The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1916-03-03
FIRST FAIR IN
THE WEST.

Jim Bridger was the first white
man to establish fair in the inter-
mountain country or to make any
move resembling fair. He was a
trapper, and discovered Great Salt
Lake in 1924. Twenty-three years
later he camped with Bringham
Young near the present site of Evans
ton, Wyoming, and he talked of the
possibilities of agriculture in the
great plateau and especially in the
Salt Lake basin. He advised Brig
ham of the success that he and others
had already attained in growing
hardy plants, and ssid he believed
they might raise corn around Salt
Lake. Just to start the experimental
work he offered bonus Of $500 for
the first bushel matured. He had
been all up and down and across the
western world, and he advised the
Mormons to settle at Salt Lake.
Brigham had map that had been
made by John G. Fremont, the path
finder, and when Bridger saw it he
began to point out how and where
1t was wrong. He told Brigham that
II he steered the Mormons by that
map he would have them fetch up"
in the wrong places many times.
Then he said that If they would pro-
vide him with some white cloth of
some kind he would take piece
of charcoal and make a better map
of the country ahead than Fremont
had made, and he did. He thereby
became the first in map drawing and
raised some stock and he exhibited
such as he had with him. That meet
ing Of Brigham and Bridger was the
beginning of fairs in the plateau, and
in order to secure the premium Offer
ed by Bridger some corn had to be
raised and exhibited.
Other Fairs Later
Under the conditions of those early
settlements it was advisable to hold
fairs and exhibit the products of the
land to show what could be raised.
The same conditions have existed in
many other valleys with varying al
titude. 1t was so in Snake river val
lie. Thirty-ive years ago it was gen.
orally conceded that one could raise
very good potatoes and ruttabagas
here and that wheat, oats and barley
yielded well when it did not get
frost bitten. The staple fruits were
wild currants and wild gooseberries,
and practically all others were taboo
ed or questioned. Under those con-
ditions it was advisable to have some
time and place to assemble the prod
ucts and show what could be raised.
Malad valley was the place. There
was a Touring mill at Malad and
when man went to mill, he talked
with the Inhabitants of that high val
ley and learned that Dad Bush" and
others raised domesticated fruits.
That was challenge to all the Snake
river country and it did not go un-
needed. When it was proposed to
establish sugar factory at Blackfoot
agriculture became serious matter,
and the invitation to bring products
to fair at Blackfoot brought a
hearty response. Settlers were an
xious to show everybody, and every
body was shown and they held the
fruits in their own hands and theft
ed" them.
Saw But Learned Little
Experience has shown that when
a man "hefted" squash or an onion
he did not enquire as to how it was
grown. When he looked at a gavel
Of grain he did not ask when it was
sown or how many times it.was har-
rowed or watered or how deep was !
the pillow set. He merely looked at |
it and passed on. If it was better
than his grain it was better, and If |
it was not so good he boasted that |
he could beat that himself. He did |
not learn anything as to methods by
seeing it or by seeing anything that
was on exhibit. He simply had it
proven to him that it was there If
he wanted to ask questions about
how it was raised, the farmer who
produced it was not present and no
body else knew much If anything
about it. Most of the people who
went to the fair went to see the
races. If they went into the exhibit
hall it was only for a passing ex-
animation Of products by rows and
groups. Not many went to see the
stock, and when they. did, most of
them viewed it only as they view
stock at circus-to see and to be
entertained by its presence. The
rest of the time spent at the grounds
conferred in the races and other con-
tests.
New Methods or Failure (
The Blackfoot fair, then, has
proven the things it was capable Of
proving. The Aberdeen fair proved
similar things and has had its day
Of usefulness. The fair of the fu-
ture must needs answer the ques- I
lions that are current at the time or {
It has no need for existence. The {
question in peoples minds at this {
lime is relative to crop yield; how !
10 increase the yield and keep down t
he cost of production of the various t
.hings that are acknowledged COM 9
nercial crops. How to enable the t
)oys and girls to take each a corner :
Il the old homestead of their fathers, i
md by better farming, make equally +
IS good homes for themselves as did a
heir parents on the larger area. 7