The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-09-13
THE FAIR ASSOCIATION.

s The idea OF an Eastern Carolira
Fair ASS ociation SO consist OF the
counties of Sumter, Darlington, Flor
ence, Marion. Marlboro, Orangeburg,
Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and other
counties cousieueu us to Sumter county,
has met with considerable approval
from gentlemen representing many OF
those coanties In fact several OF these
counties have already shown their ap-
proyal by citizens taking stock IN the
Sumter Fair Grounds Association. and
Offering to do their best to induce
others to take stock from their coun-
ties.
During the last Sumter Fall Festival
and Live Stock Show there were many
entries of very fine stock from nearly
s if NOT all of the above connties and
each of the owners of the live stock
expressed themselves as being In favor
of having an annual live stock show 1T
Sumter. Nov it is suggested that We
20 little farther and offer prizes III
the best farm, truck, horticultural,
and other exhibits similar to the
State Fair at Columbia. Sumter is
{ f1rtunately situated in the center OF
perhaps the best agricultural section
of South Carolina, with many rail-
roads reaching ont to all points OF the
compass, with the very best and, most
convenient morning and afternoon
schedules. AS the metropolis OF east
ern South Carolina, as the dlstrlbut-
ing point For large wholesale and re-
tail business, drawing trade from
seven or eight counties, it behooves the
merchants of Sumter to grasp the op-
portunity now offered to make Sum-
ter the headquarters for an annual ex-
hibition of the resources OF eastern
South Carolina. This association is
going to be formed, and Sumter should
reach out and secure it, before some
other town does SO. But to be plalT,
it rssts with the business men. the
meschants particularly to take the
initiative. A mass meeting should
be called by the mechants, and COM
mittee of merchants should cooperate
with the Chamber of Commerce and
the officers of the Sumter Fair Grounds
Association. and invite leading 1arm,
ers and business men tfcm sumter ana
the other counties above ment1ones 20
meet at Sumter at an cary date to DIS
cuss the proposition. But it must be
well understood from the first that
the business men Of Sumter should
furnish the bulk of the money. as Sum
ter and her business men, her mer-
@ aants, bankers, real estate owners,
motel and boarding house keepers,
will benefit more than any one else by
this enterprise. Of course stock will
be taken by all classes Of people. farm.
ers in particular all over Sumter ano
other counties, aud it is desirable for
them to do so if for no other reason tnan
that a mans interest generally lies
where his money is, bnt Sumter mus :
be- prepared to do most OF the WORK
and furnish what money is lacking
TO successfully launch the eastern Car
soIina exposition, as we might term II.
The great success of our last fall fes-
tival and the benefits to Sumter from
the great advertising received thereby
only goes to show what well organ
ized systematic annual live Sick anu
agricultural show will DO. for Sumter.
The fair association sill be a perma-
merit anair, sare onca established with
the fair grounds paid for, it Will cost
yery 1.-THE To have an annual fair that
vii exhibit the resources OF eastern
S.usb Carolina to the world. Aud it
will grow aud grow. and there is no
reason Why the stock holders should
not realize profit on their investment.
The Chamber of. Commerce and she
officers of tue fair grounds association
ara willing to do their share OF the
work, but the merchnts and real esease
owners should come across and sho"
sttwhether Barkis is willin" or not.