The Red Cloud chief., 1877-08-30
Inc N~orth"estern Agricultural and
Mechanical Fair and Exposition
or Dluuue. IoUra

a recent Visit to dubuque, where
through the courtesy q NJ. :. Robson.
Secretary of the Northwestern Agricul-
tural and Mechanical Association, we
had an opportunity to inspect the beau
tiful grounds ard fine buildings which
have been devoed by the Association
to the encouragement of art and agri.
culture. Tie grounds comprise ninety.
two acres, llny in a delightful valley
in the nOrthpdrt of the city, borIpred
with graceful hills, and forming to-
gether n of the most picturesque
sights we haze ever cen For "A mild
pleasing landscape. it cannOt be sur
passed. The beauty of the scene has
been enhanced by the works of the AS.
ISOLATION Who have enclosed all their
grounds with an excellent fence, and
erected buildings, the superior of which
are not to be found on any fair grounds
in the west. Near the entrance to the
grounds are c,Sy quarters set apart for
official business, and spacious dining
halls for the accommodation of visit
oTs. Not far distant may be Z ART
HALL. Il building erected after neat dr.
chit-ctural designs in the form of IL
Grecian cross. twO hundred feet in tx.
tent each way. This is designed for
the exhibition of works of art. mcchan-
zeal skill, ard the products of the soil.
One would fancy that the vast space il
| affords would accommodate all the de-
mands that could possibly be made
upon it, but it IS found necessary to
limit exhibitors 10 comparatively small
spunA ca that OIL NAV havn n chnH
Near Art Hall stands POWER HALL, a
large substantial building for the dis
play of various kinds of machinery.
This hall is supplied with what we
may style a model engine of sufficient
power to operate all the machinery that
can be crowded into the building. Ii
is not difficult To imagine what a scene
of activity presents itself here when all
this space is occupied 10y machinery OF
various sorts, each Of which seems to
he impelled by a wish to make a favor
able impression for itself. The exhibit
tons in these halls would he well worth
a visit, even II the fair offered no other
inducements in the way of fine horses,
cattle, swine, sheep, and other things.
At some distance from the halls just
mentioned, are the cattle sheds, two
hundred and twenty-five in number, all
rOOmy and built with an eye To the con
venience of owners OF stock and the
comfort Of the stock. The same re.
marks apply to the swine and sheep
pens, of which the number is sufficient
to meet all the demands of these useful
animals, of which d !iue showing will
be made this season.
The American people are naturally
horse worshipers, and fair associations
lend willing c~Ountenance To tie par
dOnable weakness. This Association
has left nothing undOne TO foster al
honorable emulation among the OWNERS
of fast horses. To their honor be it
said, they have put their foot down
firmly on %jockeying and everything
which has Il tendency TO degrade the
turf. They have built one hundred
and seventy neat, rOomy and conven-
lent horse stables. all under shingle
roofs and conveniently arranged
thrOughOut-the best stables in the
west. They are in full view of ana
fronting the track which has been laid
out after the most approved modern
plans, with Il view to attractlvencsS and
speed. The most experienced hOrSemen
pronounce it the best half mile track III
the country. Overlooking the track is
the vast AMPHITHEATEE with abundant
room Ia seat 5000 people, and 81 stu
ated that from every part of il a full
view of the track is presented. The
muniiicent purses offered by the AsSo-
citation have secured the attendance of
many of the best horses of the country
heretofore. and this eaSon greater IF
forts are being made than ever. SIX
THOUSAND DOLLARS are of, red III
purses for speed, a llberallty which has
already insured the the presence of a
large number of notable steppeIS. In
ducementS have also been held out
which it is hoped will be sufficient to
bring Goldsmith Maid. SmuggIer. Rarus
and Bedtime here, when those who are
present will have the pleasure of seeing
the queen and kings of the turf who
sport records ranging between 2:l4 and
2:lS. This is a further evidence of the
enterprlSlng character OF this Asset
alton. The class premiums this yea
amount to $40. 600, making with the
speed purses the handsome sum of
$4,000 to be distributed among success
full exhibitors. This is the fourth an
nual fair. AT the first $1,000 was given
in premiums: at the second. $4,000: at
the third. $4,000: and this veal all pre-
viouS years are nuthone and the amount
swelled to $4,000. Last spring. at
the June races, 5000 was given in
purses. making a total distribution of
$500. Notwithstanding the fact tina
the Association met With heavy lOSse
for two years by floods. every dollar of
these premiums and purses was paid o
the last cent. This Will account for the
deserved popularity this Association.
Its managers are Not only enter prlslng
and industrious, but they are honest.
Something which is worthy OF full ap-
probation. They have made prepira-
tions this season for the biggest fair
eve held in the Northwest. and weather
permitting. We are rather inclined 70
think their hopes will be realized.
The river railroads carry passengers
the round trip for l is fare, and The |.
c. for l Is fare, making only two cents
per mile. Here, we'll conducted street
railway cars carry visitors from the
lowest end Of town 10 the gates Of the
grounds.
The fair is TO be held the second
week OF September, commencing on
the 10th and continuing five days.
In conclusion We NAV say that this
Association merits the success it has
mel with and the proud position i,
holds. 1t is an honor 10 Dubuque and
the State of Iowa and a benefit 10 all
adjoining States: