The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-09-25
Quincy, ILL.,, Sept. %, 1867.

QUINCY, ILL.,, Sept. 10, Iooi-
EDITOR OF THE Rock ISLAND ARGUS,
Dear Sir:-It is a fact that should not be
unknown to your readers that the Illinois
State Fair for 1867 will be held at Quincy,
commencing on Monday, the 30th day of
September, and continuing through the first
week of October.
During visit here of some SIX weeks
past it has been my good fortune to have
had occasion several times to visit the mag
nifeent grounds that have been enclosed for
this grand exhibition. The State Fair
Grounds are located on beautiful rolling
prairie, about two miles from the business
part Of the city, and comprise about eighty
acres in situation commanding splendid
view of the city and country for many miles
around. 1t was stated, some time since, in
some of the newspapers, that these grounds
contained but forty acres, and that they were
purchased by the city of Quincy at cost of
100000. Both of these statements were
incorrect. The grounds comprise some
eighty acres, and were purchased and build
ings appropriate for the purpose in view
erected by a joint stock company, under the
lead of General James Singleton, who is
we'll known, not only to the people of Hi
nois, but to the people of the whole west, as
one of the most enterprizing and public
spirited men of the whole country. 1t is to
his interchangeable energy and matchless skill
in such and kindred undertakings that the
people of Illinois are indebted for the origin
and successful promotion of this magnificent
enterprise. The numerous and spacious
buildings that have been erected within the
Enclosure are not only creditable specimens
of architectural ingenuity, but some OF them,
and that erected for club house especial
", would do no dishonor to the principal
street of any city in the country. This build
ing is designed to be used, during the state
fair week, as a general eating house, where
visitors will be able to crafty their hunger
or thirst with the choicest Of whatever they
NAV choose to order, and at any hour Of the
day or night. The club house will be thrown
open to viaitors on the oath of Sept. Tues
day), at the completion of the fair grounds,
| and will be handsomely celebrated on the
| evening of that day with grand ball, at
which hundreds of the most intelligent and
| highly esteemed ladies and gentlemen of St.
Louis, Chicago, and other places have signi
| fed their intention to be present. 1t will
| be- or, at least, under its management prove
| to be one of the most magnificent entertain
ments of the kind ever given in the vest
| Everything that ingenuity can sdggest will
be secured to render the comfort, happiness,
| pleasure and enjoyment of all who attend
| something to be remembered by them as
| long as they live.
On the following Monday the state fair
| will be inaugurated on the premises, and if
the assurances that reach us here from all
| parts of the state are to be relied on, there
will be the largest crowd present, by many
thousands, that was ever before in attend
auce on the opening proceedings.
The citizens, with commendable foresight
and enterprise, are making the most extens
i've preparations to provide all who may Wis
it the city during the week of the fair with
lodgings and abundance Of the very best the
market affords to eat. So that apprehen
sions need not be entertained that any visit
ors will leave MS regretting their visit or dis
appointed at the accommodations afforded
them. There is in this city several of th'
most commodious and best conducted no
tells and restaurants in the west, and thei
interchangeable proprietors are thoroughly rem
ovating their establishments and in ever
possible respect preparing themselves :
give the very best satisfaction TO all VIII
may make it convenient to give them n call
One thing your correspondent will guaran
tee to all who comes to the state fair mex
week, viz: that they will be cordially greet
ed and Hospitality entertained by all the Cit
Gems of Quincy, upon all occasions an
wherever they may go, during their sta
here.
As to the fair, there can be no question
of the fact that its attractions this year wi
| greatly surpass those of any former year
The display of fine stock will be grand be
yond precedent, in this part of the country
while the exhibition specimens of cereal
"a nthar a Of thia a
: den State" of the world, will surpass Illinoi
herself not to mention the splendid collet
l ton of innumerable varieties Of the the val
ious fruits that will be exposed to the admin
4 ing gaze of the delighted spectators nc
, even to allude to the many thousands of il
genious and iniInitable inventions in ma
chinery mechanics, and agricultural implt
ments, &c, &c.
}, Not the least of the attractions, howeve
: will be the three days of trotting and pacin
| matches, and contests between some of tn
celebrated running horses that will be her
The track j. said, by those who are reco;
nized as among the best judges of rae
| courses, to be as good, if not superior, to an
other in the United States. 1t is construc
o ed in the shape of figure 6, thus giving I
Il | advantage to the horse having the insiC
track at the start, as at the first crossing h
will find himself on the outside, and is con
PEELED, if he keeps his place, to 60 one ha
4 the distance on the outside, while the outsi(
II horse at the start, if he keeps his place, s
cures the inside track for half the wa
n around. By measurement, the race cours
is precisely one mile around, and is snf
GENTLY wide to give room for fifteen hors
to show their speed in single contest.
Q In conclusion, for the information of Il
a press, editors, publishers, reporters, &c,
may be mentioned that an eligible place
the amphitheatre, Immediately in front
the judges stand, has been set apart f
them, duly provided with comfortable sea
and desks capable of accommodating six
or more, and these seats will be reserved
y all time for their exclusive use. 1t is Il
D. earnest desire of the management that t
4 press shall be as generally represented
possible, and it is guaranteed that they shi
1t be duly provided and cared for.
4 Respectfully yours, &c,
e l.. NJ.