Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-07-10
THE LATE STOCK SHOW.
A Big Success-Some Reflections
by tho Way.

A Big Success Reflections
by tho Way.
In many respects the late stock show
was success; in others q failure. So
far as the exhibit of stock is concerned.
no one could ask for better results. 1t
was all that the projectors Of the show
dared permit their imagination to pic
ture, and more than had ever been wit
messed by several stockmen who were
present. Tho original design Of the
show was to prove that there are some
elegant cattle in North Dakota. The
mere assertion that this is good stock
country carried no weight abroad and
failed to make All impression upon the
minds Of those interested in disbeliev
ing the truth. Hence, the quickest and
most effective way to bring conviction
to the doubters was to bring about
meeting Of tho stockmen Of Northern
Dakota, and induce them to place their
herds on exhibition. The result was
highly satisfactory. Some Of the finest
thoroughbred cattle in the world were
shown, Tho farmers Of this region
came to see them, and are now encour-
aged to turn their attention to stock in
stead Of grain. There will be fewer all
grain farmers in future and more stock
raiscrs. Those owning common animals
will continue to improve them. Better
blood will be in demand, and i'll few
years the calf by $40 COW will be worth
as much as the mother.
As to the time Of holding the stock
show, its originators chose that particu-
lar period when farmers could leave
their homes for few days. The in.
dustrious husbandman is always busy,
but there is no time when he feels that
he can better quit his labors for II brief
season, without neglecting his crops,
than during the first days Of July. From
the middle Of July to tho beginning Of
solid winter the farmer will be busy.
Experience has shown that September
or October fair in Dakota is never fully
attended; farmers are busy with their
grain, and are not justified in quitting
their work for holiday purposes.
Although the attendance last week
was not large, owing to frequent rains.
yet, for new country, there is reason
for congratulation. A stock show was
u new thing, and consequently u hazard
Gus undertaking. No city in the north
west, outside of St. Paul or Minneapolis
had ever attempted to give q stock
show, and many people looked upon
the project sway out in this frontier
country as a huge joke. Some of the
best business men in North Dakota
shook their heads and predicted q fail.
urc. For once they were wrong; the
show, as a stock show, was success.
AS to the racing, the members Of the
association trust that line will be
drawn between the performance upon
the track and the exhibit in the cattle
| ring. While the latter was in every
way all that was expected, the former
was as nearly u farce as the jockeys
could make it. The association offered
some fat purses. but the demand for
flyers for the 4th of July meetings at
other points seems to have kept many
fast animals away. Only u few Of the
entries were filled, and some of the
horsmen put their animals upon the
track with an apparent determination
to blast the future Of the association il
possible. There is settled purpose
however, to prevent u repetition ol
such proceedings. 1t would be impos'
sibIc for new organization TO give en-
| tire satisfaction the association itseli
is not satisfied with the speed portion
Of its program.
FINANCIAL.
The treasurer Of the association has
been sick during. the week, being con
fined to his bed. The secretary pincled
himself Tuesday morning to ascertain i
there we're any signs Of life, and he j:
happy to annou ICE that he continues tc
exist. For ten days prior to the show
there were great approximations of a col
lapse on the part of the secretary
When the show be. gan he was Just able
TO be on deck, though bctraying some
marks Of disfgurati IN. AS soon rs the
affair was over with, it seemed as it the
association was OWN 4 every man in the
community. EycryL Ody wanted money
and some are wanting yet--but only {
few. The total receipts of the three
days show were about $l2G0. There
had been paid into the association priol
to the show Il little over 5000. THU
the total receipts from all sources would
reach say about $500. The expcndi
lures for all purposes, including lumber
construction or fences, buildings, track
ETC., also the running expenses of the
three days show, together with tht
purses and premiums paid, will react
close upon s3400, leaving an indebted
ness of about 5000, so far as can be as.
certained at thc.present time. TO show
for this the association has property
which cost about Sl7OO.