A Gold Umbrella for the Starter
Before the Walla Walla derby, local horsemen honored track judge Robert Leighton with a surprise tribute for his fair and steady hand on the racing circuit.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A pleasing little incident which escaped the notice of the grandstand occurred out at the fair grounds Saturday afternoon just before the first race on the card was called, when a number of horsemen headed by Judge Brents invaded the judges' stand and presented Starter Robert Leighton with a handsome gold-handled umbrella, a carving set, and a set of solid silver knives and forks in appreciation of his services on the Northwest circuit this season. The presentation speech was made by Judge Brents, who, on behalf of the Northwest race horsemen, thanked Mr. Leighton for the efficient manner in which he had performed his duties as starter and judge. Mr. Leighton was visibly affected by the show of appreciation, but managed to thank the donors in a hearty manner.
“A pleasing little incident which escaped the notice of the grandstand occurred... when a number of horsemen invaded the judges' stand.”
Horse racing was the heartbeat of social and civic life in early 20th-century Walla Walla, much like the modern community focus on high-stakes athletics. It serves as a reminder of how town identity was once inextricably tied to regional fairgrounds and the professionalization of local sporting circuits.
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