost whenever it was out of the PLAYERS
hands accounted for the large score
From $500 to 5000 people witnessed the
game, which like all other attractions
was free to everybody. The game was
umpired by James Hurst and his decis-
ions gave universal satisfaction, not a
single decision during the entire game
being disputed. 1t was a good game,
thoroughly enjoyed by the big crowd,
and was noticeable for the utter alb
eence Of any quarrelling between the
members of the teams. The boys all
played good ball and the game was one
of the features of the celebration.
George Inman, the clever little pitcher
for the Woodland team won the fine
umbrella given by Hurst Bros. to the
pitcher striking out the most men dur
ing the game, and it must have been his
lucky day, for he was tied with Petty of
the Woodland team for the fine Manila
hat given by M. Mayer to the player
making the most hits, and in the toss up
Inman won, so that he received both
prizes.
After the ball game there was almost
three hours of fine sport at the south
platform in the way of wrestling
matches, there being three bouts and
all for blood, and were witnessed by all
the people who could get into the street
on the sidewalk or on top of Bowsher &
Biddison's store. The first match was
between Roe Caster and Frank Farqu-
har, and on account Of Caster having
the advantage on account Of age and
weight he agreed to throw Farquhar
three straight falls. Caster won the
first fall but in the second round Far
quhar was very game and after strong
effort on the part of Caster to throw his
opponent Farquhar finally let him wear
himself out and then won a fall which
gave him the match. The boys gave
"a splendid exhibition Of scientific wrest-
ling which was something new to many
of those present who had never witness
ed a real wrestling match. The first
match was followed by match between
Steve Axes and John Powers, two
sturdy young men from southwest of
town., and they went at things in a
manner which show they We're trying
hard to win. Axes had considerable
the advantage in weight, but found in
his little opponent one of the fastest
little workers in this section and he
had time winning the first fall. After
rest of 10 minutes they were at it again
and try as he would Axes could not get
Powers shoulders down, and after long
and exciting tussel Powers finally
secured hold which enabled him to
force Axes over. This gave them fall
apiece, and when they went at it the
third time it was anybody's match.
During the rest between the last fall
Powers had however accepted the chal-
lenge of Carl Whitaker, of Garden
Grove, to wrestle any one who was
within six pounds of his weight, 1926
pounds, so he finally allowed Axes to
secure the third fall after showing that
if he tried it was doubtful whether
Axes could have thrown him again.
| When Powers and Whitaker met it
was easily seen that Whitaker was no
match for Johnnie Powers, although
Powers had been wrestling for nearly
an hour. Whitaker is good wrestler
but Powers soon secured two falls and
the match. 1t was after s o'clock be-
fore the wrestlings bouts were finished
and the big crowd watching the boys
never thought anything about supper at
all SO interested were they in the
matches.
In the evening the sham battle and
drill by the Osceola soldier boys kept
things lively until it was dark enough
for the fire works, and there was one o.
the best displays in this line ever seer
in this city, they being fred from the
roof of the Kraft Clothing store.
1t was late hour before the people
commenced to leave the streets, ani
when they went home everybody was
tired and happy, and all were ready tc
swear that it was the best celebration
lever held in the city. Leon is making {
reputation as an entertainer and while
we do not celebrate every year, the
people know that when we do there
will be something doing.
The big crowd was one of the mos,