The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-07-15
Fairgrounds
Movement To Be Started In
Mt. Vernon
Preliminary Meeting Held By
Several Citizens
At The Y. M. c. A. Building
Wednesday Evening
At Which The Initial Steps
We're Taken
For Holding Of Public Meet
ing At Early Day

The initial steps in the movement to
establish Fairgrounds in Mt. Vernon
were taken at meeting of several cit
izens at the Y. M. G. A. building We'd
nesday evening.
This movement is widespread over
the country and it's Importance to this
city is recognized, just the same as in
other cities.
The movement here had it's inception
in the fact that recently boys were ar
rested for playing ball in the street.
The fact that there are no grounds
of central accessibility in Mt. Vernon,
has set many people in the city
to thinking seriously of the situation
and the desire is that the public gen.
orally may see the great Importance
of providing Fairgrounds and take
such action as will secure them.
Those present at the meeting We'd
nesday to start the movement were:
c. G. Conley, c. N. Lorey, Rev. Ira
j. Houston, Frank Harper, Rev. j. T..
Black, Chas. Iams, Rev. f. E. Brinin-
stool, l.. T. Cromley, Rev. w. e. Hull,
R. S. Goddell, Zenno Taylor and W..
B. Chapman.
The last named gentleman is cit
zen of New York who has been in
this city several weeks on business
matters. Mr.. Chapman is very much
interested in the playground project
and is very familiar with the subject.
He had been invited to be present at
the meeting and make an address on
the subject. This he did in very in
teresting manner, presenting some
facts and information that demonstrat-
ed the necessity of establishing play
grounds for the good of the children
terest was his statement that of the
800 cities in the United States of about
the same size as Mt. Vernon, IA of
them have established Fairgrounds.
Mr.. Chapman was asked to prepare
| for publication in the local papers a
statement on the subject and this he
has agreed to do. 1t will contain come
very interesting and important infor
nation on the movement, as exper
fenced by other cities.
The movement has back of it q
national organization, known as the
Fairgrounds Association of America
which has done much in spreading
the movement by arousing the public
mind and furnishing practical informa
ton, based on experience, in fitting III
and operating the grounds, so that nj
city will be compelled to experiment
on the subject.
The Fairgrounds Association o
America has series of pictures IL
the form of lantern slides which i
loans to any city and it was decided tt
have meeting later for the purpose
of getting every interested person il
Mt. Vernon to see the slides and learl
more of the association, and at tina
time form permanent organization.
On motion the men present formed
themselves into a committee to pusl
the work until permanent organiza
ton can be formed, and to make az
rangements for the meeting. MI
Clyde Conley was made chairman o
the committee and Mr.. u. e. Taylo
secretary. The following commit
tees were then appointed: Time an
place of meeting and securing lanter
slides, Mr.. Houston, Mr.. Goodell an
Mr.. Lorey; Publicity, Mr. Chapman
Mr.. Harper, Mr.. Iams; Executive con
mittee, Mr.. Conley, Mr.. Chapman, MI
Houston, Mr.. Taylor. The committee
are to report to general meeting c
this general committee, called by tn
chairman.
Each one present agreed to tai
with as many as possible about thi
movement and learn II they are VIII
ing to help in this work and civ
their names to the secretary.