The Ward County independent., 1922-07-27
Conquest of Frontier Commemorated
and Hopes of Future Visualized in
Series of Beautifully Staged
Episodes by $50 People
PIONEERS OF NORTHWEST
SEE DAYS OF OLD RE-ENACTED

Crowds aggregating nine thousand
people from Minot and many points
in the Northwest attended Minot's
wonderful Pageant, depicting the
progress of the Prairie, staged in this
city Friday and Saturday nights.
Mere words cannot possibly describe
the beauty Of the scenes and those
who failed to see it, will never have an
opportunity to enjoy another just like
it. In no other city, could this page
ant have been staged in exactly the
same manner, lacking the unusual
setting for the natural stage. The
hills in front of the stage teemed with
thousands Of people who had carried
their blankets and cushions, with
which to make themselves comfort
early days depicted. Even those who
sat on the most distant point on the
hill, could plainly hear the words Of
those who sang or spoke in the beau
tiful valley below. To those who have
lived in Minot for years, they have
come to realize for the first time the
indescribable beauty of the coulees
surrounding the city, and the possi-
bilities for our city building a WON
derful stadium for out-of-door enter
tainments.
The affair was given at this time,
to commemorate the fortieth ami
versary of the settlement of the Mouse
river valley.
The Pageant was first conceived by
James Milloy, secretary of the Asso--
ciation of Commerce, who suggested
it at meeting of the baord of direct
ors of the Association some weeks
ago; IT, 49,, o,o .
cess of this Pageant" declared Mr..
the members of the board, who at
first were inclined to consider the
matter a little risky. That Mr.. Mil
10y succeeded beyond all expectations
is shown by the financial report. AL
tho an admission of only SO cents for
adults and Is cents for children was
charged, after paying all expenses,
the Association Of Commerce has
more than a thousand dollars tucked
away in it's treasury, its share of the
proceeds.
Mr.. Milloy proved that he is first
class organizer. He worked like
Trojan and he is receiving congratula-
tions on every hand for his unusual
work. He gives the credit to Mel
vim Johnson, Minot young man, son
of Mr.. and Mrs. C. A. johnson. Mel
vim has been connected with the John
B. Rogers Producing Co. of Fostoria,
o., for several years, working in the
visit recently. Mr.. johnson, undoubt-
edly deserves all the credit that his
old friends give him, and then some,
but he unselfishly passes the credit
on to George M. Miles, also Of the
Rogers Producing Co., who made
( trip all the way from New York to
do his share of the work.
The affair started with a big par
ade Friday afternoon which was re-
peated Saturday afternoon. Mr.. Cor
many, wearing an old fashioned stove
pipe hat, and riding high wheeled
bicycle Of the vintage of four de-
cades ago, headed the procession.
Many of our boys had never before
seen the old fashioned high wheel
bike. The Boy Scouts followed and
then came the Harvey band. This is
a 26-piece organization and they fur
nished some great music under the
direction of Alderman J. o. Smith. A
score of automobiles from Harvey
were in the procession, all bearing
zCd1uos 1AdItCy, eAAO wv VI GIhS WI -
belt and Home of the Tuber'. The
Harvey band played an enjoyable con-
cert from the Leland hotel Friday
night after the Pageant.
A band of Indians from the ElboS
woods reservation came next, dessed
in native costume. A faithful old
horse drew a typical Indian pole sled,
which carried a charming copper col
ored maiden.
The old timers were represented by
Clarence Parker, one Of the discover
ers" of Minot, and others, wearing
cow boy suits, chaps, and all, as they
Z did in the days when this part of the
state was young. Then followed the
He'll Creek cow boys, who rode their
horses 45O miles all the way from
Montana to take part in the Pageant.
John. Bober, owns the only yoke Of
oxen in this section Of the state, tho
in the early days oxen were more
common than horses. John brot one
of his oxen all the way from Douglas
and drove it hitched to . cart in
the parade. The prairie schooner, an
old affair, held together with wire,
ratified along the streets just as it
journeyed along the trails Of olden
davS Old bvSses drawn bv horses