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Newspaper
Algona Republican
Location
Algona, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Aug 25, 1897
Page
3
The Algona Republican Town Supplement promotes the coming Des Moines State Fair from September 9 to 18, urging readers to attend and engage. It frames the fair as a public, people’s enterprise and emphasizes community benefit, noting organizers’ efforts to improve the event and inviting widespread participation.
Readers are urged to attend the Des Moines state fair with its thousands of exhibits, dazzling lights, night pageants, river scene recreations, and a bustling, festive atmosphere. The piece touts racing, Indians, side shows, fireworks, and free admission for visitors.
Sunday sen tences urge a statewide Thanksgiving service to honor the harvest. The piece contrasts famine abroad with Iowa’s abundance and envisions a public festival on Sunday September 12 at the fair grounds, inviting ministers and musical directors to organize a gratitude event.
Secretary Fowler warned in the 1895 annual report that the town state fair could be eclipsed by neighboring states as Illinois planned large investments in Springfield. He noted Iowa depended on gate receipts for premiums and expenses, urging farmers and citizens to attend and exhibit to sustain the great state fair.
Those who enjoy outdoor use will find camping the easiest way to see the fall. Ground provides shaded provunds with ample water and stores on site offering groceries at reasonable prices. Tents and equipment available for purchase or rent. mail Secretary Fowler for price list. Campers can feed horses and themselves in the wagon, drive in, and keep the team on grounds all week free of cost.
The premium list lists offers from Moline Pattern Works for a water trough to the top premium recipient in the Swine department. The Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition commission awards for the best and largest collection of threshed grain and the best collection of straw and grasses by a single person, crop of 1897, corn excluded, with prizes $25, $15, and $10.
Transportation to and from the state fair grounds is ample for any crowd. Des Moines City Railroad operates continuous cars at five cents each way from its waiting room two blocks north of the Rock Island tracks on Sixth avenue. Great Rock Island system runs trains every ten minutes from the depot at the foot of Fourth street at ten cents each way. Both lines deliver visitors to the fair ground gates, with the street route including the capitol and soldiers' monument.
The society will revert to the old plan for stock department entries with a ten percent charge on first premiums paid at entry. This payment eliminates the exhibitor ticket requirement and removes the prior ten percent deduction from cash awards. Entries close for livestock on August 26 1897 and September 1 1897 at 11 pm, with other entries due September 12 1857 at noon.
The Qdebolt band or musical organization won the contract to provide all music for the fall fair. They will appear in new uniforms and a clean-cut appearance. Over twenty members will travel to the fair, aiming to reflect well on Odebolt. Mr. M. Newman will oversee arrangements, ensuring smooth setup. Interested parties may contract for refreshments and booth space by August 21 in Bloomfield or Des Moines care of Secretary Fowler. Practical tests in machinery include plowing, corn planting and harvesting, potato planting and digging, and road making.
The state fair plans to feature stalwart Winnebago and other Indian tribes including Black Hawk the 89 year old chief. Lacrosse games will attract crowds as part of a larger Indian village with beadwork weaving war dances and other displays at the fair.
All branches of the I O O F plan a September 16 celebration at the State Fair grounds with the Patriarchs Militant. About 750 members are expected to attend under military discipline, lodged in 300 canvas tents, with drills, parades, and cantons competing for efficiency prizes. Grant's tactics will govern judges. The program will be issued by General J T Abbott of Manchester.
The Decoration of Chivalry will be conferred Thursday afternoon at the camp, Brigade headquarters. Awards include Silver Medals for best drilled chevalier or officer, and Silver Cups for top drilled chevalier, with entries limited per Canton and class distinctions for officers and chevaliers.
The Kemp Sisters Hippodrome and Wild West Shows present daily exhibitions at the fair. A thrilling representation features genuine western cowboys and cowgirls with ponies and mustangs, along with bronchos, bareback races, and Roman Hippodrome spectacle.
Dr. Carver renowned as a world champion marksman will perform daily demonstrations of his abilities aided by diving horses Powder Face and Cupid. The acts showcase humane training without a whip, drawing thousands to each showing, and the fair management celebrate securing his services despite numerous requests.
On Tuesday September 13 old soldiers will be welcomed with free admission by county auditors. Generalissimo Stucky schedules camp fires and speeches with social time. Wives and widows of veterans also admitted free. A chance to greet those who stood by you in the day of 81 and reflect on thinning ranks.
Black Hawk with a select band of Winnebago warriors will face lacrosse rivals from the Sac and Fox agency in daily games at the fair. The Indians will camp on the grounds to display their life in the teepee, a spectacle for visitors and a link to pioneer days.
On children's day Tuesday a special exhibition will feature drilling marching and calisthenic exercises by one thousand East Des Moines school children. Each pupil will bear a small flag showing patriotic unity in a display the city hopes reflects the high training level in Des Moines public schools.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows branches schedule a two day celebration at the state fair grounds on September 15 and 16. The Patriarchs Militant, the military branch, will parade with about 600 to 700 members in camp Wednesday morning. Dress parades and drills are planned, with grandstand pageantry and a striking uniform display anticipated.
An official survey of responses from department superintendents in Fairfield Alta Humboldt Missouri Valley and Des Moines Iowa reveals renewed interest in horse cattle swine sheep and poultry displays. premiums rise with new classes and a three heat horse race plan is introduced while Iowa manufactures and dairy innovations promise broader exhibitor participation and modern creamery demonstrations.
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