Iditarod pioneer., 1915-07-10
IDI'EAROD'S
 CELEBRATION

Sunday, opened with threatening weather end every promise of impending storm. The | fact that there was also a celebration at | Flat City on that day accounted for the | attendance from the creeks being small, and | the morning hours gave little indication that celebration was ln progress. However, as the day wore on the holiday spirit made its appearance, and a program was carried out that was enjoyable in every way, and the l day closed with dance that was generally admitted to have more than compensated for prior Accomplishments.
 The trap shooting in the forenoon at the grounds Of the Idtarod Gun Club were but sparsely attended and the contests were a disappointment from the standpoint of numbers. Other contests were held during the early evening.
 At l o'clock, the hour set for the patriotic exercises in A. B. hall, but small audience gathered to listen to the speakers, and Chair man Stanton, after consulting with other members of the committee, announced that that portion of the days program would be cancelled, as he thought that it would be unjust to Judge Bunnel and Mr. Roth to expect them to make patriotic addresses to such small audience The latter gentlemen l part It is possible that the hour selected for the exercises was an inconvenlent one for many families, being so near the GUS tomary midday meal time.
 The Sports
 The sports program was carried out as per the program, and resulted in much mer- rment, even though the contestants were few and no records were broken.
 The 1G0-yard dash was won by Ernest Beattie, with Ray Henderson second. E. L. Gclden undoubtedly would have won this event but for an unfortunate fall few feet frcm the tape,
 The ladies race was won by Mrs Lander king, with Mrs Charles Larson second.
 The old mems race was won by Bill Leonard with a wonderful burst of speed, beating out Frank Larson, much younger man, who was supposed to be acting as pace maker. Tom Willett was second.
 The boys race was won by Raoul Tyler with Donald Mcdonald second and Russell Lynaen Graham third.
 The nai-driving contest for ladies was one of the most interesting events of the series, and was participated in by eight ladies. The first prize was won by Mrs. Lan- derkng, with Mrs. Beattie a close second.
 The race for little YrI, Was wyn ny Beatrice Atwell, who was given d consider able start over her opponents. Florence Me 1 Gibncy was second and Sigrd McDon&li third
 The contests on First avenue wound up with mule race, in which there Were three contestants As usual, this event proved to be q mrth-provoIing one. The riders were Earl Byers. Ray Henderson and Bert Thor son It took four heats to decide the event, each rider having won one heat when the final was called. In this heat the jockeys shook the dice for the Head mule" and Ray Henderson won choice. Whether he was 'Jcbbed," made wrong choice CT whatever happened, bis mount refused to go under the wire and Byers, by the exercise of great Iact and gentle urging succeeded in inducing his racer to finish and win the money.
 The River Events
 The launch race had three entries. The course was from the city deck to the saw mill, down the river to the cold storage barge and back to the dock. It was a wall, away for J. H. Rogers and his Jelly Roger" with Paul Heating second.
 The canoe race participated in by Frank Larson and Ernest 8eatt;e, Gene Merton ana Paul La Plant and Bert Thorson and Al Chapin developed serious aspect when Beute, taking an extra long sweep with his paddle. Giv2d hEadlong into tho river uDsetting the canoe and dumping Larson also into the river. It was reported that Beattic could not swim and numerous boats headed for the scene of the accident, but outside of Beatties swallowing more water than he was used to, no i'll effects resulted. The race was won handily by Norton and La Plant
 The "water tournament proved to be an amusing feature. Canoes manned by two men were opposed to each other. One occu- pant of each canoe was armed with q can vas-coverad broom with which he endeav- bred to tilt his opponent into the river while his shipmate padded. After sperring around for several minutes, Byers took a header into the river and Henderson and Norton were declared the winners.
 This ended the days sports. A swim ming contest had been scheduled but those who had tested the temperature of the water ! in the canoe events discouraged the swim mers by the report. A greased pole climb ing contest had also been planned, but this also was abandoned ewing to lack of entries
 The Picture Show
 By great good luck, Professor Drapeau received on Saturday last a new supply of films, and was enabled to carry out his DOT ton of the program with an excellent nov ing picture show. The hall was comfortably filled, and the new pictures gained approval from the adults and screams of laughter 1 from the kiddies.
 The Dance
 After the picture show the hall was cleared and dancing commenced about 1O:3O. The music was furnished by Messrs. Hudson & Lowrie and was pronounced most satisfactory by the dancers, The dance was well attended and lasted until after o'clock, when the tired participants left for home.
 Altogether, the Fourth of July celebration in Iditarod this year was an enjoyable occa- sion, in spite of its discouraglng start.