The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-11-01
FAIR WAS A GREAT SUCCESS.
The Admissions Have Been Large ana
the Finances of the Society are
Left in Fine Condition.

Columbia, OCTOBER 2l.-1ne great
est State Fair in the history Of the as
sociat;on closed today. It has been a
success in every sense Of the word. Il
is a fact that a great fair was expect
ed. but the crowds, the continuousness
of the throng, was surprise even to
those who anticipated large things.
This betokens two things; first, the
general prosperity Of the people OF
Carolina and, second, that everyone
recognizes the annual State Fair as
the one time and place for an annual
gathering of the clans.
The Fair itself was better than US
ual. Persons who have wares to ex-
hibit must realize that tens Of thous-
ands of the better classes visit the
Fair and that there is no better op-
portunity of having their wares ad-
vertised in this State-outside of the
many who visit
these reunions are not regular read
ers of the newspapers.
The cattle, stock and horse displays
have been much greater this season
than usual. This means that there are
better cattle and finer horses and cost
lier pigs and hogs and the like in the
State and that the prosperous farm
ers understand that the place to show
these evidences of progress ana where
the best exchanges can be made is a.
the State fair, where there is a maxi
mum aggregation Of industrious and
wide-awake farmers.
From monetary standpoint the
State Fair has also been a success.
The admission fees virtually poured
in Wednesday and Thursday and to-
dav witnessed the most unusual sight
of a large sprinkling Of people on the
grounds with paid admissions. AS
general rule Friday finds wagons and
express conveyances on the grounds
carting away the exhibits. This was
not done at the fair this year and no
exhibits were allowed to be removed
until after the closing hour-2 o'clock.
1t is Inspiring to President Guignard
and Secretary Love to see so many
people on tie grounds today. All of
the side shows were in full blast AMI
drawing we'll, and the good huraor
and good weather continue.
The weather has been particularly
favorable for the Fair. On Wednes-
day it rained pretty much all after
noon, but after the crowds had got
ten out 70 the grounds. The indica-
tons were threatening for Thursday
and 70 doubt kept many away from
Columbia, but in Columbia it was an
ideal day, rather chilly and bracinS.
The treasury Of the Fair Associa-
ton received quite a help from the
State Fair this year. Treasurer La
Motto, who is not a bit enthusiastic in
his counting, reckons that the paid
admissions for the Fair Of 1905 have
been the largest on record. He fig
ures that yesterday was the best day
that the State fair has ever had in its
thirty-seven years Of existence, ana
that Wednesday was equal to Wednes-
day of 1900, which that year was
equal to the Thursdays business.
The Association received in cash re-
ceipts for cash admissions and priv
ileges enough to pay the premium lists
which this year aggregate about
$1,000. Under the arrangements
made with the railroads the receipts
for coupons attached to all railroad
tickets are not turned over to the Fair
Society for several weeks. All Of the
selling ticket Offices have to report to
the general Offices, and the payment
! is made in bulk by the railroads for
all tickets sold to the State Fair.
| Inc Fdlr ASSOCld tlOI owes lHOl0y-
it took considerable to purchase and
equip the present grounds, and it is
expected that with all ease a payment
Of $1,000 Will be made on account of
the back debts of the Association.
There have been some rather wide
| open shows in and about Columbia
during the week. Some people must
like that sort of diet or the shows
could not live.
No doubt some think bit Of chance
or betting on the races makes up
sporting life, and they come to Colum-
bia to have that taste gratiied and go
home with empty pocket books and
experience, but it takes all such things
no doubt to satisfy the varying desires
of the multitudes that come to Co.
lumbia during Fair week.
Today, the last day of the State
Fair, the attendance at the grounds