The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-10-15
Correspondence Of the Oskaloosa Herald.
The state Fair.

line Su6l& kr0AEs
MUscATINE, Monday Oct. 5, 1887.
DEAR Herald: Muscatine is fairly alive
with excitement, in anticipation Of the State
Fair which opens tomorrow. Her citizens
seem determined that she should look her bes
upon this occasion for scrnbbing and white
washing, and grading, and paving have beer
the especial order for the past week. A very
large attendance is expected, and the residen
officers Of the State Agricultural Society ar.
indefatigable in their exertions 10 have every.
thing in complete order. The Hotels, with
one exception, have agreed to board and lodg,
to their utmost capacity, at rates not to ex.
coed two dollars per day, during the Fair
Mr.. Mason, proprietor Of that first class house
/" Mason's Hotel"-formerly" Clover Houses
las agreed not to advance a penny on his usu.
al charges. He has fitted up this House in fine
style, and the traveller who stops with him
may depend upon having feast Of good things.
A large number Of the citizens have agreed
to open their houses for the accommodation of
visitors, so that none may be unprovided for.
THE FAIR GROUND,
Is situated on the Island, about two miles
from the city. It consists of 80 acres OF beau
tiful ground, enclosed by close board fence
eight feet high. The main entrance is on the
north side, about three hundred yards from
the Muscatine and Oslxaloosa Railroad. On
this side, and near the gates are situated the
Offices of the Secretary and Treasurer, and
Ticket Offices. A handsome wood tower.
three stories high, stands about one hundred
yards southeast from the gates. The fist sto.
ry Of the tower is intended for the acconmo-
dation of editors, the second officers, AMI the
third for Committees. It stands Just inside OF
the course for the grand parade Of stock
Aloag the north boundary east Of the gates,
stretches tier Of seats, rising from the ground
to the top Of the fence, and neat f',cket fence
guards them in front. These seSts will accom-
modate about three thousand persons, and, Ire
free to all the visitors. Last year it took an
extra dime to pay for this Injury. The grand
parade course passes directly In front Of this
tier of seats. II is half mile long and forty
feet wide, and is bounded on each side by a
strong rope about three feet from the ground,
which is kept to its place by stout posts. A
line OF stables form the west side OF the an :
closure, door from each stall opening into
the grounds. Arope passes along the front
ofthsse stalls, and about ten feet from, them;
to keer off the crowd. k 81
On theTeast side, we find the same neat pro.
visionris, made for the accommodation of cat
tie. The stablessre we'll covered and substan-
tial, aud are covered'with a sufficient quantity
OF hay for the use Of the animals. Guide
boards are placed at intervals above these
stalls, telling us where we can find the differ
ent kinds OF horses and cattle. The south side
is lined with pens for hogs, sheep, 81. In the
centre, are three large halls for the exhibition
of fruits, vegetables. fancy articles &c. Ar
ound these are number OF stands where re-
freshments will be sold, and, as they are let to
different parties, it is hoped that there will be
a healthful competition, and that visitors will
not be imposed upon either in price or quanti-
ty Of the provisions. six inexhaustable wells
furnish an unlimited supply OF water, and ev-
erything seems to be arran ged 40 we'll ss II
possibly could be, for the convenience of both
exhibitors and visitors. A train of cars win
make hourly trips to and from the grounds,
and carry passengers going and returning 20.
twenty-five cents each. A large number Of
entries have already been made, and consid-
cradle amount of stock is now on the ground
Correspondence Of the Bur- Havk-Eve
af4 SECOND DAY. &
erf MUscATINE, Oct. 7. I
This has been . delightful day, and every
thing went well at the fair. The attendance
was very much larger than 1t was yesterday.
Among other things which 90 aduced to the
spirit Of the occasion was the presence OF two
military companies,--the lluscatine Lght
Guards, and the Upton Ciuards,-and two
bands Unger's Band, OF this city, and the
!" Gaiety" band. The evelutions Of the mill.
tary gave gay appe4rance to the groands
while the music ha9 its usual effect OF arou
sing the gaiety % everybody.
A9 o'clock, a " grand cavalca de'' Of all tn,
horses I'D cattle on exhibition took place.
so large collection OF noble animals, Of oil
bloods, made gorgeous display. Immediate
" after this, the male cattle OF the Devon
Hereford and Short Horn breeds were gath
cred together in the cattle rings, and premi
ums awarded. It's not necessary for US {
give detailed list Of the premiums, a. the
will be published, in due time. by the Society
Al II O'Clock the fat cattle and oxen wer
placed in the ring, and the oxen were teste
by pulling stone boat, loaded with bars Q
Galena lead. At2 O'Clock the farm horse
were to be subjected to the me test. Onl
one pair were entered, and consequently ther
being no composition, the trial Was soon ovel
and attracted bat little atteation.
At o'clock occurred "grand display" Q
horses. matched and single, winding up wit
race, which was. Of conrse, the great featur
Of the day, for the American people Civ
more attention to their horses than to thei
wheat and babies, nowadays. Among th
most noticeable OF the matched horses, were
pair Of bays. owned BY Mr.. Porter, Of Noun
Pleasant, and Mr.. Durant's bays, from low
City, and Mr.. Brooks blacks, from.F.. De.
Moines. Among the single horses we notice.
avery handsome little mare, belonging to, MI
Shenkle, Of Muscatine, aud large, SPEEDY
black horse, the property Of Mr.. Kelly, q
Iowa City. This horse, in the general trial q
speed, was driven by Master John Andrews
ltffla rah - ocl,, E.> 1855. - -.