The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-09-10
THE SOUTHWEST FAIR TWENTY
YEARS AGO,

4
They had no agricultural halls, art
exhibits as we class them today, orr
such fixings. But they had their
Fairs, and the old cowman will tell
you they were good ones. Here is
succinct description of the cowboy.
1t may not be elegant, but the old
boys wanted it brief and to the point.
The cowboy as he rode the range
was just stack of bones high enough
to hold his head up in the air six
feet or SO, and most of them were
not burdened with much flesh. Built
sort OF on the scale of Skinny Mill
man, only most of them were trifle
better upholstered than he. They
were bunch Of sinewy steel muscles.
Some of them still retain this style
of architecture, but some of them
have had their feet under the table
three times day since tables invaded
the West, and have added bay win
dows and pudgy legs, and don't feel
half so fit as they did in the old
days.
But they had their Fairs There
wasn't much fuss discussing prelim-
lnaries, getting out premium lists,
etc; not many apples and onions,
corn and bunions on display, but the
spirit of rivalry was just as keen as
today. Who had the BEST?
No one was without the "best" cat
tie pony. and when two of these old
boys rode aside each other, talking
perhaps the most commonplace
neghborhood gossip, ever the watch
full glance was alert to detect the
faintest sign. When one rider gently
touched the flank of his pony, at
once it was accepted as call that
the race was on. There was no jock
eying-no waitlng-no favoritism-
but the test was on, and it was
test of speed, endurance and skill in
riding.
Or, as 1t would happen, two
punches of cattle would near each
other on the drive to shipping. Then
came the feats of roping, cutting out,
Workmanship, and again it was test
of who was best. The cattle were not
gently led about by a judge, and
| n
ribs or flank of the beast to locate
the best cuts of steak, but those old
boys judged a critter by its DISPOSE
ton rather than by close inspection.
There were best" saddles, brides,
riatas, blankets, hats, boots, spurs,
chaps, etc, and your cowboy thought
little of spending fifty dollars for his
saddle, thirty dollars for his chaps,
twenty dollars for his boots, and
other "habiliments" in proportion.
Always in evidence was the best
"civilizer," which sometimes reposed
In the boot, but more often was sus-
pended from the belt, and spoke six
times If its owner lasted so long as
that. Suspenders were disgraceful,
and never seen. Each of these
bronzed pioneers carried about with
him a pet trigger finger" and when
the chances were equal, one of them
was best"
Some wonderful bucking bronchos
were there. Highly sensitive crea-
lures, quivering at restraint, filled
with fear at the touch of man, and
ready to die willingly rather than
yield submission. They gave mar
velous exhibitions of endurance and
power.
Also, there was the best horse for
staid-looking old beast, Flooding
along in peaceful Indifference to
everything, calmly submitting to
being saddled and bridled, but when
straddled by this fellow with the
well-fed, sleek air of the east, his
docility was transformed into every
thing under the heavens except bed
of ease and comfort. The pony that
could not stand tenderfoot on his
head in the saddle and carry him
twenty yards without dropping him
wasn't considered worth going to
look at, while pony that could jug
gle the said t. f., so he would be al
ternately on his head and feet like
u gyrating hoop, was worth while.
Yep, they had Fairs here twenty
years ago. There weren't many
premiums offered except for the best
poker player. He took first, second
and third, and then spent every sou
Of it the next time he caught the
boys in town. 1t was a grand COM
munity of fun, hard work, real skill
and splendid fellowship. And, a
man had to be some man, in those