The Topeka state journal., 1897-07-28
MAKE A PARK THERE.
What Might BE Done With the
Fairgrounds
Where Every thing is Now Going
to Rack and Ruin.
County Commissioners and Commit
tee of Fifteen Make Visit
to the Grounds.

fair grounds before the Fall Festival. The
old cattle barns which have been used as
a stable for sheep for several months
must be cleaned and Rex Kreipe, who had
the grounds under contract while the
sheep were there, must do the work or
the commissioners will proceed against
his bondsmen.
The old swine pens on the east side of
the grounds will be taken down and the
lumber used to add to the sanitary con-
veniences of the grounos. The old Rock
Island building has been sold and will be
moved away. The county commissioners
admit that the buildings are in bad condi-
ton but they say they are not worth re-
pairing.
The board of county commissioners,
composed of T. P. Rodgers, Scott Kelsey
and D. A. Williams, took ride in the pa
troll wagon. President Fellows and dell
egation from the Committee of Fifteen
accompanied them.
The cattle sheds were first visited. The
party found a party of men at work
there under the direction of sanitary
officer. The city board of health had
taken hold of the matter and ordered the
sanitary force to see that the place was
cleaned. 1t had become menace to the
health of the city.
'"This does look pretty bad" said COM
missioner Kelsey. 1T was perfectly un-
derstood that these grounds were to be
put in good shape as they were and we
will see whether that can not be done.''
President Fellows said that the barns
had been used for sleeping quarters DUR
ing the last Fall Festival. He said that
they were now useless for that purpose.
Mr.. Rodgers said that the board had
written Mr.. Kreipe a letter ordering him
to place the barns in good shape.
Commissioner Kelsey said: ST don't
know what the people were about when
they put up this building. 1t is put right
down on the ground and of course the
timbers will decay. I understand that this
building cost the county So, 600 and if it
had been built right it should have lasted
at least Is years. Now it is not worth re-
pairing"
S. S. McFadden said that the roof looked
like a pepper box.
Commissioner Williams said that was
the fault of the Committee of Fifteen.
People had climbed onto the roof last year
to see the sham battle and had torn off
the shingles.
From the cattle barns the delegation
was driven around on the east side of the
ground. The commissioners grumbled be-
cause the weeds had not been cut but
Mayor Fellows said that the man in
charge would attend to that at once.
When the party reached the sheds on
the east side of the grounds they found
that part of the buildings had been car
ried away
Commissioner Rodgers said that the
Committee of Fifteen might use as much
of the lumber in!the sheds as they wished
because it was being carried away any
how. lae
1t was reported that the grand stand
fe ho CSi0
the members of the Committee of Fifteen
stopped there a few minutes. The stand
was not inspected closely but the founda-
ton appeared to be in good condition. It
will be examined by expert. Mr..
Greenwa1d said the roof looked like a
seive. 1t was cut full of holes by the hail
storm.
Commissioner Kelsey said that there is
but one building on the ground worth re-
pairing and that is Agricultural hall. 1t
was built on a foundation.
Mayor Fellows again suggested that the
board make an appropriation to fix up
the grounds.
1--WE have no money" said Commission
er Kelsey.
Secretary Swayze suggested that money
has been spent on the grounds before but
the commissioners were obdurate and the
Fall Festival will be held this year with-
made the grounds. The county COM
missioners spent $3.50 on the fair grounds
last year and this year they have not ex-
pended a cent. They would like to rid
themselves of the burden entirely.
Some provisional arrangement should
be made by which the fair grounds could
be turned into park for the use of the
people of the city and county. Most of
the rickety old buildings should be torn
down and the lumber used for a taberna-
Gle with open sides suitable for summer
meetings. Trees should be planted in
groups all over the grounds and event.
ually an artificial lake constructed. The
race track could be kept intact. The city
could afford to make these improvements
gradually provided the county guaranteed
that the grounds should always remain
a park. This is a good question to study
over.
HEpEsG AN nv AMpTE