Douglas Island news., 1912-07-10
WEDNESDAY. JULY 10, 1912.
The Fourth of July


 was raining, with good prospect of i keeping at it all day, which it did, only som etimes it came down in heavy . showers. However, if you think any body stayed at home that day on ac count of little rain, you have another guess coming. They were all out in the early morning, with white dresses and | pink ribbonS-we mean the little girls and looking just as sweet and nice as it is possible for little girls in any country to look on the Fourth of July. And the women folks were fixed up, too, with nice dresses that looked as if they were made for the Fourth of July. ! Only the men were afraid. Some who had toney summer suits left them at . home for fear they would be spoiled, and wore "conventional black" Some, who took part in racing events wore an angry frowu, and even that got wet.
 The procession, led by the Treadwell { Club band, got away from the Tread. we'll plaza about o'clock. Marshal of the Day Richard Mccormick was in charge, with his two aides, MacMillan and Graham, and flag bearers, Tom Sanford and John Lockhart Miss Elizabeth Feusi, as Goddess of Liberty, rode in her private car, surrounded by a bevy of misses representing the orig inal thirteen states. The only other notable feature of the parade was the Treadwen Volunteer Fire Department, a hundred strong, wearing bright red shirts and fancy caps, and carrying banners giving the names and numbers of their companies.
 After parading the streets of Doug las the procession returned to Nata. torium hall, where there was music by the band, a speech by President Me- Donald aud jhe "DeclaratiOn of Iude pendeuce," which was delivered from memory by Miss Regime Miller.
 Sports bogan at the rreadwell plaza about the time the parade started and continued until after the bell called out the dinner hour.
 The single hand drilling contest was won by John Nlllanos, of the Mexican, who punched a hole 1424 inches deepin 15 minutes. Tbe double hand drilling contest was WOE by Burke & Bowmau, of the Ready Bullyion, who drilled 3211& inches, and then ran out of rock
 The big prize of all Fourth of July celebrations ou Douglas Island is that given 70 the fremsu for the ''wet test" A team og II meu vii! run 75 yards io a hydrant, connect the hose, uureel 15O feet of hose, attach nozzle and get water. When this event was first in troduced 30 or B seconds was cousid- cred pretty good time, hg' practice and hJtle headwork has A.vluajly brongnE it down. The first team up was the Ready Bullion They tore down the track like athletes, got water, and An nouncer Kiuzie announced, "Time, 20 seconds" It was a glorious run. Neve" before, even in practice, has such per feet run been made. Five teams were waiting heir turns, but there was little hope of beating that 20 seconds. Doug las gave it up. The Treadwell, Machiue Shop and Mexican teams failed to get the nozzle, and the foundry -eyauide boys made it in 3.
 The hook and ladder contest engaged the attention of five teams and was won by the cyanide and foundry team.
 By this time dinner was served in the big boarding house and Steward Fred Henson was walking the floor rather uneasily for fear the victuals would get cold h the dining room the tables were covered with delicious luxuries, and at each plate a small flag was a reminder of the days sig nifcance.
 At o'clock Mr.ML. Requa delivered the oration at the ball grounds to large audience of umbrellas. He com manded careful hearing in spite of the pouring rain. His address dealt with a degree of patriotism that is in itself inspiring.
 The 100 yard dash was won in the mud by Bert Mckenzie, of Skagway, with Bert Graham, of Douglas Island, second.
 A young Scot named Bairner stuck longest on the Finn horse, Jack Wilson second best.
 In the tug of war, Mexican and TreadweI! teams competed. The Tread