The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on July 7, 1905.
Was a Grand Success
Such Was Luverne’s Celebration of the Glorious Fourth
6000 People Were in Attendance
Notwithstanding Preceding Unfavorable Weather Conditions, Luverne Observes Our Nation’s Birthday With a Notable Successful Celebration—Occasion Graced by Presence of Governor John A. Johnson Who Delivers Inspiring Address—Splendid Program Carried Out to the Satisfaction of All
This article is continued from last week.
The Picnic Dinner
The picnic dinner which followed immediately after the exercises was one of the most enjoyable events of the day to those who were so fortunate as to be able to take their lunches under the beautiful shade trees of the school and court house grounds. The school house grounds were filled with merry picnicking parties and many who were unable to find room there went across the street to the court house grounds, which were equally well shaded and adapted to the purpose, the only drawback being that the latter grounds were more remote from the free lemonade stand. Some idea of the number of people who availed themselves of the opportunity to take their dinners on the grounds may be gained from the fact more than five barrels of lemonade were dispensed.
Vaudeville Show
The program for the afternoon events opened at 1 o’clock with the vaudeville show at the pavilion on the school grounds, with a large crowd in attendance. The show consisted of monologues, comic songs, bag punching, etc. The bag punching exhibition was given by Harry Burns, who holds the American championship in this art.
Ball Game
The next events on the program were the ball game between Luverne and Hills at the improvised grounds in Parriott’s addition on North Freeman avenue, and the ring ride on Main street, both of which started at the same hour and both drawing large crowds. Owing to the short time intervening after it was found necessary to abandon the Driving park grounds it was impossible to erect a grand stand or seats at the new ball grounds. Nevertheless the consequent unavoidable inconveniences did not apparently deter many who wished to see the game from attending, for fully fifteen hundred people were in attendance and the crowd was dispersed in such a way that all were able to witness the game with comfort. Hills was first at bat and made one score in the first inning, while Luverne drew a goose egg in her half. Both sides drew blanks in the second inning and Hills continued the circle score feature in her half of the third. In her half of the third inning Luverne connected with the horse hide often enough to bring in one score and tie the game. Hills again drew a goose egg in her half of the fourth inning, but Luverne had gotten a taste of the elusive little sphere and wanted more, and, of course, got it, landing on the ball with an earnestness and frequency that allowed three men ample time to amble across home plate. The score was then 4 to 1 in favor of Luverne and remained unchanged at the end of the sixth inning. In the first half of the seventh inning with two men out and one man on first base, Feay, of Rock Rapids, who was playing first base for Hills, drove a two-bagger into the left field, sending it over the line of carriages and spectators, and before the fielder got the ball both men crossed the home plate. This ended the game. Umpire Amos Scott called the ball foul. The Hills players immediately swarmed around the umpire and a rag-chewing match succeeded the National game. Feay became abusive, called the umpire an odious name and promptly received a well directed jolt under the right ear. The Hills players then walked off the diamond and refused to play. Later they agreed to finish the game if they could have a new umpire, but as they had deferred this decision until the ten minutes had expired allowed by the rules in which a team shall play after having once left the field, the Luverne players refused to continue the game except on the basis on which it was begun. Hills refused to accede to this condition and the game was declared forfeited to Luverne by the score of 9 to 0. The incident was most unfortunate and was deeply deplored by all. As to the correctness of Umpire Scott’s decision there appears to be a wide difference of opinion. Many who were in position to see declare that the ball in dispute was foul, while perhaps an equal number who were in equally as good position to judge declare that it was fair. The word of J. S. Joles, who found the ball and placed his foot upon it pending the umpire’s decision, is undoubtedly correct and should be authoritative, and Mr. Joles’ statement is that the ball was fully ten feet outside the lines. But regardless of this point, the fact remains that the Hills players should have abided by the umpire’s decision. Another point is that if the ball had been declared “fair” neither of the scores run in under it would have counted. The ball was what is termed a “blocked ball” and a player is not entitled to more than two bases on a ball of that character, while as it was one man ran from first base and the striker from the home plate. Several ifs naturally arise but the most important one is that “if” the Hills nine had been playing their own team instead of a pick-up team from the various surrounding towns, the trouble most likely would not have occurred.
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