Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1908-07-11
The Fourth in Custer.

The sun rose bright and clear on the
morning of the anniversary of Indepen-
dence day in Custer and the boom of
canon announced that the trouble was
about to begin. Soon from the hills and
valleys, from the mines and the ranches
the people fiocked. They came in wag-
ons, carriages, on horseback and afoot
until there was an immense throng.
The day was comfortably warm and we
had reason to anticipate a day of more
than usual enjoyment. The small boy
was in evidence and the racket OF the
horns and fire crackers proclaimed that
he was on deck.
About 10 o'clock cloud came up and
1t began to sprinkle and it put dampsr
on the performance until the shower
passed over. About this time there ap-
peared upon the scene, Hon. Eben W.
Martin, the orator of the day, and all
gathered at the court house to listen to
the address. The oration which lasted
exactly one hour was inspiring and re-
plete with eloquence, and held the
people spell bound until IL o'clock.
There was no mention of politics in the
address, but the speaker dwelt upon the
salient points of the history of our ma
ton, and the lessons 1t had taught. The
address was instructive, revived old
memories, and inspired all Listeners with
a deeper veneration for the old flag
After dinner it was hurrah for the
ball game and to the ball ground large
concourse of the people repaired. The
first game was between the Custer
second nine and the New York mine
club, the score at the end of the game
stood IA to IL in favor of the New York
The second game between the Custer
first club and the Hot Springs nine was
a spirited game, but the Hot Springs
boys were in hard luck and victory settl-
ed upon the Custer crew, with score of
A to 0 in favor of Custer.
At the conclusion of the ball game the
Marshal of the day Mr.. John McFadden
announced that the horse races were
about to begin and everybody and bis
wife had to take 1t in.
The horse race was short and sweet
and resulted in Tom Richardson's brown
horse Make, taking the first prize $25.
The second prize was won by Fliday's
horse and he raked in second money
$500. The third prize was won by
Stanley Callan. They were all punched
close together but as We heard no COM
plant we take it for granted that the de-
cision was just and fair.
The pony race was won by Dorr Nc
knight who obtained the first prize S.. |
The second prize was won by A. Daniels,
purse $3.50.
The foot race was won ny Albert
Ward who took first prize $500, and the
second was won by Fred Heidepriem,
Jr., $3.50.
In the boys race the first prize was
won by Louis Brenesholz, $500, with
George Stevens second.
In the contest for the most graceful
rider among the ladies Miss Gladys
Fitch won first prize $3.50, Miss Arvilla
Donaldson second prize $500.
The creased pig was caught and held
by Leonard Colgan, one ofthe band boys
from Edgemont.
The attendance was large and every
one seemed to enjoy themselves to the
full extent, while the band from Edge
mont played excellent music throughout
the day. The crowd seemed 10th to dis
perse and large number remained to
witness the balloon ascension and the
fireworks and to attend the dance in the
evening given under the auspices of the
Custer Eagles. The program was car
ried out to the letter and reflected credit
upon those public spirited men of the
town who literally donated the funds
for the entertainment.