Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-09-30
THE STATE FAIR.
Attractions Excellent but At
tendance Light. ~
Old Board Of Officers Re-elected-Jookey
Clubs Release.

fair has never been excelled, but from
financial view it was disappointing. The
attendance has not been so light for
great many years. Bicycle races are
the feature for today, and as Modern
America IS all awheel perhaps the turn
stiles viii make a better showing.
The First Day.
On Monday, September p, the first
day of the fair, the weather was beau
tiful, the entries were complete and more
numerous than ever before, and the fair
began under the most suspicious clrcum-
stances. AS to the attractions, an idea
may be gained from the statement that
III the iige stock department asOne, ex-
elusive of the kennel show and poultry
department the entries numbered 223O.
This ratio kept up in other departments
and not foot of exhibition space re-
NAMED under the roof by noon.
4 t0EC of the grounds Occasloned con-
siderable surprise when compared with
first days of previous years The
grounds are now considered to be almost
perfect Several miles of water main
have been laid, leading to every part OF
the grounds, the walks have been ex-
tended and greatly improved, the race
track was in perfect condition and the
buildings themselves have been enlarged
or otherwise improved.
The kennel show proved to be one of
the best attractions on the grounds.
About :50(ESine dogs were to be seen in
that deoarFment, q large number Of them
being famous animals from Eastern and
foreign bench shows. The judge was
Mai. j. 81. Taylor of New York, who
has rational reputation.
Always great, the livestock show this
year surprised everybody and far eclipSed
all former efforts in this direction. All
the space In every barn and shed was
engaged and several additional sheds
had to be put up to accommodate the
overflow. The exhibits in show horses
is a l.0table one ard there were some
beauties ia the Clydesdales. Gutenberg
coach horses. French draft, Percherons,
the Pabst stables Of famous draft horses
ana many others.
The cattle formed fine and interest
ing exhibit. showing G67 fine bred ami
mails OF all kinds, including the follow
ing Short horns. 80 entries; Herfords,
ST.: Aberdeen Angus, 50; red poiled, is;
H0lsteia-i'gesian, 50; GuernSeyS, 123:
Jerseys 81; Brown Swiss, 81; AIRY
shire, {S.
In the sheep pens were where the
farmers aad lovers Of sheep were found,
and tbs universal verdict was that the
''sheep show" this year is a bigger thing
than eyer dreamed Of by any student of
the lexicon of sheep. In the sheep pens
were found 551 representative specimens
which were divided among the various
kinds IA the following ratio: Merino,
cester, 50; Suffolk and HAMPSHIRE
downs, 81; Oxforddowns, 81; Dorset
horn, s.; TuDis, 30.
Once IN the extensive swine depart
ment. the average visitor hesitated be-
<Eyeen a desire to get out and that to re-
main aud see the representative porkers.
Those who stuck it out found there We're
4 total Of 7tiS leaders in their respective
classes, which are divided as follows:
Poland China, 1873 entries Berkshire,
I
Duroc Jerseys, 143; Essex, Small York
shire aad Cheshires, 129.
TO give even a faint idea Of the gen
eral magnitude OF the state fair this
year. i wifi be necessary to take in and
dwell upon the merits Of, but one of the
important buildings each day. Every
inch OF space allotted TO the exhibit of
WISCONSIN fruits was occupied by noon
today, and such old-time exhibitors as
A. j Phillips, secretary of the NlScOn-
sin horticultural society, declared it to
be By az ODDS the greatest fruit exhibit
he had eyer seen at state or any other
fair "a Wisconsin.
IN grapes-aH by Wisconsin producers
there are IS to 100 varieties, and each
were largely represented; the pears are
represented by 40 or 50 varieties: plums,
20 varieties: crabapples, 80 to 40, and at
noon the superintendent reported that
he had bought 5000 plates for apples,
grapes and pears and every plate was
in use.
The vegetable show outranked any
thing ever seen in Wisconsin.
In the Art Hall.
The Art hall was a point of interest
for many hundreds, and the universal
opinion was that the exhibits in pic
lures, china decorative work and fancy
neediework was far superior IN quality
and quautity to anything IN past years.
SuDt Heitnstreet declared that the class
OF articles exhibited is far superior this
year 70 any heretofore, and he gives
It as his opinion, based on the experience
OF years. that the art hall is far be-
yond anything Of the kind ever attempt
ed. The Judges, who are all experienced
II the business and who are from other
states, are of the opinion that the ex-
lihit could not be better
The ladies in charge Of the dairy eX-
hibits stated that the present was the
ra0sl complete and perfect showing in
llltter and cheese ever made at Wis
c0ns,n fair, and that the exhibits are a
most excellent index to the extent and
Importance of this feature of Wisconsin's
products. Every available space was
occupied and the arrangement of the eX-
libits seems to be perfect.
The Second Day.
The second day, Tuesday, September
% was given over to children. Fully
10000 Of the expectant youths managed
free The attendance of adults was
Tnuci, smaller than was expected.
The third day, which was state day,
was also disappointing as to attendance
and tue conclusion forced itself upon the
directors that even Il state fair is not to
be exempted from suffering in common
with ali other enterprises during Il pc
Rod Of depression.
Thursday, the fourth day, was Milwau-
kee d3y and the people Of the metropolis
turned out In fairly large numbers,
though nof so we'll as in former years.
There was much life on the grounds and
on the whole it was very satisfactory
day.
1t rained Thursday night, leaving the
grounds not covered with walks III
wretehed condition on Friday. The
track was heavy, too, and all the races
had to be abandoned. AS might be ex-
pected the attendance was pretty small
AS to finances, Treasurer Doyon said at
noon: Our financial showing this year
as far as attendance is concerned, will
indicate good deal Of Il falling off, and