Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1906-07-05
GOOD TIME
Mas Had by Everybody
for Two Days.
WEBSTER CELEBRATION
A Success in Every Particular
Good Weather-Big Crowds
Splendid Attractions.

tor OF Webster Tor 1t saw the two days
Of celebrating which were the most
completely satisfactory ever given in
any city.
For several weeks hustling commit.
tees of our energetic and pushing men
had been actively engaged in advertis-
ing the events end secu ring the attrac.
tions. Right generously did the people
Of the county respond to Webster's invi-
tation to celebrate and it variously est.
mated at from 1000 to 1900 were here
each day to make merry. That there
was absolutely no kick from any where
about any of the attractions, or the lack
Of attractions is the best kind Of evil
dence that the program committee had
done its work thoroughly and been sue
cessful in securing attractions which
were pleasing to the people.
Owing to the absolute ease with which
it rains in South Dakota this summer
the committee on decorations decided
TO wait until Friday morning before an
effort was made to array the city in her
gayest colors In the committees judg.
tnlent there was much wisdom, for had
another course been followed the rain
OF Thursday night would have spoiled
Everything, whereas it only Laid the
Inst, cooled the atmosphere and added
~ the pleasure of the occasion. But in
the early morning hours of Friday the
boys of the committee got busy with
hunting and flags and long before our
guests commenced to arrive the whole
city looked as pretty as q June bride,
dressed in the national colors. That
cOmmittee is deserving of the warmest
thanks and appreciation Of all of our
citizens.
Early Friday morning the committee
managing the affairs thought that, in
view of the fact they had to pay eighty
dollars for the use of the race track for
the two days, it would be necessary to
charge a small admission TO tn races
and ball game. As soon as this reached
the majority Of the business men it was
at once made plain to the committee
that such thing would not do at all
Webster had advertised a free celebra-
ton and free it must be in every partic-
nlar. A T. Cooper and g. @. Dunton,
cashiers of the Farmers and Merchants
and FIRST National banks came forward
and relieved the celebration committee
of its embarrassment by agreeing to make
up any deficit that might exist when
the celebration was over. Complete
satisfaction was restored and everything
proceeded just as advertised.
The next thing to put in appearance
was large amount of travelling talent
with cane racks, baby racks, knife racks
and cigar wheels. The committee sold
rome of these gentlemen privilege to
run with the absolute understanding
that the games of chance should be con-
ducted for knives, cigars and jewelry,
and in no case would the committee
permit the grafters to offer the extra
indncement of buying back their wares
for money. In just one instance were
these rules violated and in that one the
CRATER was put out of business-and
INT out to stay out-by the city police
before any but the "cappers" had had
an opportunity to become interested in
his attraction and lose their money.
Another beauty of the two days was
the absolute absence of graft.
Many Of our own citizens wondered
what we were to do for band to receive
our gnests-knowing the organized band
had gone out of business. But Webster
has way of organizing things that she
needs and doing it then. The same was
true in this case. Webster has had a
great many bands since 1880 and there
are some memb ers of every organization
still living here though long since out
Of the playing business. But "the spirit
Of 49, was in them for those two days,
and Just before train time we met fell
ows with horns that we thought knew
about as much music as we did Greek,
bat reserved our comment Did they
playf Well. you bet they did. The
way those old and young fellows got
ogetner and gingered up and blew out
Welcome in harmony and music to our
uests was surprising and gratifying to
sail. Don't ever believe Webster has
,band even though You never hear Of
ndpractice. Webster has always got
md, and good one too.
rhe train from the west brought sew.
Hundred people from the towns in
estern part Of the county. Look
Ito their faces one could see moth
pt determination to have good
They all had the appearance Of
y their actions proved that each
very one was booster. This del
n was headed by the Lily and
~Ior bands as one organization under
r. excellent leadership of Professor
And-who was the organizer and
hder of the South Dakota state band
(bich visited the st. Louis Worlds