View source for Fanning The Embers (8)

'''MILES CITY'S FIRST ROUNDUP'''

Taken from the Miles City Star, by Lou Grill

[[Fanning the Embers]], 1971, Range Rider Reps, Miles City, Montana

During the late spring of 1913, through a program inaugurated by A. B. Buchanan, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, with the memory of tremendous success that characterized the entertainment provided for the 1909 annual convention of the Montana Association of Elks. "the Miles City Roundup is to be given by the Custer Amusement Enterprise association, incorporated under the laws of the State of Montana."

In a reorganization meeting May 29 it was held that the present undertaking is as much greater in every dimension than the Elks convention and is of as much importance to the present and future of Miles City as the convention was beyond anything that Miles City had previously attempted. "This event, it was declared" that has yet to be mastered is the 'Miles City Roundup,' which it is aimed to make a greater and more spectacular event than the Pendleton Roundup, the Calgary Stampede, the Cheyenne Frontier Days, or any of those exhibitions which have gained national fame for the cities in which they are conducted, and which have been made familiar in every village or metropolis in the land through the medium of 'the movies."'

Officers elected at the beginning of the movement to promote a Roundup were renamed at the reorganization meeting, and included: president, Kenneth McLean; vice president, Bert Coleman; secretary, August Mund; treasurer, H. F. Lee.

Gov. Sam V. Stewart came down from Helena as a special guest of the Roundup. He led the parade, escorted by Dr. W. J. Butler, Hugh Wells, president, Kenneth McLean, Bill McCarthy, and directors Coleman, Wagenbreth and Mund. It was significant that since the holding of the first Roundup celebration in Miles City also was the 35th anniversary of the founding of the community, that the parade was featured by the marching of "some old timers," including, Buffalo hunters, Indians fighters and Old settlers.

Contributing to the success of the great event were Mayor C. H. (Larry) Mott and members of the city's board of aldermen. Mayor Mott issued a proclamation calling upon all citizens to enter heartily into the spirit of the occasion. When Gov. Sam Stewart was called back to Helena, Lieut. Gov. W. W. McDowell arrived to attend the third day's proceedings. The parade was in charge of Marshal of the Day R. F. Tuggie, and L. A. Huffman, photographer, was chairman of the Old Timer's section. Color was injected into the line of march with the presence of Capt. Tot McLean's group of 119 cowgirls. Many tepees were occupied by the Crow and Cheyenne Indians. who took a colorful part in the proceedings. Wagon outfits, the stage coach well filled, cowboys, the Wibaux and Johnson bands. along with Co. E. Montana National Guard, played important parts.

In the midst of the spectacular developments arising out of the unfolding of the first Roundup celebration appeared "Spinner" tile horse which established a reputation in dismounting its riders. The horse whirled around and around, much like a dog chasing its tail. He was a sensation in horseflesh at the first Roundup July 3, 4 and 5, 1913. "The Spinner" frequently referred to as the "whirling horse," has the reputation of throwing more riders than any other horse in the State of Montana.

Billy Richardson, Arena director at the 1914 edition of the second annual Roundup celebration, July 2, 3 and 4th, in an advance announcement, stated: "There will be plenty of 'bad' horses for the ambitious busters to ride during the three day show," With his assistant outlaw hunters, Grant Hostetter and Ray Coleman, Richardson said, 71 head had been corraled. "Among the horses is the famous 'Spinner', whose unique method of divesting itself of the anoyance on its back created a most interesting diversion last year from the conventional sunfishers, straightaways and other varieties of plain and fancy twisters." Spinner's record for the three days he appeared in the arena with "an annoyance," on his back, was 1,000. Three on, three bucked off. Charley Russell, Montana's famous artist was in the grandstand.