Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-10-05
County Fair.

County Agricultural Society came to an
end last Friday, being by all odds the
best, most enjoyable and successful fair
ever held in the county. Every well
wisher Of Alpena is thoroughly well
pleased at the result. 1t has also given
another proof Of the fact that, with fair
weather and q reasonable program Of
amusements, the people will attend in
such numbers as to make 1t q financial
success. This fair has also given to those
unacquainted with the productiveness of
Alpena county, another practical proof
of the fertility of the soil, as shown by
the fruit and vegetable displays that are
unsurpassed by any portion of the State.
Our people are we'll pleased with the fine
exhibits, and they were agreeably enter
tanned by the many and various amuse-
ments they witnessed. A considerable
portion of the success OF the fair is due
to the unuiring and energetic efforts OF
the president, w. Z. Rogers, who devot-
ed large portion Of his time for several
weeks in making arrangements, and he
was admirably assisted by many farmers
and business men. He deserves great
credit for the work he did, as do also the
other officials.
The exhibit of vegetables was fully up
to the high standard expected OF Alpena
by those who know what her fruitful soil
will do. The potatoes, beets, cabbage,
squash, pumpkins, and other vegetables
cannot be excelled anywhere on the globe.
A large part OF the hall was taken up
with vegetable display. The fruit ex-
hibit was the largest and best ever shown
in this county, consisting Of pears, plums,
apples and other fruits, and fully demon
strated that Alpena county Is first class
one as fruit producer. The plum crop
this year will amount to many hundreds
of bushels, while the apple crop has be-
come common one. And yet 1t Is not
many years since the growing Of fruit i'm
this county was great novelty. Alpena
county is also a first class one for the
growth of grains, and they were well rep
resented. The exhibits at tho fair proved
beyond u question OF doubt to visitors
from other parts of the country that Al
pena is first class ono for the growth of
grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Every fair shows an Improvement in the
exhibit of blooded cattle and fine horses,
sheep and hogs. The entries were so
numerous that temporary sheds had to
be erected to hold them. Holsteins, Jer-
seys and other fine breeds were well rep
resented, and there was also fine dis
play Of poultry. The sheep exhibit was
q fine one.
Owing to want of room but few of the
business men could make displays, and
many who desired could not be accommo-
dated. The need of large hall has be-
come an actual necessity. Displays
were made by Parish & Hanover of bug
gies and wagons, by Sinclair Co., of dry
goods, by ii. f. Wilson of sewing ma
chimes, by +. w. Hagen Of lap robes, by
c. A. McGregor & Co., OF boots, shoes,
and clothing, by w. HAZEL OF meats, by
tho Alpena drug store and the Kinsel
Bros, of drugs, by DR.. Godfrey of dentis-
try, by Stork e. Bodey Of furniture, by G.
II. Goliath and the Alpena music store
OF musical Instruments. Walter Gava-
gan exhibited churn with dog power
attached
Although the exhibits In the art gallery
were not as extensive as In some former
years, the display was good, and brought
out some very creditable works OF art.
Mrs. Chas. Dunivan exhibited some ex-
ceedingly fine work, both In oil painting
and pastel, while Mrs. /. Brebner and
Mrs j. G. Wall also had on exhibition
paintings which were very much admired.
There were good exhibits In fancy work,
and no little credit is due the ladies
VIII at it should be.
During each three days Of tho fair there
were interesting horse races. The princi-
pal race of the first day was the three
minute trot, in which there were five en-
tries. Five heats were required, result
ing in Maud Tracy getting first prize and
Nile second. In the two year old race
Johnson won first and Potvin second.
Thousands OF people gathered in and
about the grand stand on the afternoon
OF the second day, to witness the much
talked OF stallion race between Nichols
and Waldemere. Both horses drew the
recently adopted pneumatic bicycle sui
keys and 1t was the first time such rigs
had been used on the race track. Only
three heats were necessary to decide the
race, and Nichols was the winner. He
took the lead In the heats soon after the
word Ego" was given, aud appeared TO
have no difficulty in keeping several
lengths ahead of Waldemere. The time
made, mile heats, half mile track, was
2:29i; 2:31t J, and 2:311. Waldemere broke
many times. The half mile running race
was lively one and well contested
Morse Boy won first prize, his time being
1:01t and 1;03, and Evening Echo captur-
ed second prize.
The third days races consisted OF q
farmers trotting race, farmers running
race, and a free for all. There were six
entries for the farmers trottipg race.
Stony Roe Dick won first and fourth
heats, Honest Tom the second heat,
Prince the third heat. The time was 1850;
1.49J, and 1:49. In tho last heat three of
the racers got excited and galloped around
the track, making amusement for the
spectators. The farmers running race
resulted in the Morse Boy winning both
heats, with Vassar Girl second. Time,
Loo for each heat. The free for all had
only two entries, Pedro and Lakeside
Prince Pedro won both heats eaailv