The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-09-11

Just why they should manifest such
a degree of spitfulness toward the
distinguished gentlemen who have di-
rection of the business Of the Billings
Fair association is not known, but
the fact remains that the elements
.have it in for them to a degree ex-
asperating in it's viciousness. Every
time that the management announces
a fair the Borean hosts and Jupiter
Pluvius combine forces, and then there
is misery and disappointment until the
closing day, when, having accom-
plished their fiendish purpose, the al
lance is severed and weather sug-
gestive of Italian balminess and as
pleasant and salubrious as ever ia
vored any spot follows until it be-
comes monotonous and a hearty wish
is made for change.
N This year has been no exception.
The opening day of the fair was char
acterized by about as villainous
weather as has ever been experienced.
The wind howled and shrieked and
drove whirling, eddying clouds of dust
across the plain where the fair
grounds are situated and filled eyes
and ears to their utmost, while the
temperature was anything but summer
like. The second day was but little
better, although the air was possibly
bit less piercing; still, toward the
shank of the afternoon those occupy
ing seats in the grandstand often
thought OF the comfort little fire
would afford and Those who had had
the foresight to supply themselves
with outer garments of extra weight
and warmth were the envy of the less
thoughtful ones. But on both days
the men and women who were there
showed themselves to be good "stay-
ers." Neither wind, dust nor arctic
frigidity could force their surrender
and they stayed until everything on
the card had been brought off.
While the crowds We're good .natured
and took everything with philosophic
demeanor some complaints were
heard of the hardness in getting the
horses for the various races onto the
track. Events announced for certain
hours did not take. place until long
after the appointed time and notWltE-
! standing the earnest efforts OF the
band to keep the people in good hui
NOR. considerable impatience was at
times displayed. Not only did the
spectators complain on this account,
! but some of the horsemen grumbled
considerably. Their complaint was on
the score of not being able to tell when
to warm up" their respective animals.
| More strictness on the part OF the
| Judges in compelling horses to be at
the wire at the time fixed for races
| in which they were entered would nave
pleased all parties. Exercise OF thelr
! prerogative in administering a Jew
| fines would have done away with all
subsequent delays. But that is now
| closed incident, to use a dlplomatlc
term. and it only remains to be hoped
that next year things in this respect
will be managed a little differently and
better.
Big Crowds Present.
| The attendance at the opening day
was probably the largest first day
crowd ever seen at fair in the city
The second day was much larger, and
| it is estimated that no fewer than
| 5000 people passed through the gates
making it the best for any second day
of the different fairs held here. Yes
| terday's attendance promised to DC
even greater, but the rain that fel
early in the morning interfered sadly
with the plans and expectations OF the
managers and those who were waiting
to go out and see what had been ar