The age-herald., 1899-08-08
FIVE SITES FOR
 THE STATE FAIR Committee Receives Numerous
 Offers of Land. SOLICITING THE PREMIUMS Secretary Rountree Has Sent Letter to Every Probate Judge in the
 State Asking for
 County Exhibit
SOLICITING THE PREMIUMS

Five sites for the state fair grounds nave already been offered to the Alabama State Fair and Agricultural association, and the officers now have each of them under con sideration. They are, the Smith Driving park at Eighth street; the old fair grounds, four miles down the Bessemer dummy line; the "Walker place" at Woodlawn, offered by the Walker Land company; large piece of land by Major Miner on the Louisville and Nashville railroad near the Vanderbilt furnace and also near the traction com panys line, and a tract by the King Land company in East Birmingham All of these properties and others that may come in, will be duly considered.
 The association has obtained it's charter, and the books of subscription are now open in Secretary Rountrees office.
 Today a special committee will call on various citizens in Birmingham to see what they will offer in the way of special prem iums and prizes.
 This afternoon committee will go to Montgomery to see Governor Johnston in regard to getting at appropriation from the state The committee feel very hopeful of success
 President c. McCafferty of the Alabama Pet Stock and Poultry association has in formed Secretary Rountree that he thinks the directors of that organization are heart fly in favor of changing the date of their annual exhibition next fall from December, in which month it has already been fixed, to November, during the fair. The eXhibi- ton will of course take place on the fair grounds, and will doubtless prove great attraction.
 The County Exhibits
 Last but by no means least important are the letters which Secretary Rountree is sending out to every one of the siAty-six probate judges in the state They are for the purpose of working up interest in the country exhibits, which it is proposed shall be the feature of the fair. The following is a copy of the letter, and it is self-expla- natory:
 "The Alabama State Fair and Agri- cultural association has been organized for the purpose of re-estabishing a state fair in Birmingham annually. The first annual fair will be held in this city from November ' to the F, inclusive. The organization is now com plete. A comprehensive premium list is in course of preparation, and the work Is fully under way for a successful and attractive display of the states re- sources.
 "The fair has been undertaken with the distinct nderstanding that the whole effort to be made will look to the betterment of the educational, indus trial and agricultural interests of the commonwealth. The fair, in all it's ap- pointments, is intended to become an object lesson to our people, along the several lines herein named, and, at the same time, show to outsiders, and eS- pecially to homeseekers and investors, our possibilities, the value of our re- sources, and the profitable opportuni- ties offered in this state
 "I am instructed by the management of the Alabama State Fair to invite you, as we'll as urgently request you, to take up the matter of having a fine exhibit of your agricultural, mineral and tim Der resources displayed at this great fair, which will be a splendid opportuni- ty to advertise your county to the world.
 '.I desire to state that the manage ment expects, after the fair is over, to request the different counties of the state to let that portion of their exhibit that is not perishable remain as a per- manent exhibit so that the year-round visitors and investors can view the products from each county in the state. T am also instructed by the manage ment of the fair to state that prize of $2OO in cash will be given to "the coun- ty making the largest and best display of products grown or produced by resi- dents of any county in Alabama; also, $100 for the second, and $50 for the third largest and best display"
 "Now, will you please take steps to- ward getting up a fine display from your county? Please appoint commit tee of your most enterprising farmers at onse and get them to work on the exhibit, and send me their addresses so that can send them premium lists and assist them in their work. Please inform me if We can depend upon you taking hold of this matter and getting an exhibit from your county'