The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-10-07
WICHITA TO HAVE
A GREAT FAIR
Wichita Business Men Would
Buy Fair Grounds.
BANKERS PUSH IT ALONG
HorSemen in Other Sections
Want an Interest

Wichita is going 10 have a great live
this time on. This fact is as good as
settled because there IS a combined ef
fort in that direction and when the push
ers in Wichita make a combined effort
to do a thing it is always done.
This matter has been under Amusement
for some time and now the business men
are ready 10 act. The demand for some
thing of the kind in this city has become
so apparent that people in other towns
in the southern part OF the state are
beginning TO call attention to il. Speak
ing OF the matter yesterday president
Naftzger OF the Fourth National bank
said:
The people Of this city ought to make
combined effort for a great state fair.
The state ought 10 make an appropriation
to push it along after We show that it
is here TO stay. Wichita is the third
largest taxpayer among the cities of the
state and We never get any benefit from
the taxes in q local way. If our people
will take hold of this thing they can
make il go"
Mr. Naftzger said he was in favor OF
forming company and buying the fair
grounds II the owners would take a fair
price for it and if they would not they
could buy other grounds and fix them up
His reason for wanting 20 buy the fair
grounds was that they are suitable for
the purpose and are not worth much
for anything else. He said the packing
houses were worth a good deal TO Wich-
ita but the fair grounds put in proper
condition would be worth as much to the
city as one of the packing houses. If we
had good barns and would give people
suitable accommodations at reasonable
prices he thought there would be three or
four hundred horses in winter training
here every winter.
Cashier Elsberry Martin of the Kansas
National bank. when told of Mr.. Naftz-
gers proposition, said he was heartily
in favor OF il. He said people all over
the southwest look to Wichita TO give
them some kind OF an entertainment
every fall. They wanted to come here
and they are friendly TO the city. He
favored the formation of strong COM
pany and the purchase of the fair
grounds. He would give the livestock
men in the surrounding towns a chance
to have a say in the fair and start out
with the determination of making it the
biggest thing in the state.
The Wichita bankers evidently regard
this move is one justified by sound bust
ness principles They think 1t would pay
money into it would have safe invest
ment Their idea is that the fair at this
place ought to be made a livestock show
that would bring stock from all the fine
herds in the west
They would put their money for prem
iums in fine horses. cattle, hogs and
sheep and offer premiums that would
bring the best harness and running horses
in the west TO Wichita Their idea is
to give the money TO the stockmen be
cause it costs money to bring fine stock
for such an exhibition as this viii be.
D NJ Stuart said last night that If men
like Mr.. Naftzger and Mr. Martin would
take hold of this thing it would be a great
thing for Wichita. He said Z. Geers.
one OF the best trainers in this country
the fair grounds got into the hands of
a responsible company that would fix
them up and keep them in good condition.
Geers he said always had about twenty
five horses in winter training and he
says the climate Of southern Kansas can
not be excelled for winter training and
there would be other trainers that would
come here every winter.
A E Tirnpane, one OF the owners OF
the Chanute race track. who has been
in the city for several days. is very en-
thusiastic over a plan he has on foot
ior the purchase OF the fair grounds
He is one of the best known starters
of horses in the state and is Universally
liked by horsemen all over the state, most
of whom he is well acquainted with. In
speaking of the fair grounds Mr.. Tim
pane said:
With improvements which l have in
mind the city Of Wichita should have
,he best race track and grounds in the
state 4 half mile trick is the rage now.
with all horsemen, and I would build one
q the fair grounds on which the hoofs
OF each race horse could be seen By the
spectators over every inch Of the distance
around the track That IS what makes
racing interesting. \ track where you
can see a race through from the start 70
the finish
Inside the half mile track said Mr..
Timpane II would have a hurdle track
That could be built az small expense.
The stalls and raddocks would be built
IN closer proximity 70 the track and 7
world hrild a fine club house There
would be grand stand built in such a
manner that everyone oorld see the track
regardless Of who sat before or 10 the
side OF them. There would be no neces-
sity for anyone standing up in order TO
watch the horses
With the right kind Of facilities. and
the proper kind 81 purses. two successful
race meets each year should BE- held IN
Wichita Mr.. Tirlpane thinks At Seooo
for which it Is understood the fair
grounds have been offered for sale com
nlete. he thinks q very reasonable price