The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
NEGRO INTER-C0UNTY FAIR.

in response to n cordial invitation from
T. J. Goldwire. president OF the Negro
Intercounty Fair Association. I paid
nyfrg visit to the second annual fair, held
At Topeka Junction. Epson county. Geor-
gia had often before visited and In
srected negro exhibits at Interstate ex
positions and state fairs. but this was the
first negro fair pure and simple, ! had
had an opportunity to see 1t was there
fore a novel experience Being very much
pressed for time las l was my way TO
fiji another cngagemenD, only half hour
could be devoted to a rather haSty survey
Of the fair grounds and an Inspection
Of the exhibits. Without going into DC
tails or mentioning names Of exhibitors
it may be sufficient to say that the dis
play OF products from the farms Guilt
waited by negroes and the handwork Of
the women was really quite creditable
and In some particulars surprisingly So
There were horse and mule colts, COWS
and calves. turkeys, chickets and ducks
the inevitable pig. There We're AK han
dies hoe handles and other evidences Of
home mechanical skill, The stalls for
the household industries were filled with
lor made dresses, enbroderles etc. and
some of IT was really excellent. l was
forcibly reminded Of before the war
times by an exhibit VI the old-fashioned
shncb and bark collars and footmats, evi-
dcntlv made by some old-time darkey
who has not laid aside his nomely skill
and handicraft because Mr.. Linkun done
sot us free" Bless the "old-timers,'
white and black, ! am one OF them my
self
was favorably impressed with the gen
eral appearance of the visitors and OK
hNtors All were more or less neatly
but simply dressed and there was an
aspect of good nature, good humor, polite
Difference and general satisfaction that
was well pleasing to one interested in
their future progress and development
ana their general welfare race.
On the whole, it was a most enjoyable
occasion.
President Goldwire Is n we'll educated
man, ABOUT half and half as to race.
a graduate Of Tuskegee Industrial instt-
tute. lie is doing excellent work among
the negroes in Epson and adjoining coun-
Ties. lie i manager of the large dairy
farm Of Miss Annie Blalock. my intelli-
gent. progressive and enthusiasts host
cse.
Recurring TO the fair am free TO say
that such efforts to elevate and dignity
the negro character and status by encour-
aging u larger development OF race pride
and sef-respect, a spirit Of higher and
better race manhood and higher stand
ard Of morality and industry, should re
ceve - they deserve. the encourage
ment Of all good citizens. Let the negroes
drop politics. stfe any dreams of the
impossible, unnatural ana unattainsble
ANA devote all their energies to the devel-
opment of sound morals, Industrial hab-
its and the home life. and the so-callcd
race problem" will solve itsSf
After inspecting the exhibits ! awaited
Of the opportunity to talk to the assem-
aled exhibitors and visitors. including a
sprinklng OF Caucasaus, the second such
opporUnits of a lifetime. l spoke plainly
and kindly. intending TO be helpful and
e"courUging l told them that their fair
Tar eXrelled tho first Georgia state fair.
hold at Stone Mountain in s4e. ard that
thoy might. in the course Of a few gener-
nuons excel the present state fair at
Macon Ca r. J. RFDT1NG.