The Alaska citizen. (Fairbanks, Alaska) 1910-1917, 1914-07-06
PATRIOTIC Gel LEbRAT|0N
IS FULLY APPRECIATED
Fairbanks Most Northern City World to Observe Birthday Of
American Independence--En Entertainment, Lasting Three
Days. Is Enjoyed by Many

With an enthusiastic celebration
lasting two days and one evening
tie birthday of American Indepen-
dence was fittingly observed in Fair
banks, which is the most Northern
city in the world to pay honor to
the anniversary of tie signing
of the Declaration of Independence.
Good weather aided in making the
affair complete success.
The formal celebration commenced
Friday night with athletic contests
on First avenue for children, and
ended last night with a baseball
game. The literary program was
the grand stand on First avenue.
and many hundreds of people listen
ed to the songs of patriotism, to
the reading of the Declaration of
independence and to the inspiring
Grafton delivered by Marshal l.. T.
Erwin Saturday afternoon was de-
voted to athletic sports for grown
people and the evening of that day
was devoted to the motor boat races
on the slough in front of the city.
Yesterdays celebration commenc.
ed with the wrestling match at the
Auditorium a little after midnight.
There was trap shooting later in the
morning and motorcycle and horse
racing in T. e afternoon at Exposi-
ton park.
From start to finish the celebra-
ton was one big success, and the
crowds of people who came from
the creeks and the railroad surveys
to take part in it complimented the
affair Not one dissatisfied person
was evident during the celebration,
or after its close.
Although short, the literary eXer
cises were considered the best part
of the celebration, and Marshal Er-
wins oration won enthusiastic ap
plause. Mr. Erwin took occasion dur
ing his address to compliment Presi-
dent Woodrow Wilson, declaring
that with the exception of Thomas
Jefferson he Is the greatest Demo
crat the nation ever had. He com
plimented the President for his
friendship to Alaska, also.
The progress of American achieve
ment from the time of the signing
OF the Declaration Of independence
to the present time was reviewed
by Mr.. Erwin in his speech. The
big audience on the grand stand and
the crowds that thronged both sides
OF the streets listened attentlTeiy
TO his speech from its start to fin
ish
The literary exercises opened with
a prayer by the Rev. Joseph j.
Patton pastor of ST. James Methodist
Episcopal church. This was follow
ed by q patriotic song by the double
auartette, composed of Miss Mabel
V. Holgate and Mrs. II. N. Shead,
sopranos; Mrs j. II. Caskey and
Mrs. A. NJ. Ohlsen, altos; Messrs.
F.. II. Mack and P. N. keene, ten
ors. and Messrs. p. A. Rettig and
r. w. Taylor. bassos.
Mrs. King Kelly then read the
Declaration Of Independence. This
was followed by another selection
by the double quartette, and then
came the Grafton. TIE Fairbanks
band played patriotic selections, and
accompanied the crowds which were
led by the double quartette. when
America was sung as the finale TO
the exercises.
Beginning at 80 O'Clock the ath-
ietic exercises for adults began Sat
urday afternoon. Fred PAUL. won
more prizes than any other confes-
tant his awards amounting to II
total Of $50.
George Herring carried away the
second honors in the contests, out
as he does not want to be classed
as a professional, he was awarded
medals instead of the money prizes.
His prizes, if they bad been in cash
would have amounted to $3.50
The awards for the afternoon
events were as follows:
1OO-yard dash. open-Fred Paul.,
first; William Casey. second
1OO-yard dash. boys under 1s-
George Herring. first; Virgil Ny
ers. second.
1OO-yard dash, men over 200
nounds-Tom Dundon, first: Henry
Harding. second.
220-yard dash. open-George Her
ing. first: James Gibbs. second.
50-yard dash, open-Fred Paul.
first; Herb Wilson. second.
50-yard dash. boys under 1s-'
George Herring. first: Virgil Myers
second.
Pole Vault-Fred PAUL.. first: Jo-
seph Mente. second.