The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-09-27
THE BANCROFT FAIR.
Ninth Annual Exhibition in Progress


The Bancroft Fair Association held its
ninth annual fair ON Tuesday Friday of this
week and the result is very satisfactory to
the stockholders. Up to Wednesday noon
an exceedingly large number of exhibits.
The grounds are well arranged for the ex-
hibition, although the race track Is in poor
condition and would prevent any fast time
being made.
No department was without exhibits, but
the fancy work and the vegetables were
more numerous than others.
The floral hall, which is located near the
main gate and is well lighted and arranged
for display, was well worth couple of
hours time and was crowded during the last
three days. Shelley g. Parsons were allotted
a small space in which to show stoves, while
T. M. Euler also had them on exhibition.
These are enterprising dealers and do a
good business.
w. K. Watson 81 Brother, general mer-
chants, progressive and hustling dealers, ar
|
their store were shown. making them the
subject of much favorable comment, the
crockery exhibit being. most excellent.
r. Sherman & Son took from their big
stock few of the good things and neatly
displayed them.
Q. X. Hutchins, of Perry, exhibited pastel
work, and M. Daley of Byron, an exceed
ingly fine enlarged picture Of Miss May
Whelan.
A very large collection of plants and
flowers had been arranged in the form of
pyramid in the center of the hall and
booth of geraniums, palms and vines showed
the taste of the ladies of the vicinity. Mrs.
E. M. Shelley was one of the principal
exhibitors in this class. In fancy work the
articles were some of the finest ever shown
in the county and included everything from
the smallest pin cushion to the largest
spread. A collection of fancy pillows was
noticeable. Mrs. e. A. Cross, of Durand,
had 80 entries representing every class of
needle and fancy work. Mrs. e. M. Shelley,
Mrs. G. E. Godfrey and Mrs. j. G. Sim
mons were among the larger exhibitors and
they are artists in the work. May Whelan
exhibited few pieces and the work was
among the most difficult and well done.
Mrs. j. Morris brought number of articles
to show her skill in the line of work, while
Mrs. o. A. Lamson had so entries and it
would seem that it would take almost year
to make some of the things. Mrs. Frank
Strauch not only makes fancy work that
would do credit to the most trained profess
sional, but as housewife she excels, this
being shown by the cans of luscious looking
fruits. Mrs. Baldwin, one of the Oldest
ladies in the neighborhood, exhibited car
pets, rugs, knit work, and needle work of
| various kinds. Her collection should GER
tainly be the pride of her family. Mrs. w.
| III. Payne exhibited pickles that would give
any dyspeptic an appetite and cakes that
looked pretty tempting. Mrs. j. s. Lemon
has reputation as cook and constantly
she makes bread and cake that each time
one sees some oS it he thinks it looks little
better and makes him little more hungry
than before. Her articles are always prize
winners. Perry Brown brought fruit of
various kinds, but in quality all the same
the best. Richard Steele is an apple specialist
and his plates this year were just as large
and fine as ever. Mrs. Steele is an expert
as a cushion maker and her collection was
complete. The exhibition of paintings and
photos was good, in fact it was an exquisite
collection, and included all kinds Of art
Some of the very best known paintings
were most perfectly initiated, while many
original sketches and oil paintings showed
that the country people have time and the
inclination for al. the pleasures and finer
attachments.
Clark Whelan took a sample of what his
farm raises in the shape of 16 foot stalk of
corn, the ears on which were higher up than
the ordinary man can reach. Samples Of
grain and fruits from his farm showed that
in his many years in Shiawassee county he
has thoroughly learned the country and it
takes long drouth TO get the start of him.
Charles Shelp also exhibited grain.
In the vegetable show j. W. Hibbard and
B. o. Byam were the leaders. These men
are undoubtedly among the best judges of
soil in the state and their crops show the
results of their good judgment. Shiawassee
county people know of Mr.. Hibbard's sue
cess, and Mr.. Byam is fast gaining repu-
tation as potato grower. The latter's sue
cess In this line has been so great that he
has constantly added to his farm from the
profits of his potato growing. In corn he
had some elegant samples and in clover
seed and beans his show was A No. 1. e.
K. Figg had as usual the winning popcorn.
Two plates of peaches shown by viii Davis
would compare favorably with the best
grown in the peach belt A collection of
dried fruits attracted attention.
The cattle, sheep and swine exhibits were
hardly up to former years at Bancroft as
everywhere else. This is because the farm