The Van Buren press., 1871-11-07
Our First Agricultural ald Mechanical
Eoir


ford County, Arkansas. This Fair lasted two
days and was perfect success
some years ago. before the war an attempt
was made to have Fair. Ii resulted IN the
exhibition Of few horses and some other
live stock. II was regarued rs a failure. and
the interest OF az ieuituralists and mcchan-
les was not advanced, rs thc matter wa. soon
permitted to die. and no good came OF the ef-
fort.
The present Agricultural and Mechanical
Association ofCrawford County was organ
lied about two months ago, under the late
Act OF the Legislature of our state. y Board
OF Directors were elected according to that
act and the BeaId went to work at once, and
we must say they have worked assiduously
and wen. All the obstacles that attend the
beginning OF such enterprises, were liberally
dealt ont 10 this, hut despite ali we have had
a Fair that taken as whole, compares favor
ably with ANYTHING our STATE las vet had
Visitors from other portions of our State, and
from other States, pronounce all ''vell done I"
and are fill Of predictions OF future success.
The exhibition oflive stock, by reason Of
< the short time afforded, was, ofcourse, not un-
expectedly small. Somc excellent horses,
however wcre shown, as viii be seen by ref
erence to the report Of the Fair, Published
elsewhere in this issue.
The Fair was opened by an address from
Col. wM. VI. FIsHBACK, Of Fort Smith, The
Colonel was in one OF his happicst veins and
felt perfectly at home. lie is an enthusiast
in agriculture as well az all Improvements,
40, tt,,nc f,1t nf iu- ~
for the farmer and mechanic lie did not in
dulge in fine rhetorical foolery, but gave It's
the strong meat Of good old hard sense. We
are engaged in crusade against weeds, and
briars, both letural and Intellectual, and lie
gave us new weapons. fitted for this warfare.
All felt thankful to Colonel +. for his speech
and. also, gratied to find him such an earn-
est advocate, of these enterprises and hope
and believe he will soon breathe into our
nelghbor County some Of his spirit, and that
we msy soon have a rival association.
We viii. in this place. barely allude to some
of the most attractive features of the Fair,
eaving the full report 10 our Reporter.
The lady riding MAS splendid, There were
three entries Miss saddler, Miss Clegg and
Miss IIaymau, The riding was so graceful
that the judges were at a loss to decide, but
finally awarded the premium 10 Miss Ella
Hayman. The audience were so delighted
with the performance, that nh offer was made
to pay for and present saddle to each one OF
the lady riders.
The Gentleman riding was also fine and
many entries were made. The ladies, who
were the judges. awarded FIRST premium to
our young friend George Wood second to the
old war-horse, Gen w. J.. Cabel!.
The Masquerade was also an interesting
sight. Several entries and the costumes were
ridiculous enough, and the performance asuc-
cess.
On account OF the heaviness of the track
the tretting WAS not as fast rs 1t would other
wise have been. Our friend Carson.s "Old
Tom" was out and performed well rs usual,
No one entered against him.
The Tournament attracted more attention
than any other performance. There were
some ten or dozen entries, and some fine
riding, although by reason OF want of prac-
tiee, the number ofrings taken were not at
large as we have seen. The successful knight
was Mr.. james Brodie, knight OF Whang-
doodle" Second Mr.. Thomas Niece. Third
Mr.. Turner, of Louisville, Ky, knight OF
White.n
After the close Of the exhibitions at the
Fair Grounds, the crowd repaired to Eugene
Hall, where the crowning Of the Queen and
Maids of Honor took place. Miss Lou King
was selected to wear the Badge Of Royalty.
Miss Rosa Williams was chosen First Maid Of
Honor and Miss Ella Whitfield Second Maid
Of Honor The gallant Knights after sppro-
pirate addresses, placed the evergreen crowns
on the fair brows Of the chosen beauties.
The performance was agreeaby enlivcned
by music from our splendid Cornet Band.
Eugenie,hal having been rendered 10 the
Association gratutously by AIR. Robert Love-
was filled to orerIowmg with articles of rari-
ty and beauty. Any attempt TO describe this
Hall, after all the articles were collected and
arranged. would he worse than useless. A
tolerably fill account. will be found IN our
report.
Tho most perfect harmony prevailed
throughout the two days Of the Fair.
The weather was iinc and every thing SEEM
edto smile on the undertaking.
This being but a beginning and having had
such short notice, we cannot but pronounce
this Fair complete success. Our County hs.
great cause for self-congratulation. and rca-
son to be proud ofthe results of the la0ors OF
the Directory. Being entrusted to young
and middle-aged men, some entertained fears
Gifts success. Thursday and Friday last has
completely dlssipated ali fears and confidence
now rclgnk supreme, All have acted their
parts 50 nobly and well that to mention
names would be invidious. The immense
crowd that filed the Hall to OVERLOOKING. tes-
titled by the interestevery where manifested
that energy and perseverance had achieved a
glorious triumph.r
We trust our citizens ill not permit their
interest in the success of the Association to
fail. The enterprise must not lanEush.
beginning hs. been made. the excellence OF
which Is matter of astonishment to all. Let
ndeternlne that old Crawford shall hare Me
best eAssoeidtio1a IN the Stats. Let us make
our Annual Fair outstrip all Others in the
State. We cannot do this unless we detern-
Inc to he preparing for the Fair the year
around. by improving our stock, Introducing
new improvements in agricultural imp,e
ments Multiplying our varieties Of seed, etc,
etc. Let us determine to make CraW ford n