Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1893-10-05
THE FAIR.

display OF the products OF the county
for competition. Many obstacles pre-
scented themselves to prevent the asso-
istence until this yeary not the least
formidable OF which was the expenses
OF preparing the grounds, and OF erect
ING suitable buildings and making
other improvements, besides the many
incidental expenses OF holding thefair.
Without being able to overcome these
obstacles fully, nor to see their way
clearly through the financial problems
connected with the holding OF a fair
this fall, the board of trustees never
theless decided that 1T would be mad
visable any longer TO postpone the
matter and that with proper manage
ment il could be made successful, even
during the hard times which stare
everybody in the lace. An appeal was
made to the citizens of Lewistown for
assistance in the matter and, all
things considered, the response was
most liberal. With the beginningthus
made, the association constructed
such buildings as seemed to be abso-
lutely necessary, and which were with
in it's means, such as a grand stand,
Judges stanu and others. and put the
track in as good condition as possible
for racing. Being unable to erect a
suitable building for exhibits, n con
v~enient room in town was rented for
that purpose. Owing to the lack OF
ready funds. and the uncertainties OF
a large attendance, it was decided by
the trustees that it would be inadvis-
able this year to offer cash premiums
for exhibits, and the ladies' committee
fully endorsed those views Theman-
agement OF the association has been
criticized by some for this action, but
we think the result shows the wisdom
OF the action, for with first premiums
at 50 and second premiums at 81,
and they could hardly have been made
less, the large number OF classes into
which the exhibits were divided would
have required a large sun of money,
in the aggregate, for premiums, and
while the association is now able to
pay every dollar OF expense connected
with holding the fair ami making inn
provements it would seriously cripple
them to pay the amount that would
have been required to pay cash prem
iums for exhibits. On the other h lnd
it will hardly be contended that the
number OF races held, or the purse:
offered were too large for the interests
OF good sport. 1t is a fact that tn,
drawing card ut a fair in this county
is the racing. and without it ther,
could be no fair which would be sue
cessful. Everything else being equa!
it was better to curtail expenses by
giving awards for exhibits than to GU.
off any of the racing program, but l
is not the purpose OF the association
to devote all OF their money ut comm
fairs to racing, tor the trustees recog
nize that a m%eritorious exhibit Is a
much entitled to a cash premium as
m~eritorious horse in a race, and the.
will undoubtedly pay cash premium
in the future for such exhibits, at leas
after the association becomes estab
Iished firmly enough TO warrant tn
expenditure.
The exhibits at the hall were mucI
beyond anything that was expecte'
by even the most sanguine. The dis
play in the ladies' department woul'
have done credit to any fair in a
older community, and it should be IT
membered that almost everything ex
hibited there was made by the ladie
of this county, and was a great show
ing for the artistic tastes OF those VIII
made the exhibits. We venture t
say that, while the display at som
fairs may be larger, at very few
any, has it been more meritorious, o
shown more skill. In this connection
it should be remembered that the dis
play was made from a compsritivel,
small portion of the county. The a.
ricultural display was not as large a
might have been expected, but wa
very c~reditable, showing that in tn
matter OF vegetables Montana, an
particularly this part OF thestate, ha
few if any equals as a producer in thu
line. Without doubt the displays i
these departments hex year will b
much larger and show a much create
variety than was to be expected thi
year. 1t is impossible in the space. "
have to make special mention OF a
the meritorious exhibits, but the lis
of premiums awarded will give som
idea of the matter.
The racing vas better than anyon
anticipated, and on the whole wa
very creditable to the horseowners c
the county, for it will be remembers
that entries were limited to horse
owned in the county. 1t was inev
table that there should have bee
some differences OF opinion betwee
the Judges and the different wners O
riders and drivers, but we believe tina
every decision made by the judges wa
fully warranted by the circumstance
OF the particular case, and was uphel
by the rules OF the National associs
tions, under which all the racing wa
held. 1t is rue that a large percen'
age of the money distributed in purse
went to two owners, James Dempse
and ID. NJ. Crowley, and many woul
have liked to see the money MOI
evenly distributed, but none will sa
that the races were not decided upo
the merits of the horses. Too niue