Fourth of July

A meeting of the Executive Committee to arrange for the celebration of the Fourth of July at Ancon was held in the office of Commissioner Blackburn on Friday, June 5, at 8:30 a.m. It was reported that subscriptions aggregating $1,441.50 had been received, making the total amount available (including the balance from last year) $1,764.07. Several lists are still outstanding, and efforts are being made to increase the amount of subscriptions.

The report of the Committee on Amusements was read, submitting a program for athletic and similar events, and was approved, except as to three items, respecting which further consideration by the Committee was requested. The Committee was authorized to select a design and order the necessary medals.

Members of the Amusement Committee, to have charge of athletic events, were announced as follows: George R. Shanton, (Chairman), C.C. McCulloch, E.J. Jadwin, H.W. Stickle, George R. Goethals, Glenn E. Edgerton, A.B. Herrick, M.B. DePutron, R.E. Noble, George H. Bartholomew, F.W. Doty, D.E. McDonald, Wm. Wood, H.C. Bovay, F.L. LaRose, R.C. Shady, F.O. Thompson, W.W. Wright, D.E. Hayes, A.M. Barrett, A. Borg, W. Cate, A.R. Sweet, H.R. Hudson, C. Fortney, C.N. Gifford, C. Harrington, A.J. Pompegi, A.R. Richards, R.G. Goodman, W.G. Manley, A.F. Rosenbaum, L.R. Drake, E.A. Kibbey, J.G. Whitley, J.C. Worrell, W.H. Frazee and R. Roberts.

Applications for entry in the athletic events should be addressed to the Chairman of the Committee on Amusements, office of the Chief of Police, Ancon, Canal zone, It is requested that those wishing to participate will make their entries as soon as possible. Entry sheets will be closed on June 27, 1908.

Events will be opened to amateurs only, but individuals who have competed in former contests for money will not be regarded as professionals. Medals -- first prize, gold; second, silver, third, bronze, will be offered for the field events, and cash prizes for free-for-all events. The following events are scheduled.

Field Events
a.m.
100-yard dash	9:00
880-yard run	9:45
Running broad jump	9:45
220-yard dash	10:00
Running high jump	10:15
Pole vault	10:30
Race, one mile	10:45
440-yard run	11:00
Hurdle race, 120-yard, 10 hurdles, 3 1/2 feet high	11:15
Relay race, 1 mile, four men, 1/4 mile each team, only organized clubs to compete	11:30

Free-For-All Events
Fat man's race (200 pounds or over) 100-yard dash, 2 p.m. First, $10; second, $5 Three legged race (100 yards) -- 2:15 p.m. First, $20; second, $10; third, $5. Boy's race (14 years or under, 50 yards) - 2:30 p.m. First, $5; second, $2.50 (in merchandise) Ladies' race (50 yards) -- 2:45 p.m. First, $10; second, $5 Sack race (50 yards) -- 3 p.m. First, $10; second, $5 Wall Scaling Contest (between sailors and marines) - 3:10 p.m. First, $25; second, $10 Pony race (1/4 mile) - Native ponies only. entry fee, $2. 3:45 p.m.. First, $20; second $10 High jump for horses (over brush hurdles, native horses) - 4 p.m. First, $10; second, $5 Mule race (1/4 mile) - 4:15 p.m., $5 Bucking horses (horses furnished contestants) - 4:30 p.m. First prize, $25 and championship of Isthmus; second, $15 Race for retiring sharp shooters - 4:45 p.m. First, $10; second, $5 Test run of Ancon fire Department (in front of Hotel Tivoli) - 1:00 p.m., $10

Money for pony races should accompany application for entry.

Any further information regarding athletic contest can be obtained from Mr. F.L. LaRose, Y.M.C.A., Gorgona.

The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be held in the office of Commissioner Blackburn on Friday, June 26, at 2 o'clock.

Arrangements for Ancon Celebration

At a meeting of the Executive Committee in charge of the Ancon Fourth of July celebration, held on Friday, June 26, a program for the day was approved. It will be printed as a souvenir of the occasion. The events of the day are practically the same as published in previous issues of The Canal Record. The fireworks will be set off in front of the Hotel Tivoli, and in case of rain on the night of the Fourth, they will be set off on the following night.

The Cristobal Program

The following program has been arranged for the Fourth of July celebration at Cristobal:

Morning - 6:30 a.m., ragamuffin parade, prize, boys and girls, $1.50 each; prize for youngest boys, $1; youngest girls, $1. 8 a.m., "colors;" free distribution of fire crackers to the children. Aquatic events commencing at 9 a.m. - Sailing race, prize, pennant. First-class launches, first, $10; second, $5. Sculling race, first, $5; second $3. Two-oar race, first, $10; second, $5. Four-oar race, first, $15; second, $10; third, $5. Canoe race, first, $6; second, $4; third, $2. Entries for boat races should be sent at once for classification either to M.H. Macfarlane or W.O. Adams at Cristobal, or A.P. McCulloch at Gatun.

At 12 (noon) the national salute of twenty-one guns will be fired from the United States war vessels in the harbor.

Afternoon - Band concert by the Canal Zone band at 2 and 8 p.m.

Competitive sports, commencing at 1:30 p.m. - Hose race between volunteer fire companies, one prize of $40, if there are two entries. Sack race, first, $5, second, $3. Three-legged race, first, $6; second, $4. Obstacle race, first, $15; second, $5, third, $3. 100-yard dash, first $4.50; second $3; third $2. Alcalde's race, (relay) four men teams, prize, $14. Shot-put, first, $5; second, $3.50. Tug-of-war, five-men teams, prize, $12.50. Boys' pole vault, first, $2.50; second, $1. Boys' 75-yard dash, first, $3; second, $2. Boys' bicycle race, first, $2.50; second, $1. Fat men's race (200 pounds or over), prize, $6. Greased pole, prize of a $5 gold piece at top of pole. Entries for above must be sent in not later than July 2 to any of the following committee from whom entry blanks may be obtained; C.R. Chisholm, G.B.F. Pompeji, P.N. Bressie, J.E. Keefe, all of Cristobal. Exhibition run by the Cristobal Fire Department at 4 o'clock.

The fireworks display will commence at 8 p.m. from barges anchored off Cristobal point and will include the following set pieces: the American flag, Incandescent Suns, Weird White Falls, Aladdin's Jeweled Tree, Pyric Cascade, Portrait of President Roosevelt, and "Good Night." In addition there will be thirty-nine separate displays of batteries of rockets, bombs, fire balloons, acrobatic candles, meteorites, shells, etc.

During the display of fireworks an illuminated boat parade will take place, a prize of $25 being distributed between the two best decorated boats. entries for the boat parade should be made with W.S. Perry, Cristobal.

Special features are being arranged for the crews of the warships in the harbor and, if possible, arrangements will be made for a special electrical and searchlight illumination of the ships in the evening.

Special arrangements will be made for visitors at the Commission hotel and a public refreshment stand will also be erected on the Point. the Commission club house will also be opened for public accommodation. A public dance will be held at the Commission club house on the night of July 3, a cordial invitation being extended to all.

The last train from Cristobal on the night of the Fourth will leave at 10:30 p.m. For other trains see special schedule of the Panama railroad.

Taken from: The Canal Record -- June 10, 1908 and July 1, 1908

CZBrats
June 28, 1999

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