The Billboard 1901-10-12: Vol 13 Iss 41 (1901-10-12)

10 THE BILLBOARD . IN RHYME John A. Avery Tells the Definition of a Fair, and Wins the $25 Prize. Several weeks ago “The Billboard” offered a prize ot $zo for the best detinition of a “Fair.’’ Since the offer was made hundreds of replies have been received— some good, some bad, some indifferent. The committee selected by the management of “The Billboard’ waded through the mass of answers received, and unanimously voted the prize to Col. John A. Avery, press agent of the Heuck & Fennessy theaters in Cincinnati. Col. Avery is a veteran in the amusement field, and ic is only natural that he should successfully put in rhyme a good definition of a fair. It is as follows: THE FAIR. The fair is a place where the multitudes ow, Where the “‘grafter’’ ‘‘skinned guys” in the sweet long ago; —— the red lemonade and wiener wurst ot Are “‘flashed’’ to the ‘sucker’? who comes on the lot; Where “Cireash” is queen, silver is lead, Where the “nut spiel@r’’ goes with “‘layout,”’ ‘tis said; Where the clown entertains with his mirth and his wit; Where the short-change ‘“‘gazabe”’ is there with his ‘‘mitt.’’ where all ‘Tis the fair where the “rough cooch” is done to ‘ta brown,” Where the “guy” without ‘‘cush” “way back and sets down;” A place where the ‘Rube”’ “bucks the tige™ in his lair, And balloons are not all that are ‘filled with hot air;"’ Where the “‘man-eating(?) lion’’ gets away with his bluff; Where the preacher shakes hands with the sport and the tough; Where the colt gets his trial on the quartermile track; And the shy country maiden takes on her first ‘‘pack.”’ goes *Twould not be a ‘fair’ ““boost ers,”” of course, Nor the “bark” of the “‘spieler’’ with voice that is hoarse— And eae without midgets and giants so tall, And the “dip” with a ‘Mollie’ to act as his “‘stall?” ‘Tis true there are biscuits and jellies and such, With “hooze”’ the Duteh; To say nothing of poultry and snakes that will sting In fact, at a ‘fair’? you'll find “every old thing.”’ without for the “terrier,” beer for The ‘fair’ is a place of amusement, I'd say, Where “suckers” will go forever and aye.” Call it “carnival,” ‘‘festival,’’ ‘‘circus’’ or “tar Seekers of pleasure will find a way there; Be it millionaire proud, or beggar so poor, The maid, wife or widow, evil or pure, You'll find there each autumn, with smile and with wink— of “fale.” 5 That's the best definition JOHN A. AVERY. should think. INTERNATIONAL LIVE STOCK EXPOSITION. The first week of December will be a “gala”? week for those engaged in the live stock industry on this continent. The Seeond International Live Stock Exposition, to be held at Union Stock Yards, Chicago, IIL, will be larger in all of its departments than ever before. Owing to the *excessive demand for swine at the present time, the hog raisers, as well as the hog breeders, intend to make their part of the International creditable in every way. The horse exhibit wil! be -grand. The colleges are all at work, and the rivalry, while thoroughly friendly, will be very intense, both in their exhibits and the student contests. The erection of an enormous cattle amphitheater of brick and steel, with the buildings of last vear enlarged, an increase in pen and walking capacity, will insure the possibility of handling larger exhibits and double the crowd of a year ago, which now seems likely to be the attendance of the 191 Exposition. The National Live Stock Association holding its convention tn the city of Chicago, at Studebaker Hall. on the first four days of the Exposition, enables students to put in the morning hearing speeches and papers of the foremost men in the industry, and in the afternoon see the results of the breeders’ art. The following program has been arranged: Tuesday, Dee. 3—To be Foreign Consuls’ Day, on which it is hoped to have the consuls representing all the various countries visit the Exposition. Wednesday, Dee. 4—Will be Governors’ Day. To each of the Governors of the cattle growing and cattle feeding States an invitation has been extended. Thursday, Dec. 5—It is the intention to invite all foreign ministers and ambassadors located at Washington, to view the handiwork of American breeders. Friday, Dec. 6—Will be Live Stock Saniold Commissioners’ and Live Stock Agents’ ay. Every day is for the great American people. The entry blanks for the second International Live Stock Exposition are ready for distribution. If intending exhibitors of pure-bred and fat stock and horses will men free use of stalls until the opening of the fair, as an accommodation tor those who desire to come South early. The general boom in horseflesh in Atlanta now ts expected to materially affeet the trade in all its branches, as there has never before in the history of the State of Georgia been Miore of a general desire to own and to han die horses. LOUISVILLE INTERSTATE FAIR. Louisville, Ky., Oct. 5.