The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-12-18
To the Merchants, Farmers and En-
terprtsing Citizens.

1t is a well-known fact to all that
our annual Fair has been on the de-
cline forseveral years, thoughlOath to
admit it. the cause has been apparent
to all, viz: The location of the grounds:
a poorer spot for the purpose could
not be found. First, on account of
water. Second, their great distance
fromthe city. and third. the topography
of the ground is such as to prevent a
view of what is being done during the
Fair, and asto beautifying and render
ing them attractive is wholly beyond
our limited means.
The steady decline Of the Fair and
the cause thereof being self-eyident,
the new Board of Directors have re-
solved to make last grand effort to
redeem it and place it on a permanent.
prosperous footing by changing the
location to some suitable place within
the city where the county roads con-
verge and water is plenty.
To that end the Board has appoint
ed two special committees, one con-
sisting of Louis Houck. Alexander
Ross and VIM. G. Snider to select a
suitable site, to lease the same, make
estimates for the removal of the build
ings, fencing, beatifying, ETC., and the
other consisting of VIM. Paar, Geo.
Siemers and Will Warren, who will
make a close canvass of our property
owners, farmers, merchants, etc., and
ascertain in definite way how much
money each one is willing to donate
towards the removal of the Fair
grounds to the city.
Now, this is no visionary scheme.
The Directors are firmly resolved to
do their part in this removal and reno
vation of the District Fair provided
they receive that substantial support
necessary to make it success. 1t is
the peoples enterprise, tits your Fair,
not ours. The board has no interest
In this matter Reyond that of citizens:
they may own some stock, but what is
that stock worth? not a penny, for it
has not yet yielded one cent in divi-
dends. The money was not invested
for direct prsfit but toencourage our
people to False fine stock, good crops
and encourage skill and industry: by
setting apal tone week of each year for
a social reunion of our people, and
give them a chance to compare the
progress each had made in their re-
spective lines, thereby learning how to
labor and improve their
lots in life.
The Board of Directors are willing
once more to devote their time and
business experience, and that without
one cent of pay or remuneration, to
renovate and re-establish your Fair,
and place it on a firm footing within
the city limits where the young and
old can attend without risk or cost of
To do this it will require some
We have only $50 in the |
treasury and would like to have the |
new grounds ready fornext fall. Will
you help us do it? Consider this mat
ter in business way and make up
eack for himself the amount he will |
give so as to be ready when the COM
nittee calls on you.
If we receive the proper encourage
nent from the business men the work |
will be started at once, ground leased. !
such of the old buildings as are worth |
moving will be moved, a race course
graded, trees planted, water provided,
walks graveled, ETC., and in due time
he old ground will be sold to help
pay for the improvements.
Fairs, like everything else are pro-
yressive, andwe mustbe up and doing,
DR. laggard like, we will be swamped
and our beautiful little city and
'ich, prosperous.coun-y relegated to a
back seat in this fast progressive
,ge. THE COMMITTEE.