The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-08-27
FAIR ON At GARDEN CITY.
GREAT CROWDS ATTENDED
EXPO YESTERDAY
Fine Displays and An Excellent
Address Delivered BY Hon.
Frank CIague

Agricultural Society held at Garden
City yesterday.
The Blue Earth county fair is per-
haps the most unique institution OF
its kind in the United States, hav-
ing teen held almost every year
since 1859. In the year of 1859 the
fair was held in South Bend, in 1850
1861 1t was held at Garden City.
There was no fair in the year OF
1852 because Of the Indian out
breaks which were terrifying the
community at that time. The fair
has been held continuously at Gar
den City since the year OF 1862 with
the exception OF several years when
II was held in Mankato and that was
wears ago in Mankato. The residents
of Garden City take great pride IN
the TACT that the lair is held al tnat
place, of the smallest hamlets in Blue
Earth county.
Garden City Is the gathering place
for people from all sections or Blue
Earth county during the TWO DAYS
of the fair. Benjamin Pay, w. II.
Pay, James Coy and A. c. Barney
were perhaps the only pioneers OF
Southern Minnesota on the grounds
who we're present at the first fair
held in 1859.
An old-Time Penny.
Mr.. Coy had in his possession an
old penny, bearing the date OF 1888.
This coin is slightly larger than the
present % cent piece, and presents
a most interesting relic. Mr.. Ben1a-
min Pay and Lucius Barrett, now de-
deceased were on the committee which
arranged for the first fair 10 be held
III Garden City. The lair always
gives an opportunity for the old set
tiers to be with their friends, and in
addition TO being a splendid county
fair is favorable as reunion or the
pioneers.
A carefully arranged program OF
sports and amusements made the
day a most interesting one Tor the
visitors.
A number Of horse and pony races
excited enthusiasm. In quarter mile
race the horse entered by R. c. Cros-
by finished first; the one entered by
Frank Moses, Madelia, second; and
another entered by Frank Moses,
third. ------ =, ,.-ea-s- Il rs, (.
William Leach, Garden City cap
tured first pace in the pony race
Delos Jay, Garden City, second; Me-
roll Jay, Garden City, third.
The mule race resulted in vic
tory for the mule ridden by Gilbert
Flernming The animals ridden by
Albert Flennning and Edgar Fleni-
ming finished second and third re-
In a pony race Glen Edwards, Jud-
sou, finished first; Dan Bulfor, Gar
den City, second; Bert Putrah. Gar
den City, third; Louis Anderson.
Christensen, Lake Crystal, fifth.
Address 5y Frank Claque.
Hon. Frank Clague Of Redwood
Falls who was speaker Of the day
opened his address complimenting the
people OF the county on the excellent
place in which they held their fair.
He spoke briefly on the origin of the
association in 1859, and OIL ne fairs
that have been held practically con-
tinouslH since that date. In COM
menting upon affairs of the present
the speaker said that he was thank
full that the liquor traffic had been
done away with and that suffrage
was at least in the process Of rati-
fcation. He urged all present to do
rage for women. Mr.. Clague remarks
concerning the liquor. traffic and wo-
mems suffrage brought fourth bursts
OF applause from his audience" /
have faith in the people, the speaker
said. and ! am proud Of what
America did in this recent war" Mr..
Clague urged the people to try to|
that is spreading over the country
Of the present time. IN closing his
address the speaker asked the peo-
pie to try to pull together" and to
get away from the differences that
have always existed between the CT
ty and the country.
Singing Of America.
% Mr In Cd hn
audience sang America" accompa-
MED by the Sandon band. The same
band also rendered several numbers
of the program in addition to those
given throughout the day. Solo num-
bers by members Of the organization
Included q cornet solo "The Rosary"
by W. A; Sandon, and an xylophone
band of Lake Crystal was in atted
ance and delighted the crowd with
their numbers.
Free attractions by the Reeds were
very entertaining.
The exhibition hall was filed with
showing OF different kinds by mer
chants from all sections Of the coun-
boy, A. g. schwarz and b. o.
Schwarz, proprietors, had display
of household electric fixtures in OPP
Grafton.
Electric fixtures were also dis
played by the Electric Shop of Lake
Crystal.
The Lake View Farmers club had
a most attractive display of canned
goods, fancy work and lace.
A player piano was in the booth
occupied by the Bartlett Music com
pany of Lake Crystal, furnishing
music for the visitors
War risk information was given
at the Red Cross booth. The baby
clinic was also stationed in this
booth.
The Achievement club Of Rapidan
had an excellent display Of produce,
fancy work and canning
Farm produce was on display at
the Good Thunder Liberty club.
The New Edison was demonstrated
at the Conner Jones booth.
Most artistic was the display put
on by the Watonwan Farmers club
where produce and fancy w4rk was
shown. In this booth a picture won
as premium at the fair held in
2 Garden City in 1888 was ON display