Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-10-13
FROM NEIGHBORING TOWNS.
BoscoBEL.

BosCOBEL.
For this year the Boscobel fair is a
thing of the past Notwithstanding the
inclemency of the weather crowds OF
people were in attendance, and I'M
daunted by the showers examined the
displays in the various departments and
watched the races with enthusiasm. The
gross receipts were something like $685.
600, and it is estimated that 5000 people
were on the grounds Friday.
The livestock, though not SO numer-
GUS as some years, showed good blood
and careful breeding. In the annex to
the Fine Art Hall were some monstrous
vegetables. Beets that beat squashes
and squashes, one of which would make
pies for regiment; radishes as large
as mans leg and carrots equally enor-
nous. There were fruits that made
ones mouth fairly water so luscious
were they.
In the opposite annex the different
hardware firms had many of their finest
stoves on exhibition. One WAC could
not suit himself there would be difficult
to please. Universal attention was at
tracted by the large variety of carpen-
ter's tools and mechanical instruments
symmetrically arranged on Ian ge
wooden card
Farm machinery, carriages and wag-
ons were grouped together south of the
Art Hall. The number was far in ex-
cess of any previous year.
The Hall of Fine Arts was well filed.
There were the usual fancy bed-quilts,
spreads, tides, afghans, and all yarie-
ties of needle work, oil paintings and
crayon drawings, collections of insects
and curiosities. The business firms of
the city made lavish displays of their
wares. All were arranged with great
taste and added materially to the at
tractiveness of the hall. 1t would take
far more space than that allowed this
communication to enumerate one-tenth
of the articles of beauty and use there
displayed. 1t was matter of wonder
how so many fine articles could be gath
cred in from the country round. The
only criticism that needs to be offered
here is on the exceeding poor light in
the Art Hall. A skylight is almost a
necessity.
The grounds presented q lively APP
pearance. The part next the main en-
trance was packed with booths and
stands where all the indigestible articles
imaginable were sold. Interspersed
with these and every where present,
were the innumerable games of chance
and gambling booths. This was the
worst feature of the fair, and almost
enough to disgust well disposed people
| merely echo the sentiments of a ma
jority of our citizens when | say that
these ruinous games should not be al
lowed within the enclosure.
Guiteau, hung in effigy from one of
the stands, was rather a startling COM
mentary on the feeling still prevalent
hereabouts.
Cheap John wagons and patent med
icine stands, with their noisy exhibitors
attracted their modicum of the crowd.
The ladies of both the Congregational
and Baptist denominations had eating
tents and furnished christian dinners at
twenty-five cents per head. They APP
peared to have a good supply of hungry
mortals always on hand and must have
made some money for their respective
organizations.
The races were well attended and
admitted to be the best of the season.
On Wednesday, the race substituted
for the Green Race was won by German
Boy in two straight heats. In the stall
lion race Stormer was the victor.
On account of the rain the programme
was somewhat altered during the re-
mainder of the fair. The 2:35 race on
Al Iox, FOL Nv I 10
Sherm and the day was filled out by
walking race and the ever-laughable
mule race.
The feature of this day, however, was
the street parade of Cap. WIS "vet-
eran" band They presented fine
marching to the inspiring
music of the drums!i
The races eliminated in interest on
+ riday when the three minute race was
called. Here, again, German Boy came
to the front. With six horses pitted
against him and each one determined
to shut him out, he nobly trotted around
and between all and took the first money
in three straight heats. 1t was conced-
ed to be the most exciting race OF the
week and that German Boy is the most
honest trotter ever on the track at this
place. 1t was exciting enough to see
his little white face forging ahead of
all and then to hear the suspense broken
by prolonged cheer when he came
under the wire winner.
The running race was an easy victory
for Red Ribbon, as was also the post
poned race on Saturday. The last day
the postponed Free for All was trotted,
Betsy Ann the victor.
The Light Guard Band furnished the
music for the Fair and with the assist
ance of some of their friends, gave three
two of these concluding
with dances. They seemed to give uni
versal satisfaction and the receipts of
the week, some 1926 were an accepta-
BILE thing to the boys.
Friday night witnessed one of the
heaviest rain falls ever known here.
The creek rose in its might and in
few hours did more damage than weeks
can repair. The most wonderful wash
out is that near the Congregational
church where new culyert was put in
this summer. Some idea of the immense
power of the water may be obtained by
the estimated dimensions of that fearful
gully. 1t is fifty feet wide, one hundred
feet long and twenty feet deep in round
and was all cut out by the
drainage from portion of the city.
The river at this place was higher
yesterday than it was in the great flood
of more than year ago. Great fears
were entertained for the bridge and its
half mile of approaches. Men and
teams have been at work day and night
hauling in stone. The river is now fall
ing and it is hoped that the damage will
be merely nominal
This is now the western terminus of
the railroad. Trains run in here.
G. H. S.