Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-09-14


farming and banking business in Hum
boldt county. The society has followed
a precedent for several years of adj
/ vancing officials much as lodges adj
vance them through the different
chairs. Mr.. johnson is in line, and his
efficiency will recommend him to the
society for the place. He was superin-
tendent of tickets during the fair just
ended.
The auditing committee of the fair
will meet here Monday to check up the
finances of the fair and to audit all of
the bills. The exact monetary status
of the exposition just ended will not
| be known until the close of that meet
ing. The officials say that the fair
expended about $4,000 and took in
about $4,000.
Nothing concerning the election of
new officers and the holding of the 1900
fair will be done until the annual meet
ing of the society. That is held in jan
uary of each year. The fact that the
! legislature meets in January, also lends
color to the claim that the friends of
the fair will ask that the society be
put on business basis with the state
behind it. Farmers refused to exhibit
at the agricultural hall this year be-
cause there were insufficient premiums.
| The premiums should be increased in
all DEPARTMENTS. The stock exhibits
were the best in the history of Iowa
fairs. but this was due to the fact that
herds were brought in from Illinois,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Missouri to
iswell the Iowa exhibit. Not to say that
Iowa does not have as good stockton
4 the best stock exhibited was Iowa
stock--but the small premiums kept
Iowa farms from making proper lay
out. while the farms Of other states
seeking the magnificent Iowa business
which Iowa farms have already built
up, made special efforts at the fair.
The premiums in all agricultural, class
es should be high enough to bring ey-
cry Iowa county to the fair.
Aside from the determination of Pres
ident Hartman to retire from the fair
management and the gossip concerning
the advancement Of Mr.. johnson to the
Irresponsible position Of president, little
lis heard regarding lie officers and the
fair of next year. 1t is being taken
for granted that Secretary Van Houten
of the Eighth district, will be reelected
secretary. Although it was his first
wear there was the utmost satisfaction
with his administration. However.
other names have been mentioned
Among them is Charles Cameron, OF
Alta. Buena Vista county, a director
and superintendent OF the speed de-
partment of the fair just ended and
which was conducted more satisfaction
lily than for years. He is active and u
hustler. Assistant Secretary Jno. Simp-
son, of Knoxville, Marion county, has
been mentioned. He had charge of the
entry department this year, and has
been connected with the office for sew
eral years. He knows the business to
a T. and would make fine officer. But
these matters will not be brought up
until next winter, when all situations
may have changed.
1 What will be done with the $4,000 or
| $4,000 surplus has not yet been made
the subject of speculation, The build
ings need paint badly. Gravel paved
drives and walks would add more to
the attractiveness and value OF the
Egrounds than any other thing that
fcould be procured with. the surplus.
1 It is probable that the management
will leave the money in the treasury
over against possible deficit next year.
A $4,000 appropriation by the state
Legislature for the fair is needed.
An amusing little story concerning
Governor Shaw is percolating through
| political circles. The Weaver-Shaw de-
bate on the Philippine war at Colfax
a few weeks ago was discussed by all
| the papers of the state. But despite
the fact that half dozen newspaper
men witnessed one incident of that day,
it has never appeared in print. 1t
4 seems that some admirer OF the gov
ernor edged his way through the crowd
and after standing about for a while
4 secured an introduction to the chief
executive. AS he clasped Leslie Ms
strong hand he spoke some word of
compliment in general terms and then
said: Governor, I have long noted
what seems to me a remarkable re-
semblance between you and Abe Lin
coin. I refer to your public utterances,
your conception of public duty and the
duty of citizenship and your idea OF
the serious business OF life. OF course,
Lincoln in his personal appearance aud
facial features was an ugly man, and
you are better looking than he was.
and then the gentleman stepped back
and studied the governors face for a
few seconds and concluded his COM
|pliment by doubtfully adding, still
not very much, either" Those who
stood about and listened failed to re-
strain their risibilities and have been
quietly retailing the joke ever since.
The gentleman's candor was refresh
ing, for the governor is not the most
handsome man in Iowa, but his per-
feet honesty and his evident intention,
to pay a heartfelt compliment excused
him.
4 Congressman j. A. T. Hull, Postmas-
ter Lewis Schooler and j. II. Windsor
have been appointed by the residents
of Des Moines as committee to secure
options on sites for the location of an
army post in that city. Congressman
Null says: "The post can be secured
for Des Moines. / am confident of this.
But Des Moines must offer induce
ments. The government requires site
free. 1t is possible that cavalry post
would be established. That would mean
big market for Des MONIES and Iowa