The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-09-20
From Saturdays Daily.

From Saturdays Daily.
This was Blue Earth county day at
the MankatO fair, and the attendance
almost, if not, equaled that OF yester-
day. Lowering skies and threatening
clouds and the drops of rain did not
hold back the great mass of human
ity that was anxious to see the sights.
appreciated.
The management of the fair natur-
ally feels elated over the. excellent
patronage The receipts will place the
ton.
st. Peter and Nicolet County day at
the Mankato fair was a record break
er, nearly eight thousand people at
tending. 1t was sea of humanity.
The day proved to be a tropical fair
day, and while the sun was hot, there
was strong breeze that made it
comfortable for all. The floral hall
was packed beyond its capacity, and at
times it was impossible to keep on
your feet. But all were good natured,
and enjoyed the sights. The ice cream,
pop, lemonade, peanuts and pop corn
stands could not serve the people,
such was the demand for their goods.
The merry -go-round, and other places
of amusement did a lively business.
The horse races began about two
o'clock and the grand stand was made
guate to accommodate the people who
desired to view the turf sports and
acrobatic performances.
Grand Stand Was Packed.
No doubt one thousand more people
would have grand stand seats had there
been the seating capacity. The track
is in splendid condition, and the horse
men pronounce it as good as any in
the state.
The strong wind yesterday forenoon
blew the dust from the North Front
street onto the fair grounds and into
the buildings, but arrangements
were made by President Atchison to
have a city sprinkling cart kept on
and near the entrance all day.
The fair arrangements are indignant
over the failure of the Milwaukee road
to provide ample cars to bring the
people in yesterday from along that
line of road south of Mankato.
Exhibits Were Splendid.
The exhibits as whole were pleas
ing to the visitors. The sheep and
cattle departments were not as largely
entered as the horses and swine depart
ments.
The public schools of Mankato closed
at noon yesterday to allow the children
to attend the fair and they were then
prepared to ride on 'horses that 90
round" and lessen the supply of ice
cream and cones.
Everybody was happy and pleased
yesterday; even the hackmen were
smiling over the returns of the day.
The Mapleton band furnished excel
lent music during the day, the whistles
from the steam engines and merry
Grounds kept things lively when the
band rested.
Firemen Ready to Do Duty.
Some apprehension was felt that the
strong wind of yesterday would be
disastrous should fire accur, but the
Dukes addition fire station is but
short distance from the grounds and
hose was strung to the grounds and
several fire laddies were in attendance
TO do duty on a moments notice The
grounds are also watched by night
crew from the volunteers.
Inc rair management are indignant
al barrels of ice water during the dav
and also benches on the shady sides of
fioral hall. These added pleasure to
the weary ones. The management
realize that the buildings are not large
enough to accommodate such a great
gathering and will no doubt take inn
mediate steps to enlarge these be-
tore next seasons exhibition.
Souvenir Cards Given AWAY.
During the day thousands of souven
II cards were given the people who
paused in front of the Free Press booth
which is handsomely decorated with inn
ported calendar, samples. They also
display the Daily and Weekly Free
Press, and kept on hand sample cop
les OF each paper. Office supplies are
also displayed, as well as blank books.
anu an Oliver typewriter The Free
has the Mankato agency for this ma
chine, and they now occupy place
in the leading business houses and pro-
fessional men offices in this city. Al
large cowhide adorns one side of the
booth, showing sample of the leather
used in the manufacture of the large