The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-09-15
CLOSED EIGHT.
Mayor Currier Calls Down Some
Fakirs.
Heated Conferences Between Fair AS.
ISOLATION Officers and Directing
Citizens.

conference dG Guo q. L. S1SO OAAA1AnS'
at which the matter Of regulating the
fakirs was talked over. 1t was agreed
that if two of the tent shows would
eliminate the outchie coutchie and mid
way features. to which large number
of good people had objected, and If the
wheel-of- fortune men would contine
their operations to 25-cent limit and
give something every time the wheel
ran around. they would not be closed up.
Chief Bruels learned this morning
that the two tent shows and six of the
wheel-of-fortune men had not lived up
to their agreement and he closed them
up at HOO a. m. This caused stir
among the street fair officials, who
saw some of their much needed receipts
wiped out.
Mayor Currier became tired Of listen
ing to people who objected to too
wide open policy on the one hand and
to the street fair people and fakirs on
the other hand, and invited both sides
to a conference at his Office at two
O'Clock this afternoon. There were
present from the fair association
President Hart, Vice President Wood.
Secretary Curryer and Treasurer
Schmidt and Geo. P, Hoerr, and from
the disappearing citizens Revs. Beattie
and Works, Geo. E. Brett, j. H. Ray
and J R. Brandrup, Messrs Mackey
and Sinclair, proprietors of the tent
shows, were also on hand. A good
deal of warmth was displayed on the
part of the fair officers and fakirs.
Mr. Hart said that only what other
cities have is wanted.
Mayor Currier stated that he did not
care to go to an entertainment that he
could not take his wife and daughter
to-. .---- ,..
DR.. Curryer replied that there
were few men present who had not
gone to the Midway at the Worlds
Fair without taking their wives.
Mr.. Curryer said that if the fakirs
had gone beyond what was agreed they
should be closed. 49,
Rev. Beattie said that this was all
that was asked.
Mr.. Curryer said that he did not
want hearsay evidence. Rev. Beattie
had refused to go into the tent to see
for himself. Mr.. Curryer had gone in
and found it not as bad as represented.
Mr.. Mackey said that he had not
come under false representations, but
his show was just as he had told DR..
Wood that it would be.
DR.. Wood said that this was true.
Mayor Currier said that if the outchie
coutchie and midway dances were eli
minated the objection of. the public
would be removed.
Mr.. Mackey said that it would also
remove the receipts. 1t was regret.
able fact that mankind in general is
looking for something they don't see
every day.
Rev. Works asked whether that ele-
ment had to be cetered to in preference
to the best people.
Mr.. Beattie thought the fakirs had
stepped over the resolution of the coun-
Gil.
Mr., Hart denied that there was a
resolution.
Mr.. Beattie said that if there was not
he would withdraw all objection, and
would ask the mayor to enforce the law
if the state law or city ordinance was
being violated. He thought that the
fair association had been deceived by
the fakirs.
Mr.. Hart said that the association
would come out behind unless the
fakirs' fees were received.
Mr.. Beattie said that the city cannot
afford. to have such immoral shows that
there is general public criticism. The
association should aid the mayor. in
suppressing wrongful features. He
would run the wheels so that some-
thing is gotten back.
Rev. Works: what is the differ
ence in principle by this arrangement"
Mr.. Hart: 1T satisfies a few
fanatics.
Mr.. Beattie: cit reduces the evil.
Dr. Wood: IF man comes to town
with money to lose, it don't make any
di ference how he loses it."
Mr.. Schmitt objected to Mr.. Beattie
trying to run the fair and the city.
Mr.. hoerr said that if the fair was to
be made camp meeting he would re-
sign.
Secretary Curryer said that the Off
GERS had requested him to tender their
designations and to offer to turn over
the receipts thus far to Rev. Beattie
and let him run the fair from now on.
Mr.. Beattie: 81 don't covet that"
Mayor Currier stated his position
that if the fair would enhance the repu-
tation of the city it would be a good
thing. There was much comment at
certain things about the last fair, and
last spring it was understood that there
wAre to be no Objectionable features to