Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-11-05
SPALDING COUNTY FAIR
WILL Be MAMMOTH SHOW
Citizens Rally to Movement
and Show viii Be Feature
of Year
Especial Dispatch to The Journal)

once the mecca for the state volunteer
,toons at their annual encampments, is
again the scene of unusual life and &C
tivity. and its present use will prove far
more valuable to Griffin and this sec
ton Of the state than it's former.
The hustle and hustle that is now
all, soineI on at the famous old
grounds is caused by hundreds OF work
men who are putting the finishing touch
es to the buildings and race track Tor
the Griffin and Spalding county fair,
which opens its gates to the public on
Nov IL.
Amid much encouragement and at nrst
with but little support from the general
public, the officers of the fair assocla-
ton have gone steadily forward with
their plans for holding fair that would
reflect credit upon this county, and
the remarkable success they have achiev-
ed has at last aroused unbounded enthu-
siasm from every one in the county.
FAIR TO BREAK RECORD.
/ With such unanimous cooperation and
assistance, with every knoaker now
booster, the fair will exceed even the
most sanguine expectations of the few
faithful who have labored so hard for
it's success. 1t was not until less than
three weeks ago that the idea of having
horse racing was considered and then
the question of building a track was UNI
dertaken. The county commissioners
were appealed to for help with their
large Changing. At first the commits
sioners were in favor of granting the
request but after obtaining the advice
of the county attorney were INFORMED
that they could not legally use the con-
victs on the fair grounds. 1t then look
ed as if the racing feature of the fair
would have to be abandoned, but Messrs.
T. Eli Brewer, Y. s. b. Gray and j.. M.
Bassett got their fighting spirit up and
said they would build the track regard
less of the county commissioners.
They made an appeal to the farmers
and others having teams and asked all
who would help them to have their. mules
at the fair grounds on a certain morn
ing. When that time came nearly 100
head of mules were quietly browsing on
the grass of the old parade ground. Mr.
Rassett, who is civil engineer, LETT
his business in town, and went out to
superintend \the work. He also took
every mule and hand from his large
plantation and put them to work, and
there they are now and there will be till
the track is completed, Notwithstanding
Mr.. Bassetts fields are white with cot
ton.
| 1t was such examples of civic pride
as this which aroused the people of
Griffin and imbued the officers Of the
fair with such confidence as to its final
outcome.
Among the public spirited citizens who
| responded to the call for teams are
the following, and the number of mules
they contributed: ]. NJ Bassett. eight;
G. w. Freeman, two; Frank Flynt,
two; ]. j. Flynt, two; s. b. Gray, four;
w. j. Bridges, four; Thomas Hender-
son, two; j. r. Mitchell, two; Will Burk,
two; Marcellus Woodward. colored, two;
Edmond Wells, colored, two; Austin Da-
Wis, two; T. G. Marley, two; DR.. Alonzo
Wilkins, colored, two; j. 7. Freeman.
four; Tom Harris, two; owen More
land, two; alter Weldon, two; ]. A. g.
Rice, two; Walter Tombstone, six; Will
liam Powell, one; A. s, Blake. two;
Bass Brothers, four; J. G. Turnipseed,
two; A. p. Patterson, two; city Of Grif-
fin, six. Most of the owners Of the mules
also sent one or more laborers and
with this force Mr.. Bassett has prac-
tically completed one of the finest race
tracks in the state The track is on the
old parade grounds and being somewhat
undulating 1t has taken a great deal
of work to do the grading and filling In
of low places, but when completed will
have a grade of only 1 IL per cent. The
track is forty-two feet wide and one-half
mile around.
BUILDINGS FOR FAIR.
The Fair association was not organ
lied for pecuniary gain and has a very
limited capital stock, the idea being to
erect only a few permanent buildings
this year, but let them be a nucleus
around which additional permanent
structures will be added each season. The
following buildings are now nearing
completion and will be ready in ample
| time for the opening of the fair: The
main building a solid substantial frame
building, 40x200 feet; the ladies' build
ing, 20x50 feet; the grandstand, with
seating capacity of 1900; stables that
will accommodate nearly fifty head of
horses and as many cattle; a ladies'
rest room, with all the necessary ac-
commodations. and similar conveniences
for men.
The grounds containing nearly 100
acres, have been inclosed by a high
fence, which is rapidly being covered
with advertisements and the whole
scene is taking on the appearances of
state fair rather than a county fair.
The following are the off1cersdand
committees who have labored so faith
fully and earnestly for it's success; A
P. Patterson. president; r. Otis Crouch
| vice presidents II. Il. bridges, secretary
s. B. Fry, treasurer. Board of man
ayers: ]. Woods Hammond, A. p. Pat
terson, E. p. Bridges. r. o. Crouch and
I. H. Wynn.
! Advertising comittee: r. Z. Smith
A. p. Patterson and e. P. Bridges.
Race track COMMITTEES: ]. Eli Brewer
ana w. Il. Young.
While the program has not as yet
been fully completed there will be spe-
eial attractions every day. On the open
ing day, November IL, the Griffin Cur
club will shoot the club from Miner for
price of $25. Four days during the
fair some of the most daring birdmer
Of the country will give thrilling flights
In their flying machines. These flights
will be made on Tuesday, Thursday, Fri
day and Saturday, Wednesday will be
automobile day, and it is expected that
hundreds of machines will enter the
parade. Friday will be children's day
and every child attending school in this
and adjoining counties will be admitted
| free. All the schools of Griffin will
close for the day and the scholars will
take in the fair.
The association has issued a hand
some catalogue showing the prizes Of
Tered for the many different displays
the Boys Corn club alone will compete