Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-09-27
O.. Nh. s. st. Paul R'y.
The County Fair.

the things which all our people were
looking forward to with great anticlpa-
ton. Citizens throughout the county
had taken more or less interest in
desiring to have it prove complete
success. Ever since the present Off
GERS were elected last fall, has this fair
question been agitated and work began
Immediately Since that time Mr..
Ward and Mr.. Jones have spent much
of their time and some money in their
endeavors to make the fair a good one
and just how far they succeeded has
been shown the past week. They
announced at the opening that a new
track was necessary, new fence must
be made about the grounds and an
amphetheatre erected. A subserj ption
paper was passed around and people
responded most literally in sums vary
ing from $40 to 500. More than
one thousand dollars was thus sub
Scribed and expended on the new
track, which is pronounced one Of the
best in Wisconsin. improvements
were made in rapid succession. 10
insure good races a purse of $1,000
was secured by ten Of our citizens.
The officers in their eagerness to make
sure of securing sufficient money to
make the fair a financial success, rent
ed stand room on the grounds and
decided to rent saloon privilege. This
created terrible furore among a large
class OF citizens. The ladies immedi-
ately on hearing this fact withdrew
their support and war was ,waged
against the management which threat
ened to seriously cripple the organiza
ton. More than $50 ladies signed
remonstrance against having a saloon
on the premises. The question was
finally disposed Of by citizens pur-
chasing the building Of Mr.. King.
The settlement of this question was
only completed by Tuesday morning
the first day of the fair, which pre-
cluded many exhibitors. However,
the labor of the officers was made in
good faith and it will probably never
be attempted again. The rules of the
association forbids the sale of liquors
on the grounds. The efforts Of the
management was mostly bent toward
making the races the main feature of
the fair and how much the races were
enjoyed is difficult to say. The officers
of the society have labored untiringly
to make the fair a success and what
ever was done was intended to be for
its best interest. We believe that
we'll directed efforts toward securing
good home races and offering better
premiums for farm products and stock
would prove more remuncrative and
give better satisfaction to the people
In general, than allowing a few horses
from abroad to be jockeyed around the
track IN pre-arranged order, to the
disgust of every spectator.
TUESDAY
the weather was all that could be
desired and the programme was carried
out as previously announced. The
band boys made their way to the
grounds in the morning discoursing
splendid music on their way and their
arrival was the signal for action. A
fair number of people were present for
the first day. The first act on the
program was green trotting race IN
which the following horses were enter
ed: Billy, by Antoine Arpin; Sally
Ann, by W. Nj. Billins; Ned, by V.
Reauleau Nova Scotia, by James
Gaming; and the boys persuaded F.
L. Tibbits to enter Thunderstorm to
have a little fun. The five started
out and afforded the spectators fun
without end. 1t was worth the price
OF admission to see the boys 60.
Canlngs mare surprised the natives
with her graceful and rapid gait and
Billy, who is 16 years of age, came in
second best following Gaming closely.