Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1888-09-20
mlnaess,. STATE r.Ir.
OPENING nay.

No more perfect day could have been Sc
cured for the commencement OF the fair than
! vas. The sun beamed brightly over
the vast grounds, quickly drying the
grass which had been drenehedby the autumn.
nal storm of the night before; the brisk
breeze from the south caused every piece OF
bunting to wave to and fro in luxuriant
folds. the roosters crowed with delight as
they saw the brilliant orb of the heaven.
and the people who were present,
and there were a goodly lumber for an OPEN
ing day, seemed happy and contented that
the thirtieth fair should open under such
huspicIoes circumstances.
At a few minutes before 9o'clock the crowd
surrounded the machinery building where the
great engine stood and listened to the OPEN
Ing address by Mr.. Bushnell, Sri; as follows:
Gentlemen and Ladies: Thehour has now
arrived for the opening of the thirtleth au-
nal exhibition of the state agricultural so
tiety. As we gaze with wonder AZ the great
inventive genius that produced all these me
enanicai contrivances, we must exclaim,
s'Truly, this is a great country" We behold
on one hand every device known to man for
| labor saving, with all the improvements man
can edntrive; on the other hand We view
with pleasure the varied production of the
soil OF our proud state. Then, too, we look
with deepest pride upon the magnificent
! stock of all kinds bred, raised and used with
in the boundaries of our great State OF Min
nesota. Here, there, and or every hand you
see the evidences of the great wealth and
boundless resources of our state, and ask
you all to examine carefully and Il oughtful-
" the wonders you see about o They
are living evidences of the contentment and
happiness of the citizens of your state, who
are protected by the wise AMI judicious taTitf
laws Of our country, af1ording to every hon
est man and woman an opportunity to earn
not only n good living, but q comfortable
home to enjoy in age.
Gentlemen and Indies, in the name of the
! president Of this association, | bid you well
| come; and we will now proceed to the start
! ing of our great motive power by one tiny
finger of a tiny hand applied to the electric
button.
The main building is replete with interest
ing exhibits. The many firms who have
placed displays in the building seem TO have
gone on the order of quality, not quantity,
and the displays are more elegant than cum
bersome.
The length of the shafting is one and three
eighths miles, from which is turned 81 pieces
of machinery. The air was filled with the
busy hum of industry, giving it the appear
ance of n manufacturing district in n great
city. The exhibits alone in this branch OF
the exhibition represents ] 800 firms, com
ing from eighteen states of the Union. The
value of goods exhibited in this department
Is estimated at S350,000.
In no way is the Improvement OF the pres
ent fair over that oflast year apparent than
in the live stock display. 1t is one rejecting
great credit upon the management and upon.
the breeders to whose labors the people OF
st. Paul nreindebted for an exhibit particular
" complete and more satisfactory than ever
before. Never has there been so excellent a
| gathering Of blooded stock, and never have
the arrangements at the fair grounds been
so completely perfect. The buildings set
! apart for the accommodation Of horses and
cattle are admirably adapted to the purpose,
and they ore kept clean and well ventilated.
Agricultural hall, filled as it is with the
producers of the great Northwest, presents
q decidedly farm like appearance with its
| hosts of pumpkins, pears. apples, gram and
the railroad exhibits. Ofthe latter those OF
the Northern Pacific and Manitoba roads
excel and show the different kinds of grain
raised along those lines to good effect.
The illuEination of st. Paul. is
one OF the most interesting feat
ures of the occasion. The spectacle
with all its exhilarating effects, is not a new
| feature to the inhabitants of st. Paul Ii was
in this city where the idea OF making bright
with all the eolors known to human art q
portion Of the metropolis was first formu.
lated. and il is a distinctive feature OF
st. Panl in Demonstrating its graft
tude TO it's friends and showing its high ap.
probation of good will to those who might
be within it's gates. The globes Of green, red,
white, yellow and blue, each shedding
its luster upon the thousands Of
pedestrians who good naturedly joined
in the welcome and hospitality to
the city's guests, served to remind n
stranger who had never before looked with
wondering eyes upon Il scene SO enchanting
of that beauty which awaits the just when
there is drawn aside the veil leading to the
great eternal. 1t was like q fairy scene,
where dwelled only the loneliness, the gentle
ness and the sweetness of nature. 1t seemed
not Ike rude hands had constructed so glow
ing u tribute to a city's honor. IL bore inn
pressions of having been in natures triumph
ant sphere. 1t dazzled not in force, but il
magnifcence.