Wichita eagle., 1889-09-07
THE FIRST FAIR
Ever Held IN "No Mans LandD a
Success.

Success.
BEAVER CITY, Sept. 3.
| To the Editor Of the Eagle.
Two years ago, when pressing A. A
Robinson, general superintendent of the
A., T. & S. F. railroad. to extend the
Mulvane branch of his road through the
Public Land Strip, at least to Beaver,
was rather stumped by one of his point
ed questions, viz: s'What does your
country produce? We would like to see
whether it will pay to run railroad in
to a country before we 60 to the large
expenditure of money necessary to con-
struct and equip road" Up to that
time we had no products OF
the soil to speak Of, In
this region and could not only say that
ours was a new country of promise.
Had that shrewd observing railroad
official looked in on the display of the
productions of this still new country
at Beaver, last Saturday, the 31st ult.,
he would have had direct visible
answer to his pertinent question. The
people of the community around Bea-
yer on short notice had rustled an i'm
provised fair, rather harvest feast.
There was not much tape work or formal
organization about it, yet everything
passed off as if by rule Systematically
and orderly. The farmers brought in
samples of their crops which were placed
on exhibition-fairly arranged in the
most suitable hall that could be OBJ
tanned. The display was a most
complete decorations Of the entire build
ing which was quite large.
There were at least half dozen varie-
ties of wild grasses showing a large
growth-a few varieties of tame grass
es of equal thrift. Specimens of the
varied crops, IL different stages of
growth, mostly matured, as well as
grain thoroughly dry, were in full dis
play and abundant, such as common
corn, broom corn, rice corn, kaffir corn,
milo maze, sorghum and castor beans.
All these crops have done we'll in this 10
cality, as the abundant specimens, well
matured and Of good quality, on exhibi-
ton attested. Especially is this true
where the cultivation has been half de-
cent Most all the crops have been
made with but little cultivation and
much of it without any cultivation,
only a bare scratch IN planting. AS
soon as the sloven planting was over
men left home for an Oklahoma specula-
ton or in search of work to support
their families. 1t is now demonstrated
fact that all the crops, as above, except
corn, can be grown one year with an
other successfully in this region. Corn
no doubt will do we'll under proper
cultivation some years, as this, and
possibly as the seasons are improving, it
will do to depend upon. There is no
question about great variety of grasses
doing well.
The display of vegetables was very
ne, well matured and of good quality,
sufficiently SO to give satisfac-
ton and inspire confidence in this
industry. Potatoes, pears, beans, onions,
cucumbers, beets, pumpkins, squashes,
Several varieties), melons (every variety
and of mammoth size, were on exhibit
ton. Onions weighing quite one pound
and a half, and watermelonS weighing
over forty pounds.
The display of stock was just as they
could be picked up off the grass, and the
easiest handled. The best show of stock
in the country are tire herdsas they run
at large on the prairie-perfectly healthy,
fat and sleek and most prolific. If any
thing in the line OF farming industries is
a certainty, it is the assured success of
stock raising in this region. The climate,
water and grass make it cheap, easy and
satisfactory. Poultry is equally success
full This branch was also represented,
mostly, however, in cooked state on
the table.
The fine display Of fancy work, paint
ings, pictures, ETC., was evidence Of the
taste and culture Of the people. Many
of them have seen better times and de-
serve better things than the self denials
and hardships incident to the settlement
of new country that has so long dragged
in suspense as ours, without the needed
legislation and law of the federal gov
ernment to encourage the development
of the country.
Something like FIVE hundred people at
tended the first fair in the strip, and
splendid dinner was served to all free of
charge The roast beef. roast mutton,
roast chicken, served with vegetables,
fruits, etc.-home production-was suf-
ficient to crafty the most dainty as well
as the epecure. A room was devoted to
the serving of the most delicious melons,
which was free all day for the crowd to
partake, and the supply was inexhausti-
BILE. r. NJ. OvERsTREET.