THE DISTRICT FAIR.
The second annual Fair of the new Clinton District Agricultural and Stock Association, this week, was favored with perfect weather, although much too warm and dusty for comfort. But for the sprinkling of track and street approaches every night, and part of the time at noon, in fact, the heat and dust would have been insupportable.
As an agricultural exhibition little can be said of it; in stock the display was better; mercantile and domestic spreads were very fine; but racing was the chief and the drawing feature of the three afternoons, supplemented by circus driving and balloon drops.
Besides the trotters and pacers on the track, the showing of horses was a splendid one and the stalls were full. B. L. Rogers exhibited 13 Percherons; 2 yearlings weighing 1250 and 1350 pounds; a pair of two-year olds, 3150; 2 three-year olds, 1850 and 2100; a four-year old mare, 1930 and thin; and brood mares with colts -- an unequaled dozen, securing as many premiums.
Forest and Dunham, Miles and Andover, had in 11 Short Horn cattle of superior quality; R. E. Watts, Miles, 8 of the same breed and class; C. W. Grave, Lyons, 10 head of first-class Short Horns; Edwin Reynolds & Son, fine lot of Aberdeen Angus; Mr. Dean, several Jerseys; Mrs. Francis, Short Horns; and perhaps there were others.
The hog pens were not all filled, but there was a capital lot of swine on view. D. R. Cook had 8 Tamworths -- one standing 3 1/2 feet high, 8 feet in length, and girth 5 1/2 feet -- fact. Geo. S. Forest presented 6 Poland Chinas and 4 Tamworths, from Teeds Grove; J. H. Turner, DeWitt, a Chester White; and R. E. Watts 19 Poland Chinas.
Supt. Wilcox said the poultry show was a good bit better than last years, and every coop was full of feathered money layers.
Case & Co., Becker Bros., and Baldwin Bros. had a valuable array of wagons, etc. in the shade.
In Art Hall there were numerous attractions in mercantile and domestic productions -- the entries actually too numerous for enumeration here.
G. W. Ashton's popular cash store was represented by very tastefully arranged samples of desirable goods of many descriptions.
Towle & Spreter presented attractive arrangements of goods that they lead this section in, a mere hint of the stock in store.
C. E. Armstrong & Co., excellent samples from their great stock, hardware, etc.
C. Magnussen, space filled to the best advantage from his big hardware establishment.
Nissen & Jacobsen, Van Allen and Rixon, W. K. Miller, H. Specht, Hair Bazar, Hart et al., J. L. Mahan, Krebs & Co., and others, with good in their lines.
C. H. Einhausen and Mrs. Einhausen had a fine display of photographs and paintings, and there were many other pictures in the same department. Mr. Voss, penmanship and automatic shadings, etc.
L. J. Buell had out a few fine apples, and there were a very few other samples of fruit, grain, vegetables, and other farm productions.
The lay-out of kitchen products all could appreciate, even a printer; catch one of those cooks and you have a good housekeeper.
When you reached the department of fine-hand domestic arts, however, there was too much to see and admire, too many varieties, and everything too nice altogether for a mere man to do justice to. Look at the list of premiums awarded when published. Lace knitting we did notice, but couldn't see through it at al at all.
The Oakland Auxiliary had a good stand in the hall, and sold their wares readily, for a good purpose.
The Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches, at tables handy, serve meals, ice cream and lemonade galore. The Church viands, not to mention the proximity of the horse racing, commended orthodoxy to the palates of even the unregenerate, and the money made was well earned. Others sold drinks and fruits and lunches; the whirligig kept whirling, the foolish and crafty bet, everybody sweat, and enjoyed the day better than the Fourth of July.
On Thursday the attendance was up to 6000 -- 5200 tickets sold; and as yesterday was Clinton day, with three good races, a still larger crowd was anticipated.
The Light Guard Band furnished by music throughout, and the Black Hussars, with the Noble company, when a daily and gave a touch of the excellent quality of their playing.
The races were most satisfactory to the audience. Wednesday, the 2.25 pace was won by Miss Sherwood--five heats; time 2.20 1/2, 2.19 1/4, 2.20, 2.21, 2.25; Charlotte 2d, Lady Wilkes 3d, Floyd Hazelton 4th. The 3.00 trot--Tribulation 1st, Miss Foley 2d, Ino M. 3d, Louie Raymond 4th, Lucky Ike 5th, Audry 6th, Trevelie 7th; time 2.30, 2.31 1/2. Delan, Elvira, farmer's team, 1st; Turner 2d, McLaughlin 3d.
Thursday--Nellie Brace 1st in 2.30 trot, Delanto 2d, Harry B 3d; time 2.19 1/2, 2.19 1/4, 2.22 1/4. In 2.20 pace, five heats, Ella March 1st; time 2.17 1/2, 2.18, 2.20 1/4, 2.18 1/4, 2.23 1/4.
(Source: Clinton Mirror, 02 Sep 1899)