Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-09-13
COUNTY FAIR LAST WEEK
GOOD WEATHER FOR EVERY DAY
Crowds Not as Large as Usual and Fewer
Exhibits Except in Hogs, Which is
Largest Showing in Years.

Four davS of fine weather and an
exhibit of swine such as has not been
seen here in many years were the
signal features of the Winneshiek
county Fair of 1905. which came to
u close on Friday evening. The past
few years have been burdensome ones
for the association. bv reason of the
inclemency of the weather and the
general diversion of interest in county
fairs to attractions Of other natures.
But we believe in the old fashioned
county fair, that there will be a revival
along this line and that the people
ant fair and will in the future give
it their Endorsement and patronage as
they did years ago.
Financially this years fair has not
been great success, although enough
money was taken in to pay all ex-
penses and there was some left to
apply on the past indebtedness.
The management and the people
Were disappointedin the matter of free
public attractions. On Monday evening
the Willard attraction. the best and
largest one engaged. telegraphed that
they would not be here. The merry
go-round also backed out after paying
an advance fee for the privilege.
Prof. B. B. Warning entertained the
people each day. however. with his
amusing and interesting slight of
hand performances and the company of
negroes gave an amusing pro gram of
songs. dances, cake walks. etc. each
dav.
The base ball games on Wednesday
and Thursday were. the principal
attractions of the fair on those dates.
both games being good ones and close
contests On Wednesday Postville won
bv the score of 7 to and on Thursday
Decorah won by the score of to /.
Music was furnished each day bv
the new Merchants Band under the
direction of Prof. j. d. Bryson.
They gave evidence of having been
under efficient instruction and diligent
practice, and promise of developing
into an excellent band.
Friday was Governors day. and
quite number came in to hear Gov.
Cummins. His address as about the
ONLY public attraction of the day ex-
cent race, and occupied the entire
attention OF the people. He stood in
lumber wagon on the track. with his
audience standing about him and sit
ting in the grand stand. His address
delt with the duties Of citizenship.
the railroad rate agitation. the election
OF senator's by popular vote and state
primary law, and he advocated his
well known views on these subjects of
UNIVERSAL interest in forcible and
pleasing manner. Gov. Cummins is
one of the best speakers of Iowa. of
prepossessing personal appearance. and
as an orator stands at the front rank
of the best speakers Of the nation.
He was given close attention by all.
and at the conclusion spent half hour
shaking hands with the many who
crowded about him as he alighted
from the wagon.
The swine department. in charge of
Ed. Brakeman afforded the great ex-
hibit of the fair there being in all 2Oa
pigs shown the largest and best exhibit
of any fair in years.
w. N. Drake had one of the largest
showings, 80 Durnc-Jerseys that gave
evidence OF the best Of breeding and
care. With two old boars and two
sows. three yearlings and the remain.
der young pigs, the exhibit was fine
one.
G. G. Pilgrim had the same number.
twentv-nine Chester Whites. His
prize boar Rex Vale, purchased at Des
Moines during the state fair. headed
the herd, and Mother Pearl by White
Badger. and two other old sows, made
q handsome showing.
| Next in the number exhibited came
John Young Of Hesper. whose q
Poland Chinas attracted much atten.
tion. Perfection Boy headed the
herd and he is a fine specimen. Be
sides there were 10 fall and winter
pigs. five March and eight May pigs.
Also two vearling sows, all of which
made an excellent showing.
P. T. Ramlo of Hesuer showed q
Poland Chinas. headed by Wadens
Lad. a splendid animal. Lady Sampson
lst, an aged sow weighing s25 pounds
was the principal attraction in his ex
hibit. the balance being Young stocl
of good breed and care.
John Richert of Hesper was also Oh
hand with 81 Poland Chinas will
Model Boy and two old sows at tn
head. Three were also two yearlinl
sows, one fall SOW. nine March pigs
and six young pigs. 1t was a showing