Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1899-09-27
1T WAS A GREAT BIG SHOW
THE COUNTY FAIR A CREDIT FROM Tor
TO BOTTOM.

THE COUNTY FAIR A CREDIT FROM to-
TO BOTTOM.
The Crowd of Thursday was Larger Than on an,
Former Occasion The Exhibits Better and Nor
Numerous The Finances Thought to be in Goo,
Condition The Ball Tournament a 'Howling'
Success.
The county fair is e for 1899. i
was a great fair. Indeed the greatesti il
the history of the society, talking all
things into consideration. The exhibit,
were the largest in all departments and
the crowds greater than at any Other
meeting of the society. Wednesday. Of
course, is never alarge day, but. still two
to three thousand people were on the
ground Thursday was the record break,
er. A conservative estimate placed the
crowd at v thousand people. nh
gate receipts were considerably in a al
vance OF any days record of fairs. Dur.
ing the early hours of Friday morning
there were heavy showers, and the dav
opened gloomy enough to blast the fond
hopes OF falr officers and every citizen
who had the welfare of the society and
town at heart. Fortunately no rain fell
during the day, but the weather was
chilly and anything but agreeable. but
the fair Went on just the same, and in a
measure was successful. The crowd
was OF just about the dimensions of that
OF wednesday, whereas it would certain
" have equaled that of Thursday under
the same weather conditions. Tt is
seldom Viroqua has an opportunity of
entertaining so many people, and especi-
ally strangers, as were with us last week.
La Crosse, Sparta, Soldiers Grove, Viola.
La Fargo, Ontario, Hillsboro, Cashton
Westby, DeSoto, and in fact all our
surrounding neighbors used us hand
somely in their attendance, for all of
winch we as a people and society are
truly grateful. Many people were here
VINO have never before visited this
city. 1t has done both they and us good.
They have a better opinion of Virooua
ana the beautiful surrounding country.
The talr was an educator from all points
OF view. Nothing has so tended to the
improvement of u stock in the past ten
years as the coming together at the an
nual fairs and taking note of the differ
ent breeds. The great success of this
year will materially strengthen efforts
Tor next season, when the CENSOR pre-
diets there will be held a fair that will
eclipse all our contemporaries. The
total number of entries at the fair was
LAO, or some 300 to 400 greater than any
previous year.
THE BEAUTIES OF FLORAL HALL.
In handiwork and finery by the ladies
there was a great p~rofusion of all that
was inviting to the eye, and teaches us
that the gentle sex are up on the latest
artistic and domestic things in life, as
well as in hot pursuit after the almigh-
ty dollar. No finer display and better
arrangement has been seen there. Paint
lngs We're not as numerous as ON some
occasions, but fully up to standard in
richness. The display of flowers and
potted plants occupied a section through
the fancy department, giving the whole
north section of the building a scene of
beauty. There were crazy quilts, bed
blankets, home knitting, crochet work,
and a great variety of articles in the
domestic manufactures. Curiosities
and relics there were many. In this
line the large case exhibit of fine shells
from all owe the world, made by F. W.
Alexander, was simply exquisite. 1t is
a valuable collection of which any per-
son might feel proud.
The educational department fairly out
did all attempts in that direction. The
competition was sharp and came from
every section of the county. The entries
81. The race for Supt. Gard
ner's special premium was an interest
ing One
FARM AND GARDEN PRODUCTS, ETC.
The farm and garden has never been
better represented than this year. In
wheat, corn, oats, root crops seeds. and
in fact every branch of the farm there
was a great varietyand of a character
attract especial attention of every
who entered the fair house. The
exhibits were well arranged. The great
collection from the asylum farm added
much to this line of exhibits. This of
course did not enter into competition for
There were 204 entries here.
In green fruits the display was of a
creditable character, although not quite
as extensive as some years. The variety
of canned fruits, pickles, jellies, and
other articles in this department was
large and skillfully arranged to make a
fine showing. The pastry corner was
one to tempt the modern Jack Horner,
embracing as it did the best culinary
skill of town and country.
STOCK DEPARTMENT.
If there is one branch of Vernon coun-
ty farming, that has advanced more
rapidly than another during the past
half-dozen years it is the improvement
of stock. This was well demonstrated
at the fair, the largest and best exhibit
ever seen on the grounds being shown,
excepting perhaps horses. Almost every
breed of pedigreed and grades were on
hand, necessitating many new stalls and
pens. OF cattle there were AZ stalls and
pens, containing 1873 animals; horses, 80
stalls and 81 animals; sheep. As pens and
f32 animals; hogs, sc animals in Ri pens.
The quality and number shown ia these
classes drew the special attention Of all
visitors. 1t was a show for blood and
the premiums were liberal.
POULTRY.
Here the competition was not quite up
to it's former sizzling point, yet it was
sufficient to make an interesting and
creditable show. The entries numbered
90. The regular breeds and the game
fowls were there.
THE RACING.
A fair in this day and age without
horse racing, and at lightning speed, is
considered to be one of the slowest and
out-of-date things on earth. In fact,
right or wrong, the racing now draws
the crowds that makes fairs a success,
Vernon county society has a rising repu-
tation for doing the fair thing in this
respect, and horsemen come here be-
cause they receive fair treatment, have
good barn and track accommodations.
None of the race meetings in this section
have had a large field of feet animals on
hand, and we were in great luck to at
tract twenty-five horses. 1t was a fair
field, and if good weather and track con-
ditions had prevailed the crowd would
have had the satisfaction of witnessing
a 2:15 pace on Friday. Bad as the con-
ditions were we were lucky to have a
heat taken in 2:34. DIR. Will Gorsline
had in two of the fastest races two
young mares that are the admiration OF
the turf. They are beauties in looks and
as mover Neither was yer in a race
till three weeks ago, and one now has a
mark of 2;194 and the other 2:214. The
track record was lowered by his ss'NuJ
call on Thursday to 2:194. Mr.. Il. A.
Warning of Sparta, was the starting
Judge at the races, and he gave general
satisfaction.
WEDNESDAY.
2:3O pace or trot. Purse s125.