The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-09-14
THE COUNTY FAIR.

The weather was very psopitious and the
roads in the best possible condition for the
County Fair at West Point this week and
the people seemed to appreciate the .itua-
ton" and all its favorable conditions, and
turned out in larger numbers than on any pre-.
vious occasion sincs the Fair has been held
at west Point. 1t seemed as If there had
oeena revival of the early interest which
prevailed some years ago. and tina, all the
people OF the county had united once more
ina cordial and earnest effort to present a
ereditabls exhibition Of the agricultural and
mechanical industry, skill and enterprise of
Lee county We regretto say that this fair
promise presented in the appearance of the
people proved utterly fallacious upon an in,
specton Of the fair grounds. We never re.
member to have witnessed SO poor display,
since the initiation of the Annual AgricuItu,
raj Fair OF Lee County, as that of the pres.
cut season. Hogs, sheep and cattle, which
used to constitute the great feature of the
Fair, and around which the chief interest was
usually concentrated, were very scarce, and
what lew there were, seemed of little account.
There was no competition, and premiums
were awarded to animals utterly nwortby Of
such distinction.
There was but the feeblest possible show in
the department of agricultural maeh;nes and
implements, and the only articles we regard
eo as worthy OF notice at all were the very
excellent piows manufactured at Fort Madi
son, by ). b. Morrison 4 Sons. They had
some very hne plows there, and the farmers
seemed greatly interested in them. and man.
'iested their high appreciation by buying ali
that we're on exhibition, and engaging large
number besides.
there was but poor show of vegetables,
ana that OF fruit was no better.
In the household department Of the han.
ui~ork OF The wives and daughters of the
county, we were pleased to observe some
indications of interest, and decided i'm.
provement on some previous exhibitions that
we have had occasion to notice in West
FONT. We intended to have made a specsl
notice, with numerous specifications, but our
notes are too blind and indefinite, as to de.
seriphon and names, to assure the accuracy
which is always desirable in such matters.
The Horse Show was undoubtedly the
main feature of the Fair; indeed, it consttu.
ted THE FAIR. to all intents and purposes,
and without itthere would have been no show
at ALL
There were good many good horses on
The ground, more Of the very best character
IN the several classes, we think, than usual;
and the competition for The ribbons was live
~, and, In many instances, it seemed a nice
point to decide between the contestants.
The award of premiums in the yarious
classes on exhibition at the Fair will be pub
hshed In our paper the frs. of next week.
and we Will not now attempt to anticipate the
official publication.
Thursday the entertainment on the grounds
opened with trotting match against time.
There were five horses entered under tbs
respective names of Prince, Stonewall, Billy.
Rowdy and Sumner. The first on the list from
burlington, the last from Hancock county,
Illinois, and the other three from the city OF
heokuk. These horses were fast trotters. a
good deal faster than the common scrubs of
the country, aud we give their time to Correct
the erroneous impression that MANY peonle
entertain in regard to the speed of th.,, own
nags.
The first heat OF mile was made. Nv