The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-07-07
CELEBRATED THE FOURTH.
Unfavorable Weather Did Not Prevent
A Patriotic Demonstration.

Unfavorable Weather Did Not Prevent
A Patriotic Demonstration.
The downpour OF rain that visited
this section Saturday did not dampen
the enthusiasm with which the nation.
birthday was observed by local res
idents and their guests. The unpleas-
ant weather conditions detracted some
from the enjoyment that would
otherwise obtained, but it was al
great and glorious celebration just
the same.
The program commenced Friday
evening, when q public band concert
was given in the court house grounds
by the Black Eagle band, Of Great
at which there was y large at
tend lance, It was one Of the greatest
musical treats ever given in this city, i
and the crowd expressed it's sppreci.
alton by frequent applause.
The exercises arranged for Satur.
day we're preceded by IN Introduction
that had not been announced, . heavy
thunder storm arriving just before
daylight, and contributing to the
noise that prevailed throughout the
day. The rainfall was not sufficient
to interfere with the parade, and THE
feature OF the program was under way
soon after the time that had been Of.
ranged. 1t was the prettiest parade
eve given here on q similar occasion.
Headed by ]. P. Lee, marshal of the
day, and the Black Eagle band, the
procession traversed the principal
streets and was reviewed by large
crowds at various points along the
line of march. The parade included
several floats representing local bus.
iness houses, decorated rigs, grotesque
exhibits and other features. The
prizes we're awarded by . committee
of judges, as follows:
For the most artistically decorated
vehicle, all classes, the honors we're
divided between the float of the Chase
store. carrying a party of young girls
in } Japanese costume and drawn by q
team of boys attired as laps; and the
decorated rig Of Jere Sullivan. Jr.,
an artistic creation in white and red
roees. The second prize was awarded
to John and Helen Green, Consumed
as Uncle Sam and Columbia, and
seated in a gaily decorated rig driven
by q colored coschman.
For the most grotesque exhibit, the
fret prize went to Patrick Egan. who
impersonated "sunny Jim," Of Force
bre akfest food fame, and who was
partly concealed in q big package Of
that we'll known preparation. The
second prize was awarded to the Goet-
tlich boys, with a more or less docile
mich COW, one of them leading and
the other riding the animal.
For the best float, the prize was
awarded to that T. G. Power & Bro,
a wagon drawn by a four-horse team
and deliberately decorated with
smilax, flowers and bunting. Seated
in the wagon we're a dozen of Fort
Benton's o charming young
women, posing as models for the
firms latest styles in millinery and
carrying sunshades of various tints
and designs.
For the largest representation of
any society or organization, the
award was made to the Shonkin
roundup boys.
A steady rainfall commenced soon
after noon, and threatened TO interfere
with the race program, but it was
decided to defy the elements and pro-
coed with the sports. A large crowd
assembled at the race track, some of
them finding shelter under the COW
cred grandstand while others invited
a soaking by standing out in the
storm. The track was muddy, but
the races we're run according to pro.
gram, and prizes awarded as follows:
Pacing race-W. E. Cullen's "Mel.
ott' first; Lee Sedgwick's "Rex Mon
tana" second.
Pony race-Theodore Danielsen's
"Prince" first; Dan VOLTS "Fancy''
second; John McCauley's "Leo'
third.
Quarter mile dash-Oscar Gabel's
Roulette first; Isaac Shepherds
"Buck' second.
Three eighths saddle horse-Dan
VOLTS "Blue" first: Frank Stirl-
ing's "Baldy" second.
Half-mile dash-Isaac Shepherds
"Silver Jim" first: Frank Adams
"Vic" second.
The track had by this time became
so soft and sloppy that it was decided
to postpone the field sports, and after
listening to a few lively selections by
the band, the crowd returned to town.
T,ata in tho ovopinr IL a doo;loa