Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-09-05
A GREAT LABOR DAY PICNIC
Largest Crowd in History of Organ
lied Labor in This Section of
The COuntry.-Real Picnic.

Largest Crowd in History of Organ
lied Labor in This Section of
The Country.-Real Picnic.
The largest and most successful
Labor day demonstration ever at
tempted in Harrison county occurred
at the Missouri Valley fair grounds
yesterday. The grounds were filled
with a jolly crowd who were enjoy
ing every minute of the day. It was
estimated that $500 people were on
the grounds. Every available space
was used to park automobiles. Every
one seemed to want to join in to
make the day great success. The
committee who had charge of the re-
freshment stands We're swamped
with business. The mammoth dance
hall erected for the day was damned
all afternoon and evening, by the
younger people and good many old
,er ones who, caught by the spirit
Of the day, couldn't resist the strains
Of Ebaugh's rag time music.
The big day was started by the
parade which moved down Erie street
at $3.50 lead by w. E. Wisler as chief
marshall and the Missouri Valley fire
department. The parade was made
up of all the c. & N. w. Union. men;
BARRIERS union, school children, the
Missouri Valley band and about 25
automobiles. The parade reached
from 7th to Bird street. After the
parade had covered the business dis
trict, they marched to the fair !,
gronds.
At II o'clock the grand stand was
packed. The celebration was opened
by prayer by Rev. Edgar D. Price.
Mayor Prather gave an interesting I
short talk and introduced the speak
er of the day, Mr.. w. R. Orchard of
Council Bluffs who delivered one of |
the most enthusing patriotic talks
ever delivered in this community. Mr.. /
Orchard dwelled on the strength and |
power of organized labor, showing
what had been made possible in the
world today by the labor of organized
men; also what great achievements
were due to organized labor men;
the great work they are doing in the
war work. They have done wonder
fully well in all the Liberty bond
drives d rank high in Red Cross
wo,' ,ousands of them are in the
arlns lining at any minute Ike
the Supreme Sacrifice. In fact, every
where in the world today the organi-
zed latot r&a.., among the first.
After the close of Mr.. Orchards
speech which lasted about one hour,
the program of sports commenced
The mems 100 yard dash was won
by Mr.. Griffith; Roy Jones winning
second place.
The boys SO yard dash was won
by Earl Stebbins.
About Is girls ran in the girls so
yard race and was won by Miss
Yula Witt, who ran as fleet as a
deer.
The tug of war was the main man
power event and offered a great
pleasure as we'll as several wagers
The blacksmiths first out pulled the
boilermakers, after hard struggle.
The car men pulled the machinists
Over the line and then the two wining
teams were matched for the cham
pionship which was won by the
blacksmiths in double quick time.
The oxi-welding exhibition proved
very interesting to every one; also
the riveting and welding iron gave
people good idea Of the great work
done in the c. &. N. w. shops.
The nut splitting contest between
machinists Joe McRivera and George
Hefley and helpers was next on the
program. Joe McRivera and ]. D.
Fox split and removed three sets in
minutes and So seconds. George
Hefley and Clarence Stewart did the
same work in 2 minutes flat which is
exceedingly fast.
Next came the 600 yard horse race
which was won by mare, Mable
ridden by Kinard. Then a quarter
mile pony race which was won by
Volunteer" owend by Reel from
Loveland.
A very exciting 5 mile automobile
race was then called out. There were
four entrees, Bud Purcell in a Duzen.
Maxwell, Ellie Stogel in his Max.
we'll de speed, Orei Stokes in Sun.
beam Ford and Brown in his Chand
Ter. The cars were lined up and took
standing start. Purcell got the
lead and was followed closely by
Stogel. 1t was hard fougt race
between these two cars from the
start. The crowd held their breath
as they rounded the sharp turns il
the track. Stogel took several des
perate chances trying to get tn,
lead but Purcell drove with grea
speed and steady nerve holding
his position throughout the race. H,
finished only AZ feet in therlead. TIL,
time for Purcell was z minutes, q
seconds.