The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-09-07
Immense Throng At County
Fair Held Yesterday
GREAT MANY FEATURES
Attractions Were Varied and
The Big C1 wd Well Pleased;
Today's Doings
From Fridays Daily.

l6nC6Q the SIdrueu Slly ldil hui o
day. 1t was surely a gala day for
Garden City and the second day of
Blue Earth county fair. The wealth
er was all that could be desired. The
county was well represented and the
Z town and country freely intermingl
ed. The farmers turned out in great
shape, fully bent upon days pleas
ure and amusement. The attractions
too, were large and varied enough
satisfy the different tastes.
The location of the fair grounds,
as every visitor knows, is one of a
charming description. 1t would be
hard to find finer site for such
purpose. 1t looks as if nature her
self had done her best and provided
an unusual spot for farmers fair.
The encircling bluffs providing ma
tural arena of green sward along with
the fine foliage of the trees, together
with the surrounding fields of corn
presented a scene which was very
picturesque. The animation of the
good-natured crowd added to the
charm of the natural scene of beau
ty. Yesterday was old settlers day.
Blue Earth county farmers are GER
tainly a happy and industrious set of
men who are meeting with de-
served prosperity. Many are the
evidences that they are abreast OF
the times and that they freely make
use of all the modern methods of ag-
riculture and dairying. He who thinks
of the Blue Earth farmers as the old
time "rube" or "hayseed" may change
his opinion. He displays an intelli-
9ence and a taste which are greatly
to his credit. The farmer and his
family want the best to be had both
in the line of farm implements and
furniture for his home, while the
members of his household wish to
dress according to the fashion of the
hour. The farmer has become a gen.
erous spender. He wants to be in the
game. He is in it too. The sun of
prosperity is revealing by the quail
ties. Minnesota has a right to feel
proud of her sons of the soil. These
are the days when all will do well to
emphasize the calling of husbandry.
The vital welfare of the country is
largely in the keeping of the farmer.
The product of the farm is going to
prove a great factor in the winning of
the ar in which we are engaged
Should Thank the Farmer.
The output Of the munitions fac
tory is fully equalled in Importance by
the output of the farm. Uncle Sam
can feel gratified by the work which
is being done by the farmer in this
hour of need. He is the real power
behind the boys who are going to the
front.
The promoters of the Garden City
fair are certainly to be congratulated
upon the splendid display at the fair.
The entries of stock showed some
splendid specimens. 1t did not need
the eye of the stockman to notice the
fine qualities of the cattle which
were on exhibition. The awards were
expected to be announced today.
Those who visited the floral hall
had the pleasure of seeing display
of the art and industry of the wom-
en-. The ladies had listened with
good effect to the advice of Herbert
Hoover. They have done their "bit"
as may be seen by the work of can
ming in which they have been engag-
ed. The Free Press should be want
ing in appreciation if it did not al
Jude to the unusual specimens fur
lework, while beautiful paintings
were also seen on exhibition.
The vegetable and fruit display was
interesting and the quality was good.
Mention should be made of some of
the potatoes and apples as well as
ears of corn. The time has come
when the people of Blue Earth coun-
ty may prof1tably give consideration
iyynff Nf fr,,.@
tables on larger scale. There is no
reason why this state cannot take
rank with this in raising more of the
liner qualities of fruit and what Is
commonly called garden stuff"
Splendid Horses Shown.
The horses which were placed on
exhibition showed the farmers of the
county possessed some splendid ami
mails for working purposes. The trac-
tor is not easily going to displace the
horse on the farm while horses are
produced of the kind seen at Garden
City.
The managers of the fair laid them
selves out in fine shape to the en-
joyment of the patrons. The enter
tainment provided was varied enough
to suit all tastes. .Acobats and trap
eze performers delighted the crowd
and ample music was supplied by the
Sandon band of Mankato and also by
the Good Thunder band In the course
of the afternoon a spirited game of
base bali was played between the
Mankato and Chaska teams. At the
end of the afternoon some fine rae
ing was witnessed upon the track.
Soon after this large crowd gather
ed in front of the speakers stand to
listen to the address of Laurence C..
Hodgson from st. Paul. The address
was not only well received but the
speaker had the sympathy of his au-
dience from the start while his pa
trietic utterances were vigorously
applauded. He was introduced by HI.
C. Hotaling, of Mapleton and the adj
dress. was followed by some excellent
singing by the Orpheus quartet of
Mankato.
Those in charge of the fair felt
highly gratified by the large attend
ance which is ahead of all previous
years, while they are to be commend
ed for their great efforts to please
the public.
The fair continued today. Judge