Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-10-19
Annual Fair and Race Track.

A movement is on foot among our en-
terprising and wide awake citizens that
carried out to a successful conclusion
will secure TO WatertoWn a first class
Annual Fair. The subject has been up
for discussion and spasmOdic action time
after time, but nothing tangible resulted.
But now, judging from the character
and business standing Of the gentlemen
having the matter in charge, there is
fair prospect Of something really being
done. At a preliminary meeting a com
mlttee on organization was appointed,
consisting Of Alderman II. Wertheimer.
DR.. A. II. HartWig, c. A. Vaughn, Joseph
+. Davies and Carl ManZ At the severa!
county fairs held in this and neighbor-
ing counties, horse racing has proved
not only drawing card but in several
instances has proved a saving ordinance
from a financial standpoint. A knowledge
OF this fact has undoubtedly had its in
fluence in inducing cur WatertOwn
people to set about getting an annual
far OF the1rs own, not only as a means
OF recreation, but also as an attraction
that will bring trade and profit to our
city as a whole. Although net c0nyerSant
with the ways and means adopted or
favored by the committee as likely to
bring about what is wanted, we surmise
that their efforts will take the f0rRl Of
a Fair Association legally organized
under the laws of the state with Il
suitable capital based on stock subscrip
ti0ns. Here is where the real work and
powers Of ptrsuasion will find ample
scope. II the men Of ample means will
take hold and assist the committee to
the extent Of a fair subscription. the
fair is assured, The amount actually
required to purchase a site and properly
fit it up is as yet a matter of individual
conjecture. But one thing is sure, if the
business men of our city. we mean those
who can well afford to, take hold Of the
enterprise seriously. we will have fair
that will be q credit to any state or city
and properly managed. it will become a
source Of immense profit to the manage
ment directly, but still greater indirect
ly to every branch Of trade by increasing
the demand all along the various lines.
70 illustrate, a moderate daily attend
ance Of say 1000 people for a three DAYS
annual fair would aggregate 1900
Now Of the people who attend the fair
the daily expenses will range from $1.50
to So per day distributed among our
hotels, boarding houses, saloons. groceries
and III a greater degree among our
merchants.
The special committee mentioned
above met Wednesday evening, at the
office of DR.. A. Fl. Hartwig fer consulta-
ti0n and report. The committee report
that a canvass of the business men Of
, the city has developed the fact that the
real purpose of the proposed organization
is not correctly understood The object
of the association includes the holding
| of an annual fair as well as the main
tenance Of a racing track. A resolution
was adopted requesting the Mayor to call
a Mass meeting Of our citizens i'll Cen
cordia hall at an early date at which
the matter can be discussed at length.
The sentiment expressed before the
committee was favorable. Speeches
were made by DR.. Whyte, HI. Strauss,
Edward L. Schenpf, Joseph Davies, and
DR.. A. H. Hartwig, at which it was una
mously agreed that something must be
/ done to attract business to-0ur city.