Celebrating the 4th of July with more than a bang in 1898

By the time 1898 rolled around, McCook was apparently ready to celebrate Independence Day in style once again. The McCook Tribune exclaimed that the planned events "Will Beat the Record"!

Starting at 10 a.m., a calithumpian and trades parade was planned that would end at the water-works park (Norris Park?) at 11. The Reverend W.J. Turner would speak, the Declaration of Independence would be recited and the Brigade Band would provide music throughout the event.

"Dinner will be eaten in the grove. Free roast ox sandwiches and tea will be served. Bring your baskets and have a feast in the shade. Ball game at the bicycle park at three with bicycle races between innings. Other amusements will be provided. In the evening fire-works will be set off." (McCook Tribune, 06/20/1898)

In 1899 however, McCook prepared to have a celebration to beat all others. From the June 23, 1899, McCook Tribune: "McCook proposes to celebrate the Fourth with special reference to entertaining those who will be her guests on that day. There will be sports galore and cash prizes will be given in each case." The schedule wasn't completed, but these were proposed: Sunrise Gun by the famous Mosquito battery of three guns; Concert by the Brigade Band; Foot Race; Sack Race; Three-legged Race; Wheel Barrow Race; Catching Greased Pig; 100 Yard Kid Race; Adult and Kid Bicycle Races. Prizes ranged from $ $5 to 50 cents, except for the Greased Pig contest where the winner got the pig if they caught and held on to it.

On top of the proposed events, there was also a scheduled ball game between McCook and Stratton plus Murray & Olmstead of Cambridge planned to bring their merry-go-round for everyone's amusement.

According to the schedule for the day, trains Nos. 2 and 3 would be stopping at Stratton, No. 76 at Culbertson and No. 1 at Bartley. An extra train would run east after the fireworks.

Everything seemed to be well planned until fate stepped in! Well, actually the Mosquito Battery stepped in right around noon to fire off salutes with the three cannons situated at the bottom of Main Avenue. Charlie Traver was the rammer (ramming the gun powder into the cannon) and as he loaded the gun powder the cannon went off prematurely. Charlie's hand was so damaged that it had to be amputated and the sight in one of his eyes was endangered. Willie Kilpatrick lost his right thumb in the accident and Jack Wentz's face was badly burned.

From the July 7 edition of the McCook Tribune comes the following: "The rammer, which weighs twenty pounds, was hurled up Main avenue over the business houses intervening, until it struck the old land office building, over 1,200 feet distant. Passing through this building, cutting through two 2 x 6 timbers, weather-boarding, etc., in passing, it struck the ground on the other side, rebounding and hitting little Orville Hammel, who was running by, on the leg, making an ugly flesh wound. After hitting the boy the rammer continued its career into the carpenter shop of Holmes brothers, without further damage or injury."

Little Elmer Randel didn't enjoy the day much either after being severely injured in the sack race. Apparently the gunny sack was tied over, not under his arms, and he fell, hitting his head on the hard ground leaving him unconscious and his face badly bruised.

In the same paper, they mentioned that the "lime pit" at the courthouse was not "properly covered, and two or three persons got into it in the evening, with considerable damage to shoes and clothing." If I am correct in what I think that lime pit was for, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be very concerned about my apparel being ruined because I wouldn't be into trying to save it!

The final word in the review of the day from the same paper: "but everything goes on the glorious day." McCook was only 17 years old that day and apparently OSHA and DEQ had the day off!

Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society's monthly meeting will be this Saturday at 1:30 p.m., 110 West C, Suite M-3. Everyone is welcome to attend.