—The Interstate Fair, which ciosed the tirst part of this week, was a financial failure, due to many causes. In the tirst place, Mr. Marmaduke %. Bowden was allowed to resign on account of some differences of opinion, and no experienced man in such affairs was placed in his position. ‘The result could have been easily foreseen. In another place, there were too many bosses, with the inevitable result ofa conthet and working at cross purposes. The grounds are only accessible to about one-half of the city, for one fare: the other half had either to pay two fares or take a long walk. The two fares, with the many admissions to pay, |} made a very serious difference with many of the people who are the best attendants at such an affair. The attendance, with but few exceptional nights, was composed mostly of out-of-town people. The local people gave it very poor support. NOTES. The sale of postage stamps of the PanAmerican issue will be discontinued at the close of business, Octobef 31. rhe industrial fair at Flint, Mich., last week Was a great success. Pontiac and fioward City are holding forth this week. On Sept. 25 over 75,000 people attended the Allentown (Pa.) Fair, and it was the banner Wednesday in the history of the association. “The following day Governor Stone and 150 members of the State Legislature were present. FAIR ADVERTISING. Above is a picture of a car which is be| ing used to advertise and distribute advertising matter of the great territorial fair | which is to be held at Albuquerque, N. Mex., Oct. 15 to 19, sent us by Mr. C. A. Hudson, the bill poster of that city. This car will be sent as far north as Trinidad, Col., west to Ash Forks, Ariz., and south to El Paso, Tex. The secretary of the fair, in writing to Mr. Hudson, says: “Notwith standing that this is the twenty-first annua. New Mexico Territorial Fair it promises at this early day to be the best one in the history of the territory, and we attribute this principally to the fact that we placed it before the people through the columns of “The Billboard” and the outside posting of bills, that we did on your suggestion.’ make application for them to W. E. Skinner, general manager International Live Stock Exposition, Union Stock Yards, Chicago, stating how many animals they desire to enter, and the class or breed, ic will greatly expedite matters in the office, and they will receive their many entry blanks promptly. Carloads of live stock do not need to be entered until arrival at the Union Stock Yards, Chicago. Premium lists will be sent out with the entry blanks only on request. SOUTHERN INTERSTATE FAIR NOTES. Entries for the harness races to be held in Atlanta in connection with the Southern Interstate Fair will close on Oct. 9, the day of the general opening of the big show. The racing will begin on Oct. 16 and con tinue fue ten days—four days’ harness and six days’ running, with aggregate purses of $10,000. Arrangements have been made so that in harness classes every horse may be entered in two races, making the meet prac tically equal to two. Purses in harness classes will be $400 and $500. This race meeting, with the big horse show, which will also be a feature of the Interstate Fair, beginning Oct. 22, and con tinuing four days, has had the effect of arousing a remarkable interest in horses In the South this year. This interest has ex tended to other cities, and the result has been the formation of a two months’ cir euit, beginning in Macon on Oct. ¥, which is expected to bring a class of the best horses to the South. In the horse show all entries will close | on Oct. 16. There will be $6,000 in premiums in this department, and, judging from the enormous demands for seats and the high prices brought by the boxes when they were sold at auction, all Southern records will be broken. Many of the most noted horsemen of Kentucky will ship here during the horse show, and the local classes will bring | out a superb exhibition of horseflesh. Work on the race track has been begun, and within a few days it will be ready for | horse owners who ship early and train here. Secretary Martin has decided to give horse The McLeod County (Minn.) Fair, which was to have been held Sept. 11 to 13, bas been postponed until Oct. 1 to 3. One of the prizes at the Brown County (Mo.) Fair is three silver dollars to the lady, over 70 vears old, who makes the odd est piece of lace The Waukon (la.) county fair, Sept. 3 to 5, Was a big success. Everything was run wide open, and everybody made money. The fair association cleared $600. The Stet ner Bros., horizontal bar performers, made a big hit with the crowds in attendance. Sixty thousand dollars in premiums to exhildtors and $17,000 in purses represent the sums offered at the Trenton (N. J.) Fair, which opened Sept. 30 and = continues through October. In every way it promises to excel all previous exhibitions, The smallest exhibit at the Buffalo Ex position is the fig wasp from California. It can be seen only with a microscope. The insect is an important aid in producing the fruit, and the United States Government pent $16,000 in establishing it in the Pa eifie region. Over 20,000 people attended the Allentown Pa.) Fair Semi-Centennial Celebration, Sept. 24. The inspection of the exhibits In the various departments occupled the atention of the majority of the throng, and il day long the various buildings were ‘rowded with sightseers, The great Interstate Fair at La Crosse, Wis... although greatly marred on two of the days by rain, was nevertheless a great uccess, both financially and artistleally, It was the biggest fair in the history of the | association, all the departments being filled with splendid exhibits, The South Carolina State Fair, whieh holds at Columbia Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, Is to be quite a pretentious affair and will really be the only fair of any magnitude or im portance in that state this fall. The aver age daily attendance at this fair in past years is between twenty and twenty-five thousand, and it is expected to be largely Increased this year, Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 1.