The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-09
HOLD GRANGE FAIR
Annual Event at Indian Greek
Shows Growth.
Agricultural College Helps Run
Exhibit Departments.
MERCHANTS, FARMERS MEET
No Horse Races, Side Shows or
Fake Schemes.
Fair Sprung From Backyard
Meeting of NeighbOrs.
BY LAVANCHE HARDICK FORBES.

BY LAVANCHE HARDICK FORBES.
II was just because a community of
prosperous farmers, north of Topeka,
awakened to the fact that sentiment
must out, that all work and no play
makes farmer boys and girls dull chill
dren and that it takes money to make
tne mare go, that the Indian Creek
orange fair movement was started
some years ago. Though no horse rae
ing, no side shows or no takers are of
| 1ered as an attraction, yet from year
to year the crowd grows larger the
annual deficit. decreases and prosper
lty increases. The first week in De-
tober has come to be known in this
community as "Old Home Week" and
men and women come back from all
parts of the country to see old friends
and nelghbOrS at the fair and there is
more visiting and hand shaking Ter
square foot among them at this gath
ering than at any other place in KAN
SaS.
| The grange is the nucleus of the So
claI life of the country side, and the
annual fair the largest social effort,
as well as financial effort of the wear
Farmers come from far and near to
combine on action and enjoyment and
In nine short years it has grown from
a little neighborhoCd affair, held in
one of the members back yard to ar
incorporated institution under the
auspices of the grange with the fair
management now owning two acres of
ground and fine two story hall. The
attendance nire years ago was 200.
Gates receipts this year showed an
attendance Of 1000.
Locally the grange fair is of more
interest than the state fair, although
1t fosters a good for it. The exhibits,
while net so extensive, were as good
as those shown at the state fair in
Topeka.
Premiums Given BY Merchants.
In the live stock display some fine
stock was shown. The prizes were
monetary as well as honorary,
miums in the live stock department.
OF this, $35.75 was expended upon
cattle premiums. $1,000 for sheep and
$3.50 for poultry Some cash
prizes were given, but for the most
part prizes consisted of premiums do
mated by the merchants of Topeka.
prominent harness merchant Of
fered a pair of SIS horse blankets for
Der company offered SIS worth of
shingles for the best spring draft colt |
The prize for the best single driver |
was SO in trade at a local vehicle and |
harness store.
In the cattle department a cream
cry gave SIS for the best mature milk
COW. A IS pair of shoes was given
by an undertaken to the man show
ing the best heifer under two years
old. For the best calf q SIS laundry |
book by a local laundry was given.
Most of the premiums in the poul-
try department wcrc poultry food,
lice killer and other supplies of that
nature.
All stock was judged by experts.
Most of them were from the Kansas
state agricultural college and their
services were free.
Women Drew, Too.
The women, too, had chances at
SUI bstantial rewards for $40 was eX-
pended for premiums in this depart
ment by the grange and local mer-
chants. Pantry stores and textile eX-
hibitS occupied one whole floor or the
grange hall.
Flour mills each offered a sack of
flour as a premium for the best loaf
Of bread made from its flour. Not
only different brands of flour but
whole wheat bread drew a sack of
whole wheat flour. The best loaf of
graham bread drew a sack of graham
flour and the best corn meal mufflns
irew a sack of corn meal
Every variety of pie conceivable had
A first and second prize offered for the
best and second best The prizes were
solicited after this wise:
Mrs. superintendent of Pantry J
Stores, when soliciting premiums !
would hail a we'll known merchant
With the following greeting: What is
your favorite kind of pie or preserves
1r salad?"
Peach pie, pear preserves and fruit 1
'alad," responded Mr.. Merchant. c
Mrs. Grange Lady would then pro-
luce her notebook and pencil
would you like to offer something t
n your line as & premium for the best q
peach pie or pear preserves or fruit a
alad % Mrs. Grange Lady would ask i
,weetly.
He usually did, for it is good ad- c
-ertising for Mr.. Merchant to have 1
like the following in the c
md premium list: For the best
cake, first prize, one twelve
'unce bottle of vanilla, by the T. J.
grocery Co., or for the best cherry
Blank Hardware Co 1t is a good
olicy for the merchants of Topeka to L
i've premiums and they know it
Thich probably accounts for the
list each year.
X. S. A. c. Man JUDGED Cakes.
The pantry stores were judged by
competent judge from the Kansas l
tate Agricultural college and compe- +
tion was keen and brains alert for s.
lggestions for each woman was right b
mere when her stuff was judged. She I
0und out and remembered why her )
axe, which would melt in your mouth a
nd looked like a bridal cake, only a
7Ored 90 when her neighbours cake, II
-hich was smaller and drier looking n
AXE, scored 100.
''Indigestible," murmured the Judge il
and diversified" What wona- 81
n would not remember when three n
Ich words were applied to her per- S
.ctly lovely cake. a.
In the textile department the ex- t.
ibits were truly wonderful samples 7
the handiwork of the fair sex of the a.
ommunity. Embroidery, crochet, tat W
ng and quilts were the four CLASSES d.
1own and one end of the big Grange
all was filled with this display.
rizes such as cut glass, gold handled.
mbrellas, scissors, stationery and a A
)cking chair were offered The ca
,cking chair went to an old lady past m
years old, who won first prize en- a,
lilts III