The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-05

Nothing better illustrates the broad Sa-
gacfty of the early pioneers of Minnesota
than the fact that while the state it
self is not yet quite forty three years
been held. In fact, the fair organization
antedates the state having come into
existence during the life of the territory
forty-iVe years ago. In it's early his
tory the fair was occasionally omitted,
and consequently but foFty-one fairs
have been held in the forty-ffve years.
1t seems to be the characteristic of the
pioneer TO build for the future. He would
not be pioneer il he did possess some
element not common to the average man
lie would, rather, adhere to the aimless
life of the majority of the human race,
rather than take the chances of hard
ships and privations If he did not possess
characteristics beyond the ordinary And
so, without diSparaging the present gen
Grafton, but merely stating a fact, [ can
say OF the Minnesota pioneer that he was
more liberal minded, broader gauge, more
far-seeing, more unselfsh, more ready
TO build for those who were to come af-
ter him to enjoy the fruits of his labors,
than the population of the state today
That is why what is now the Minnesota
state fair was inaugurated when there
were not people enough within our bor-
derS to form a state.
fair. While generally meeting either in
ST. Paul or Minneapolis, 1t was home
less wanderer, without grounds, buildings
or money but with managers who, hav-
ing put their hands to the pillow, would
not look backward
Most of the present prominent towns
IN Southern Minnesota the only portion
OF the state then settled) have had the
honor of state fair. Of course. the ex-
10
the premiums were small and sometimes
unpaid, but amid all the Encouragement
the organization existed
The first state fair L ever attended i'll
MINNESOTA was held upon Gov. Ram
sey's farm, upon what is now prom
1nent part of st. Anthony hill residence
district. AS I recall it, it looks like a
very cherries affair and involved a walk
people did not ride in those days unless
they drove in from the country so long
that when the visitor arrived he wonder
ed why he had so little sense as to come
1t was not until the '70S that the state
falr began to assume some Semblance of
an actual existence. At that time
through the Hberality of the late N w
kittSon, lease of Kittsondale on Uni
Versity avenue, now a part of this city
was secured, and few buildings erected
which could be used two years in sue
sued the fair. The weather was uniform
ly bad. I recall one state fair week when
1T actually rained (poured) every day of
the, six That was at Kittsondale There
were no walks or roads constructed and
everybody foundered in mud and water
ankle deep. The races were called off.
and as in those days a man was allowed
to bet on horse race in Minnesota, you
can imagine that with no races interest,
in the fair was at low
To add to the vicissitudes the late VIM.
S. King, of Minneapolis, a man of more
energy and enterprise than grows in
these modern days, started a Hennepin
county fair, to be held at Minneapolis
and eclipse the state fair in ST. Paul
King located his fair near what is now
South Minneapolis, and the Milwaukee &
st. Paul road promptly put in a spur
track to carry the crowd as well as the
exhibits. At the state fair at ST. Paul
it was a two-mile walk or drive, though
finally, under the stimulus of competi-
ton, the Manitoba road ran a spur over
from Hamline to Kittsondale. But 1t
took nearly an hour to go by rail and
switch from the main track to the spur.
For number of years King did surpass
the state fair in every way but it was
the survival of the flttest, and in the en1
the organization. made by. the old
pioneers secured a clear field
During the fair war" between the
cities, Mr.. King secured Horace Greeley
to lecture as one of the attractions for
the Minneapolis fair. st. Paul stole
march on him by getting Greeley to de-
liver one of his general lectures in ST.
Paul before the library organization the
evening previous. The result was a cold
day for Greeley when he reached Mime
apolfs. If he had not been advertised,
they would have Cancelled the engage
ment. As 1t was he was allowed to
stroll about the grounds alone until time
for his lecture, when he mounted the
platform. AS soon as he had concluded
King took a roll of bills from his pocket
and throwing them into Greeleys hands
left him alone in his glory. Horace look
ed benevolently over his spectacles, but
the wind was icy that blew through the
Whiskers he wore on his throat I
walked about with him for a few min
utes, and, as no Minneapolitan seemed
to care for his society, l took a carriage
and drove with him to the Nicoilet
house, where 1 said good-by, with the
assurance that every one In St Paul was
delighted with his lecture the evening
previous
During the administration of President
Hayes, the president was secured, with
the other pumpkins, as an attraction for
the state fair at st. Paul ST. Paul OBJ
tanned him on the theory that ne would
be exclusive property. but, as soon as
he was advertised for ST. Paul, King
went to work with his usual vim, and
it was arranged that he would spend
half day at the state fair in St Paul
and half day at Kings fair in Mime
apolis, and he did. ST. Paul had forgot
ten that he was president of the United
states, which unfortunately according
to st. Paul sentiment at that time) in
GUIDED Minneapolis. The state fair got
10000 crowd with It's presidential at
traction, which was quite immense TWEEN