—(Special.) The Utah State Fair, which opened here to day, presents one of the handsomest and most complete displays ever seen in th state. The agricultural, live stock 4), ' other departments are well filled with hibits of a high class. Much interest is f. : in the exhibition throughout the state, a), the attendance promises to break all ro. ords, The Joint State and County Agriculturs Fair, at Lancaster, Pa., during the firs, week in October, will be one of the i. exhibitions ever given. Many special priz:« for exhibits will be offered, and good hors will be entered for all the races. The sp. clal free amusements to be given daily jy front of th grand stand are expected |, surpass anything of the kind heretofore given by the association. At Lewisburg, Pa., Sept. 26, Wm. Aruol:! white, who had been an attache of a yay. deville show, playing the fair grounds {) that city, stabbed and instantly killed Wm Denton, colored, also an ex-attache of tho above-mentioned show, in a street in the town, over the disputed ownership of a bottle of liquor. Arnold claims that th. deed was In self-defense, which seems to be borne out by the statements of the wit nesses. Eve's apple was a feature of the seven tieth fair of the American Institute, a: the headquarters in the Berkeley Lyceum, West. Forty-fourth street, New York City, recently. As befits its possibilities for dis cord, it is known as the ‘“*Medglar,”’ is smal! and innocent in appearance and eatable ov ly when It is decayed. Cornell University was the exhibitor of this rarity. The fem inine requests for “just one bite” almost drove the management to despair. The Louisville Horse Show opened in a blaze of glory on Tuesday night, Oct. 1. Everything about the building was completo and there were no delays or excuses to of fer. The attendance at the opening night was everything that the most sanguine could expect. Society was out in full force. and divided honors with the horses. To give a list of those present would require the names of every person prominent in local society. The entry list is large, and the character of the entries of the very highest. Very little could be expected ex cept that the present commodious building could be larger, to accommodate more peo ple than at present. General John B. Cas leman and Mr. Brent Altsheler, the secre ary, are to be commended for their most ‘xcellent work in getting up such an ele rant show. BLOODY WELL MAD Was Francis Ferrari When tie Bloomin’ Elks Gave Him Bloody Box No. 13. Lafayette, Iud., Sept.,30.-The Lafayette Lodge of Elks are laughing at the joke they played on Francis Ferari, who, with his partner, Victor Levitt, have the anima! shows and Midway at the Elks’ Carniva! and Street Fair here. Mr. Ferari, who is one of God's noblemen and who. se far as known, has not an enemy in the wor'd, has nevertheless the average showman s weakness—superstition. He is especially touchy on the matter of figure 13, and al! his friends fully realize his weakness. Mr Ferari is a typical Englishman, and when he becomes Intensely interested or excited he forgets his long residence in America, and it is possible almost to cut his dialect with a knife. His business manager and partner, Victor Levitt, is also an English man, and if the truth must be known, a! most as superstitious, but. Vic's dialect has been shaved down until he speaks “good United States." However, this fact does not prevent him from ‘kidding’ Ferari whenever the opportunity affords. A good chance offered on the evening of Sept. 24. when the Elks’ Fair opened here. Levitt had “tipped off” Ferari's weakness on No 13, and the local Elks fixed up a special ticket box for Ferari’s show, and marked it No. 13. When everything was ready, Levitt sent for Ferari and said: ; “Francis, we're ready to open the show. “Well, w'y in the bloody ‘ell don't: you open it then?” replied Ferari. “Well, we wanted you to order the band to play.” “My word, but you've developed a sud dint regard for your partner, ‘aven't you’ “Well, never mind about that, Order the band to play,” persisted Levitt. : “Bloin’ me if | don’t,” then replied Fer ari. “Ere, you win’ jammers,” called Ferari to the musicians, “get a bloody good move on yoursel’s and woop 7. a merry old time to the op'’nin’ of the H' Elks fair While the band was playing someon: called Ferari’s attention to the ticket be» he the figure 13 standing out in bold re ief. “Oly jumpin’ smoke!" exclaimed Ferar to Levitt, “Were in the bloody ‘ell dyou get that box? Stop that bloody din, you bloomin’ sods!"—this to the band. The: when he had caught his breath, Ferari con tinued: “Go blowin’ me ff this ‘ere ain't. the limit. Olve a bloody good mind to blow the bloomin’ town right ‘ere. I've been jonahed hever since I set me bloomin’ foo: in the bloody town. Fust that bloody ‘sod, Potter, didn’t know the width of the bloomin’ streets of the town, don’t you know. Then a bloomin’ carpenter sald * ‘ow ‘e’'d jolly well loike to take a blood) good punch at me bloomin’ nose. Then th nawsty beggar, Speedy, bloody well re fused to make his bloomin’ dive, and now the bloody buggahs of h’Elks gives me \ bloomin’ ‘oodoo of a box, with 18 for the bloody number. Bloin’ me if I'll stan’ for it. ‘Fre, H'Emma (to his wife), bring © bloody well a bloomin’ h’axe, an’ I'll sec bloody well w'os boss ‘ere.”’ And he “made good” by breaking th: ticket box Into splinters, while the Blk» and Levitt held their sides laughing. mee