The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-09-07
THE S ATE FAIR.
Tie Work Of Preparation-How Far
Advanced.
Visit OF the State Board-FinaiD Direction.
Nc., &c.

Ni>it OIL tie State BOard-FAnai Direction.
&C., Nc.
When the State Agricultural Board agreed
to locate the State Fair az Ottawa for the
present and coming year, they required of the
La Sale County Agricultural Board bond
that a certain extent os ground, upon which
should be erected certain buildings, with
stalls, water convenience, &c, should be pro-
vided for the accommodation Of the fair. The
La Sale County Board made an estimate of
the probable expense of these prep arations,
and feeling able to shoulder the enterprise,
gave the required bond. The expense invol-
we'd, at the time. was loosely estimated at $l5,.
oUO; practically, however, when the work to
be done was chalked out and submitted to
mechanics for the lowest bid, it was found
that the expense would run up to at least $25,-
600. Hence have arisen some unexpected
financial difficulties to overcome which has
somewhat delayed the preparations, but hap
PLY not stopped them, so that, though little
more tardiiy than is credi.able or comfortable,
the County Board will We; he able to redeem
its bond in time.
The preparations besides the purchase of
some 40 acres of ground. involved the erection
of series of
BUILDINGS,
Embracing large floral hall, an amphl-
theatre to accommodate 5000 spectators,
Presidents office, Superintendent Office,
Secretary's Office, Treasurer's Office, Ticket
offices, Police quarters, Carriage Pavilion,
Poultry house, Sheep and hog pens, and from
800 to 1000 stalls for horses and cattle. All
these buildings are up except the Secretary's
Office, which is, however, in process of cree.
ton, and there are still lot of stalls to erect.
AT present the number is about 500, while
two cattle men alone have already engaged
800 Of these. 1t will be necessary to double
the number at least
AT the Police Headquarters, A. B. Smith,
Esq, one of our city Magistrates, will hold a
POLICE COURT
During the fair, open at all hours, before
whom all offenders caught in any delinquen.
cy on the grounds, will be promptly taken and
death with 'as the law Directs
WATER
One of the chief wants AZ an exhibition like
the coming state fair, is an abundant and con.
venient supply OF water. On this score the
provision is certainly ample. Besides three
good wells on toe ground supplied with
pumps, the County Board have dug an arte-
sian wcil, which sends up y stream Of fresh,
cool water, at the rate Of about 80 gallons per
minute. This water will oe carried in pipes
about 1000 fee, IN opposite directions from
the well, and there wi. We nydrants placed at
points, rs we! "a, pools provided,
50 that both for drinking purposes and water
ing stock, the watc- viii be abundant and at
hand on all parts OF the grounds. Besides
this, for the convenience OF the sheep and hog
p,ns, poultry house, &c, which are located
nea. the river bank, windni. all force pumps
vii! be placed at the river 10 supply these
with a constant stream from the Illinois.
COSNEYANCEs
Another prime necessity on such occasions
is abundant and cheap conveyance from the
city and railroad depo,s 20 the fair ground.
On this point, also, the provision is believed
to be ample. Besides two omnibus lines in
the city, with all the hacks, carrlag es, bug
gies, &C., that four large livery establishments
can afford, and numberless private vehicles
that will be placed at :he disposal of the pub
lic,a
RAILROAD TRACK
Has been laid from the Burlington depot, in
the centre of the city, to the fair ground, over
which II train will be run to and from the fair
ground every forty minutes, for the convey.
ance Of passengers and articles of exhibition to
and fro.., the grounds. The charge OF omni.
buses, hacks, NC, is limited to 25 cts each
way. The charge on the railroad track will
beO cts. to the fair ground and back. Be
sides there will probably be
SMALL STEAMBOAT
placed on the river, to make regular trips be
tween the city and the fair grounds. The
only doubs about it arises from the question
whether the boat can be brought from La Sale
in time over the Utica rapids.
EATING AND HOTEL ROOM.
The ordinary hotel capacity of Ottawa
reaches, on liberal estimate sleeping room
tor about 1000, while, of course, meals can be
furnished for double or five :mes the number
Most OF our hotels, however, have made extra
arranTcmcnfs and fLrir slnnnlno canacifu n,a n