Reprint of this story from the July 4, 1902 issue of The Grand Encampment Herald brought to you courtesy of Grandma’s Cabin, Encampment, Wyoming. Preserving History - Serving the Community.
THE CELEBRATION AT GRAND ENCAMPMENT
The Fourth of July has been celebrated in Grand Encampment in the good, old fashioned way.
The day dawned bright and clear and gave promise of being an ideal day for the events as planned, but before noon the atmosphere had turned chilly and late in the afternoon a drizzling rain set in. However the day was a glorious one, the events were full of interest, and everything passed off pleasantly without serious accident or other disagreeable features. There was a big crowd in town from early morn until a late hour, and it seemed that all the residents of the hills and valleys for many miles round had come into the Hub of Progress to help make the Eagle scream, and she screamed.
The business houses of the city were nicely decorated with flags and bunting. Phil Rearden brought in several loads of jack pines which he placed in front of the business places, and decorated with the national colors. Phil is an artist and did his work in a commendable manner.
The Rawlins cornet band arrived Thursday evening, and proceeded at once to announce their arrival by a short concert on Freeman Avenue. At nine o’clock Friday morning the band turned out for a short concert in front of the M. E. tabernacle where the oration of the day was given.
The Willis George Emerson band of this city put in a novel appearance as the miners’ band, the boys being dressed in working clothes of the typical miner, some of the costumes representing the miner somewhat in the extreme. The band came down Freeman Avenue from the Herald office to the Bohn hotel playing on the march and received an ovation of hand clapping and cheers. They were joined by the Rawlins band and the two aggregations marched back to the tabernacle playing together.
The oration of the day was given by Attorney Charles K. Winter, of Grand Encampment, and was well received throughout. The full text of the address is printed in this issue.
The ball game between the tramway team and the town boys resulted in a victory for the tramway after a hard fought contest. The town boys shut out the tramway in the first 2 innings, the score standing 6 to 0 at the end of the second inning. In the third inning the tide was changed and the tramway boys scored nine runs before again taking the field. At the end of the ninth inning the score was a tie, 16 to 16, and another inning was played. A two base hit by a cable stretcher, Fred B. Watt, placed the tram boys a run ahead, winning the game.
After lunch, the horse races were called. The cow pony race was the first, several horses being entered. Chub, owned by Amos Wilcox, and mounted by Tex Broadwell, won first money, while Teddy, owned by Frank Wilcox and mounted by himself, won second money.
The sorrel mare, Maud, mounted by Bert Bailey, won the free for all race, Hays Rankins’ sorrel gelding running second.
The bucking bronco contest was the most exciting event of the day. Several broncos were entered, and each made the crowd scatter in all directions and do some fast scrambling to keep out of the way. The prize winner was Ross Wolford.
The event of greatest interest to the miners was the rock drilling contest. The rock secured was the hardest granite to be found in the country. The double jack teams were the first called and worked as follows on the fifteen minutes time: Alex Spears and Bud Ross, 25 1/8 inches; Duffy and Martin, 26 1/8 inches. The first prize of $125 was awarded to Duffy and Martin.
Carl Ashley won the boys foot race. Sammie Blair being second.
The tug of war between the tramway and the town boys resulted in a victory for the former team.
Hose Company No. 2 made two runs of 400 ft., one of which was made in 35 seconds. Hose Company No. 1 failed to materialize.
A few minor events advertised were not pulled off, there being no entries.
The rain interfered with the firemen’s ball at the pavilion, and the school house was turned into a ball room until a late hour. A large and well behaved crowd attended the event, which was a success socially and financially. The Rawlins orchestra furnished music. The fireworks display in the evening was a pleasant feature of the program.
The committees in charge of the program of sports managed affairs in good shape. In all, the Fourth of July celebration at Grand Encampment was a glorious one in every respect.
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