The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-09-04
Exhibits and People Safer at
Fair Grounds Than at Home.
Secretary Cook Says Apprehen-
sion Excuse of "Tight Wad."
FREE HOSPITAL PROVIDED
Persons Taken Ill on Grounds
to Receive Best Care.
Topeka State Fair One of Big
gest i'm Middle West.

Secretary Cook, of the Topeka State
Fair association, who is quite the
busiest man in Topeka just now, never
theless spared a few minutes this
morning to relieve himself of some just
indignation when he was told that there
was feeling of apprehension among
some persons and possible exhibitors
over the danger of fire at the fair
grounds during the fair.
This class of people is looking for
apprehension of one kind or another,
but for the most part their apprehen-
sion is not over any danger of fire. They
are making this an excuse. Their real
apprehension is that they may have
to dig up the price of admission to
take themselves and their families TO
see the big show.
LAS a matter of fact never before
has there been less danger of fire at
the fair than will be the case next
week. This is true, because While there
is absolutely no more risk now than on
former occasions, much more precau-
tions have been taken than before,
simply because there has been talk Oh
fire.
AS a matter of fact the fair grounds
is just as well protected from fire as is
any place in the city There are ire
plugs located at various points over
the grounds and the fire-fighting equip
ment of the city can reach the grounds
in much less time than is possible at
many other points in the city. The
property of exhibitors will be fully as
safe or more so at the fair grounds
as would be the case were it in the
possession of the exhibitor, for in ad-
dition to the fire protection at hand,
most of the buildings at the fair
grounds are fireproof. There will be
no danger of grass fires for the grass
is too short to burn, and even if such
were not the case, the numerous streets
and cinder paths which have recently
been constructed would act fire
guards and prevent the flames from
spreading.
An Emergency Hospital.
1t is a foregone conclusion that with
the thousands of people who will be in
attendance at the fair, that some OF
them will either be taken i'll, or meet
with trivial and possibly serious acci-
dents. In anticipation of this, as well
as of other details, the lair manage
ment has arranged for a complete en-
ergency hospital on the grounds where
and skillful treatment will
be administered. A fully equipped hos
pital under cover of eleven commodious
tents will be located under the shady
elms near the main gate, and will be
under the charge of Kilmaurs King, of
the Foster Humane society, and phySi-
clans and nurses from Christ's hospi-
tai will be in attendance. Everything
will be absolutely free at the hospital
and no person will succeed in getting
his money accepted for any service re-
ceived there.
'-One-third of the fair is on the
grounds right now,' said Mr.. Cook
this morning. I'm preparation we are
a full twenty-four hours ahead of
what we were at the same time at any
of the previous fairs. And the fair is
going to be an eye-opener. 1t will be
the kind of a fair that people three
years ago never dreamed could be
made possible 1t will so far excel
the Nebraska state fair or any state
years. that it will rank as one of the
big fairs of the middle-west, and it
will be worth hundreds of thousands
of dollars to the people of Kansas by
has produced in this the driest year of
her history Conservative people are
the ones who count most and con-
servative people like to know the
worst of anything they are interested
in, and this fair will show that Kan
5as at her worst is so much better
than many other states at their best,
that they will no longer have any
doubts about Kansas
Advance Guard Here.
The advance guard of the $50 show
cattle which have been entered is al
ready on the grounds. These are two
herds of ShorthOrns, fifteen from the
Hill herd at Carthage, Mo, and
twelve owned by H. H. Holmes, of
Great Bend, Kansas. The latter is a
strictly Kansas bred herd and every
one is a top-notcher. Mr. Holmes is
one of those with the spirit which is
the Kansas fair a success and !
the fair anagement appreciates the i
kind of spirit which causes a man to |
go to the trouble and expense of pre- !
pairing for show purposes and bring |
ng across the state at this unSeaSOn- |
able time, a herd of show cattle.
In the horse department. although i
here will be several hundred speed |
animals on the grounds, there will be |
close to the same number of draught |
The Percheron class will be |
strong. The revival of in |
.erest in the sheep industry will be
reflected in an excellent exhibit, and |
oorkers big and small and of all !
breeds will be represented by the best |
specimens of each breed.
The fruit display, especially apples, |
month ago. and will be highly val |
liable in showing what can be pro- |
luced in an off year.
The textile and fine arts depart |
nents are receiving more attention |
han ever before. Interest in this de- |
1artment is markedly increased |
.mong the women, and the arts and !
landcrafts exhibits are of superior /
quality and more numerous than for /
nerly. |