The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-07-11
A GRAND
Big Crowds Entertained With splendid
Programme On the Fourth.

1t was the unanimous verdict Of old.
time residents and the hundreds Of
visitors that the Fourth of July cele.
bration in this city vas the biggest
and best that ever happened in this
part of Montana. 1t was a day of
exuberant patriotism from ) O'Clock
in the morning until midnight-twenty-
one hours of fun and enjoyment. The
committees in charge Of the various
features had made every preparation
for the day, and the success of the
celebration was in a large measure
due to their efforts.
\ little before 3 o'clock in the morn.
ing, the community was apprised of
the arrival Of the Fourth by a salute
Of ~forty-six guns, and from that hour
until midnight the noise was almost
continuous.
The formal exercises Of the day be.
gan at n;he O'Clock with a military
and civic parade which, in artistic and
ingenious decoration of vehicles, has
never been surpassed in northern
Montana. The floats representing
business houses, the buggies and
phaetons transformed into bowers of
bunting and other features Of the pro.
cession excited the admiration and
applause Of the spectators. So meri.
tor!ous were the representations that
the judges had difficulty in making
awards for superior excellence, but
they finally agreed upon the following:
Best representation Of business
Green Bros float, first: L. G. Power Il
Bro, second.
Swelles. vehicle turnout-Theo.
Danielson. first: Helen and John
Green, second.
Most grotesque entry-M. J. Joyce,
first. the entry being a small decorated
rig drawn by a stuffed lion, represent.
ing the Monarch brand OF canned
goods. Woodford Dimock, disguised
as a frog and driving a decorated
spring wagon, was awarded second
prize.
For the best representation from
outside the city, the award was made
to John Neubert, of the Teton, whose
vehicle was prettily decorated with
punches Of bronze grass and alfalfa.
The Odd Fellows lodge secured the
award for the society best represented.
The parade ended at the city park,
where a big crowd had assembled.
After music by the band, the Declare.
ton Of Independence was read by
Hon. F. E. Stranahan, who also made
a brief address. He c%ongratula ted
the American people upon the fact
that the spirit of their forefathers is
still in evidence in the revolt against
misgovernment and the popular de-
mand for what is right and just.
Then followed the ball game be-
tween the local team and the Electric
City nine from Great Falls. The visi.
tors proved their superiority by max.
ing q score of IL to 5.
The horse races were the feature of
the programme during the afternoon,
the various events, with the exception
OF the trotting race, being we'll con.
tested.
Aalf-mile race-Mike Connolly, first:
John auckland, second.
Trotting race-Frank Mcdonald,
first: Charles Lundy, second.
Quarter.mile PRACTITIONER Shep.
herd, first: Sheridan Croker, second.
Half.mile NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Rowe,
first; Homer Shepherd, second.
Consolation rae for Jos. Sullivan
bridle-George Sherry.
One of the most interesting contests
was the half.mile foot race, the entries
being Thomas lngling and Vernon
Lewis. The latter trailed in the rear
until within about twenty yards OF the
wire, when he put on 4 squirt and came
in the winner.
The street sports were held in the
evening, the following being the result:
Foot race, 100 yards-Fred Thies,
first: Carol Fish, second.
Foot race, 30 yards-Carrol Fish,
first: Fred Thies, second.
Foot race, for boys, 10 yards-Ed.
Bjerring, first: Ed. Russell, second.
Foot race for girls, 10 yards-Mar.
garet Patterson. first: Many Daniel
son, second.
Sack race-Oscar cable, first: Frank
Feliz, second.
Three.legged race-Woltf II Ode.
kirk. first: Crane X Piercey, second.
Potato race anes Patterson, first:
William Smith, second.
Soon after sundown, an elaborate
and brilliant display of fireworks was
given from a platform on top of the
bridge, the reflection of colored lights
Ia the Missouri river adding to the at.