Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-09-24

tuluSo, 10 JHSN N'N''o
regard to the fair. The committee
for long time seemed to have con-
siderable trouble in selecting sui
table grounds as permanent loca-
ton, but now since they have made
such a happy selection, we shall
try and tell you something about
them.
THE GROUNDS.
Are situated mainly on the west
side of the road leading to and
just opposite the Catholic burying
ground, taking in all the land
bounded by the river, in the large
bend between the State road bridge
and Campbellville, and in the early
days of this, our city, the Pride of
the North, was known as part of
the plains, being covered with large
norway, and having very little un-
der growth excepting on the small
flats and banks along the river. n
few hundred feet east of the grounds
were the first lumber sbanties built
in this section of the country, and
almost the distance 10 them was
then so considered a long walk
from the town, but now the life of
our busy city pulses warmly on all
sides. while the limits stretch be-
yond.
The greater portion of the ground
is high, and part of the river bank
as well. The surface Of the high
er part undulates in those long
rolling swells, that, as one rides
over them, they are almost inclined
to think they are crossing the pet
rified waves of the sea.
The grounds have lost much of
their old character of plains, and
there are now numerous small
groves of pines very beautiful and
thrifty, which it is the intention Of
the society to leave undisturbed so
far as possible, simply clearing
away enough for main building, ex-
hibition purposes and trotting park.
wishing to leave all the beauties
nature has provided so far as they
can, and also to add 70 them when
time and means will allow.
The main building is to be sit
mated near the eastern extremity
of the grounds, just where the
river begins to bend, and from the
building and high banks there is a
very fine view Of the river. Yet
it is not as fine as it used to be,
would that l could show it to you
as it was then-that dark, deep,
silent, yet swiftly flowing river,
how gracefully it swept around the
bend the bank on the farther side
shaded with tall, graceful elms, and
at their feet the rounded hedge, It's
trailing branches sweeping Ger the
waters low, while on the nearest
side Just down below, row Of the
loveliest balsams nature even as
sisted by art, ever made, rising with
the gentle terrace Of the bank, and
as they rose, from their spreading
bases tapering so daintily to the
one sharp spear at the top, crossed
by the first set just little below, /
used to fancy as l often watched
them from my pony just at the
fading of the day, while they were
still brightly lit up, that they were
some of the dark robed nuns | had
read about, holding mp their crosses
while they had come to the river to
pray, and it seemed as if the river
ran by so silently trying to catch
what they should say but they are
mostly gone, set of sturdier pine:
is rising fast above them as they
quickly mould away. The Indian
trails too, which ! so often followed
on my pony or on foot, have faded
out or merged into the well beaten
path OF the river driver. Yet there
are many spots retaining their wild
ness and beauty as of old.
The fats at the second bend Of
the river are almost undisturbed
and when there are a few improve
ments made so one can get abou
comfortably, you will begin to fin'
out what fairy dell it is with it
moses, ferns and flowers.
Following farther up the river, a
the next bend we find tiny islam,
which is even an improvement up
on the olden time, the river Of lat
having been let through where
used to go around. Then turnini
fror, The leland towards the maiI