News: Neillsville - The Fair (22 Sept. 1885)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Lindsay, Hewett, Allen, Varnum, Hart, Sheldon, Way, Tolford, Sterns, Post, Maggie

----Sources: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 22 Sept. 1885

The Fair

Owing to the crowded condition of our columns with advertisements and tax sales, we cannot go into a detailed description of the fair and exhibits. To make personal mentions of each exhibitor and his or her exhibits would require more space than it is possible to give to the matter this week. Next week we will publish, the list of premiums awarded which all show who made the best show in the various departments.

There was the largest and best exhibit in the stock department ever had in the history of society. In the agricultural hall the show was slim, not because there was a failure of crops this year, but because the producers failed to bring their produce for exhibition. Fine arts hall showed up better this year than last.

In the free for all trotting race for a purse of $200, F. D. Lindsay’s imported stallion, "Cedar" won first money, Mayor Hewett’s, "Minnie H." 2d,, and "Rosa Allen," own by J. H. Allen, of Black River Falls, 3d.

In the county farmers’ trotting race for a purse of $60, D. Varnum’s mare, "Dolly Varnum," took 1st money; Geo. Hart’s "Cripple Jim," 2d; and "William S," owned by C. H. Sheldon, of Thorp, 3d.

In the running race for purse of $40, Seward Way’s "Charlie" won 1st money; P. B. Tolford’s "Mollie Sterns," 2d; Mike Post’s, "Irish Maggie," 3d.

On Saturday, the last of the fair, when the greatest attendance was expected on account of the great race in the afternoon, a rain storm came up about noon and continued until nearly 4 o’clock, thereby cutting down the gate receipts considerably. The receipts at the grounds were $780.75; subscription for purses by citizens of Neillsville, $100.