The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-10-12
The County Fair.

The Fourteenth annual fair of the La Sale Coun-
ty Agricultural Society, opened at the Societys
grounds west of the city on Tuesday, and closed
last evening. Although we find it impossible to
give full lists of the entries and premiums
awarded in to-day's paper, we are able to say
generally that the fair was success-that the
number of entries was larger than ever before,
the attendance larger, and, considering all
things, the financial result, not inferior to any
former exhibition.
The weather on Tuesday was beautiful, but
inclined to be dusty. A rain on Tuesday night
laid the dust for Wednesday. Thursday, how
ever, which is usually the big day, came in with
gale from the northwest, again completely loos-
ening the dust, and making it almost intolera-
BILE, and on Friday, although there was less wind,
the dust was still quite as annoying.
Tuesday was occupied, as usual, in making the
entries and arranging the articles for exhibition.
The show fairly opened on Wednesday. The
horses were ranged in stalls on the north side
sheep and swine on the west and cattle along
the southwest enclosure. The larger agricul-
tural mplements-reapers mowers &C., on the
ridge towards the southeast; smaller nipple.
ments, as also grain, vegetables, &C., in, the old
building; and everything also calculated to be
most attractive, in the new hall, which, although
it was supposed would be larger than necessary
for the present needs Of the fair, was found I'M
comfortably crammed. Between the new hall
and the race track was, as usual, an extemporised
village of DINING halls, most notable among
which was one managed by the ladies of the LIST
Congregational Church, and seemingly the most
popular. Within the circle formed by the race
course the ground was staked off for the base
ball players. Other available space was occupied
with shows, &c. The man with his lung tester
was there also the man with his tent and d" the
most wonderful collection of living curiosities :"
| and OF course the rotary swing or styling
horse was there.
| First on the list for exhibition on Wednesday
| came the horses, and here one is almost bewiL
dered at the array. There are over 1850 entries
nearly double the number of any previous fair.
And snch horses We have attended three Hi.
nois State fairs at least where the exhibition was
no larger or more meritorious Among the
thorough-breds, we noticed Delano and, Ford's
noble stallion, Lexicon, that came within 2Is
seconds, at the late horse fair, of beating the
fastest running timeIever made; also Mr.. IDay'f
splendid stallion Among Horses of all Work
OF which there were 81 entries it would be i'm.
possible to particularize. Draft horses, As en-.
| tries, among them we understand II Norman
half brothers-Mr. A. Hodgson and Jas. Toilet
rather taking the lead OF matched carriage
horses there. were 81 entries, all of them really
splendid, but we notice the span Of our friend
DIR. Dyer bore of the ribbon. Besides which there
were horsesin harness, saddle horses, &c. Hur.
ried as had to be the examination of all these
horses, the whole occupying but few hours, no
wonder if the committee should make some mis-.
| takes.
OfJscks and Jennies the display was small
but entries. We have not the names Of the ex.
hibtors
In cattle the display was notable rather for
qualitytthan quantity. OF Durahams there were
some95 entries, no Devone 10 grades, and perhaps
dozen head Of "fat cattle" The most notable
perhaps in the lot-at least they attracted more
attention-were three head Of thorough.breds re.
Gently purchased by J. w. Armstrong Eaq.
at the state fair. They were a yr. old bull
weighing 1880, a 3 yrs old heifer weighing 1920,
and q yearling weighing $50. They were beau.
ties-you bet!
OF sheep there were but few exhibitors. E.
NJ. Wade, Esq, was there again with his peer.
less sonth Downs, which have as yet met no
competitors at our county fair Mr.. A. D. Hurl.
but and J. Vankirk exhibited some very fine
Merinos, and Mr. E. King some beautiful Cots
wolds
In swine, Mr.. H. D. Olmstead's Chester white,
so far eclipsed the rest, as nearly to constitute
the entire show in that department.
OHfowls, Mr.. J. Jewett texhbited some splen.
did specimens; Mr.. Brush a beautiful pair Of
bantums; Mr.. Geo. Mills E. P. Brush, J. Van.
kirk were also exhibitors-thc display on the
whole, being better than usual.
OF grain, considering the good crops we have
had, the exhibition was almost failure. There
were two or three entries of red spring wheat,
and We believe but one of -four; three Of oats,
one Of beans, and six of yellow and six of white
seed corn, In the former, Nathan Hardy was
far ahead, and took the premium; and VIM
Gentleman took the premium on the latter
showing the finest ears of white corn we have
ever seen.
OF garden produce the display was better
Among the things notable were Bermuda sweet
potatoes by Judge Cation weighing 6lS lbs, elev.