Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1881-08-25


Weekly.
We have now reached that season of the
year when our eyes are met on all sides,
with glarlng placardS setting forth in
large letters and richly cOlored pictures
and designs, the respective merits and at
fractions of this or that Agricultural, or
Industrial Fair-or Exposition-each striy-
ing to outshine the others in the magnifi-
cence of its placards and exaggerated an
nouncementS of the attractions which they
have to offer. And on the strength of such
announcements people from far and near,
old and young, flock to these, ESQ called)
fairs with great expectations, and feeling
wro lght up to the highest point of enthu-
siasm, only to return to their homes, in the
majority OF instances, tired out with end
less wanderingS in the unavailing endeav-
or to discover some of the "stupendous"
and magnificent" inducements which
caused them to leave their comfortable
homes and travel over many miles of dusty
roads under burning sun. And the re-
suit is, that thereafter the majority of those
people cannot be induced to patrOniZe any
show of the kind because of the fear of a
like experience, and are thereby deprived
in many instanceS-Of much real enjoy
ment and the opportunity of obtaining
mach valuable information and instruc-
ton, such as can really be had from attend
ance at any truly meritOriouS fair. We
cannot but regret that such state of af-
fairs exiStS-but that it does exist is an I'M
disputable fact.
Exaggerated advertisements may to
certain extent be cOuntenanced in circus.
The public expects to be humbugged by
them; and the'majOrity of people can find
plenty of amusement in the entertainment
even if it does not come up to the "billS"
They go prepared to laugh and be amused
and care but little how that end is accom-
plished. But with the Industrial or Agri-
on lfrr-o Eot,. ., Co. -.
proper aim is to instruct and improve. If
honestly conducted and properly en-
gineered by individuals not solely actua-
ted by the desire of gain, they can be made
the source not only of amusement and en-
| JOyment to all, but at the same time the
means of instructing and elevating the
masses OF our people by gathering together
and Systematically exhibiting agricultural
and industrial products of every kind
collecting under one roof and arranging
in convenient form, from every state in
the Union, specimens of textile fabrics, ag-
ricultural and horticultural products,
plants and flowers, machinery and agri-
cultural implements, horses, cattle, swine,
sheep, ETC., etc. The various departments,
| furnishing TO the mechanic, farmer, stock
raiser or botanist, respectively, Opportu-
nifty of study and improvement in their
several occupations which, in the majority
of instances, they could not otherwise OBJ
| tain.
| Ii is in the interest of the legitimate fair
| that we desire to diScOuntenance all at
| temptS at exaggerated announcements,
| hippOdrOme races, and catch penny side
| shows. Let there be an honest endeaVOr
to secure good attractions and a meritO-
riOuS display and all necessity of such is
at once done away with. If the managers
are public spirited men, known to be hon.
| est, and having the confidence of the CON-
munity the public will not be slow in dem
onstratlng their appreciation of their en-
| beavers to provide them amusement, and
the opportunity of acquiring knowledge
| OF the mechanical, agricultural, stock-raiS-
| ing and mineral resources of the country.
| Nor will the press be backward in lending
them friendly aid.
There are many such fairs in this conn
| Try, but OF none can we speak with greater
praise than the Kansas City Exposition
given annually under the management of
the Kansas City industrial Exposition and
Agricultural Fair Association, the direc-
| tors of which are all leading and represen-
tatlve business men of Kansas City; and
IL Is because of its near approach that we
speak of it more particularly for the bene-
lit of our readers September 18th next
| Will be the opening day of the Eleventh
Annual Exposition and it will continue
for one week. The grounds are within
| the corporation limits and consist of one
hundred acres of beautifully shaded
grounds, in the centre of which is one of
the best half mile race tracks in the coun-
| try. The fact that each year sees larger
attendance and greater attractions at this
fair is itself sufficient guarantee of its
popularity. Last year as. many as 10000
people being OR the ground in one day.
| The association has made it point to
combine in one all the attractions of what
| might legitimately be several distinct fairs
or eXpoSltsOnS, as every branch of indus
| try, mechanics and art are there to be
seen. Ample accommodations are provided
| for all who desire to exhibit and compete
| Tor the liberal premiums which are offered /:
| entries being open to the whole country.
In addition to the Exposition proper, amuse-
ment and recreation are furnished daily TO
| all lovers of the race course, by races in
which the leading running and trotting
| horses in the country compete. In the two
mile dash for the Kansas City cup-the
unusual number of 81 horses have already
been entered. Special arrangements for
| ten mile race between Miss Ellen Cook, of
California, and Miss Lizzie Williams, of
Kansas will be n new feature of the
Fair and will doubtless be great attrac-
ton. The near approach of this fair has
| caused us to speak more particularly of it,
| and because we consider it especially mer-
| it0riOuS and worthy of recognition. Did
our space permit we should take pleasure
| in mentioning several others, but our read
ers will have no difficulty in separating
| the chaff from the wheat, if they do not
rely so much on the handful as on the re-
| suits of previous exhibitions.
There is scarcely a person to be