Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-09-07
A ROUSING FAIR.
One of the Best in the History of
the Society.
A Line Of Attractions That Will Not be
Excelled in Northern Iowa.
Brief Sketch of the Races
Attractions etc.


Sec'y. Ben Bear might we'll have been
termed the busiest men in the county
for the past few weeks. To say that
they have hustled does not express it.
They had determined to make the fair
this year success if possible and they
have strained every energy to accom-
plish this purpose. Several of our
young business men have greatly aided
them and are also deserving of praise.
The gloomy day Tuesday caused
many to fear that the i'll luck of former
years had come again and that rain
would keep the people from attending.
The heavy rain of Tuesday night doubt
less kept many away, but otherwise
the weather was pleasant.
The different departments were fairly
well filled. Excellent swine exhibits
were brought by Geo: Tyler, H. Logs
den, j. l.. johnson, of Washington
Prairie, and O'Brien Bros, of WaukOn,
and sheep were shown by VIM. MOllie,
J. S. Thomas, H. Headington and E.
Overacker. The cattle exhibits were
small but contained Will Leach's jer-
seys and H. Logsden's short horns.
Agricultural hall was filled with good
displays of potatoes by E. Brakeman,
flowers by Symonds, the florist, and
vegetables by Schmidt, of Ossian,
Tillinghast, Of Pleasant and Tyler of
Decorah. Floral Hall contained beau
tiful exhibits in fancy work, paintings,
musical instruments, dry goods, groc-
cries, shoes, flowers, photography, ETC.,
by l.. A. Marsh, Ben Bear, Miss Susie
Marsh, Miss Gjermo, Miss Hicks, Miss
Beard, Mrs. w. HI. Jaeger, o Solberg,
b. J. Reynolds, c. N. Goddard, HI. H.
Caldwell, Marsh Music House, X. l.
Haugen and others. Many dainty
things which we are unable to particu-
larize attracted the eyes of sight seers.
On Tuesday afternoon besides the
races was base ball game between
Calmar and Ft. Atkinson, resulting in
a victory for Calmar by the score of11
too. The game was an exciting one,
and no one could tell during any part
of the game which side would be vic
tOriOus
One of the heaviest rains of the year
fell on Tuesday night, and many were
doubtless detained from coming to the
fair on that account. However the sun
came out Wednesday morning and the
attendance was large, the day being
one of the best ever held on fair
ground in northeastern Iowa. Filled
full of excellent attractions from the
beginning of the races until sundOwn,
it was day of pleasure and satisfaction
to all who attended. The special train
on the Burlington arrived at about
1890 o'clock with a number of eXcur-
sionists and about noon the Dubuque
excursion arrived bringing with it be-
sides host of the Key City's most
prominent business men, the First
Regiment Band and the Dubuque and
st. Joe league ball teams. They were
met at the depot by the DecOrah City
Band and Retail Merchants Associa-
ton, who conducted them to the De-
cOrah Club rooms, in front of which an
address of welcome was made by
Mayor Daubney, followed by response
by Mayor It. Il. Duffy, of Dubuque.
After dinner the fair grounds rapidly
filed with people. The league ball
game between Dubuque and st. Joe
was the centre of attraction for large
crowd and resulted in score Of 10 to
4 in favor of st. Joe. Fontinelle &
Willis trapeze performance was good
and was enjoyed by q large number.
But chief among the attractions of the
day was the race between Thalberg
and Parson. The old campaigner and
his driver, c. e. Bates, were greeted
with cheers when they appeared, and
the race was won by Thalberg in
straight heats, the time being 2:26g,
2:24 and 2:24l. After the finish of the
race Prof. H. l.. Coffeen, in behalf of
some of the resident admirers of Mr..
Bates and Thalberg, presented Mr..
Bates with purse of 500, and hand
some wreath was placed about Thai
berg's neck. The scene was very
touching one and brought tears to
many an eye.
The balloonist attempted to make an
ascension but was only lifted about 500
feet, when the balloon collapsed and
he was compelled to cut away. He
came down on the base ball diamond
and barely escaped falling into buggy
occupied by Geo. Groves. One of the
diving horses made very pretty dive
after six o'clock, which was witnessed
by large crowd who had waited for
the tank to be filled.
On Thursday the lsrgest crowd that