Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1881 — Fair of 1881. [ARTICLE]

Fair of 1881.

The Tenth Annual Fair of the Jasper County Agricultural Society will be held at Rensselaer, Indiana, on the 13th, 14tli, 15th and 16th days of September —next month. From present indications there will be an unusually large attendance of people from abroad. It has been better and more extensively advertised than any previous one. The completion of the Chicago and Indianapolis Air-line railroad to Chicago, and its certain construction to Indianapolis at an early day; the renewed and vigorous agitation of the Continental railway project; the discussion of the proposed railroad from the coal fields of Indiana directly to Chicago—each having Rensselaer as an objective point on its line--have served to advertise the town, county and region very widely, and public curiosity is aroused to learn of the products of the locality, the character and enterprise of the inhabitants, and the facilities afforded and promised for business. No better opportunity to judge of these things can be presented than by attendance at the County Fair; for here may be met people from every part of the county, and here strangers expect to see specimens of the best productions m live stock, grain, fruit and manufactures. The secretary is in receipt of letters from parties in Kentucky, Illinois and Michigan, besides those in parts of our own state more or less remote, intimating a determination to visit our Fair this season for reasons here stated. Some of these correspondents promise to bring fine stock for exhibition. This will afford those who reside in Jasper and neighboring counties an opportunity to see celebrated prize cattle, sheep and horses, such as was never before presented them —at less expense and with more satisfaction than by a journey abroad. A perusal of the premium list will disclose that the premiums offered in division A, for horses, are as liberal as those of former years and compare favorably with the premiums given by other associations. Division B, for asses and mules, premiums as large as ever. In division C, for cattle, the directors last year added a sub department for fat steers; this has been retained and the premiums in the entire division are as liberal as those of last year. In division D, for sheep, the directors have added three sub departments—one each for Southdowns, Cotswolds and Merinos—which necessitated the increase of premiums offered in this division 300 per cent. Division E, for swine, remains unchanged. Division G, poultry, unchanged. Divisions D, gardening; H, grain and seeds; I, fruits; J, flowers and artificial work; K, domestic skill; and L, ladies’ work, have been materially changed. The 10 per cent, entry fee, which was charged heretofore, has been abolished, and all articles designed for these several divisions will be admitted to competition free of charge. This action would practically add 11 per cent, to the premiums in these divisions had they been left the same as were offered in other seasons. But a great deal more than this has been done for these divisions. In H additions of articles that might be exhibited for premiums were made which increases the amount of premiums in the division nearly 25 per cent. Premiums in division I were increased nearly 150 per cent. Premiums in division K increased 50 per cent. Premiums in division L increased 50 per cent. Premiums in division M, leather work, increased 70 per cent. Premiums in division N, miscellaneous, increased 25 per cent, and a number of diplomas added. The school depart-

meat remains as last year. The division for farm apparatus, ma chinery, etc., the same as last year. For equestrian exhibitions, mule race and foot race the purses are as liberal as those of former times. In the speed ring the purses aggregate $460.

Having pride in the reputation of our immediate locality, tl e board of directors make a respect- ; ful personal appeal to the resident | reader for assistance and co-opera- ; tion in order that our annual exhibition shall be a credit to the region of country and one in which we may all enjoy a laudable pride. As one means to this end they earnestly ask that each one bring something for exhibition. As an encouragement and special inducement for the exhibition of agricultural and horticultural productions and articles of house manufacture, the board of directors determined this year to admit everything of the kind to competition for premiums, FREE OF ENTRY FEES ! This free list embraces more than one hundred articles, as follows :

Winter wheat, rye, clover seed’ flour, buckwheat, apples, corn in the ear, flax seed, pears, oat meal, beans, grapes, oats, timothy seed, small fruits, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, squashes, cabbages, muskmelons, pumpkins, cauliflowers, nutmeg melons, potatoes, egg plant fruit, peppers, sweet potatoes, beets, onions, parsneps, sugar beets, carrots, roses in bloom, wax flowers, moss and rock work, annuals in bloom, wax plants, shell work, house plants, preserved leaves and flowers, taxidermist specimens, cut flowers, wig and hair jewelry, gold cake, homemade yeast bread, jelly cake, silver cake, homemade saltrising bread, fruit cake, marble cake, corn bread, sponge cake, white mountain cake, butter, cheese, canned peaches, spiced fruit, sweet preserves, canned peas, cucumber pickles, catsup, canned plums, mixed pickles, honey in comb, canned cherries, sweet pickles, apple butter, canned berries, medley, fruit butter, canned tomatoes, sorghum molasses, jellies, jams, tapestry work, chair covers, rugs, ottamans, slippers, embroidered handkerchiefs, mats, pin cushions, bead work, lady’s cuffs and collars, tidies, lady’s underwear, lady’s chimesettes, lady’s wrappers, man’s shirts, infant’s shirts, lady’s skirts, lady’s night dresses, calico dresses, kitchen aprons, sofa pillows, patched garments, pillow shams, knit socks, knit mittens, knit scarfs, patch work quilts, log cabin quilts, stuffed quilts, quilted quilts, fancy quilts, silk quilts, double coverlets, single coverlets, display of needle work, rag carpets, etc. In addition to the partial list above given, space will be provided free of charge for the display of the following articles which may compete for diplomas : Stoves, house furniture, carpets sewing machines, pianos, organs, carpenter and joiner work, eta It will cost no money to exhibit the articles mentioned above, while all except those in the second list are entitled to liberal cash j>remiums according as they shall prove meritorious. No society in the state does better than this, and we confidently hope for a corresponding response of encouragement from the people, all of whom are directly interested in developing the resources of the county and promoting its' industries. The speed ring purses are large, and two races will be made each day, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. These races will test speed in running, pacing and trotting. The sale of intoxicating drinks, and every species of games of chance and swindling devices, will be rigorously excluded from the fair grounds, as has been the practice with such happy results since the present organization came into control. Call upon or write to the secretary, at the postoffice, Rensselaer, Indiana, for all other information, or for premium lists, which will be mailed to any address free of postage.

Card of Thanks.— The friends that remembered us so kindly last Monday evening, will please accept our sincere thanks for their many tokens of good will. We will ever remember you as true friends and pray that God may bless you and guide you in the way of truth and righteousness.

A. W. WOOD, L. F. WOOD.