The avant courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1871-1872, 1872-03-21
THE FAIn ASD FESTIVAL.
BIZ An OLD sETTLnR.

bZ An OLD bKTkLAh NJ
81 Tie Editor u tie Apant Courier:
Every one in town md cohnfry, at homo
and abroad. must admit that Eastern Mon
tana IS coming up in general, and Bohemian
in particular; in proof Of which, | desire to
send You 4 hastily written account sf the
Fair and Festival as it was seen and enjoyed
by nm old settler
The Grand Fair and Festival WAS formally
opened on the evening Of the 9th inst. at 80
r. NJ. but owing to the pressure OF business,
and the Impotence OF those who wished to
exercise the right Of suffrage for the hrst
time in their lives, the judges were aImost
compelled to open the polls some time before
the hour set by the COMMITTEES for the OPEN
ing Of the fair. ~
THE ELECTION BOOTHS
proved 10 be an important and attractive fear
turesof the fair. Occupying a conspicuous
place on the lefs as you enter the large and
elegantly decorated hall, was the eleetion
stand. surrounded by rs fine 9. display OF
household furniture as you would expect to
find in first class furniture store. The
most prominent article was splendid carved
and panelled black walnut bedstead, valued
at 800, with a significant sign above the
head-board-"Fllis to be voted to the most
popular merchant Next was an elegant
black walnut. cane-seated and eane-backed
rocking-chair. to be voted to the s'most pop
ular Married Lady, and alongside the chair
was beautiful black walnut stand for the
''Homel;est Young Lady. The voting on
Wednesday evening. tie first night of the
fair, was not very animated. owing to other
Irresistible attractions on Thursday evening
however, the large crowd in attendance APP
peared to take more than a passing interest
in the elections. and money was spent freely
tor the respective candidates. just before
the closing Of the polls on Thursday evening
considerable excitement prevailed in quiet.
good natured way. The friends Of the eand-
idates pressed hard around the election
booth with their hands and pockets well lined
with greenbacks. determined that their favor
ties should not be beaten. A cheque of $500
was ready to ''testify'' for the 'homeliest"
young lady, and was only withheld by enc
of our generous young merchants when it
became evident that that anount was not
needed in order to carry his candidate by an
majority. Fifty dollars was
the last vote cast, and was placed on the to
Bile by the young merchant referred to. just
as the Judge announced the closing Of the
polls. This vote raised the homeliest young
lady's majority to 40. We understood that
preliminaries were arranged for .'springing
mine" under the judges hammer and from
two to four hundred dollars was to be passed
in at the last moment in the interests OF
third rate candidate fer the most popular
merchant. but for some cause III known it
proved to be but ''flash in the pan.' The
report that the friends of Davis were pre-
pared to vote cool thousand or more, may
have had tendency to discourage those in
terested in the movement; at all events, the
money was saved to the parties, lost to the
Good Templtrs, and Davis ''got away with
The bedstead. This is considered good
omen for the firm OF Ellis. Sporting and Da-
Wis. and it is confidently believed that they
will not only be the most popular merchants
but the most successful ores this season. Mr.
Davis has special reasons to feel compliment
I'd and hopeful, as the ladies. with scarcely
IN exception, voted for him. and being
popular bachelor, ~ well Is merchant, every
hing connected with the pleasant s7air. ever
10 the large and elegant bedstsad is consid-
.red very suggestive
The contest for the rocking-chair was not
quite so animated. vet deep interest was
manifested as to the result. The POLLS wee
closely watched, and it would have east :hs
friends OF any other candidate . large sum to
have changed the result. Mrs. Clark, who Is
he successful candidate. il nost sst;raa 10
ady, aud i. fairly entitled;to the poaition n
.igned to her by the voters at the fair.
TN Friday evening, the closing night OF the
Festival, there was an elegant white-Nood
secretary put up to be voted to the most
popular citizen-the secretary was mannfac-
ured by Messrs. Renshaw Il Anderson Of
his place. from white poplar shipped from
he east. and in material, design and yerk-
mans ip is beautiful and faHltiess. 4C. l..
lark was the successful candidate.
But the most interesting and attractive fea-
IRE of the .eIe ton booth proved to be q
aree and beautiful wax doll, purchased for
he occasion by hrs. Alderson. and dressed
II the highest style nf shion By Miss hollis
.forton. 1t Was simply beautiful, and as
weet as June rose. This iflsIliInate little
eauty was to be voted to MY Girl Only
hree candidates were in the field, but the
ontestw was warm and earnest; unfortunately
,recnbacks began to get scarce on one side
f the house. or somebody's little girl would
ow be hugging $500 doll. It always lap
ems in such contests that some one thinks
the better part OF valor. "&nd re- |
Tres in good order with .philosophic' honors,
! nothing more, and this case was not an
to the general rule. Miss Lizzie
'rissman was my Girl afew more dollars
han any other favorite. We were sorry that
here were not more dolls, not because it /
hight have increased the receipts At the polls,
ut we were then and there convinced that
very one OF the sweet little girls CT Boze-
ian and vicinity. even up to ''Tootie, were
ntitled to one. each, and we shall vote for it /
'henever the question is opened. Here end
Lh our first chapter on elections.
TIE FANCY TABLES.
We now pass on to the 4exquisitsly beauti-
ii fancy tables. located on the same side and
ear the centre Of the hall. Here our eyes