Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-09-26
LEWlSTOWN, MONT. Sept. 26. 1905
THE COUNTY FAIR

THE COUNTY FAIR.
Despite two windy days the county
Ialr this year was a success in sew
eral ways. In the agricultural, hor-
tlcultural and stock departments there
was a marked gain over former years
In which the association as well as
the people are to be congratulated.
In some departments there NAV have
been slight falling off in the inter-
est taken, but it was hardly percen-
tlble. No doubt there was disappoint.
ment In the race program as well as
IN other attractions, but this was shar-
ed in by the association as well as by
the patrons of the fair.
For weeks every effort was made to
get horsemen to bring their strings
TO Lewistown. Secretary Bellen. of
the association, personally visited
Bozeman during the fair dates at that
place and made every effort to get
horsemen to come here. While some
would promise to come they would
refuse to enter any of the races. which
was not very assuring Others gave
negative answer, along with rea-
sons, which to them, at least seemed
quite sufficient for remaining away,
Lewistown was too far away. the diff
hculty and poor facilities for getting
there, the time consumed in going and
coming, other pressing and more pro-
htable engagements and the lack of
adequate money inducements. were
among the excuses offered for not COM
ing.
That there is reason in some of the
objections offered by the horsemen.
no one will question. That some of
them can be met and overcome in the
future is possible. But the association
was up against it this year and did
the best it could under the circum-
stances.
In the first place, each county fair
association acted, in the fixing of
dates, independent of any other. This
brought fairs close together, some
holding on nearly the same dates.
Thls, as matter of course. brought
on rivalry to secure the racing at
fractions and the association with the
largest purse and offering other adj
Vantages would naturally win out
This is all wrong, even if it can't
be remedied. All fair associations in
the state should get into closer touch
with each other for mutual good. This
done, horsemen would be less indie.
pendent as to the choice of dates and
places. 1t has been stated that an
effort would be made to divide the
state on into two circuits. eastern
and western, in order to obviate the
difficulty now encountered in securing
racing attractions. This would be
good move but in connection with if
an effort should be made to have the
dates of fairs held in eastern Mon
tan week apart, so that horsemen
engagements in the various counties
without being unnecessarily crowded
for time. To accomplish this steps
must be taken early in the year look
ing to the fixing of dates of exhibitions
that they may follow in the regular
order instead of conflicting. Some
hnrGpnpn nj Lois Of y,
transportation, saying that their
horses would be stove up getting
in and out. The danger of this could
be overcome by the railroad manage
ment making an extra effort to care
for the horses and by running them
through TO Lewistown with as little
decay as possible.
While one or two of the purses Of
fered by the local association were as
good as those offered by any other
county association in the state. it
may be necess;~ to add some spec
ial purses next year as a further in
ducement to get race men here.
However. if on account of Lewis
towns isolation il is to be handicap
ed for a few years in the matter of
getting outside horses. it should be
equal to the emergency. There were
good running horses in the county fif
teen and twenty years ago, horses that
would make a creditable showing any,
where in the state. If some effort
were made in that direction again We
believe as much interest would be
taken in the events as in strings from
the OUTSIDE. At least the purses would
not be carried outside of the county.
In trOtting attractions it NAV be DIFF
ferent.
In all probability this matter of Sc
curing racing attractions will be TAX
en- up by the management OF the as
sociation early in the coming year and
everything will be done that lies in
their power to make the racing pro-
gram an improvement upon that offer
ed last week. The association is do