The Parker post., 1915-07-10
THE INDIANS
CELEBRATE
THEY CAST ASIDE RACIAL DIFF
FERENcEs AND ENTER INTO
THE SPIRIT OF '76 WITH
CCMMENDABLE ZEAL.

AAANAe1A lOoO1 FoClOll NClSU1 dCOu our III
dependence Day Monday last and
with a spirit Of amity toward the
whites and a display of patriotic zeal,
not only commemorated the occasion
in very becoming manner but also
won The applause of all who wit
messed their praiseworthy efforts.
During the week previous, the com
mittee of arrangements had worked
diligently, under the direction of
Farm Advisor A c. PIake. and moth
ing was left undone that would add
to the success Of the occasion. The
race track had been put in proper
condition for use and there was a
liberal display Of ,tri-color bunting and
other decorations on the grounds.
In the forenoon a number of deco
rated automobiles led by one con-
tanning the Indian brass band, drove
into Parker and paraded the streets,
discoursing patriotic airs. The In
dian. band is 'up-to-snuff" and its
music is something ''chic. "
AT the grounds early in the after
noon the program of exercises began.
Two sets of medicine" dancers,
consisting OF two bucks and three
squaws in each set, that had been
engaged for the occasion, labored
with religious zeal and fortitude DUR
ing the entire afternoon, performing
terpsichorean manoeuvers similar to
those in a modified form OF the Ha-
waiian ''hula-hula," with just
little of white society's rag thrown
in, but not enough to render it OBJ
jectionable,) marking time to a mo-
notonous Groom which was punctu-
ated by the rattle of loose pebbles
in a gourd, held in the hand of the
master of ceremonies This dance,
which was witnessed with interest
by many white visitors, is said to be
a necessary adjunct to every well
ordained tribal function, but its sig
MITIGATION seems to be guarded with
Masonic secrecy.
Ole Olsen, full-blooded Mojave
Indian and thoroughbred American
in fact, despite his Swedish cog
nomen, acting as president of the day
and ex-officio ceremonial factotum,
delivered the Declaration of Indepen-
dence in the Mojave tongue, and
later ushered in the various features
of the afternoon agreeable to pro-
gram. There were horse races and
various feats of horsemanship, foot
races, tug-of-war, baseball game be-
tween the Needles and the Parker
teams, climbing the greasy pole, pie
eating contest, shinny game, nail
driving contest for women, and other
amusements. Cash prizes were at
the conclusion awarded to the sue
cessful ones in the different games
and races, and this served to stimu
late each contestant to do his best.
Booths were provided where soft
drinks and refreshments were sold,
the net proceeds thereof being used
to pay the cash prizes awarded.
In the evening there was a fine
display of fireworks and an aborigi-
nal dance was billed, but for some
reason this latter feature was can
celed and the dance floor which had
been laid for the purpose, was given
over to the white visitors who en-
joyed for quite while an informal
skipping of the light fantastic.
A large number Of Indians from
Needles and other places were in at
tendance and nearly all the people
in Parker spent at least a part of
the day on the grounds, and all had
a full measure Of enjoyment.
There is a speed limit law now on
country roads not to exceed thirty
miles an hour. Calling attention to
this new law to one of our Ford driv-
ing friends who has no speedomoter,
he said he didn't need one. Asked
how he told how fast Ae was going,
he said, that's easy. At ten miles
an hour the hood rattles, at fifteen
miles an hour the radiator rattles, at
twenty miles an hour the top rattles
and at twenty-five the whole blamed
thing rattles.