The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1921-07-07
South Prairie Holds
Good 18th Celebration

A very entertaining celebration
July 4th was that staged by the South
Prairie Community Club at Fields
Grove, nine miles south Of Minot. A
crowd of about 800 people was in at
tendance and all thoroughly enjoyed
the days program. If the Com
munity Club should repeat the per-
Torrance next year no doubt q ire
mendous crowd will be in attendance.
1t was a clean, wholesome, quiet and
interesting celebration, not in any
manner marred by drinking or rowdy-
ism nor was there games Of chance
or any device that is calculated to
part the unwary from his money, al
lowed on the grounds. The idea was
to produce program largely on the
old fashioned order and in this the
management was very successful.
The program begun at II O'Clock
with parade, mixed affair, with
several interesting features. Uncle
Sam was nicely portrayed by Robt.
Widell; Edna Anderson as the Cod
dess of Liberty, and eight little girls
dressed in the national colors and rid
ing on float was very pretty. There
were many comical features also;
quite hit being made by Evelyn Por-
ter and Marjorie Kavanagh, who rep
resented Hiram and Samantha taking
in the sights at the Fair. The parade
was headed by Cicero Vannett, as
marshal, followed by large band
made up from the Sawyer and South
Prairie bands. Mrs. P. w. Erickson
and Miss Gladys Foster rode horses;
the ladies were nicely groomed and
made pleasing appearance. Ber-
nard Cecil created amusement riding
a mule which drew a small play cart
in which rode a little boy and girl;
Little Chris Madsen, dressed in full
regulation cowboy uniform, was par
ticularly good and staggered along
as tough as they make 'em.
After several selections by the
band, the Declaration of Independence
VISA impressively read by Mr.. AL
fred Spoklie; then followed commun-
ity singing of America, led by Mrs.
Chas. Taylor, after which the Grafton
Of the, day was delivered by Rev. p.
w. Erickson of Minot. Mr.. Erick-
son was in splendid form and the ora
ton was most eloquent and inspiring.
After dinner which was picnic style
and thoroughly enjoyed, the sports
program was pulled off; there was
continuous action in this line and much
amusement; the creased pole was a
feature; many tried for the prize at
the top which was finally captured by
Earl Nicolaison; consolation prize
was given to little Chas. Widell, who
tried hard a couple of times and had
nearly succeeded. A woman's shoe
race was easily won by Miss Alice
Ronshaugen and a girls foot race by
Selma Ronshaugen; a boys race by
Carl Lawson; three legged race by
Elmer Anderson and Carl Lawson;
sack race by Elmer Hillestad; potato
race by Earl Widell.
The tug Of war was between Willis
and Freedom townships, but Willis
was helpless before the Freedom gang
of giants, consisting Of Everett. Cline,
C. Vannett, Grover Foster, Ernest
Nehls, Pale Madsen and Herman WI
dell. 1t would be interesting to
know if there is team in the county
that could beat this bunch.
The ball game played between
brady and South Prairie was very
interesting but South Prairie plain
ly showed the lack Of practice and
was properly drubbed as a conse-
quence.
The dance in the evening in the
new Community hall, was very sue
cessful, being attended by about 100
couples; a six piece orchestra from
Minot furnished the music and no
bunch of dancers ever had better
time. A pleasing feature was the Alb
sence Of booze which mars many a
dance. A better behaved large crowd
probably never congregated in Ward
county. and this will be feature of
any future dances in the Community
hall.