The Tomahawk., 1921-10-13
Wisconsin Indians Hold
Annual Fair.

month at Keshena, Wisconsin, and
the unique exhibit attracted thous-
and of visitors from all parts of
the state
The 800 square miles Of the res
eryation was combed to find. at
tractive exhibits for. this years
fair. While Indians representing
several different tribes attended,
competition for prizes was restrict
ed to Menominee Indians. All
agricultural products were raised
by exhibitors themselves on their
reservation, the population OF
which was 1,788, according to the
1921 census. All live stock ex'
hibited by the Indians bad been
owned at least one year by. the
exhibitor, thus practically keeping
competition to Indian grown stock.
The new stock barn held a fine
display Of dairy cattle, horses and
hogs. The grain and potato ex-
hibits were not the equal of some
of former fairs, due to~this years
poor crop; but the Indian talent
for raising corn was seen in the
yellow, red, and white dent and
flint corns, as we'll as in the softer
Indian corn.
Probably no fair in the United
States brings together better
collection of ponies than the Ke-
shena fair. Prizes are given for
the ,oest pony teams, the best pony
mare and COLT, and the best spring
driving colt. These prizes are
vigorously contested and resulted
ii L. large showing Of the now
comparatively rare Indian ponies.
The race track struck all white
visitors as unusual. 1t is a turf
track, strikingly French in 40
pearance, and different from the
usual American dirt track. The
red and white fence, built of un-
sawed posts and rails, added to the
natural effect. Only running races
were held, but they gave ample
chance to exhibit Indian riding
skill and pony stamina. The
crowds we're scattered along the
rails on the home stretch, as the
only grandstand is inside the oval,
back of the baseball diamond. The
ancient Indian sport of foot rae
ing came in for its due share of
the fun.
~ Children's day, the young stud
ents from the government school
and from. St. Joseph's industrial
Eschoels were brought to see the
fun. Old soldiers and all Menom
inee Indians on the ration list were
admitted free on this day. The
children had a special interest in
the fair, as exhibits from their
schools showed the high quality of
classroom and field work done
during the last year.
Each year this fair has taken a
stronger hold on the older Indians
and the white residents in the sur
rounding country. E. A. Allen,
reservation superintendent, 1T:
tributes this largely to the fact
that each year more young H.
dams 60 home from the schools to
spread the gospel Of '''our fair. :"
Former white visitors are enthu-
siastic boosters:
The Menominee fair holds this
distinction; 1t draws wider va
riety of equipages of ancient vipt
age than any other fair in the
state Of Wisconsin The sprightly
trap of earlier daya-slightly
soiled, it's true, but still function,
! ling .admirably-was to be seen this
year. The stately barouehe, the
almost extinct species called surry,
the practical sprig wagon, and toe
once stylish runabout we're all on
the grounds. They added to the
picturesque features of q fair that
has no railroad track within many
miles Of it's spacious and beautiful
grounds,
F