The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1888-08-29
THE FAI R.
The Encampment and Other Matters Of In
terest that Occurred in Helena
last week

When I f rst visited the agricultural
Mechanical Fair, &c." several years ago
l wa struck by the misnomer and thii
year l have been very forcible reminded
of the fact that the management of the
Fair Association have not succeeded IN
taking a step forward in making this an
nual "blow out" anything more than .
horse race. Last year the display OF
agricultural products were a tleast visible,
but this year the display is unworthy Of
the name and it would have been much
better if there had been nothing at all at
tempted in this line. ] H. Nixon of the
Gallatin Valley has a few head of his
Holstein herd on the ground and F. l.
Benepe, of Bozeman, exhibits a steam
thresher, the picture painted by "a Lit
file Girl 10 Years of Age" is still doing
its duty and seemst to eniny robust health.
There is an Indifferent display of other
articles in fancy work and if it was not
for the convenience wit which specta'
tors can see the races from the porch of
their buildings, it would be entirely use.
less this year.
While this is to be greatly regretted
by US Of the agricultural region, we are
in a measure to blame for part Of it. Amy
farmer in this valley who would have
taken the trouble to send a specimen of
his grain would have obtained a premium
for his trouble, besides doing good for the
valley of the Gallatin. Horse racing is
the popular amusement at the Helena
Fair and will always be. The place for
an agricultural fair is At Bozeman and
the day is not far distant when the peo-
pie of Montana will 60 to Bozeman when
they wish to see specimens of grain and
mammoth vegetables. fine stock and
young, speedy trotters all the products of
this county.
The racing programme at Helena this
year was a splendid one and the speed
made by Montana horses something for
each and every Montani an to be proud of
There was the usual "howl' raised about
unfair racing, but this is to be expected.
Those who gamble on horse racing must
not back their judgement if they expect
to win, a "hunch" or a pointer" are in
variable more profitable.
The first days racing was clouded by
an unfortunate accident whereby a son
OF Dan. Blevens, a noted honseman, WAS
instantly killed by a vicious young horse
named Screen Pruitt."
On the second day Carrie Belle got
away from her driver, who was thrown
from his sulkey, and ran around the
track twice, when she was stopped I'M
hurt by a mounted man, amid the APP
plause of the spectators. She immediate
ly trotted again, but lost the heat by a
neck. Two other drive rs were unseated
and one of them quite badly injured,
while the horses were able to take their
places again. The cause of the runaways
seems to have been attributable to the
crowded condition of the track, as seven
horses took part in the race.
Betting was never II lore lively and a
great deal of money changed hands, most
of which found its way to the pockets Of
the Helenaites. Everybody had money
to bet and it was only necessary to an.
nounce the fact when takers would flock
around from every direction.
THE E~NcAMpNENT.
The first annual encampment of the
Montana militia was as great a success as
it was possible for the first one to be, q
fact which was due in a great measure to
Col. Lloyd, who is not only a West
Pointer, but an officer who has served al
the posts of this territory. He had an
ardous duty to perform and he did it as
well as it could be done. Being an old
cavalry officer, he was naturally in
sympathy with the ~cavalary companies
of the militia and he expressed on mort
than one occasion the qualification he
experienced in witnessing the discipline
which existed in the cavalry troops. He
congratulated Capt. Col b and Sgts. Pons
ford and brennan of Troop B., on theil
soldierly qualities and On the second da,
gave them important positions, which
they filed in a manner which contribut
ed considerable to the success of the en-
campment.
One of the best features ofthe encamp
ment was the grand parade at Helena
which by the best ever given by an,
body of men at the capital. The Booze
man boys were somewhat disappointe'
because their regimental band was no
in line, that the people of this city Nigh
see that they were well equipped in thi
particular but they dropped their grew
ance in this as well as in everything els
that was not what they desired and mad
the best showing possible. The marc
was made in slow time designated by tn
Bohemian boys as "Armorial time" whic
was somewhat tiresome to those who ma
been used to drilling out of doors, br
Capt. Cobb found a way of resting h
men at short intervals instead of markin
time in the hot sun, consequently h
men stoodthe trip like veterans and cam
out of the parade with their usual goo
spirits, which were not dampened du
ing the whole time they were in cam
A majority of the boys went to have
good time and they succeeded. tt
: "kicker" Of course was there, but a N
jority of the troop were not built til
way" The grub furnished by contra
7 was simply horrible and the contractu
: deserve to be held up to everlasting Co
domination. The manner in which tn,
catered for the troops would put to shan
y a Russian prison supe iintendent.
NOTES.
al The Independent gave its readers
a splendid service last week and cover
everything Of importarce connected wi
the great fair with an active staff.
! took hard work, but the Independe
. was amply repaid for its enterpri
hundreds of papers being sold to t
visitors up till noon very day. Besid
y this the Independent through the effo
= of its business manager, Dave Mark
'e procured the franchise of selling t
official programme Of the races and 81
u piled q large demand.