Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-07-04
-FOURTHS
CURATOR FISH HAS DUG UP in.
TEREsTiNG STORY or EARLY
CELEBRATIONS. ..z
TELLS HOW FOURTH OF JULY
WAS ENJOYED HERE IN '72,
'73 AND IA. Z.

z r. z 10 AMI = ia
In this day when there is so much
talk about the sane Fourth Of July it
is interesting to go back and see how
they spent the day when the town
was young. The first three celebra-
tions in Bismarck and vicinity were
in 1S72-3-4
The celebration of 1872 was near
coulee just this side of the Shelton
place in railroad camp. Col. Hous-
ton was in this camp in charge of the
grading crew. q. A. Williams was
also part Of the camp. In the early
morning the men fired salute to the
flag, and tore. the old war time
patriotic lining of red, white and blue
from their hats and hung them upon
their tents. After this demonstra-
ton many of the men quit work for
the day. HI. a
Celebration of 1873. s
In 1873 the whole town was divided
for the celebration into the Blue
Bloods and the Commoners. The Blue
Bloods had their tent to the north
and right of Tom Fortunes old place,
and the Commoners on Plummers
ranch near Artesian hill. The cele.
bration Of the Blue Bloods
was flat failure, because so many of
the people of the town belonging to
all classes Joined the Commoners.
This faction had long procession
portraying in rag-a-muffin style some
local hit j. w. Proctor, a seven
footer, had a large Goldfish hanging on
his back to represent the Goldfish, aris-
tocracy. Another had a sign which
he carried to make fun of the folks
of quality. Il own little and we, own
a lot" A very large mule with two
empty kegs strapped on each side was
led in the parade and lettered, "Sev.
enth Cavalry Saloon" 3s
The program of the day was very
interesting and well cheered. Rev.
Semple offered prayer, followed by
the reading of the Declaration OF In
dependence by e. A. Williams.
Judge" Carvel gave an original poem,
which began like this: s,.
"On Dakota's yerdant plains, RI :.
On the margin of her river. + !.
We dedicate this day to the all-wise
Giver." .ss:iS93 g
This was followed by an Grafton by
John Stoyell. After the program the
festivities OF noise went on in full
swing. They had candy booths,
drinks of all kinds on tap, and off to
one side a bowery dance pavilion.
The day was beautiful, and the rous
ing good time is still remembered by
the older settlers. ;.as@
s Celebration Of 1874. r@
The Fourth of IA was celebrated
on the William Gibson farm five miles
east of town on Apple Creek. This
too was splendid day for a Fourth.
There were thirty-two people who
took part in this celebration, and In
stead of having fireworks during the
day, the company had a regular old.
fashioned basket picnic, with games
for the youth. In the evening the
company went down to the ranch of
w. o. Ward on the Atrill place and
had country dance Most of The
crowd were from town, and it is seed
for thought when we consider how
this group has scattered. tt1
The crowd as given consisted of. w.
o. Ward and family, Henry Gibson
and family, Matthew o'Brien and FAM
lily, G. A. Joy and family, Barney El.
lott, Barney Bassett Ed Picket, gJud
Manley, William Agna, Bob Roberts.
Susan Arnold, Phil Harvey, Arthur
Harvey.