The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-03-11
The 9tata Pair.

1t was not strange that our people, in the
first hours OF their keen disappointment on
ascertaining that, in spite Of all their efforts,
they had lost the state fair, and that it had
been given to location they had hardly
heard Of before, should have felt and ex-
pressed some indignation, and even thought
of retaliation. Under q momentary impulse
ing at the Clifton Hotel was held On Friday
evening last, and the wild project was sug-
gested OF holding grand Northern Illinois
Fair at Ottawa, virtually in opposition to the
state fair at Duquoin. We presume, however,
before this time, little cool reflection has
given that project pretty effectual quietus.
To undertake to kick up rumpus' about
the state fair because We were beaten in our
efforts to get it at Ottawa, would be about as
il!-advised step as We could easily take.
The proposed fair itself would almost of ne
cessity be a failure, while it would be the
death Of all hopes Of Ottawa or La Sale coun-
| ty in that direction tor the future.
On this subject the following letter from
the Hon. David Strawn, who was one of the
committee sent by our county society to
| Springfield to present our claims for the next
fair to the State Board, is timely and express
es views that we would naturally expect from
| man of his we'll known practical common
sense:
| OTTAWA, March 9Th, 1871
Editors Free 1rader--Having been appointed
BY the La Sale County Agricultural Society to
60 to Springfield to present the wishes of our
people to the State Agricultural Board that met
on the 2Sth of February to decide where the
next State Fair should be held, after reading
your editorial last week think it Just to your
readers to explain the facts and motives that
was brought to bear on the minds of the State
Agricultural Board at Springfield. The people
at the south end of the state sent their delegates
in strong force, including the Lieutenant Gov
ernor, Senators, Representatives. and other lead.
ing men, to present their claims to the State
Board, and explain why they should have the
State Fair the next two years. They ackuowl.
snce equal to the north part of the state and &C.
knowledged eur maRy other advantages.
But they claim to have kind and generous
hearted people, that every house will be thrown
| open to accommodate all in their power, and
that their people we're DESTROYS of uniting with
us 10 the great agricultural interests of the
state; aud plead that they are quite destitute of
the improved agricultural implements and of
improved breeds of stock which the middle and
northern parts OF the state possess and by hold
ing the next State Fair north, their people would
not attend in sufficient numbers to mako it a
matter Of interest to their people. The few that
| might attend could not carry back with them
our various agricultural implements and fine
blooded cattle and superior horses, so we'll adapt.
ed TO oil kinds of work, and our highly improved
breeds OF hogs The members from the central
part of the state yielded to their argument, SAY
the point, and came TO the conclusion that the
stock rsisers Of central and northern Illinois can
take their surplus Of fine stock that has accumu.
lated on their farms and find ready market a.
DuQuo &; and Also the machnists of the cen
trail and northern parts of the state would be
able to introduce and find new market for their
man ufactures.
Duquoin is on the Illinois Central Railroad
IS miles north of Cairo, with Il braach road to
st. Louis.
I will here add that, as y delegate sent by the
Agricultural Board of La Sale County, should
have taken pride in the location al the State
| Fair at Ottawa the next two years, but was
kindly assured by the members of the State
Board that by having the fair held south for
the next years, the people would appreciate
the matter rs a great favor, and then they would
| remember our claims and come to Ottawa. With
this encouragement, every farmer should i'm
prove in his style of farming, and will have time
to improve the quality of his stock. Our ma.
ehinists will have time to improve their shops;
our railroad advantages will be more fully ma
tured; our water power may be in good opera.
tion then our coal mines more fully developed.
and shipping thousands of tons of coal per day
to supply the demand in every direction; our
glass works will be enlarged without doubt our
foundries, steam engine shops, telegraph manu-
factory, and flowing wells Of pure water, will
add to the general interest. Having so many
natural advantages, in the best agricultural
county in the state We can have, years from
next fall, the best State Fair that has ever been
held in car history. DAVID STRAwN.