Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-09-20
Fifteenth Annual Fair of the Grant
County Agricultural Society.

seems to have been unfortunate in
its exhibitions. The inclemency Of
the weather during the days set
apart for making entries has caused
q serious diminution in the number
and variety of exhibits, and the at
tendance has been considerably less
than on former occasions. Not that
the people are losing interest in
these industrial gathering for, on
the contrary, fairs are becoming
more and more popular every year /;
but the interest in local exhibitions
has grown to such an extent that
now, instead of one fair, we have five
or six in Grant county. 1t is of
course wholly impracticable for farm
crs to attend all of these, and the
preference is usually given to the
one in which they are most interested.
A few years ago, in view of the
rapidly increasing patronage of the
Grant County Fair, it was Thought
necessary to enlarge the grounds
aud make various other improve
ments, and as there was not suffi-
cient funds in the treasury, the soci-
ity became considerably involved in
debt. This year the managers were
DESTROYS of removing all enoumbran-
ces, and made every effort in their
power TO accommodate the assembly
and make the exhibition grand
success.
On Wednesday, the first day of
the fair, the weather was anything
but favorable, and but few entries
were made. The Society met in the
evening and elected its officers for
the ensuing year, which are as fol-
lows:
PreslGent-D. L. Parker.
vice. Prests-Jno b. Calls, j. w. Kaump.
Secretary-T. A. Burr.
Treasurer-W. w. Robe.
Executive Committee-Jno Monteith, l..
Okey, Robert Newman, J. NJ. Stephens, Thos.
Weir.
Thursday was a day of clouds.
All day long there were threatenings
OF rain, and when night came the
weather was still unsettled. The
number OF entries in some depart
ments was larger than was anticipa-
ted, but most Of the classes of stock
and farm produce were not very
fully represented.
The only thing which seemed TO
excite much attention during the
day was the trotting match, which
took place at 3 p. M. The compel
itors were Frank Lewis "Mollic"
from Boscobel, Felix Dilger's "Black
Maria" from Animation, VIM. Wards
"Artemus" from Lancaster, and Ii.
*. Stevenson's "Little Bill" from
FaiIplay. The first and second
heats were won by "Mollie," whose
time was 3:3 and ga. "Black Maria"
came out second best in both heats
and was awarded the second premi-
um.
On Friday morning the Bloom
ington Brass Band made its appear
ance in the village and after driving
through the principal streets, sum-
moned the crowds that had gather
ed about the corners to The fair
grounds. Notwithstanding the I'M
settled state of the weather, loaded
teams came pouring in like a torrent
from all directions. 1t was not sur
prising to see large number of PEG.
pie, as this was the last day of the
fair and several events of more than
usual interest were on the pro-
gramme. The Society had advertis-
ed a balloon ascension to take place
in the afternoon, and this had un-
doubtedly called together many who
would not otherwise have attended.
The crowd kept increasing until
some time after noon and was prob
ably the largest that ever assembled
at the County fair 1t was various
| ly estimated from three to five thou
sand.
During the forenoon the gates
were so blockaded with teams that
only tardy entrance could be eff
fected. The crowd in front OF the
ticket office was so great, that to ac-
commodate all, the officers were
obliged to send men into the street
to sell tickets.
The show OF stock was not large
Something over a hundred entries
were made in the department OF
horses. j. 3. Calls received 1st
premium for blooded stallion.
Messrs. Battle, Patterson, Bonham
and Fry exhibited fine stations OF
various ages, which were awarded
premiums. j. J. Mckenzie showed
q stallion with five colts, also the
best yearling filley. The best mare
over 4 was exhibited by Jno. Dun
can, and the second best by Jno.
Willis. A three year old filley be-
longing to Albert Frances attracted
considerable attention and was
awarded first premium. The best
span of carriage horses was shown
by +. Halbert, and best single car
riagc horse by V. f. Kinney. The
show of draft and carriage horses
resulted IN favor of VIM. Dyer and
Ed. Borah.
In the Cattle department there
was light exhibition-36 entries,
mostly of Crosses. The finest dis
play of short horns was made by r.
A. Kilbourn who had quite a number
on exhibition. Il. S. Morse and ID.
v. Perrin received first premiums
for blooded bulls, and r. A. Welsh
for best blooded cow and calf. r.
Newman, G. Auperlee and b. White
had the best native bulls, and the
premiums for native COWS were given
to Warren Hannum and Edwin
Dodge. Some fine calves were
shown by r. A. Kilbourn, and a
yoke of very large oxen by 0. b
Phelps.
ain the department of sheep and
swine there were not very many en-.
tries made. OF fine wool sheep, the
i hast hnAlv. sk,@11 h.