Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-09-23
THE STATE FAIR.
Bad Weather Causes Financial Failure
Premiums to be Paid.
| never will.

Bad Weather Causes Financial Failure
Premiums to be Paid.
MADISON, Wis, Sept. 11.-Monday
was the opening day Of the thirty
second annual fair of the Wiscon-
sin State Agricultural Society. The
grounds and track were dusty and rain
was badly needed to lay the dust,
which was very deep and oppressive.
The day was devoted to reception Of
entries and every incoming train was
loaded with animate and inanimate
exhibits. The prospects were excellent
for a irst-class show, and much inter-
est was taken by the public. Monday
night a heavy rain set in, and every
thing was at standstill on Tuesday.
The races, President Traits annual
speech and everything else on the pro-
gramme for the day was abandoned.
Not a cent was taken in at the gate up
to noon. Everything was aHoat on the
grounds and therace track q quag-
mlre. The rain continued Wednesday.
The agricultural machinery field, where
there was an unusually large exhibit,
was sea of rough sheds, hastily
erected to protect expensive and
gaudily- painted machinery from rough
weather. Fine Arts Hall leaked like q
sieve, and half of the exhibits were still
in the original packing cases. Super
intendents and exhibitors squatted
around under umbrellas and protect
ing their wares with rubber blankets
Utter stagnation reigned in every de-
partment, and at thesecretary' office,
usually alive with hustle, there was
absolutely nothing doing. Not enough
money had been taken in to pay the
wages of thegate-keepers, and financial
failure was certain. At 2 o'clock a
party of forty full-blood Indians from
Bad River and Red Cliff agencies played
game of lacrosse, all by themselves,
in the mud and rain, pursuant to pro-
gramme. The Woman's Christian
Temperance Union was particularly
disconsolate over the rain. They lob
bied hard last winter to get the liquor
and gambling prohibition rider on all
agricultural appropriation bills in the
Legislature and were making efforts to
drum out all temperance people posi-
BILE to patronize the fair. The women
had several large eating booths,
and expected to reap handsomely
for the treasury of the local
union out Of the profits of these
stands. They lost heavily instead.
By sunset, Wednesday, however,
the skies were clear and brilliant,
and cloudless night followed. Thurs
day was warm and cheerful, and
the spirits of the state fair man
ayers and exhibitors picked up. Dur
ing the night everything was placed
in good condition for the day. About
5000 people were on the ground
during the afternoon. The cattle
show was by far the best ever seen in
the state, and the exhibition of horses
was fully as good as any Of its prede-
cessors. This is all the more remark
able, as this year premiums were
awarded only on Wisconsin stock,
while in previous years the contest
was open to the world. It shows that
state to be wholly self-sufficient to get
up a fine exhibition GIFTS own. The swine
show was rather smaller than that
Of last year. The poultry-house was
full and was a somewhat better show
than that of "a year ago. The fine arts ex-
hibition was meager, though the oil and
water color paintings were better and
more numerous. The display of agri-
cultural products was fair, but not sur
passingly good. The show Of domestic
manufactures was better and more va
ried than usual. The machinery de-
partment was very extensive, probably
the best ever seen here. Altogether
the show was a highly creditable one.
In the afternoon the band of forty
Red Cliff and Bad River Indians re-
peated the game of lacrosse in the
presence of a delighted crowd. Gov.
Rusk and E. w. Dwight, of Brooklyn,
delivered speeches from the grand
stand, and there were several weak
attempts at races but the track was
too muddy to do anything creditable.
To-day was cloudy and cool. There
were occasional showers in the morn
ing, but nevertheless there is a large
crowd upon the state fair grounds.
This was the closing day. Inthe after
noon several trotting and pony races
took place. Gen. Green Clay Smith, OF
Kentucky, delivered brief speech from
the grand stand at 2 o'clock. The
receipts were about $4,000 which
will be nearly $4,000 short OF the ex-
penses. The premiums will be paid in
full, despite the loss to the society.
President Arnold, Secretary Babbitt
and Treasurer Miner have been unan-
lmOuSlV reelected