The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-09-23

Is, my non-appearance there on that
day may give rise to the impression
that I failed to keep an engagement
and to subject me to criticism.
/ was invited, as you know, to
speak at Garden City on September
l6. I accepted the invitation weeks
ago. 1 received no notice of any
change of program and have never
been informed by any one that other
speakers had been selected for the
10th of September and 1 had been as
signed the preceding day. 1 would not
have known that my address was set
for September 18th had not my atten-
ton been called to an advertisement
in the newspapers.
1 have made engagements for the
18th of September which 1 do not
feel at liberty to cancel. 1t would give
me much pleasure to attend the fair
at Garden City and especially do ]
enjoy meeting friends whom l have
known for many years but other en-
gagements prevent my being there on
the 18th and under the circumstances
it would seem almost an intrusion
should I 60 there on the 10th. Please
let the people know the facts in con-
nection with this matter so that they
may understand that my non-appear
anee at the fair is through no fault
of mine. I remain, Very truly yours,
w. s. Hammond.
Ward and Ellsworth Speak.
Hon. E. T. Champlin presided at the
speakers stand. After selection by
the Lake Crystal band, Mr.. Champlin
introduced Mr.. Ward who spoke for
about half an hour. He referred to
the early days in Southern Minnesota
and his coming to this section in the
pioneer days. He talked of farming
and those things that pertained to
! the farm.
Mr.. Champlin introduced Mr.. Ellis
worth facetiously, referring to him
as farmer Mr.. Ellsworth occupied
about the same length OF time as did
Mr.. Ward. While laying no claims to
being pioneer, he was fully aware of
the struggles men and women have
to undergo while they are opening
new country to civilization He was
pleased to say that his mother came
from Garden City, and that was evil
dence enough for him that all women
from Garden City are good, true and
beautiful. Mr.. Ellsworth spoke of farm
life and the great work that needs
be done for the farmer. Mr.. Els
worth's remarks were well received.
Mingled With the Crowd.
Following the speaking both Messrs
Ward and Ellsworth mingled with the
crowd. Mr.. Ward was taken in charge
by his Blue Earth county managers
Messrs. G. J. Laurisch and Wallie
Anderson, while Mr.. Ellsworth was
constantly surrounded by a crowd OF
earnest admirers.
While Mr.. Ellsworth was speaking
balloon ascension was made by HI
Henry and the parachute leap was per
formed in a manner that elected APP
plause from number of spectators
The incident did not disturb the speak
ing. Later in the afternoon Hi Henry
made a second balloon ascension.
Renewal of Glad Hand Movement.
There was a renewal of the glat
hand movement yesterday. The fes
tive candidate for office was Johnny
on-the spot. He shook the hand O.
everybody. Some of the office-seeker
repeated the performance, and Their
were people on the ground who mad
an effort to keep tab on the numbe
of times the same candidates haC
, shaken them by the hands.
Hundreds of people visited the stool
barns and passed through floral hal
and looked upon the vegetable display
) NJ. II. Caller, editor of The Verno,
Center News, was awarded first pri2
for the largest and best collection o
, culinary vegetables, and l.. R. Bobar
of Lake Crystal was given secon
prize.
There were no accidents to ma
the festivities.
Larger Attendance Than Year Ago.
The attendance this year was NOR
6 tnan 1000 which is better than tina
of last year. The association is i
> excellent financial condition.
The All Stars won the baseball gam
Thursday and yesterday. The scor
on the first day was to l, an
yesterday to 3. The Heidelbergs c
\ st. Paul were the opposing team
Scotty Hunt umpired both games.
: The fair wound up with dane
> at Woodmen hall in Garden City las
p night.
p The fair association will hold il
annual meeting on the first Saturda
in December.