The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-05-01
The Proposed County Fair.


Messrs. H. H. Hill, Wyatt Aiken and Fraser
Lyon called on a number Of our citizens last
Monday in the interest of the proposed Conn
ty Fair to be held at Abbeville next Fall, and
we believe they met with encouragement 10
the amount OF 81 100.
That an occasional County Fair Is interest
ing and profitable no one need deny.
Similar movements in other counties OF the
State may have been inspired by the pros
poets Of Charleston's Big Indian Show. II
Charleston's influence Is so great we do not
see how this or any other county can fail IN
having County Fair which should show OF
our resources, or furnish proof Of our lack oi
resources, to the best possible advantage.
Remembering the efforts which Abbeville
made many years ago to establish perma'
nent County Fair, and not forgetting the his
tory and the result of that effort, it might be
we'll to avoid the errors into which that en-
terprise fell.
We subscribed money bought land; built
e house; mortgaged that house and land
proceeded with the show; good time was
had the gate fees were largely consumed In
expenses and In the purchase Of premiums on
exhibits; ten per cent. dividend was paid on
the stock one year; we were all happy later
the stockholders were let down easy; they
were given free entrance at the gates Of an
other show on the presentation Of their stock
q little later the Fair was busted; the good
healthy mortgage held the property in the
death grip; and when that mortgage wa fore
closed the history Of that enterprise as fin.
ished. And the mourners. for the mon ey that
was lost, went about the streets.
We would, as q practical solution of the
matter. suggest:
!. That as Charlestons Big India n Show
will be held on leased land, that he Able
VILE County Fair be held on land similarly
secured.
2. That. If the Abbeville County Fair is
Indian Show, that we walt until next year,
when we can apply to the Legislature for
State aid. The Legislature having appro-
priated $4,000 for Charleston's Show, that
body ought TO give Abbeville at least $l5,0Oc
for her show.
8. Remembering the fate Of the ''old fair
grounds" enterprise 1t occurs to US that 1t Is
not we'll, under any circumstances, TO mort
gage the property for either the purchase
money, or for money for any other purpose.
4 II the need be urgent, and we must have
the Fair in time to send to Charleston some
Of our leaky canteens and our rusty swords
and our outof-date guns in time for the In
dian Show, then 1t might be we'll to send a
committee Of our citizens down to Charleston
to seek aid. Charleston would surely help us
with the Fair, even as she so generously help.
ed us with the Cumberland Gap Railroad and
the Abbeville Cotton Mill. Charleston is
rich, and her people part with their money
with lavish hand when they approve the In
vestment. We feel quite sure that at least an
element in Charleston already favors the
Indian Show. AS soon as the News and Cou.
rier can be induced to come out squarely and
forcefully in the interest Of that enterprise
Charleston's Show may be considered sue.
cess.
But we are talking at random. Let the peo-
pie from the country respond to the call Of
the committee, and assemble in the Court
House next Sale Day. Abbeville stands ready
10 do her part, and II the people who live out
side the town desire to have the Fair, the en-
terprise will boom. II has been long time
since we had q real old fashioned County
Fair, and this may be the proper time to have
1t. We know Of no better time. Speak ont,
gentlemen. Abbeville will do her whole
duty. What will you do?