Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-10-07
County Fair.


Alpena County Agricultural Society is
now but memory Of the past, but 1t Is
a very pleasing memory. 1t ranks with
the best Of the preceding fairs, as regards
agricultural exhibits, attendance and
weather. 1t was grand success.
A few weeks ago. there was much doubt
as TO whether fair would be held. No
action was taken by the officials, owing
to Misunderstanding. w. z. Rogers
went to work and revived interest In It,
A meeting OF citizens was called to see
whether there should be fair this year
or not. 1t proved an enthusiastic meet
ing and showed conclusively that the
general desire was to keep up the county
fairs. New officers were elected, and
from that time until the fair the officials
were indefatigable in their efforts to make
the fourteenth exhibition success. They
wero cordially supported by the people,
and tho result was a good fair and
pleasant and agreeable entertainment for
thousands Of citizens. The weather was
the finest ever experienced at fair time
here. The first day was just cool enough
and the second was real summer day,
with bright, warm sun light, but the high
temperature was tempered by brisk
wind. Regarded financially, the fair was
also a success, and the society is now in
much better shape than 1t has ever been
heretofore. There is good prospect that
some Of the bonded Indebtedness will be
paid, and as regards the balance, we hope
it will be replaced with lower interest
bearing bonds.
The exhibit Of vegetables and root
crops exceeds any shown at previous
fairs. 1t was much larger, and occupied
a larger part of the hall. Even some Of
the floor was utilized for displaying the
choice exhibits, which spoke volumes for
the fruitfulness Of Alpena's soil and the
skill and industry of her farmers. and
they deserve thanks for their efforts In
proving, beyond all doubt, that Alpena
county can not DO excelled as a producer
of agricultural products. The display,
II it had been properly arranged, would
have occupied the entire space In the hall,
and thus left the halls free for the crowds
Of visitors. The fruit and grain exhibits
We're also good. We have not the space
to make individual mention Of exhibitors.
but the premium list will record the
names of those who assisted to make the
fair success.
The merchantile community was rep
resented by Harshaw & Kimball, Crissman,
Alpena drug store, Sinclair Co., and Alpe-
ma Brewing Co. Walter Gavagan exhibit
ed churn propelled by dog power, and it
attracted much attention.
The art loan building exhibit was, as q
whole, much inferior to previous exhibits.
but there were many fine exhibits of
needle work, fancy quilts, paintings, etc.
The fruit exhibit was in that building.
For amusements there were number
Of interesting races on the afternoons Of
each Of the fair days. The first day two
year old colt of John Avis trotted half
mile in III
Tho second day there was an interest
ing and well contested race between
Butterscotch and Oscar Wilde. The
former won the first two heats. Time for
half mile, 100 and 1:29A. The two
trotters kept close enough together the
entire race to make the event interesting
and exciting to the spectators.
In the free for all, Robert Cradle and
DR.. Dunlop each entered racer. After
good deal Of scoreing one half mile heat
was raced, and Cradle g horse won In LIS.
The race was not finished, but afterwards
Mr.. Cradle gave an exhibition trot with
Nichols, accompanied with a running
mate. The time for the half mile was
1:184.
An Interesting parade was given by tho
bicyclers, and between twenty and thirty
safeties were in line among the blcyolists
were two ladies.
A couple Of dogs with cart raced
around the track in 4;85.
The event that seemed to DO OF the great
est interest was the public marriage.
About four o'clock in the afternoon of
the second day, handsome carriage
drove on the track, and the news soon
few about that the bridal couple had ar
rived. The judges and reporters who
were on the judges stand at the time,
uoro nolifalu infornad TINT fhau would