The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1875-10-09
ALLEN COUNTY FAIR.

S~SAs ~ EAAANs
The ninth annual fair of the Allen
County Agricultural and Mechanical
Association, now in progress on their
grounds in this city, was commenced
last Wednesday under rather unfavorable
circumstances, as there was every indi-
cation that the storm of the night before
might continue for several days, but be-
fore night the clouds were dispersed and
all fears of failure were thus removed,
and during the day about the usual num-
Der of entries for the first day were made,
although not many of the articles for ex-
hibition were brought in. Thursday was
a delightful dav and early in the morning
thoroughbred horses, short-horn cattle
and fine hogs were brought in to compete
for the premiums offered on fine stock,
and big specimens of farm products of
all kinds were taken to the agricultural
department, while in the department Of
mechanical arts and in the floral hall a
good showing and fine display was made.
The rain Tuesday night had laid the
dust and got the race track in good con-
dition, and although the attendance was
not large those present spent the time
real pleasantly, and the general manage
ment of affairs during the day gave good
satisfaction. As entries were made and
articles fjr exhibition continued to come
in until late hour Thursday night
everybody expected much better fair on
Friday, and they were not disappointed.
On Friday morning the halls present
ed much better appearance than they
had dnre the day previous, and long
before noon time they were thronged
with people who admired the many
things worthy their attention and the
neat manner in which all the articles
were arranged for exhibition. In the
afternoon there was large attendance,
people from all parts of the county and
adjoining counties being present, and
the fair was pronounced a complete sue
cess. During the day the committees
awarded the premiums in the different
departments to such articles as they |
thought were most deserving. In the
horticultural department the display of
fruit, and especially of apples, was ex-
cellent. Ifany one had any doubts as
to our soil and climate being especially
adapted to the raising of fine fruits,
those doubts would all be removed by a
careful examination of the variety and
excellent quality of the apples and late
varieties of peaches on exhibition. In
the culinary department there was a
good showing of bread, cakes, butter,
and cheese. Every one claims to be
competent to act on a committee for
this department, but how the committee
on the present occasion decided who
was entitled to the premium We are at a
loss to know. There was the usual dis
play of preserves, iellies, ETC., and they
looked about the same and as tempting
as we remember such things when we
were boy and stole them from our
grandmother's larder. The articles in
the floral and fine arts department were
numerous and beautiful and attracted
much attention. The competition for
premiums in the agricultural department
is not so great as was expected nor the
display so good, for there never was
time when the farmers of any county in
any State could make better display of
farm products than can the farmers of
Allen county at the present time. The
corn, beans, potatoes, squashes, pump
kins, castor beans, etc, ETC., on exhibit
ton are all good, but few of our farmers
have tried for the premiums offered in {
this department.. They doubtless all re-
oice over their abundant crops and meet 1
1t the fair more to congratulate each
other than to compete for premiums. 1t
mas been literally true in Allen county S
his season that it was only necessary to ,
tickle the ground with hoe and it 7
aughed with an abundant harvest" s
The speed ring, as usual, attracted a
much attention and nearly everybody 4
whether they were in favor of or op- q
,osed to horse racing-witnessed the f
rials of speed. e
We were promised report of the g
aces of Thursday and Friday for publ b
;ation to-day, but our special reporter il
allied to report. 8