Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-09-19
The Wisconsin State Fair.

If Secretary Bryant of the Wiscon
sin state agricultural society had haC
the ordering Of the weather he could
not have improved upon the condition
of things vouchsafed for the annual
fair. The weather was certainly all that
could be desired. The fair opened On
the 9th with the largest list of entries
ever made up to that time. The first
day was wholly devoted to arranging
the exhibits. On Tuesday President
Hayes arrived from the north and was
rendered fine reception. In the after
noon he addressed a vast assemblage OF
people at the grounds, combining him
self to the financial condition of the
country. He took the ground that the
nation was making rapid progress in
the payment of the debt; tnat a sure
prosperity is returning to the land; that
a currency based upon coin is the only
true money: that any step backward
from the resumption of specie pay
ment would be a great injury to the
nation; and that the people only
need have faith III the present to 90 for
ward to great prosperity in the future.
The president was followed by Attorney
General Devens, who briefly supported
the views Of the president, and then
referred in fitting terms to the glorious
history of the northwest. Mr.. Yancey,
Of Georgia, and Gen. Myers, (Old Proba-
bllities) also addressed the people for a
few minutes. In the ladies equestrienne
exhibition in the afternoon Of Tuesday,
Miss Julia Monks took the first prize,
Miss Sarah Smith the second, Miss
Emma McKana the third. All these
ladies were from Dane county.
Wednesday the presidential party
again visited the grounds. The cavai-
cade of stock exhibited before the
president was the finest ever seen in
the state. Mr.. Robert Ogilvie, of Madi-
son, exhibited large number of fine
horses including the Clydes. J. G.
Kiser, also ofDane county, showed some
of the finest stock from his stables. The
cattle, hog and sheep departments were
surprisingly fine. The 2:55 trotting
race was won by ReSOIute, owned by
George Doubleday, of Whitewater.
Time, 2:36, 2:35. The running race, in
which there were nine entries, was won
by Joe MdcMah0n, owned by NARROW
Bros. of Decorah, Iowa. Time. 1:45ff
1:46.
Thursday was set down for the annual
address by Hon. J. r, Doolittle. The
Grafton was fine effort. He showed
that the great northwestern states COM
prised the most fertile and productive
section of the world. He also showed
how rapidly population was increasing,
and why the farmers should hoard and
nourish the strength Of the land. He
spoke of the danger Cf large landed
estates and thought some action should
be taken to prevent the real estate from
falling into the hands Of few. The
crowds on Wednesday and Thursday
must have aggregated 10000. The 2:35
race was won by little Frank, owned in
Madison. Time 2:405, 2:409 and 2:414.
The running race was won by Jina
Mu1phY' time, 1:47, las.
Friday was the closing day and the
fair was we'll attended. Judges were
busy awarding premiums. The double
team trOtting race was won by Little
Frank and mate owned in Madison.
Time, 2:48, 2:58. Another running
race, halfmile heats, that was hotly CON
tested by five horses, was won by Allie
McLaris; time, 0;52&, 0:521, O:51.
Total receipts at the gates, $16,4OO;
entrance fees, $1,000; rents of grounds,
81, 800; total, 1900. This result is
considered good. The list of entries
exceeded those of all previous years.