Morris tribune., 1916-10-06
FAIR MANAGEMENT
REPORTS SUCCESS
Number of Exhibits Reach 3, 900
Mark and $500 Persons
Pass Through Gates

1t is estimated that three thousand
five hundred persons passed through
the gates at the Stevens county fair
which was held in this city three days
last week. When the fair closed
Saturday night the fair management
had served six thousand cups of coffee
free of charge to visitors and had eX
amined and awarded premiums on five
thousand exhibits entries. The total
receipts had been counted up and
they amounted to 81 200. The sue
cess of the fair financially was
greater this year than for the five
years previous and the management
will have about 5000 to apply on
outstanding Indebtedness.
The list of premium winners, which
is exceedingly large, cannot be pub
lished this week. Secretary Wollthan
is busy with the fair summary and
the exact figures may not be known
for several weeks more.
Despite the fact that the fair
opened under discouraging weather
conditions and almost impossible
roads, all of which reduced the num-
Der of exhibits and cut down the at
tendance, the fair got under way
nicely on the second day and it was
decided to add one more day to the
programs. This little change brought
considerable extra work to Secretary
Wollthan but it also increased the
financial gain about $4OO.
Never before say regular fair at
tendants had the corn exhibits been
so numerous and of such uniform
good quality as they were at the fair
this year Corn grown in all parts
of the county were on display and in
terest among farmers was augmented
by the boys corn contest. The poul-
try showing was also better than eX-
pected under the circumstances. Some
new md fancy breeds were shown this
year and many new names appeared
on the list of exhibitors. The show
ing in live stock was revelation.
Every exhibit was a home grown
product. The stock filled all the barns
and outside room was used. The Nor
ris University farm school was there
with an exhibit and a demonstration
which made hit with everyone, espe-
cialIy the farmers. Supt. Higbie,
Prof. Miller and Miss Wilder are en-
titled to great credit for the manner
in which the exhibit was arranged.
In the domestic science, arts and
needIework departments waning
interest appeared, probably due to
weather conditions which prevented
the women from bringing their in
tended exhibits.
The amusement features of the fair
this year were not elaborate but varied
to a degree that brought surprise and
a hearty endorsement on the part of
the visitors. Expressions everywhere
indicated the innovation struck a
popular fancy. The races and con-
tests were all homegrown" and
those who participated showed more
interest than is usually manifest
among professional horse racers or
outside contestants. The fair indi
Gated a waning interest in the pro-
fessional horse race and it is probable
that professional horse racing will be
retired on the Stevens county track
for CoInp time tn come
In the tree-for all pace and trot
Andy Sunby's beautiful filIy, "Lady
Barbour" captured the first prize in
a field of five entries. The time was
2 :23. Dad O'Connor handled the
reins with consumate skill and wor
the plaudits of the grandstand. Ir
the combination race which required
about as much time as ParsifaI
opera, Ralph Mulford whose namesake
is winning worldwide nutoriety or
the auto race tracks of the country,
captured the top prize on the first day
William Richards was the winner or
the second day and in the matter
of time had Mulford beaten by sew
eral minutes. The mule race was
exciting in its novelty. The comedy
was increased by one of the drivers
who appeared in foxy Grandpa cos
tune. The mules set their own pace
while the drivers beat them over the
ears with something that looked like
water-lily reeds. Lester Getchell was
the winner on the first day and in the
second race Arthur Carlson, ALA:
Foxy Grandpa, carried off the honors
In the machine races speed wa
greatly reduced by the soft condi
tion of the track. Minor accident
occurred in the auto and motorcycle
races but none of the racers were
injured. o. Swenson. a young MAJ
at the agricultural school, was thC