The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-01
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BY CHARLES WARREN
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 greased pole contest (this was the sug- gestion of the postmaster, who came from Pembroke. Mel; then a ug-of- v'a~ contest made uD of teams from the four different mines; races of all klhds, and d new one invented for the occasion, a race down and up three hundred feet of ladders of the north shaft of the Little Giantess Iine; tn en the public exercises, including music and an oration, and in the evening fire works, bonfres and a dance.
 The only man thought of for orator was ST Cottrell, mining superintendent of the Golden Belle. Readiness and luxurance of speech were Sis strong points
 q tell you what, boys" said Young man, the superintendent of the Yellow Dog, after their thirst had been some what relieved, T saw by the paper that Los Angeles band is to play Albn- querque Tuesday night. That's tomor- row. Let's wire down there and get 1t over here. It can come down from Tuflex Junction on the Wednesday aft ernoon train, along with the fireworks s we've got to send for, and get here In time for the evening festivities. I'll chip in to the pot to the extent of fifty to start the subscription"
 This suggestion was received with en- thusiasm That night the lights shone until after midnight in the printing of- flee of the Sereamer, and then two men started over the mountain on horse- back with rolls of posters strapped to their saddles. The next day the 5an Jagons read with mingled feelings Of astonishment and envious vexation that they were invited to attend the great celebration to take place at Los Gar- pillos.
 All Tuesday preparations went on Tor T worked hard building up bonfires and erecting flag poles on the different summits around the town. Up on San Jago mountain they were heaping an enormous pile out ol timber from an old deserted mine, small glossy chaparrals and dark green pinyoh trees with quantities of the long yellow bayonet leaves of the amoya plant, and fine dry gramma grass stuffed in the chinks to kindle the flames readily. The men of Los Grapillos were sure that this bonfire would be seen 100 miles away over In Texas.
 Wednesday dawned, superb day. The volcanic sand and rock grew warm with tnts of red and brown and orange under the blazing sun. A few clouds straying by now and then caused purple shadows to drift across the mountain sides, ana under them the Great Staked Plains. stretching southward deceptively like the ocean, shifted from amber to dark blue and misty gray and back again.
 The celebration began at Glotherman s promptly at noon, when pr. MasDonald called on the bosterous crowd which filled the saloon and the street outside to drink the toast of the day. TO Daniel Togler and George Dewey. From that moment all was wild enjoyment the contests, the races, the pig, the shoot ing.
 At half past seven in the evening Si Cottrel was lust finishing his oration to his wildly enthusiastic audience, gathered in the Miners Union hall over the post office.
 An now fellow citizens, let me pie ture to you that scene one week ago, Tn those wonderful isles of spice, as the poet says, when the sun rose In the Orient like an orihamme of war. What did the proud American Eagle with Its golden crest ('silver,' called some one in the au dience,) see as 1t spread It's wings and flew from the confines of our glori- ous land acorss the mighty ocean to guard the noble warriors? (Qmmense applause) What did it see at dawn of the first of May. eighteen hundred and ninety-eight? What did it see, I say? (Cries of What did it?-'Go on Si' Get an answer.)
 "It saw, fel lowcitizens, mighty ships of war blowing the deep. regardless of mines and torpedoes, prospecting Manila
 
 ones claim. even the naughty Spaniard's' S.
 At this point long screech of an en- zine whistle from the train coming down from Tuflex Junction with the military band interrupted the speaker and em- phasized an eloquent period.
 Tt saw standing on the prov of the Olympia who? (Cries of Dan Togler' No, not our friend and honored fellow citizen in whom have so much pride; not he, but another man in whom we have almost equal pride-Admiral George Dewey
 There were cries of Good old George! and deafening cheers and stamping Of feet. Cottreil stopped, wiped the pres piration off his forehead. and took drink from a pocket flash.
 But there amid the cannon's roar and the shriekng of shells and the explosion of mines, the cries of dying Spaniards, the cracking of flaming Spanish vessels. who was there with George Dewey? Who was the man behind the gun? Where would Dewey have been without his sail ors? Who was the man who brought the ship there? Who was the sailor who made it possible for Dewey himself and his ships to be there?"
 "IIurooi"
 This single enthusiastic cheer shat tered the eager and rapt silence in which the audience were awaiting the peroa- ton.
 Everyone turned to the rear to see who il was who had disturbed Cottrells elo- ouent period. Standing in the aisle It the head of the stairs was an unclean, good-natured looking individual who had apparently just arrived as he was ac- companied by members of the military band The stranger looked worried at the undue amount of attention which ne had attracted and edged toward the door.
 .,pata" Watkins who was on the plat form. gave one look and then yelled: ."rhirsty Dan. by all that's holy! Well, I am locoed!'
 A roar of angry astonishment broke from the crowd, and In flash MT. Danlei Webster Togler was wildly strugglas to escape from his excited former fellow townsmen.
 .I move that we adjourn" shouted MT. Jolter Greensboro, with great presence of mind.
 The audience, sweeping Togler along with if. poured downstairs in mass. asiI- ing confused questions and uttering oaths of great force.
 The visiting party from San Jago gath ered across the street and watched the proceedings with huge enjoyment.
 "Thirsty Dan' was be ng buffeted 10 ard fro. as question after question was dung at him, and an explanation demand ed for his presence 1l,0oO miles rom where he ought to be at that moment,
 Finally he made himself heard apoVe the uproar. .'I cant answer all your ques- tone at once. Give feller a chance. won't you? I'll tell you why I'm here IT vouu stop pounding me. I'll tell you where I've been"
 What did you write me such eu lie for?'' shouted Pete Watkins.
 'Twarn't no lie when l writ yer sa,u