The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1904-08-29
A GREAT
SUCCESS
Buena Vista Fair and Old
Settlers Meeting a Credit
to Buena Vista.
GREAT DISPLAY OF GRASSES,
GRAINS AND VEGETABLES.
Notable Gathering Of Politicians
Famous Indians From
Red Lake.

The first county fair to be held
in Beltrami county was a pro-
nounced success at Buena Vista
last week. The annual meeting
of the Old Settlers Association
was held in connection with it
and the occasion was improved
by the various candidates for
office. Many Indians were down
from Red Lake, the country
people attended and many drove
from Bemidji to Buena Vista for
one or both days.
An account Of the opening of
the fair was given in Saturdays
Pioneer. Friday evening a camp
fire was held, the old soldier
being held in memory. There
we're addresses by Z. G. Simons,
John Gibbons, Chester McKusick
and Judge Pendergast. Satur-
day morning the Old Settlers
Association held the center of
attraction. Judge Pendergast
presided and introduced Presi-
dent Porter Nye who spoke at
considerable length. He called
attention to the wonderful growth
of Beltrami county in the past
few years. From three school
houses but few years since the
county has grown to need over
100 and but six or seven years
since the early settler had to hew
out his home from the trees of
the forest, any other kind of lum-
Der being absolutely unattain-
able. President Nye's address
was interesting and instructive.
Following Mr.. Nye there were
addresses by Henry Funkley,
j. j. Regain, John Whitman and
Congressman Steenerson.
j. w. Speelman presented the
two Oldest Indians on the Chip
pewa reservation. The eldest of
these was Kah-ge-gay -cum-ig b,
"a Man Who Sits Firm" gray
haired and not much more than
able to walk. The old man is
said to be ninety-seven years Of
age and when he was fifteen
years of age he met and shook
hands with Beltramf on the
shores ofLake Julia at Buena
Vista, this being perhaps the
only person living in Minnesota
who had that honor. Nay nah-e.
gwon-abe, "A Man With Fine
Feathers" was also present. He
is perhaps eighty-five years or
more Of age for he claims to have
seen Beltrami.
In the afternoon Congressman
Stevenson and others spoke
briefly. The judges awarded
the prizes and the business meet
ing of the Old Settlers Associa-
ton was held.
The display at the Fair we're
more than creditable. To those
who think that Beltrami county
is a sandy waste capable of pro
ducing nothing but jack pine the
displays would be nothing short
of marvels. The display of
grasses and grains was complete
and beautiful. The size and va
riety of the vegetables exhibited
was amazing. No finer potatoes
were ever grown than were
there shown, while enormous
pumpkins, tomatoes, turnips, etc.
we're shown in great profusion.
There was a small display of
stock and some beautiful fancy
work was shown as we'll as a
good dairy display together with
good evidences of the house
wife's art.
Great credit for this first
county fair, which proved so
successful is due to the people of
Buena Vista and especially to j.
W. ,Speelman whose pride in the
"Top of the World" is only
rivaled by the abundance of the
reasons he has for it. Mr.. Speel-
man was untiring in the enter
tainment of the visitors and in
any labor which might make the
fair a success and it is largely
due to his efforts that the fair
was a success.
Buena Vista is certainly we'll
named. It is a most beautiful
spot and there can be no doubt
that with the advent Of a railroad
it will become the favorite resort
of hundreds of seekers after
health and pleasure. Situated on
the continental divide it has a
special interest while the beauty
of it's surroundings is not to be
excelled in the northwest. The
surrounding county is heavily
tim ered with the finest hard
woods and is rapidly becoming
thrifty farming section.
j. Aftedahl, who lives in Hub
bard county just south of the Bel
trami county line in the town OF
FROM, brought in a specimen OF
oats today that eclipses all rec
lords. 1t stands five feet and
eight inches in height, and the
| heads are over nine inches in