The Freeman

INDIANA'S STATE FAIR

Will Surpass All Previous Indiana Fairs in Point of Exhibits and Attractions-Program for the Week

Indiana's State Fair September 13 to 18, promises this year to surpass all previous Indiana fairs in point of exhibits and attractions. The exhibits of agricultural machinery and mechanical devices such as interest the farmer folk. have always been large at the Indiana fairs. The exhibits of live stock and of agricultural, horticultural and all farm products have been large and the competition for the premiums offered for the best showings have been great, but Indianapolis people have grown tired of these since the city has developed into such a thriving manufacturing center, and has so largely increased in population. The members of the State Board of Agriculture, under the province of the law creating the board, are now endeavoring to cater to all classes of people. The merchants of the city in the past few years since the board has secured the present large Fair grounds were lukewarm in their support of the enterprise, but this year there has been a uniting of forces. The Board of Agriculture is working hand in hand with a co-operative committee of the merchants and manufacturers. city's commercial bodies and the press, to interest Indianapolis people in the Fair. and not only these, but the merchants and the farmers of the State generally.

The race going public will have an opportunity to see a great match race. In addition to this the regular programme of racing events for each day contains three races. In addition to the exhibits and attractions common to all special fairs program have been arranged for four days of the week. Each day will have a special significance.

Tuesday is children's and old soldier's day. All children under fifteen years of age will be admitted to the grounds free and the old soldiers will also be granted free admission, There will be exhibitions of heavy horses, dairy cattle. sheep and swine in the rings and pavillions set aside for these purposes, and the grand stand programme will consist of a concert by the Indianapolis Military Band and by the Indianapolis Boys' Brigade Band

Wednesday is designated as Indianapolis day. It is proposed to give the star attraction of the fair on this day in the Joe Patchen-Star Pointer race to beat two minutes. The state board has hung up a purse of $3,000 for these kings of the pacing world. It will be a battle royal for supremacy, Mr, Murphy, the owner of Star Pointer, said when the negotiations were completed for the match race on the world-famed Indianapolis track, that it was his opinion that it was here that the best record either horse could ever make would be secured. He is well acquainted with the fast soil of which the Indianapolis track is made. and. like many others, he believes that, with the weather conditions right, the great course is the one that will bear the honor of the century.

The grand stand programme, in addition to the "race of the century," will consist of an exhibition of saddle stall- ions, saddle mares, saddle geldings. two-horse and two-seated equipages, one-horse and one-seated equipages for ladies. one-horse and one-seated equip- ages for gentlemen and vehicles for children, limited to the residents of Indianapolis. Prizes will be given for the best equestrienne, best equestriap, most artistic equipage, best four-in- hand mounted tallyho and most novel and artistic advertising wagon. There will be, in addition to all of this, exhi- bitions of coach horses, beef cattle. sheep and swine, and of cut flowers in the different rings and pavillions provided.

Thursday is to be Governor's day. Governor Mount will review the troops of the Indiana National Guard. He will be attended by his full staff. The Governor will also deliver an address. The Indianapolis Light Artillery will reproduce the United States champion- ship artillery drill, under command of Capt. J. B. Curtis.

Friday-military day-will witness contests between infantry companies in competitive drill. Five hundred dol- lars will be distributed in prizes.

The officers of the state board are more than pleased with the action of the railroad companies in granting rates. On several days even better rates than one fare for the round trip will be granted by many roads. Special trains are to be run, and on these the fare will be under the regular rate granted. The Star Pointer-Joe Patch- en race will attract thousands from over the state, and hundreds will come to see the great pacers from other states, knowing what can be expected from the Indianapolis track,

If the work of the sub-committee of the commercial bodies, press and state board are as successful in the next few days as in the past few it has been out, all Indianapolis will have a half holiday on Wednesday, Sept. 18, when Patchen and Pointer start. Promises have been already received from merchants and manufacturers to close. It is expected that the attendance on this one great day will exceed in point of number the attendance of any previous week the fair heretofore has ever known. The street car service to the grounds will be vastly improved. The tracks have been re-laid as to carry passengers within the enclosure and within 150 feet of the entrance of the grand stand, as well as close to every department building on the grounds.