Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-07-16
THE sTURGIs CELEBRATION.

THE STURGIS CELEBRATION.
The celebration held at Sturgis
on the Fourth of July was exceed
ingly interesting to those who at
tended, and there were a large mum
ber from the northern Hills towns.
Every attraction that had been ad-
vertised was presented to the salts
faction of the people, and the mem
bers Of the committee in charge are
praised for their efforts. From the
early morning bombardment at dawn
until late in the evening, there was a
continuous round of merrymaking.
Before the celebration was we'll
under way Mr.. Samuel Sweet and L.
who had arrived very early, walked
from town out to Fort Meade, for the
exercises and to see the changes that
have been made at the post since we
were last there, in the early eighties
Now there are many large and hand
some buildings, of brick and stone.
In the place of the old wooden barns
that were there twenty-five years
ago. There are about eight hundred
soldiers in the garrison and we found
that the troops were to take quite an
active part in the celebration in town
that day, especially the regimental
band, which Is composed of fine mu-
sicians, and the crack bareback rid
ers of the regiment.
Mr. Sweet and I got back to Stur-
gis in time for the grand parade.
which was a magnificent sight. There
were three bands pretty carriage
turnouts, graceful horses tiny pom.
les and a long rainbow, artistically
woven OF paper and ribbons of var
ious shades and textures, perhaps
half mile in length, with autos of
every make and all gorgeously decor
ated. One belonging to Mr.. Ian
caster, trimmed in deep gold, won
the twenty-dollar prize. The second
neatest decoration was in white and
pale blue, and had perched high
above the front seat an American
eagle this machine belonging to Mr..
Dobbins, was awarded a ten-dollar
prize.
In the potato race for boys, Fran
els Case won the first and Lawrence
Gilbert, the second prize these being
hVe dollars and two dollars and a
half respectively.
Lee Robertson won first prize in
the sack race and Clarence Pear
son second prize. ..
There was boys foot race, in
which George Hungerford won first
prize, five dollars.
Lew Kempers horse won in the
horse race. the prize being fifteen
dollars.
In the rescue races on horseback
the first and second prizes were TAX
en- by Mr.. Delaven and Mr.. Allen.
Ernest Deffenbaugh proved best
man in the broad sword contest and
was awarded the five dollar prize.
There was some fancy bareback
riding by soldiers from Fort Meade,
One of these was a Roman race,
where one man rode two horses, and
the next was hippodrome pyramid
where six soldiers mounted on four
horses. ... ..
The mounted tug of war was an
exciting event. There were eight
men on a side.
There were numerous attractions
about town during the day, A nine
piece orchestra furnished music for
dancing at the pavilion, and this
and the merry-go-round were filled
to their capacity. Mr.. Charles
Coopman of Deadwood conducted the
merry-go-round. The Beeson Broth
er's Uncle Toms Cabin company
showed in Sturgis that evening, un-
DER canvass. The hotels and eating
houses all had all the people they
could accommodate.
The town was brilliantly decorated
and illuminated, and in the evening
there was creditable display of fire.
works.
My friend, Mr.. Sweet and l were
kept on the move, shaking hands
with old valley acquaintances.
About dinner time we were some
what surprised to meet former
Deadwood man, Mr.. Stuart R. Thomp
son, who is proprietor of one of the
largest livery and feed barns In
Sturgis. ... ....r
THOMAS r CHARITON