Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-09-14
THE MINERAL POINT FAIR OF 1855.
The Most Successful Industrial EXhi-
bition ever held in Southwestern
Wisconsin.
A GREAT DISTRICT FAIR.

A GREAT DIS RlC tAtR.
The eighteenth annual exhibition of
the Southwestern Industrial associ-
alton, held in Mineral Point last week,
was decided success in almost every
important feature. There was no out
side or extra attraction, but upon its
own merits as an industrial exhibition
it was immense: while the number of
people in attendance was somewhat
larger than upon any former occasion.
Clouds of dust constituted the only
drawback: although the management
did everything possible in the way of
sprinkling grounds and track. With
the exception Of horned or dishorned
cattle there was very large and fine
show in every division of the stock de-
partment; and while the show of the
cattle was light there was as great a
variety as usual. The show of horses
beat all former records, both in re-
gard to numbers and quality. Well
posted horsemen were heard to declare
on all hands that outside of the state
fair SO many fine horses would not be
seen together this year. The division
of sheep and swine were well filed.
The sheep entered were numerous and
showed fine breeding. The swine
showed that the breeders in South
western Wisconsin are year by year
greatly improving their herds, and
that they are bound to become noted
far and wide as successful breeders of
that very profitable and important an
imal which In the shape of hams and
bacon, forms great part of Amer
lean exports and contributes greatly to
the farmers prosperity. a great
number of fine specimens of excellent
breeds of poultry and fancy fowls
were entered for premiums. The en-
tries in the mechanical department
were numerous and displayed the
highest mechanical skill. Dealers in
farm implements made very attract
i've display of the latest and best agri
cultural implements and machinery.
4 portable engine with long lines of
shafting operated binders, etc, and
enabled exhibitors to show up the
good points of their machines while in
operation. As the season was favor
able for grain, the samples Of wheat,
oats, and seeds entered were of excel
lent quality. The vegetables were of
good quality, but owing to dry wealth
er during the month of August of
rather small size. The ladies acted
well their part in making the exhibit
ton in the house success. There
were grand displays in the household
and domestic, cookery, and fine art de-
partmentS. In these important de-
partments the fair far exceeded all
former exhibitions of the association.
The entries in the dairy department
were of excellent quality, but not SO
large as they might be made if a little
more attention were given to this i'm
portant interest of southwestern Wis
cOnSin
Many good horses were entered for
the races and some hot and spirited
contests took place. The track how
ever was covered with several inches
of very loose dust, and fast time could
not be made.
The following clipped from The
Darlington Journal shows how the
Mineral Point fair of 1888 was viewed
by visitors from abroad:
The Mineral Point fair last week
was success financially. The officers
estimated that there were more people
in attendance than ever before. The
show of live stock was good with the
exception of horned cattle and this
department was simply represented.
The stock shown was first class how
ever, and mostly from this county.
The horse racing seemed to interest
several thousand people and we pre-
sumo was carried out as fairly as
usual. The only thing that prevented
an enjoyable time for everybody, was
~ Oh q o dc,
continually in clouds, and rendered
everybody uncomfortable.