The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1915-11-13
THE STATE FAIR.

The writer greatly enjoyed visit to
the State Fair, at Shreveport, during
two days of it's entire session lasting
from November 1st to 8th. The eX-
hibits were excellent, varied and in
teresting, and of far greater scope
than would be realized by one who has
never attended this annual exhibition
of the States resources. While it is
true that much is yet to be done before
the exposition is a complete one, yet
that which has already been accom-
plished fills one with pride that the
State is making progress in all branches
of agriculture and animal industry.
Permanent buildings in brick have been
erected for the accommodation of the
various exhibits, and a remarkably
handsome grand stand of concrete.
The fair association endeavors to add
at least one new building each year,
and in other ways is on the qui vive
for plans for the fairs development.
1t is estimated that eighty thousand
people visited the fair, this year, and
to a casual observer it seemed that
they were all there the day he was
The crowds were dense, but on the
whole were very well-behaved and
good-natured. The writer never saw
a drunken man nor smelled whisky
on the breeze, Though having a nat
urally keen scent for the detection of
liquor on any ones breath) A sign or
two of "Near beer" provided an oasis
to some, and doubles the must-have-its
found something even stronger. They
were extremely modest and reticent
about 1t however What might be
called the Barrett booth was where ice
water was given away by some wOmans
anti-liquor association. 1t was freely
patronized, and more than one glance
was given to the map surrounding the
booth showing how largely dry Louis
lana already is-"the city of New Or
leans excepted"
Attendance Of farmers and their
wives and families was large, and all
Of these must have found much infor-
nation and inspiration in the various
exhibits germane to their great bust
ness. Perhaps the newest thing to
many was the demonstration of plow-
ing done by farm tractor
1t was with great regret that the
writer observed that neither of the
Felicianas had a parish exhibit, and in
fact nothing was found from individual
exhibitors, although there were some
there. In the latter case they were
certainly not conspicuous. This, of
course, should not be. 1t is hardly
boasting to remark on the obvious fact
that the Felicianas are among the par
ishes most richly endowed by the hand
of God. It's well-watered hills and
dales, it's fertile soil, its salubrious
climate are an earnest of what Provi
dence has done for the happy land"
by which its first settlers called it. Is
1t not incumbent upon those who enjoy
its advantages to show forth it's praises
as well? where much is given" we
are told much will be required and
this should be as true industrially as it
is officially. 1t is matter of duty, as
we'll as Of worthy pride, that the
Felicianas should be advertised, that
it may be seen of all men that though
the parishes are not fully developed
that they are on the way, and that
their people are progressive and alert
ready to accept all good modern ideas,
and put them into successful execution.
The Felicianas must be right on the
spot in the State Fair of 1916 to prove
the truth of all the foregoing state
ments.