Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-10-02
Answer to Complaint That
Fairs Are Not What They
Used to Be
THEIR VALUE TO FARMERS
Aside From Their Social Attractions
He is Given the Chance to Pick Out
Best Breeds of Cattle and Purchase
the Most Improved Farm Machinery,
Etc-Other News.
to Times Republican.

| Special to Times Republican.
Toledo. Oct. 2-The fairs for 1900
are over and comments now may b'
freely made without the accusation O
knocking on somebody's fair
The papers of late have had mucf
in regard 10 the Wisconsin state far
of its utter failure and the large sums
of money required yearly to keep II
alive. | was at four county fairs this
wear. There is no need OF mentioning
names, but at all the same thing was
heard. that the fairs are not what they
used to be. Is this so? No Not te
our mind at least. The county Iali
has always been and always VIII De
the one attraction each year that d
farmer Is not too busy to attend. 1t :
the common stamping grounds where
he goes to meet his friends from all
over the county. Many men In planning
their visits to their old homes, pick out
the dates of the county fair SO that
they may see the greatest number OF
old acQuaintances.
And again many farmers go TO pick
out the heads of their herds for the
coming year. Here is brought together
the very best breeds Of hogs. cattle,
sheep. horses and chickens In the sur
rounding country. He has the cholee
of large number and II he is wiling
to pay the price, can get what ne
wants.
And again the improved farm ma
chinery for the coming season Is on
hand, manure spreaders in operation,
gang and disc plows guaranteed 10
work in wet ground-two row corn
which will do the work OF
two men, and teams, gasoline engines
cream separators. wind mills, all IN
operation and your order taken. THESE
are the things which have made the
county and state fairs. To be sure
they enjoy watching the races but
were the races cut out to a small NUM-
Der the fair would prosper just the
same. just so long as the exhibits are
In number--the number of people who
will go to the same fair every day
would surprise you were you to take
the trouble to follow 1t up and see.
Another thing that is surprising is
the number of people who are on
fair ground willing to have you spena
your money and have good time. ms
is about the way 1t goes. The bus
man who hauls you down takes the
small sum of 10 cents. Then the man
at the gate relieves you of quarter.
You have hardly got inside before 4
gentleman places a souvenir on your
coat which improves your looks and ~
is cheap at a dime. Then you must
have a come back ball' to hit people
with. a ride on the merry go-round, by
this time you are dry, bottle or beer
is a quarter in the horse shed, or
fine red lemonade for five, few cigars
and then there's the five-footed COW,
three legged rooster, the armless Won
der. the only real genuine colored pick
aninnies dancing the famous buck and
wing dance just as they do on the
leyee down south. the live snake eater
and others too numerous to mention.
The ladies of the NJ f.. Baptist or
some other society serves you with
more cigars. perhaps you try
TO get even at the paddle wheel. Then
there's the grand Stand, ana you Wouiu
know which horse comes in first, the
score card man is there to supply your
need. This is kept up from morning
until night, when you go home heavy
on feet and light of money. only to
replenish your stock of money and
dance until midnight.
This goes to make UP the average
county fair.
Some fairs go to the extremes on
races, others on the gambling allowed,
all according TO the Idea of the di-
rectors as to what will draw the great
est crowds. Are the fairs failure?
No. Are the fairs what they used 10
be? Yes. Just the same, no better,
no worse.
Fairs as money making scheme are
not, as a rule, successful, but for the
good of community, they are great
success.
There is one thing which l have seen