Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-09-12
HELD BETWEEN SHOWERS.
But Nest Successful Exposition New
erthelesS.
The Twenty-First Annual Fair of the
Industrial Association
The Biggest and Best Ever Held in
Southwestern Wisconsin.
The Races Holly Contested and Ex.
citing.
100 ENTRIES.

100 ENTRIES.
The fair held in Mineral Point last
week was a decided and remarkable
success. Entries came in briskly from
! the start, and Notwithstanding the
heavy rain of Wednesday forenoon
their inflow was undated until the
time of closing the books, when it was
found that they numbered nearly sew
enteen hundred. And not only were
the exhibits great in numbers, but
they were great in point of excellence.
In fact, in every department could be
seen decided Improvement over the
very creditable showings of former
| years.
In the live stock department was
an aggregation of animals that re-
| Elected credit upon the Blue grass re-
| gion of Wisconsin as a stock breeding
and stock raising section. The num-
| Der of fine horses entered was larger
than ever before. and nearly all of
them were bred in the district. The
| proportion OF young animals bred and
| raised by the exhibitors was much
larger than on former occasions; and
| their very fine appearance told palmer
than words that our farmers are
making very rapid advance in the i'm
proyement of their breeds of horses.
Experienced and well posted horse
men were heard to declare that in
some of the classes the displays in the
ring were never equalled in the state.
The different popular breeds of
cattle were very well represented.
There were fine herds of Short Horns
Tor Durhams) and many fine speci-
cimenS Of Herefords, Holsteins, Polled
cattle, Jerseys, and Guernseys; all
showing careful breeding, and many
being animals of great individual
merit.
OF sheep and swine there were an
immense number of entries, while the
stock would compare favorabIy with
that to be found at any fair in the
whole northwest. The breeders of this
section have some of the finest focks
and herds to be found anywhere, and
they had their choicest specimens on
exhibition. The accommodations for
sheep and swine, however, were rather
poor, inadequate, and not in keeping
with other things about the grounds;
but an improvement in this matter
will doubtless be made before the
holding of another fair.
The show of poultry, etc, was very
large and of a great variety, nearly
every coop being filled with fine birds
The mechanical was the only de-
partment in which the number of ex-
hibits fell below the average of former
years; although f. w. Stratman Il Co.,
of Dodgeyllle, showed some well made
wagons and plowS and FitzgibbOn
Bros, of Monroe, some very stylish
carriages and buggies.
The show of grain and vegetables
was a surprise to all beholders. On
account of the drOuth during July
and August it was generally appre-
hended that this department would
not be very well filled. But strange
to say, the entries were never more
numerous; while the corn oats and
wheat exhibited were of most excel
lent quality, and the vegetables We're
the largest and finest ever witnessed.
The display of fruits and plants was
exceptionally good for Wisconsin.
There was very decided improve
ment in the dairy department. This
year the dairy premiums were revised
and increased to correspond with the
growing Importance of this industry
in the country surrounding Mineral
Point,-and this brought out many
exhibits of butter and cheese; and it is
safe to say that year by year the show
of dairy products will claim more at
tention in this fair.
1t was in the household and domes-
tic, the cookery and fine art depart
ments, where the productions of the
handiwork, ingenuity, skill and talent
of the ladies were displayed, that the
acme of success was reached. No pen
picture could adequately describe it.
The articles exhibited were of the
highest excellence, and were well ar
ranged and displayed to advantage.
The association owes debt of graf
itude to the ladies for their jealous
efforts in contributing so greatly to
the success of the fair.
On Wednesday afternoon there was
a considerable number of people on
the ground, in spite of the unfavOrable
weather; but the track was too muddy
for racing. The heavy rain of Thurs
day also kept back the crowd and pre-
vented the racing; but the racing pro-
uranna which had baop arrapuad for
three days was carried out on Friday
and Saturday, and was the most eX-
citing ever witnessed in Mineral
Point. On Friday the gate receipts
amounted to 1901, and there was GER
tainly the largest number of people
ever present at any of the twenty
one fairs of the association. There
was also a good attendance on Sat
urday, but not nearly so large as on
Friday.
The famous Beloit band furnished
excellent entertainment Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday, and gave con-
cert in the park on Friday evening.
1t is pleasure to state that notwith-
standing the wet weather, the fair was
a success, not only as great exhibit
ton, but financially, and that the pro-
ceeds will at least be sufficient to pay
all expenses and premiums in full.
THE RACES.