Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-09-17
The Blakes Prairie Fair.


favors in the way of good attend
ance, an unusual number of exhibits
and fair weather. 1t was the 7th
. exhibition by the society, and like
all its predecessors, may be set down
as successful one in every general
respect. Friday, the last day, was
OF course the most attractive for visit
ors, although the threatened storm
of early morning prevented many
from the distance going Blooming
forward on that day; yet the towns
of west aud central Grant were well
ted-the number of people
present being variousIy estimated at
from 1900 to $500. The departments
showed fattering exhibition of The
farm, workshop and factory. The
show of cattle and horses was fully
equal in number of animals to previ-
Gus exhibitions, the former it was
judged BY stock breeders on the
ground, surpassed all former exhibits
as to quality. The display of manu-
features was not large, as might be
expected, the district tributary to
this fair being almost exclusively an
agricultural one. The show of vege-
tables, cereals and fruits was extra
excellent, there being near $50 en-
tries Of these articles. The fine art
department represented those many
works of art and domestic handi-
work that at all fairs attracts chiefly
the interest of the ladies. Here we
will take the privilege ID suggest to
the managers of our county, and
local fairs also, that it would be an
eminentiy oropor thing for them to
require upon the entry card of what
| soever is exhibited the name OF the
exhibitor, producer, breeder or man
ufacturer, as the case may be. In
the larger exhibitions this rule is
followed, we believe, in all exhibits.
| There is but one reason that we
know Of to offer against publishing
| the names of exhibitors on tho entry
card, that it might prejudice the de-
cision Of the judges. But persons
who would be liable to be prejudiced
in their decision in such instances
ought not to be selected for judges.
We were unable in the few hours
passed upon the grounds to collect
full data of the proceedings of the
two days fair, but from cur notes
gathered we make reference to some
exhibits which received especia
notice
In the depar tment for horses there
were 20 entries, of the different
grades. First premiums were
awarded as follows for blooded stock:
A. w. Butteri cid, stallion 4 years
old; J. G. Haurbarger and John
O'Neil, stations and 3 years old.
j az. Klbourn showed the prize mare
and Patrick Markin the prize filIey.
For best team draft horses VIM.
Gates was the lucky man, and VIM
Bateman's saddle horse wore the red
ribbon.
The cattle department showed
soma fine full blooded Durhams,
among which we note especially the
herd Of r. A. WEIGH. consisting of
bulls l and years old, heifer and
COW with calf-aIl of which took the
first premium BalIantine Bros.
| showed the next best attractive herd
of short horns, carrying away second
premiums, except that the first award
was given for heifer 2 years old.
PERKINS, year old bull and heifer
calf also came out of the trial first
best. OF natives we noticed the red
ribbon was worn by stock owned by
Peter Thornton. VIM. Lewis, John
Dodge, VIM. Cooper and A. Hale.
Welsh also took the "herd price
for best exhibit of three cattle Bal
Iantine Bros. the second premium.
The show of swine and sheep did
not compare favorably with previous
exhibitions in these classes; but
there we're some beauties priced in
both of the classes. OF the 40 head OF
sheep in the stalls we noticed num-
Der of full blood Merinos, entered by
Edwin Dodge. There wore also
exhibits of the Leicester, Cotswold
and Scotch wool kinds. l.. r. Bing-
ham, breeder of Poland Chinas, re-
ceived premiums for best exhibit OF
this breed the BaIlantine Bros, for
Berkshires and VIM. Lewis and h.
Dodge for Essex kinds.
j. D. Clayton exhibited red ribbon
varieties of pears and plums, as did
also E. P. Johnson of apples anG h.
Wood of cultivated grapes.
The trotting races came off as
; announced in the afterno of the
last day of the fair. The race for
Screen Horses" in 3, result
ed in the winning of both heats
and the race by "Gray Creeper"
owned by Capt. Hall, of Beetown
Time, 1921 and 3:123-Purse SIS
The entries were, Gray Creeper
/ GRAY Pete, Bay Bill, Horse Dick
, and Mare julie. A race followed for