"Fourth of July 60 years ago was one ‘hummer’ of a day in county" from the July 2, 1979 Door County Advocate
By KETA STEEBS
Fourth of July 60 years ago was one ‘hummer’ of a day in county
By KETA STEEBS
They don't hardly make the "Forchjuly" like they used to anymore.
Sure, we've got parades and picnics and water shows and speeches but compared to the days when E. W. "Mitch" LaPlant ran the show our efforts to celebrate seem feeble indeed.
Consider what was happening in this county back in 1919. The Great War had ended, most survivors were back in the old home town, and despite dire warnings of two upsetting changes in the American way of life (prohibition and suffragation) the general populace was jubilant.
The Door County Advocate began running full page ads ballyhooing the Fourth of July early in June and, although his name isn't mentioned until several weeks have passed, each ad bears the unmistakable stamp of the inimitiable Mitch LaPlant.
Mitch starts out by advising readers that this year's celebration will be a hummer. If you miss the big events at the fairgrounds, he warns, you'll be missing one of the best times ever had in Door county.
On June 13, 1919, subscribers learn that four lively bands, consisting of some 60 people, will provide thrilling martial music on the big day. The ad also states that every sailor and soldier boy in the county is invited to line up for battalion review.
Veterans were also informed that those willing to wear uniforms would not have to pay the 50 cents price of admission. "All soldiers and sailors free to everything," Mitch says generously if somewhat ungrammatically.
He also assures prospective celebrants that there will not be a dull moment from sunrise to sunrise,
"Joy will reign supreme until the zero hour and our motto is 'There Is Nothing Too Good For The Public'," read the copy in the following ad.
Fairgoers are also assured that the races under, the directorship of Dr. Spalsbury and judging of Judge Henry Graass would be honestly and fairly conducted.
"The speed contests will be rare and exciting sport," says Mitch, who also notes that this day will be a good time to renew old acquaintances, cure the blues and provide sensational amusements."
Lest the combination of thrills, spills and animated conversation prove too heady for the average citizen, Mitch points out that "Instruction and pleasure will be evenly blended."
An added bonus for sports minded ticket-holders is the promise of learning the returns of the Willard-Dempsey fight that afternoon. Results are to be bulletined at the grandstand.
On June 20th, readers are urged to fill their cars with family and friends and bring them in for the 8:30 a.m. opening ceremonies which are being handled by Captain Ed Reynolds. Reynolds, who is in full charge, will see to it that the whistles will blow and bells ring out at sunrise.
Secretary of State Merlin Hull will be on hand for the battalion review and soldier's drill at 11 a.m. and will also review the equity parade at 1 o'clock.
"Come if you have to crawl," Mitch admonishes those without cars. "This day is going to be a whirling feast of fun chock full of surprises and astonishments."
He also says that boosters will dominate the day and knockers will be conspicuous by their absence.
Athletic events, which are set for 1:30 p.m. (Hull's speech is expected to be short) offer all kinds of inducements for entrants. The People's Store is offering $40 in cash for winners of the half-mile bike race and the Scofield Company has $25 at the ready for the three quarter-mile winners.
Mitch also promises day-long sunshine, music galore and all you want to eat at the huge noon luncheon which will be served in the dining hall.
On June 27, the Advocate carries a front page story recapping the coming events and this is where we learn that Mitch is not only chairing the Fourth of July celebration but also serves as secretary of the Fair Association.
Merchants, undoubtedly worn down by the indefatigable Mitch, are also persuaded to pitch in. The Miller Clothing House and Washburn Company are offering 25 cent coupons to everyone who buys a 50 cent admission ticket.
The news story, which gives an hour by hour account of everything scheduled to take place this memorable day, reminds veterans that the City of Sturgeon Bay will be holding an outdoors supper for them that night on Cottage street.
The supper will be served by the proprietors of the Swoboda hotel and waitresses will be young ladies from the high school "in charge of the teachers."
Unfortunately, although the supper is open to all returned servicemen, City Clerk Langemak has received only 100 replies to 835 invitations. Those who haven't replied are urged to do so at once.
An added inducement is the promise of a big time dance to the music of Squier's orchestra which will be held in city square at the conclusion of the supper.
A platform is being erected for the orchestra.
The big day comes and goes that Friday, July 4, 1919, and it isn't until the next week that we learn how accurate Mitch's of "all day sunshine" turned out to be.
"It started raining during the noon hour and by the time Secretary of State Hull got around to speaking his remarks were accompanied by a barrage of thunder, appropriate for 'the Fourth of July but disconcerting to the speaker," the lead article read.
Outside of this minor setback, the rest of the day went well. Frank Martin won the half-mile race and Alvin Zettel beat George Liebe for first place in the quarter mile.
"Larabelle", owned by Job Tong, got first place in the straight heat "Earl Custer", owned and driven by Alex Anderson, took second.
The fair association, despite Mitch's all-out promotion, barely broke even that day with receipts totaling a scant 75 cents more than paid-outs. Profit, of course, was never the motive and according to the 1919 writer, more than 2,000 people had one whale of a good time.
We also know why so few servicemen replied to their invitations. Somebody either forgot to mail them or most of them got lost in the mail.
Courtesy of the Door County Library Newspaper Archive.
Articles by Keta Steebs
https://doorcounty.substack.com/t/keta-steebs