The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-07-19
THE GREAT FAIR OF '9I.

To the Editor of the Eagle.
Looking back over the past four years OF
an expiring and expired boom, of disap-
pointed hopes and misdeals. there is but
one luminous spot in all the gloom that
covers this period that has not proven an
ignus fatuus. Standing now upon the
Threshold of better days and brighter
hopes, it will be readily admitted that
that light has been the Southwestern Kan
sas Fair association. If in a year of great
financial depression, crop failure and
calamity bowling, they succeeded in
bringing to Wichita the biggest crowd
that Wichita has ever seen and holding it
here for solid week, beneftting, either
directly or indirectly, every business man
in the city, what may be expected of them
in this year OF our Lord 1891,
when the cornucopia of plenty
has been emptied on every farm
in the state and adjoining territory.
The men who compose the Southern Fair
association are workers, and evidently
know how to run fair, but without the
hearty cooperation of the business men
of this city, success in any event would be
extremely problematical.
1t is one of the essentials to success that
10000 copies of the premium list be pub
lished and placed in 10, 900 homes in south
ern Kansas and Oklahoma. In order to
defray the cost of its publication it has
always been customary to open its pages
to advertisers, and solicit their patronage.
This year it is not at all creditable, am
sorry to say, to our people to
have this volume 60 abroad with
its present meager support IN
this respect. 1t does seem to me that
local pride should step in without con-
sulting self interest, and if this fair is to
be the blooming success predicted for 1t,
there should be no hesitancy on the part
of any one TO aid in holding up the hands
of the managers of this fair.
1t was the opinion of at least four of the
board of directors that not one lick of
work should have been struck towards the
holding of a fair this fall until a guarantee
fund of So 500 should have been subscribed
by the citizens of Wichita for the payment
of premiums in the event of foul weather
From the result of the effort recently made
in this direction. am of the opinion that
if such resolution had been adhered to the
legend would have gone up over the gate,
No fair this year: big fair next year.
But this is an off year for the festive
pessimist, and the association Is meeting
with sucn grand encouragement In the
way of special rates, and special premiums
offered by broad guage merchants, as to
ness paralvzer."
Never before in my experience has such
q costly array of special premiums been
rendered at district fair to competitors,
aud still there is room for more l know
of ops wide awake merchant who is de-
TO offer $65 sewing machine to
the mother whose baby is deemed worthy
to creep away with the blue rib
bon He says he give notice
to the right men now that he
will duplicate this offer next year
A word TO the wise, etc: The premiums
to be offered at this fair throughout will
be in excess of those last year. While
majority of the specials will be awarded to
farm products, some of the most valuable |
will be placed on fruits and jellies, fancy |
and works of art.
The special attractions of the fair will |
be of that character that tempts man !
once in while 10 pawn his cook stove, |
rather than miss seeing them.
II is hoped that one of the pleasant |
features of last years fair will be con- |
iuued IN this, namely, the assembly of /
The people on the grounds by states. In |
conclusion, we ask all our friends and the /
friends OF Wichita and southern Kansas /
% write fair, talk fair-do something for /
he fair. Give the association such a |
BOOST this fail, that they may be enabled /
% secure grounds and erect permanent
buildings, that will reflect credit on the
,ity whose strides in population aud com
nercial importance will ere long be recog-
lized as giants strides, N. STEWART.