The Adair County news., 1917-06-13
Gone GIImmerin9.

Inc closing out OF the fair grounds
last week in the sale of lots marks an
epoch in the history of this county
that brought joy once year to many
of our people. For many years the
fair was held beginning on Tuesday
next to the Goth of August, continued
four days-the most leisure time in
this section, and therefore drew large
crowds each day. While spirited con-
tests were common for the premiums
yet the social features-the hours of
leisure. where friends met friends in
pleasant conversation, were CT far
more worth and enjoyment than the
amount of money staked by the Asso-
citation. The Association was organ
lied and held its first fair in 1884. At
that date and for several years later,
much interest was found in trotting
races, and the Association played to
sentiment and dropped below the
profitable point. The patronage was
not sufficient to sustain the premiums
attractive to the trotter, and the fair
association paid deficits and disband-
ed. Some four or more years passed,
and Mr.. W. II. Hudson, owner of the
ground, renewed the fair and it was
conducted by him with c. S. Harris
Secretary and advertiser, for several
years. At his death the ground was
sold, and a company of eight men
bought it, organized The Columbia
Fair Association, and held a fair each
year with varying financial results,
but always played little to the safe
side of the ledger. In 1915 it held it's
last show, sold the grounds at public
Outcry, and it was bought by four of
the old association. Last year they
failed to play even, and sold the
ground to the Wakefield Realty Com
pany, of Shelbyville, who put the
financial touch to its history in the
sale of lots No more will be seen the
spirited rivalry that for years elected
applause. No more will the blue be
tied on the wrong nag or to the halter
of an unworthy Jersey. It's a fare
you-well Malinda--g to return no
more so far as that plot of ground is
concerned, but its marks of passing
designed by those who reaped the har-
VeSt-leaveS four pillars to its two
main streets, as we understand, marks
of respect to commemorate the names
of four of The Columbia Fair ASSoci-
alton and known as the "Big Four, s"
namely. r. f PAUL, H. A. Walker, J..
B. Coffey and W. L. Grady. The
first pillar next to town marks the
chief and prime promoter and director
of the four-R. f. Paull-the second
H. A. Walker, President of the Asso-
citation, third, ]. B. COffey, Secretary,
and fourth, W. L. Grady, the spirit
that moved in many hotly contests,
where the Peacocks usually wore the
blue, In speaking to a member of the
Realty Company the question was ask
ed, Why did you leave that sturdy oak
in the center of the first street, and
what relation does it bear to the old fair
association? We were informed that
it was left to commemorate a fifth
member-C S. Harrisburg the Sec
rotary of the Association, and signi-
ties opposition-not always in accord
with the "big FOUR" but always in
the middle of the road. Mr. Robert
Ye1ndg being a nonresident member,
was left with no memento. MI. Lem
Smythe, active only the four days of
the Fair was not memorialized, while
J. H. Young was left several lots at a
price he was willing to pay to identify
his interest and long connection with
that plot of ground No more fairs,
no more blues-Columbia is stretching
out.