The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-10-02
The County Fair.

The annual fair of tho La Sale County |
Agricultural Society commenced At this city |
on Tuesday. The grounds hsd been put in |
excellent order by the Society, and every
preparation made for fine exhibition. Be.
sides the stalls and booths for the exhibition
of stock and all kinds Of farm products, ma.
chinery, &C., there were also erected BY pri-
vate individuals witha the enclosure num-
Der of shantses, dining halls, sheds, &C., for
the vending of articles to supply the inaer
wants Of the anticipated crowd, 50 that the
grounds inside the enclosure presented the
appearance of busting village.
BY Wednesday morning all the entries
had bsen made and the articles placed on
exhibition. The display of horses was
larger than Of any previous fair. OF cattle
the fair about held its own with last year.
So of hogs. sheep, &c. In agricultural ma
chinery there was falling of, a. we'll As in
the display of farm implements and mocha.
nical skill generally.
The ladies' department was we'll sustain
ed. There were quilts, embroidery, shell
work, wax work, &C., and al kinds Of 6ne
needle work in good supply, and this, a. a.
ways heretofore, proved the most attractive
department. Fruit there was none to speak
ef-probably bushel or two of apples were
exhibited-with . fsw pears and some
grapes. Huge melons, squashss, potatoes.
&C., few. but no such display ~ there
ought to have been.
Decidedly the best part Of the whole a.
fair was the large crowd in attendaaes.-
The whole county seemed to be there on
Wednesday. The day was very pleasant,
except that it was . trifle too warm, and
every body came out. The number of entry
tickets sold was largely in advance Of any
previous exhibition Of the society. The
people appeared to enjoy themselves by rid
ing about, racing on the course, seeing
sights, and seeing each other, and all GER
talnly appeared to enjoy themselves.
The soldiers-Capt. Gray's Washington
Light Guards-wers also on the ground du-
ring portion Of the day, in their splendid
uniform, and while marching and counter
marching, and going through all their beau
t tiful evolutiens, attracted more spectators
than any thing on exhibition. To add to the
attractiveness Of this part Of the exhibition,
the American Brass Badd" measured the
step miliiaire, and otherwise greatly enter
tanned and delight the people by their ex-
eellent music.
And last but not least. the juvenile fire
company, in their becoming red shirts aad
frsmen's caps, and drawing = small INA.
chine" were among tue much observed Of
the observors.
Thursday was rainy day, and the At.
tendance fell off to less than half Of the pre-
vious day, although in the afternoon the
numbers on the ground were very fair.
The address of Mr. Hise was not deliver
cd, owing to bis indisposi,isn.
In pscuniary way, the fair was consids-
rably in advance Of any previous year. The
receipts exceed 5000, against . little ever
300 last year. The society is thus placed
in the comfortable position Of being able to
pay al lite debts and to have surplus.
The following is list Of the premiums
awarded at the close of the fair on Thursday
We have made up the list in great haste
from all sorts Of "reports," and are not pre-.
pared to guarantee Its entire accuracy.