THE FOURTH AT NEY
"Ney did herself proud...she fairly turned herself wrong side out July 4th, celebrating the Declaration of Independence. The day was pleasant and not too warm and early in the day, the streets were full of people listening to the tuneful lay of the hokey pokey man* until the grand and only get-up-and-snort fantastic parade of improvised hoodoos** traveled about town. An interesting feature was a party of 52 large and small girls dressed in the national colors, and each carrying a banner representing one of the states and territories.
(*hokey pokey man =an ice cream vendor) (**those who bring bad luck, practice voodoo)
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| Wild Jim French |
Then Capt. W. J. French or Wild Jim, the Texas cowboy and saddle king, performed feats of daring and skillful marksmanship with his Winchester rifle, rivaling Buffalo Bill and Dr. Carver in his instantaneous snap shots seemingly without aim, holding the rifle in every conceivable position, shooting with unerring aim objects thrown into the air. One incident was shooting the ashes from a cigar held in the mouth of his cowboy companion whose name we did not learn.
After dinner, J. H. Hockman, Esq., of Defiance, delivered an able address suitable to the day. The Ney band and choir furnished excellent music.
The pony race between J. H. Kyle and Joe Ehlinger was easily won by Kyle.
The bicycle race between Eugene Conkey and Charley Davis resulted in Davis coming out second best.
The fat man's race furnished considerable amusement. Orley Welker, Wes Kerns, and George Keller did their best, Keller winning, though Welker would have had a better show had the street not been so crowded that he could not pass Kerns and Keller.
A free for all footrace between Albert Motter, Charles Griner, Walter Stailey and Wild Jim's cowboy resulted in the latter's favor. The race not being satisfactory, on the second trial, the cowboy again easily won. Walt Stailey being second best.
The wheelbarrow race was by Weston Welker, Charles Griner, and Lewis Motter. Motter fell down and Griner running into him, gave the race to Welker.
The sack (race) was between Arty Doud, Lewis Motter and Walter Stailey and was won first heat by Stailey, second and third were draws, and the fourth was won by Motter.
The pie eating contest between Pete Donley and Ora Coy was won by Donley.
The greased pole was climbed by three or four small boys, the last of which performed some gymnastics upon reaching the top.
The mule race between William Figley and Frank Botterf was very comical, the latter gentleman not being 'in it' at all, in spite of wearing out a telegraph pole upon his noble steed.
The minstrel troupe also gave a sample of their burnt cork talent.
After supper, fireworks were indulged in. Several fancy balloons were sent up, and after a few rockets and pinwheels had been placed on exhibition, sparks ignited the box containing the fireworks which exploded with the noise of a cannon, and people fled from the shooting missiles in all directions. The display would have been one of the finest ever seen in this part of the country, had not the deplorable accident occurred.
Marshall Bill Donley bossed the proceedings of the day, and, of course, he and everybody else was happy. So may it always be."
