River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1894-09-27
PIERCE COUNTY FAIR.
The Exhibition of 1894 Great Succass.

ure TO be able TO state that the elev-
enth annual exhibition of the Pierce
County Fair, held at Ellsworth ON
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of
last week was in every way a complete
success. We are pleased that this was
so, first-because this success gives
renewed demonstration of the great
fertility of our soil, and its productive
ness under the adverse conditions
brought on by unusually dry weather,
besides indicating that our farmers
are awake to the advantages to be
derived from the propagation of i'm
proved breeds of stock and poultry,
and second-for the reason that the
energetic efforts made by the officers
of the society TO give an exhibition
and varied resources of cur county,
well merited the success with which
their work has been crowned. We
cast no reflections upon their prede
cessors in making the observation that
a very important element in this sue
cess, was the untiring zeal of VIM. III.
| Terpening, president, and j l.. Moody,
secretary, in the performance of the
duties devolying upon them, being
ably seconded by the other officers of
the association.
The need of Improvements upon the
Fair Grounds was recognized and met
/ nv tho aractian of on am pbit baatr a
with seating capacity of about four
hundred, judges stand, and addi-
tiOnal stabling including twenty am
pie box stalls, together with other
minor changes, at an aggregate cost
of nearly seven hundred dollars.
Recognizing the fact that people
who visit exhibitions of this character
are constantly demanding new attrac-
tious, the society added two depart
ments for the Fair of '94-education
and racing; though widely differing in
their tendencies, each of these depart
ments possess features, which, COM
bined with others, help to swell the
throng of visitors.
The weather during the Fair was all
that could possibly have been desired,
and the attendance at this exhibition
was greater than at any previous dis
play in the history of the society. We
understand that the number of en-
tries in most departments exceeded
that of former years, though we OBJ
served that the display of merchants
and manufacturers stock was not so
great as heretofore. The display OF
grain and vegetables has never been
equalled in this county, the grain
weighing more to the bushel than
ever before, and the vegetables being
larger and better; the variety of fruit
displayed, however, was not so great
as in former years, though eXcelling
in quality. The display in the de-
partments including plain and fancy
needle-work, canned fruits, cookery,
etc, was highly oroditdDle, ana lndi-
Gated willingness on the part of the
ladies TO do their part toward the
exhibition. The art department
contained number of collections of
paintings, drawings and sketches,
which showed excellent skill and
training, while the student Of natural
history here found a rare collection of
pressed flowers. All who feel an in
| terest in the work Of our public
schools were pleased with the exhibit
in the educational department for
which much credit is due Co. Supt. j.
L. Shaw, who manifested commenda-
BILE zeal in making this display worthy
of the cause which it represents. Ad-
| mirers of improved stock found in the
display of horses, cattle, sheep and
swine, many fine specimens, while
bird fanciers found enjoyment in gaz-
ing upon the superior collection of
poultry.
IN his opening address Presiden Mt
Terpening gave brief history of the
organization of the society, its trials,
and success, incidentally suggesting
the causes which led to it's formation.
| Z. w. Helms of Hudson, in his adj
dress on Wednesday, congratulated
the farmers of Pierce county upon
their prosperity, as evidenced by what
he had seen at the Fair, advised them
to diversity their products rather than
attempt to compete with the great
wheat growers of the broad prairies,
and counseled the young people to
remain upon the farm instead of per-
hitting themselves to be allured to
the city to seek what is seemingly an
easier way TO make living and
more contented life. His advice was
good but doubtless some of the boys
and girls who listened to it wondered
why it was that the estimable gentle
man who so freely gave it did not
himself rem ain on the farm
Hon. j. J. Jenkins of Chippewa
Falls made speech in which he took
occasion to say that farming was not
favorable to health as applied to him
self, and so he sought the allurements
of city life, and then proceeded to
give his hearers a few pointers upon
the science of good government, adj
vising that farmers provide them
selves with higher Intelligence that
they may the more effectdally WELD
the ballot in the interest of purer
and better administration of govern
mental affairs. Though not in any
sense partisan, his address contained
ideas on the line of political economy
which il would be well for voters to
heed.
While the ACCESSIBILITY of making
horse racing a permanent and regular
feature of the Fair has all along been
questioned by many, the present man
agement decided that it was the thipg
to do, and acted accordingly, arguing
that racing as an attraction would
largely increase the receipts of the
association, and thus keep its finances
in better condition, without detract-
ing i'm the least from the display in
the other departments. Many farm
ers enjoy an agricultural hOrse-trot'
as well as their nelghbors do sight Of
big pumpkins and s1uashes, ana all
things considered we are inclined TO
the belief that the officers are justified