Douglas Island news., 1910-07-06
PHONE NO. F.
The Celebration

thought that entered the minds of the people of Douglas Island when they awoke early on the morning of the Fourth. A glance at the gloomy sky gave no indication that the day would have anything else in store.
 Sunday was a fairly pleasant and the events set for that day passed into his tory with very little interruption from the elements.
 The ball game for the natives was first on the program. The "Alaskans' of Douglas and team from Juneau contested, The game was watched by a big crowd and was brought to con elusion wthout that usual jangle which is so uninteyesting to spectators. At the end ef nine innings..the score stood: Douglas Natives, 15; Juneau, I. The prize was S75.
 The football game came next. It was Scotch vs. Scotch. ItSwas uot con- test of sluggers, as the game vas played under association" rules. The Doug las Scotchmen beat the preadwell Scotchmen--a distinction without a difference-and won the prize, $50. However, tue long slumbering en thusiasm over football has awakened in Douglas and Alex Nelson has already posted prize of SIG, which will be played for some of these fine evenings.
 After Snpp0r the rock drilling con test was called. There were six entries. The rock selected proved exceptionally hard. Man after man came up aud beat the steel into it with determina- tion to win,. but when it was oyer the three best had tied on 121l inches, and the prize of SI5 was divided between them. Just as the drilling contest be- gan the rain started falling, slowly at first, but gradually increasing until during the night 1t was g aregular down. pour.
 Also during the drilling contest the steamer Georgia arrived from Skagway with the Douglas and Skagway ball teams. Fred Wasterlain, with as much of band as he could pick up hastily, and two or three hundred celebrators went down to the wharf to greet them.
 Already great crowds of people had come to the city from every direction and everything indicated the biggest celebration ever held in Southeastern Alaska, except the raiu.
 It was dreary prospect GU the morn ing of the Fourth. Rain pouring down, walks vet, decorations put up the day before wet and the dye from, the bunt- ing running in chromatic streaks down the fronts of the buildings. Dozens of floats, prepared by the business men were too delicate to stand the rain.
 The Goddess of Liberty and her white gowned escorts representing the states, Alaska, Douglas, etc.. were shiV- sring in doorways, waiting for the rain to stop. But it takes more than little rain to daant the spirit of patriotism an Douglas Island. Umbrellas and rubber coats were brought out and some of the more hardy stopped down Go Treadwell, where the Treadwell Club, band, led by Prof. Wasterlain,, and .Jones'" Native band from Silver Bow basin led by Prof. She'll, were waiting.
 After few tunes on the plaza, Mar shal of the Day Richard. Mccormick, gave the order Forward March, and, with flags flying and. music sounding the procession started for Douglas. A halt is always made when the Fourth. of July procession reaches the hospital and the band plays tune for those un- fortunate ones who must pass the day on beds of suffering. This was not omitted and each of the two bands did it's best to produce strains of cheering harmony. On again the procession. moved, down through. the streets of the town and back to the Natatorium hall, where Q great crowd had already taken refuge from the dampness outside.
 After the dull gray of the cIouded ssies Che hall presented a cheering con