Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1913-10-01
What Our Fairs Might Be


Our fairs, Platteville, Blooming
ton, Lancaster, Fennimore Big Days
what they are and what they might
be. The view of a fir lend Of The
Chicago Short Line Railway.
Now that the local fairs are over,
it is fitting that complimentary
'write-ups'' of them appear in the
local papers, with proper reference
to exhibit of all kinds, attractions,
the big crowds in attendance, etc.,
though in the latter two things the
Fennimore Big Days as a rule carries
off all honors,
Fennimore, however, has strate-
getic location. The managers of Fen
nimore's annual event know that
advertising pays-it is done by them
| judiciously and we'll. Considered
with the efforts of Bloomington, Ian
caster and Platteville, Fennimore can
give her neighbors cards and spades
and then beat them.
This is not written to depr ecate
the efforts of the managers of our
fairs, but intended only as an effort
to point out defects that might be re-
medied.
With reasonably good weather, if
only for one or two days, attending
these public gatherings is recreative
pleasure as we'll as educational, when
we may renew acquaintance, elbow
with our neighbors. etc.
The owner of the automobile no
longer drives with horse and buggy.
If the weather and roads are fine the
auto is in commission otherwise we
stay st home.
Twenty years ago we thought moth
ing of driving with team ten or even
twenty miles to attend a fair. circus
or other public gathering Now we
are educated along other lines, de-
handing the more CONVENIENT means
of travel. the means that enables us
to go with little regard for either
weather or condition of country roads.
What would it mean as con.
venience to the population of central,
eastern and western Grant county if
the proposed electric railroad was in
operation touching North Andover,
Bloomington. Patch Grove, Mount
Hope, Fennimore, Lancaster, Platte
vile, and points southeast
/ What would it mean to these pub
lie gatherings. their attendance and
consequent success financially, with
the result and pleasure and comfort
to the people who would attend,
travelling in the modern way without
regard for the weather man %
If you understand the writer your
answer is sufficient.
At low estimate, the people of
this section, say within three miles
of the proposed electric road. would
visit all of these gatherings. In
brief, from three to six thousand
people more than now, having modern
convenience of travel at or near their
homes, would visit these annual
gatherings. These additional admis-
sions would mean a good deal to the
associations and their management.
have only words of commendation
for the management of these various
associations. They have provided
nearly everything to be obtained as
attractions. Still they are confronted
with fear of Shortage
could say more than space permits
of the advantages we would gain COM
mercially if the electric railroad is
built but this is intended and
written only to portray the advantages
to come to these fairs, chautauquas.
home comings, etc., if we realize the
railroad with its up to- date inter-
urban passenger service, something
that this county and it's towns deserve.
If you are interested in the bust
ness conditions of this county, present
and future, give these matters a little
thought; or if interested in our most
important public gatherings, or if
either, why not give this new com-
pany your moral support2 Then why
not go farther, giving it your financial
support as we'll.
| The writer is an old resident of
this county, has watched its develop
ment, is proud of south west Wiscon-
sin; but for every purpose and reason
that comes to mind we want the cleo.
trio railroad. Don't leave it to
future generations to work this out !;
let rs have its advantages NOW.
Very truly yours,
P. BARLEY.