Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-09-18
A Trip to Bloomington.

comprising our gentlemanly pestmast-
er, Mr.. T. A. Burr; the pleasant and
accommodating liveryman, Mr.. s. r.
Greene; cap. Ferg," proprietor of the
HERALD; and last and least, ye HERALD
reporter, took drive across the country
to Bloomington, to take in the last day
of the Blake's Prairie Fair. There was
but one invalid in the party, and he,
we are sorry to say, was the reporter,
chilled by the sudden change in the
temperature of the weather, and was
about in the condition that 9th er lovely
blossoms are when nipped by the frost.
But his dropping spirits were cheered
and sustained by sweet melodies war;
bled by Mr.. Burr and Cap. Ferg, whose
gentle voices filled the air and the
woods with sweet melody until we
reached the Bloomington Hotel, where
mine host, Slime Woodhouse, greeted us
with as pleasant countenanee as any
landlord could assume who expected to
be beaten out of hotel bill. When he
hurried into the office to lock his safe
and his cigar case, and gathered up
everything that was lying around loose
and locked 1t up in the baggage room,
the postmaster, who, by the way, is
generally considered respectable and
above the suspicion of picking up little
things, was inclined to resent it as a
reflection upon our little party. The
landlord gently but firmly insisted that
in his business he had to judge the
travelling public by their countenances.
He had evidently mistaken the post
master for John l.. Sullivan. and I'M
agining himself "the Maori intended
ito pick quarrel with him. Friends
stepped in between the beligerent par
ties and the affair, which at one time
threatened to be a sanguinary conflict
between these pugilistically inclined
giants, was amicably settled and blood
shed avoided.
THE FAIR
was decided success and the best ever
held by the Society. The exhibition of
stock was very fine, particularly IN the
cattle department. Among many
others we noticed fine herd of ten
head of Holsteins, belonging to Wander
hoof " Cobb, of Bloomington, who took
nine first premiums at the late Inter
State fair at Dubuque.
Ballantne Bros, of Bloomington, had
on exhibition herd of twenty-four
pure-bred Durhams, among which were
some of the finest COWS in the State, and
which were awarded both first and
second premiums. These enterprising
breeders also took first and second
premiums on helfer calves. Mr.. VIM.
Lewis took first premium on bull calves.
IN FLORAL HALL
the display was very fine, and reflects
much credit upon the good taste of the
ladies and gentlemen who took special
interest in this department.
The display of
VEGETABLES AND FARM PRODUCTS
was the finest we have ever seen at n
county fair.
THE TROTTING RACE,
free for all, best three in five, excited
considerable interest. There were three
entries. Sam Sharpley, German Boy
and Lon f. German Boy took three
straight heats, with Sam Sharplcy Sec
ond, and Lon f. third, in each heat
In the walking race for horses we no.
ticed Mr.. Dan Perrin's sorrel coming in
ahead.
The foot racing was much enjoyed
by the boys, who buckled into the con-
test, with a knowledge in each ones
bosom, of the fact he was being
watched and his graceful movements
admired by his best girl, in whose esti-
nation he would rise little higher if
he came in first in the race. The few
bore away the prizes and the honors,
whilst of the many, some went down
ANONYMOUSLY in the dust, and others
fell behind in the race, and these skunk
away in the crowd to avoid the looks of
disappointment and contempt which
their sweethearts could not conceal.
There was quite a representation of
Lancaster people on the ground, and all
appeared to enjoy themselves to the
fullest extent.