The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-09-26

with dinner yesterday. There were
many people always on the waiting
list, and the crush at the entrance
Of the hall reminded one Of bar
gain counter rush.
The w. c.. T. u. rest room was
appreciated by the ladies' and chill.
dren.
The merry-goround was largely
patroDized, as were all other games.
The Gambling Games.
Speaking of games, there were no
lack of gambling games. Eight of
these were in operation. They in
cluded wheels of fortune, dice games
and other gaming devices. All these
games were in row and they did
a land office business. They re-
minded one of Monte Carlo. One of
the operators announced that he was
not catering to spectators, but to
spectators. The spectators" were
there all right. The operators coined
money. When nightfall came the
fair management informed the bunch
that their presence was no longer
necessary to the success of the fair
In consequence there were no chance
games on the grounds today.
The Good Thunder band furnished
music during yesterday. The Sterl-
ing drum corps also was on the
grounds. The drum corps is made
up of A. ]. Ellis. Robert Ellis. George
Conrad, II. NJ. Fisk and Amos Fisk.
The corps has been organized IF
teen years.
Large Attendance Yesterday.
1t is estimated the attendance yes
terday reached more than 5000.
There was a large delegation of Man
kato people in attendance, many go
ing via autos and couple of hun.
cred by train.
There were a number of pioneer
settlers present. Among these were
Peter Mertasdorf, Franklin Barnes,
DR.. McMichael of Vernon Center and
B. D. Pay of Mankato.
The speakers yesterday afternoon
were Attorney A. G. Gilmore of Lake
Crystal and Dairy and Food Com
missioner Winkjer. Both gentlemen
dwelt on the value of county fairs
to the farming community. These
annual shows are of great benefit
to the farmers. Mr. Gilmore spoke
as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends
and Neighbors: We are met again
to celebrate our annual county fair
at Garden City. This is indeed a
beautiful spot, spot surpassed by
none other. These great hills half
encircle US like the mighty Coliseum's
roofiess walls, We are in a vast
amphitheatre, as it were. which has
been reared and shaped by the hand
of God. And then like the meats of
the ancient castles, the river Waton-
wan wends and bends its way at the
foot of these hills and babbles on
over rapids and waterfalls, on to
meet the mighty Mississippi, on to
the Gulf, there to mingle with the
waters OF the blue Atlantic.
"a score of years ago I, as q boy,
was familiar with this region. We
boys knew every good swimming
hole along this river for miles. Right
out yonder was a splendid swimming
pool. None of US boys ever was able to
dive to the bottom. And then down
there back of Evans old hotel was
another delightful pool with it's long
sandy beaches and rocks from which
to dive. Then just this side was
old Sand Bur Point. If the cattle
CHANGED to wander up there, in we
had to go with our bare feet. /
can feel those sand burs now as I
think about it all. The Evans old
hotel and the old frame school house
are gone now; but Gods mighty
! hills and the river are here. There
are not as many paths winding
through brush and woodland, not as
many wild things growing as in
days of yore; but, still the touch OF
nature is here Esnder are the same
walnut trees from which we gath.
cred our bushels of nuts. Sometimes
we were not content to await Jack
Frost but FASTENED the time of fall.
| ing by climbing out on the branches
with long fish poles to knock down
the green nuts.
! these splendid days of the past
even with their attendant hardships
all come back to me now like a
pleasant dream. The softening haze
of time subdues the harsh and hard
lines and mellows it all into a pleas,
ant memory, a pleasing picture. !
/ love these memories / cherish them
! all; and / shall. carry them with me
as valued and valuable inheritance
during all the days Of my life clear
to. the sunset of old age, and in its
/ twilight. if this is given me, I shall
muse over the boyhood memories
/ of these hills and rivers and valleys
Il wish to talk to you for a little
while this afternoon, as best l may
upon some of the problems that