The First 4th — There's Two of Them!

Roseau County annexed in Warroad township in 1896 and its first paper, the Warroad Plaindealer, appeared in 1899 to document any town-centric events. Warroad officially became a city in November 1901. For this year's July 4th celebration, we are looking at two "firsts" for Warroad's Independence Day celebrations. We begin with the first documented celebration in the Plaindealer. Then, we will look at the first "official" celebration after being established as a townsite in 1902!

History shows two different worlds between 1899 and 1902, despite only three years separating them. In many ways, these years complement each other. Cuba was liberated from Spanish colonization in 1899, but did not become a de facto independent protectorate of the United States until 1902. 1899 saw the first use of the word "automobile" in a New York Times editorial, but not until 1902–03 did Henry Ford open the first all-American automobile factory. The American-Philippine War began in 1899 and ended in 1902. In 1899, Ernest Rutherford discovered the particles of radiation; in 1902, Marie and Pierre Curie discovered radium and polonium, the two most radioactive naturally-occurring elements on earth. 1899 sees the coldest recorded weather in Washington, D.C. at -15°F, and in 1902, Willis Carrier invented air conditioning (and God bless him). 

July 4, 1899, Warroad celebrated Independence Day with grand showings by two separate world champions. However, all was not exactly as it seems. The first celebrity mentioned in the Pioneer is a William Beckett or Orillia, Ont. He was noted to be a "successful competitor in shooting matches in nearly every capital in Europe and a number of American cities, and gained the world's championship when he won the Creedmore [Creedmoor] Cup from William Bell." (WP 07/06/1899) The problem with this is that no William Beckett could be located for that period who matched the record of an expert marksman. The Creedmoor Rifle Range, established by the NRA in 1875, gives out the Wimbledon Cup for long distance shooting each year, but in 1893 it was awarded to Samuel I. Scott. The previous winner was Dr. Charles H. Gaus. It is unclear if the report was incorrect, or perhaps Beckett lied about who he was. Either way, no record remains to identify him today.

Another celebrity joined Warroad to celebrate in 1899, though this time, we can confirm he was indeed who he said. Jacob Gill "Jake" Gaudaur, Sr. was one of two native Canadians to win the Professional World Sculling Championship. He began racing in 1880 at the young age of seventeen. In 1899, Gaudaur appeared in Warroad and showed off his sculling skills in the Warroad River. It was reported that he was "quite a tall man, of faultless physique, and would be observed, even by one unacquainted with sports and sporting men, as an athlete." (WP 07/06/1899) 

View of Warroad's Business District along the Warroad River, 1898

Warroad began planning its 1902 celebration in June. The first piece of information in the Warroad Plaindealer noted that the Honorable Albert Berg would be giving a speech for the occasion. Albert Berg had only just announced his re-nomination candidacy as a State Representative. It was noted that "Mr. Berg had not intended to become a candidate, but conditions which have developed in the last few days have led to this final decision." (WP 06/26/1902) While it is unclear what "conditions" he was referring, it was clear that this was an unpopular decision by those outside of the community. It should be noted that the Roseau Times treated Berg unfairly due to his move from that city to Warroad within the year. The wording of the Plaindealer tells more about the editors and writers of each towns' paper than it does about Albert Berg, however.

Interior of the Warroad Plaindealer printing operation, early 1900s

While Roseau and Warroad argued over Berg's run for the legislature, others were planning to come to Warroad. In Cedarbend, men worked tirelessly on the 3rd to erect a bowery and stands for the many expected tourists who would travel through the area over the holiday. Ice cream and lemonade stands were built.  Trevor Gerrie, Henry and August Huerd, Ralph and Henry Stoltz, George and John Cochren, George Stage, and Will McLeod saw to the raising of flag poles over the Cedarbend schoolhouse and Henry Stoltz's home. Cleever Gerrie had the honor of raising the flags later that day.

In 1902, the US flag contained 45 stars (Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii, and 
Alaska were not yet admitted into the Union. The last state admitted until that point was
Utah in 1896, meaning the same flag was used in 1899 and 1902)

The Fourth of July was a cloudy day in Cedarbend, but it was made up for with the rush of people in town. At the schoolhouse, the students performed literature readings on the spirit of America, along with songs sung by everyone. In Warroad, rain spoiled much of the fun which continued all day. The steam ship Chieftan had brought a large group of visitors from Baudette and Rainy River, but they quickly returned home to get out of the storms.

Myers Schoolhouse in Cedarbend

Stein & Sheppard, storeowners in downtown Warroad, opened their sizebal building to the public where entertainment was provided by local musicians and recitations followed by dancing. The Hon. Albert Berg is believed to have given a speech, but no record was kept of what was said. Thus, the second first Independence Day celebration in Warroad failed to delight the crowds.

What we can notice is the coming together of the community to celebrate the occasion of the creation of the United States of America. It was one of the first (if not the first) colonies to gain its independence and forge its own path forward. So, too, did the Warroad townsite push forward to create the city we know and love today. We hope today's July 4th is not a rainy one, but if it is, it can only remind us that this community knows how to make the most of an occasion, come rain or shine.

Happy Fourth of July, from the Warroad Historical Society!