Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-06-19


Ever Held in Michigan and in Many
Respects Superior to the Great Toron-
20 Exposition.
Visitors to the State Fair, held un.
der the auspices OF the Michigan
State Agricultural society at Detroit
August 29 10 September G, will wit
ness an industrial exhibition that will
surpass in many respects the famous
Toronto exposition. AS a matter OF
fact both in attendance, the value OF
the exhibits, and the premiums offer
ed. the State Fair has grown into an
annual exposition that has attained
no little fame far beyond the houn.
daries of the state.
One of the most important factors
that has entered into the upbdilding
of the fair is the perfect harmony
existing between the officers Of the
Agricultural society President Fred
Postal, former senator, A. j. Doherty
Secretary l. H. Butterfield, Treasurer
John Mckay, and Business Manager
Chas. A. Floyd have worked early
and late for the success of the 1907
exhibition, and the wonderful improve
ments made in the buildings, grounds
HDl AdllRl Aa'AAAAANos
lists. and extra attractions are mute
testimonials 10 their efforts. The ex
perience Mr.. Doherty gained as chair
man of the finance committee last
year has proved invaluable 10 him as
general superintendent. He knows
the fairs shortcomings and has
evolved plans that will overcome
them as rapidly as possible.
II has been determined TO add s10-
coo of the appropriation made by the
state legislature TO aid the fair "a
the premium lists. This will make
the awards given exhibitors by far
the most liberal in the history of the
state. In addition new classes have
been added in the cattle, horse, sheep
and swine departments. Secretary
Butterfeld will begin the work OF
mailing the premium lists TO farmers
stock growers, and former exhibitors
about June l.
An Improvement this year that will
appeal TO every exhibitor is the add
ing of three sidetracks TO the rail
road facilities within the grounds. Ne
gotiations are now on with the Grand
Trunk railroad for the installation OF
the new sidings. and the improvement
will almost triple the capacity OF the
fair yards.
The fair Of 1906 was handicapped
to a great extent through several
buildings being completed only a day
or two before the gates were opened
In many instances unfinished side
walks. and rough interiors greeted
the visitor, but this has all been
changed and the grounds undergone
a complete Transformation. Under
the direction of l.. r. Taft, of the
Michigan Agricultural college. a land
scape gardener has laid out new
walks, and arranged 10 turn the north
end OF the grounds into a rest spot
Heretofore il has been used by the
horsemen and contained tumDle dowr
shacks. The identifying of this spot
will remove the only unsightly fea
ture on the many acres devoted &c
State Fair purposes. BY midsummer
a superb collection of shrubs will be
at their best while lawns that were
seeded a year ago will be covered
with carpet OF heavy grass.
Something doing every minute,
has been the motto Of Business Man
ager Floyd in arranging the attrac
tons TO be seen from the grand stanC
at night and between races during
the afternoon program. Mr.. Floyc
has contracted for almost every form
Of entertainment known 10 the amuse
ment world. and also for several spec
ial features that have never been seeI
outside of New York and Chicago. Hi:
program as arranged includes: High
diving. deep sea diving, gymnastiS
work on apparatus, tumbling, tigh
rope walking, trained animals, excit
/ ing cowboy races, and wild wes
scenes He is at present endeavorini
\ 10 arrange for a genuine western vii
/ lage TO be shown on the grounds. i
/ ne is successful in completing ar
rangements tiny Indian papooses car
/ be seen as they stare unblinkingll
I from the narrow framework strapped
( 10 their mothers back. War dance!
/ will be given in fun Indian regalis
every afternoon and evening, anC
among the relics OF the old western
DAYS shown will be a stage coact
/ that has been riddled with bullets
/ time and again while crossing the
plains. A special feature will be made
/ OF the Indian museum, lecturers be
ing present to explain the history anC
significance of every article shown.
Every visitor will be interested II
\ the ostrich farm Between 80 anC
co birds will be shown. in addition e
over score OF chicks" that are IA
larger than a good-sized hen. The de
tails Of ostrich farming will be gone
/ into thoroughly while a collection o
magnificent feathers will be on exhi
bition. Several of the mammoth birds
have been trained to draw sulkies ant
/ will be seen upon the race track.
The fair management has deter
mined that no criticism can be made
this year Of the various entertain
ments granted the privileges of thu
fair grounds Every show must b.
absolutely moral in tone. and fulfil
every representation Of what is TO b.
seen inside the tents.
Dairymen who visit the state fai
will have an opportunity of seeing
milking machine in actual operation
Gov. Warner is the owner Of the onl.
milking machine in the state in add
ton TO the one that will be shown a
the fair. They are mechanical con
I tllNdnCeS Ludl SHOW int cOHsldul ~
fort inventors are making TO reduce
the cost of production in the dairy an,
butter business.
The educational department of TIT
fair is under the personal supervision
Of George b. Horton, of Fruit Ridge
president of the Michigan Stat
/ Grange. Mr.. Horton has placed
large share OF the detail work in tn,
hands Of Thomas VI. Sattler, superin
tendent OF the Jackson county schools
The work has become one Of Mr.. Sat-
ler's hobOies. and I'm letter to Pres
ident Postal he recently declared