The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-07-12
A GREAT CELEBRATION

Ideal Weather Brought an Immense
Crowd to leon on the Fourth.
Everybody Had a Good Time.
The largest crowd ever seen in
Leon was here on July 4th, and there
was never crowd who had more
enjoyable day. The weather was abb
solutely perfect, SO We're the roads,
and something less than million
autos We're in Leon. the streets being
filled with parked cars all over the
city. Cur citizens had cards on
their lawns inviting the visitors to
use the lawns, and this was appreci-
ated by the thousands who brought
their dinners with them. 1t would
be impossible to say how many peo-
pie there We're in Leon, the estimates
we have yet to hear Of the first per-
son who did not have a good time.
There was plenty of music all day
long, furnished by the Leon X. of +.
band, the Garden Grove band, and a
big martial band from all over the
county, with Walter Case Of Grand
River, as chief tlfer, and he is some
packed to the limit, and many who
came in autos came early, so there
was a good big crowd on the streets
at seven o'clock in the morning, and
it kept increasing until late in the
afternoon.
At O'Clock there was a handicap
shooting match held at the. grounds
OF the Leon Gun Club on the c. w.
Hoffman farm, a large number OF
shooters being in attendance, and
nearly $40 was secured for the bene
fit of the Red Cross. we were un-
able to secure the scores made
At 1880 O'Clock the big parade
and with the three bands paraded
the principal streets. 1t was the best
Fourth of July parade ever seen in
Leon, the Red Cross floats predomin-
ating, and there were many fine auto
floats and decorated autos number
of the towns outside OF Leon being
represented with fine floats. The
the prizes were all non-residents.
They gave the prize of $500 to the
Leon Red Cross float The prize Of
$40 for the most artistically decorat-
ed auto was awarded Ed Teale, OF
Davis City. The prize of 81 90 for
the best agricultural float was given
to Gurley George. who had a hne
and a display of cattle hogs, sheep
and poultry, the float receiving
much favorable comment The Bid
Olson Coal e. Grain Co., won first
prize of $500 for the best CONNER
cial float, and w. A. Alexander won
second prize of $1,000.
The most inspiring sight was the
big turnout Of the boys who had
registered for the draft, every town
ship being well represented, and the
boys made a fine appearance as they
marched down the street, each one
carrying a flag, and We're cheered all
along the line OF march. The prize
OF $1,000 for the township having
the largest number of registered men
in the parade was won by Center
The afternoon was devoted to
speaking and sports Of various kinds.
The speaking was held at the Harvey
park, away from the noise up town,
and for once everyone could hear the
Scotch songs by John Broide,, OF Des
Moines, who was in Scotch kits, and
has earned the title of the second
Harry Lauder, and he pleased every
body with his singing. The speakers
of the day were Judge II. X. Evans,
of Corydon, who delivered tine pa
triotic address, and he was followed
Bluffs, who spoke principally on the
Red Cross. All present greatly en-
joyed both of the addresses. Follow
ing the speaking there were several
folk dances and drills by school chill
dren of Leon, and this was worth
seeing.
Up town you could not miss those
who had gone to the Harvey Park,
and there was a number of contests.
Loren Tullis. of Decatur, was mar
shal of the day, and handled the
crowds and the events in fine style.
The tugs of war between teams from
the various townships selected from
registered men, afforded lots of fun,
a big crowd going over east OF the
al teams had pulled Eden township
finally walked away with tf prize,
SIS box of cigars.
A baby contest was held at the
Red Cross tent, but we failed to Sc
cure the list of winners in this event.
Leslie Blue, of Kellerton, won the
potato race, there being twenty-four
boys entered in this contest.
The ball game between Leon and
Davis City at Axes ball park drew an
immense crowd, the receipts being
over $500 Leon won the game,
full account of which is printed else
where. There were also several wrest-
ling matches following the ball
game.
I'h6 water nSnt between Teams
from the Leon fire department was
pulled off on the west side. of the
square at $3.50, and afforded plenty
Of amusement, and some wetting for
the crowd as well as the fire boys.
Just before this fight was pulled of,
a platform north of the band stand,
erected for the wrestling matches,
was overloaded with people, and col
lapsed, several children being caught
under it, but fortunately. none were
injured aside from few minor
bruises. There was not an accident of
any kind during the day or evening.
During the afternoon the Garden
Grove band gave splendid concert
a4 tho hand stand They have one of