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Every Bodie Loves a Parade |
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In the meantime, let's step back in time and take a look at one such celebration from the annals of one of our favorite ghost towns' history books: Precisely at midnight, July 4, 1880, the shrill sounds of thirty steam whistles echoed in the hills surrounding the booming mining town of Bodie, California. The residents that woke to the startling sound probably smiled to themselves, for this time, it did not signal a disaster in the mines, but announced that Independence Day had arrived. Four and a half hours later, the sounds of "Hail Columbia," "The Star Spangled Banner," "Red White and Blue" and "America" could be heard from the observatory of the Belevedere Iron Works, thanks to the Hoskins Brass Band. As the sun rose over the west side of the Bodie Hills, the cannon at the Standard Mine was shot off, waking the few Bodieites that had managed to sneak a few more z's after the steam whistles blew in the 104th birthday of the United States. Bodie was decked out in red white and blue for the holiday, which would be celebrated more appropriately on a Monday than the Lord's day of Sunday. Old Glory waved with the nearly always present wind, and the rest of the day remained silent. The sound of a gunshot or two was heard that evening, as a drunken Irish gunslinger by the name of Paddy Carrol finally succeeded in terminating his forty years of life on earth. The skirmish was incited by legislation that would rescind the resolution opposing a parade of members of the Miner's Union in the upcoming celebration. Paddy had his own ideas on how to stop the resolution, which ultimately caused his demise. Those who knew the Irish man showed no regret over the incident.
An hour before dawn, on July 5, "the thunder of the Standard M & M Company's artillery banished sleep". The streets of Bodie were alive with patriotic displays. Main Street was decked with evergreens, flags, and traditional red white and blue bunting. Two brass bands played the musical odes to the country, followed by four snow white horses pulling the Standard Mine's five pound cannon down the crowded board walked street. The Babcock Engine I, Pioneer Hook & Ladder I, Champion Hose I and Neptune Hose II represented the four Bodie fire companies, complete with brightly bedecked new uniformed firemen. The Booker Mine, not to be out done, also appeared with it's own miniature brass mounted cannon drawn by ten uniformed boys under direction of Master Charlie Irwin who was mounted on a fine pony. Captain Messick, the grand marshal, his mounted aides, and 214 Miners' Union members serving as honor guard, were given a thunderous ovation. Amongst the events of the day, a track meet drew a huge crowd. Duncan A. Mc Millan was the prize Bodie athlete, shining with his 15 pound hammer throw toss of 92 feet and two inches. H. Bell followed second with his toss of 92 feet, 2 inches. Duncan's success continued in three other events, including a tie with Lee De Camp in the standing high jump at 4 feet 5 1/2 inches. The 40 foot, 8 inch hop, step and jump was placed by Dennis Keeve. The hitch and kick was placed by Rod MGinnis, at 9 feet, 2 inches. As usual for such events in Bodie the festive crew known as The Horribles, paraded and orated around town mocking all that went before them. Typically their antics ended at the Miners Union Hall with great literary exercises including a "a Horrible Poem" a Declination of Intentions and an oration such as the one we now quote from Bodie Bonanza by Warren Loose originally recorded in the Daily Bodie Standard July 9, 1880 as spoken by Horribles orator C. Staley.
Amongst the events of the day, a Cornish style wrestling tournament was held at the Bodie Hay Yard, with the Hoskins Brass Band in attendance as James Snell , Jake Palkingham, and Con Driscol took in first, second, and third prize. News stories also reported a plethora of practical jokers, public drunkenness, and at least one shoot-em ups. The evening fireworks were described by the Bodie Chronicle: "It must have been made of sawdust or badly damaged powder.There was scarcely enough force in the powder to carry the Roman Cannonballs above a man's hat." At least the modern Bodie traveler need not worry about fire restrictions keeping him from seeing such a sad display. Bibliography
To read more about Bodie, it's histories, and its celebrations:
Bodie Bonanza by Warren Loose Exposition Press - New York
Bodie's Gold - Tall Tales & True History From a Mining Town by Marguerite Sprague University of Nevada Press
Bodie: The Mines Are Looking Well by Michael H. Piatt North Bay Books
The Ghost Town of Bodie, A California State Park by Chalfant Press
The Story of Bodie by Ella M Cain Fearon Publishers
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