News from Missoula
Rain Interferes With the Programme of the Railroad Boys' Picnic.
TO A NEW MINING DISTRICT
A Wagon Road to Be Built Into a Rich Mineral Region -- The Missoula Northern Railway Project.
Special to the Standard .
Missoula, July 11 -- The railroad employees' picnic was only a partial success. Every preparation had been made and an immense crowd attended, but continued rain dampened the pleasure. The big train of 17 cars, drawn by two engines, pulled out at 8 o'clock for Trout creek with between 1,500 and 1,600 passengers on board. It reached the destination at 11 o'clock in the rain. Luncheon was the first event on the programme, and it was followed by dancing. A large pavilion had been erected covered with boughs of trees. Through them the rain poured down in a slow but steady shower and soon made the floor slippery and the dancers wet, the dancing continued under these discouraging circumstances all day. The music of the Twenty-fifth infantry band and the gay spirits of the crowd being all that kept it going. Dancers fell down and white dresses became soiled, but still it continued. At 2 o'clock the sports began. Out of the long programme only six events were contested for. No time was kept, but the victors were as follows:
In the 300-yard dash -- C. D . Burgo won, Charles Leonard second.
Fat men's race, 500 yards -- E. Wolfkill won, John Boyle second.
Young ladies' race, 50 yards, for ladies from 12 to 20 years -- Miss Jennie Noonan of Helena won, Miss Annie Riefearath of Helena second, Miss Jennie Leonard third.
100-yard dash -- C. D. Burgo won, M. N. Hanson second.
Standing broad jump -- J. H. Stingley of Helena won at 9 feet 4 inches.
Running broad jump -- John Hayes won at 16 feet 7 inches; then a man from St. Regis offered to bet: $10 he could beat that by two feet He was taken up and made two trials, beating that distance, but not by two feet. On the third trial he fell and it was called no jump and bets were declared off.
At 6 o'clock the train started back for Missoula and arrived here at 9:10 amid cheering and fire works.
Deputy Sheriff Abernethy arrested a man who was running a little gin mill in the woods for Fred Reslip, who runs a saloon at Superior. A. P. Johnson went on his bonds and the hearing will be next Saturday morning.
It is said that the sports will be continued at the fair grounds next Saturday. The crowd was generally peaceable and orderly. Much praise is due the railroad men for the preparations they had made for the pleasure of their guests. As usual they were courteous and obliging and made everybody enjoy themselves as much as the weather would permit. Had not rain interfered the picnic would have been a complete success.