The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-09-25
From Thursdays Daily.

ton by the Mankato Falr ana blue
Earth County Agricultural association
opened today under the most favor
able auspices.
Before three o'clock this afternoon
nearly 10000 people had passed
through the gates and the crowd was
still gathering at the grounds.
Big Industrial Carnival.
This years fair is big show. A
hundred American flags flying from
the tops of the entrances and build
ings suggest big carnival and make
the grounds appear very inviting. The
first impression is one of greater
fair and there is everything inside to
bear it out.
No one will leave the fair grounds
this year disappointed over the show
ings in any department. 1t is truly a
bigger and better exhibition than has
heretofore been attempted in Mankato
and the size and apparent success of
the present fair augurs well for flu
ture years.
Pure Water Free to All.
The arrangement of displays on the
grounds is quite similar to that a year
ago. There are good drives and fine
cinder paths everywhere and among
more conspicuous objects are the big
bright water tanks where any visitor
may have free of charge a drink of
cold artesian well water. These tanks
are almost as inviting as the refresh
ment tents and booths that line the
walks. The ladies of the Methodist and
Catholic churches, respectively will serve
lunches, meals and refreshments in two
large TENTS. Hauck of ice cream cone
fame has carnival tent on the
grounds and there are others too
numerous to mention, altogether sup
plying anything from big square
meals to miniature sandwich or a
delicate ice cream cone.
The buildings glisten from a coat Of
white paint and everything is neat and
trim.
Floral Hall Most Attractive. :.
likely to first attract the attention OF
the visitor. Here the displays are
finer than ever. Greater efforts and
larger expense have been used by all
the merchants who are exhibiting, each
to make his booth as attractive as
possible. The mercantile displays are
located in the booths around the sides,
the center aisle is given up to the
competitive displays of fruit and the
west end of the spacious hall is de-
voted to the departments of art and
needlework, ETC., and the culinary de-
partment, the latter situated on the
opposite side.
Electricity for, Night Shows.
Three big arc lights in the center
of the hall and the innumerable in
candescent lamps in the various booths
will light the big hall tonight and the
Showing will be brilliant and at its
best. Opening the fair at night is an
innovation that will doubtless prove
very popular and it will afford
thousands an opportunity to spend a
delightful evening. The cinder path
from the street car line to the grounds
is lighted with strings of electric lights
and many arc lights are hung around
the grounds to make it brighter than
day.
Minneopa Brand Display.
Every lady who visits the fair will
be interested in the display of the
l.. Patterson Mercantile company, the
first booth to the left as one enters
the main building. To display of
canned goods, teas and coffees, ETC..
all of the famous 'fMinneopa" brand
attractiveness, is lent by pretty trim
mings of Japanese umbrellas and lam
terms and the japanese idea is further
carried out in the serving of Mime
opa brand of tea. The booth was ar
ranged by Mr.. Harry Hayward and is
one of the most artistic in the building
For Farmers and Road Builders.
The next display is of interest to
men. The North Star Concrete COM
pany, which recently opened large
plant in this city, is displaying many
of its, products, including the famous
North Star cement drain tile-"The
older it gets, the harder it grows
sort of tile. Concrete culvert tiling
and well curbing and other similar
products of the cement industry make
an instructive and interesting exhibit
Modern Business Instruction.
Toland's Business University demon.
strates its modern methods in the
booth adjoining. Mr.. c. G. Owen
who is at the head of the school, is
receiving the fair visitors personally
and acquainting them with the up
to-date instruction given at Toland's
A Burroughs adding machine and other
machines and things that are found
in all offices enjoying modern equip
ment are seen in the display.
Detlaf Shows Stoves.
A. G. Detlaff, the North Front
street hardware dealer, occupies his
space again this year with a show.
ing of the reliable Laurel and Estate
heaters and ranges. THE booth i;
attractWely arranged and is hung with
attractive banners. Mr.. Detlaff is or
bo,J ~ 1900 L., g~:onJc 81 a..zlo-.