Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-08-27
BEST FAIR OF THEM ALL
The Mineral Point Fair of 1908
Very Successful in Every
Respect.
FAIR WEATHER AND A GREAT
EXHIBITION.
Multitudes Attend the Annual Re
union of the People of South.
western Wisconsin.

The first and best fair of 1908 was
held in Mineral Point last week. 1t
was great fair, perhaps in all re-
spects the most successful fair ever
held in this old town, where the first
fair was held in October 1851. AS the
years roll around it becomes our duty
to report the Mineral Point fair, This
year we don't feel like making long
story OF it. Whole multitudes, in
cluding most of the readers of the
Democrat, were present and know all
about it.
The weather was fair aud pleasant
throughout the week; there were very
large number of entries aud the exhib-
its were exceptionally good in all de-
partmenUs: the games of base ball
were very interesting, and the races
were all we'll filled and hotly contested;
the special attractions were quite
amusing, and large numbers of people
were in attendance each day-especial-
ly on Thursday, when the record in
the way of gate receipts was broken.
AS soon as the secretary's books
were open for entries on Monday
morning it became manifest that a big
fair was coming, and it was not until
Wednesday afternoon that the rush of
entries was over.
The show of fine horses was by far
the largest and best for the last half
dozen years. Eight or ten years ago
the show of horses at Mineral Point
greatly exceeded that at the state fair,
but the decline in prices which existed
for several years had very depress-
ing effect on horse raising in south
western Wisconsin, and this decline
was plainly to be seen in the lessened
number of entries at the Mineral Point
fair. During the last five years prices
have risen again and horse raising
has again become profitable, and the
consequent revival in this important
industry was plainly reflected by the
increased number of fine horses en-
tered for premiums this year. On ac-
count Of fine blue grass pastures and
excellent water this section is bound
to become famous for raising good
horses.
No very large herds of cattle were
exhibited, but a great many breeders
were present, each with a number of
animals of-eXceptionally fine breeding
and great individual merit. In beef
breeds there were some fine specimens
of Short Horns, Herefords and Aber-
deem Angus, and in milk breeds, 1er-
seys, Guernseys and Holsteins.
There was larger exhibit of sheep
and swine than ever before. The nu
merous and spacious pens were well
filled, some of them crowded. OF
sheep the breeds were Cotswold, Ok
ford Downs, South Downs and Shrop,
shires. The breeds of swine were Po-
land China, Berkshires, Jersey Reds,
Chester Whites and Tamworths, and
all were well represented.
The poultry department was filled
with fowls and chicks of all kinds and
many of each kind.
There was an immense and very at
tractive display of cut flowers and of
plants in pots, which added greatly to
the appearance of the exhibition hall.
The household and domestic depart
mentwas beautiful, containing as it did
a very nice display Of needlework and
other kinds of fancy work, showing
good taste, skill, patience and perse-
verance.
In culinary there was much larger
number of entries than for many years
last past, and Of a quality which is
nowhere else surpassed.
The races were the best ever wit
messed in southwestern Wisconsin.
They we're all we'll filed, all came of
according to program, and they were
all very holly contested. Thursday
Zaza, owned by William James OF
Linden, ran a half-mile in jG4 seconds, |
and on Friday Harry H., owned by
w. I. Enloe of Platteville, trotted a
mile in 2:2O. The results Of the races
and ball games are given in the award |
Of premiums which is published in this
issue of the Democrat.
The special attractions were quite
amusing, but in some respects perhaps
not so interesting as those Of former
years But with interesting ball games |
every day and a full program Of ex-
citing races there was not much time
left for outside attractions OF any
kind. A pleasant feature OF the whole
was the absence Of noisy
side shows.
The Mineral Point fair Of 1903 was a
good fair and one which has given
general satisfaction One citizen re-
I i. T.