Red Willow County Fair History from 1900'S
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Red Willow County Fair History from 1900’s Researched and written by Jerda Garey Vickers Ed. D Edited by Connie Discoe Red Willow County Fair History Forward By Jerda (Thompson) Garey Vickers County Fair memories are different for everyone. It was on those fair grounds that I remember seeing my dad in a baseball uniform. It was there that I saw my first harness race when my great uncle Frank Thompson was driving. It was on those fair grounds where I got to ride a horse. It was on those fair grounds that I rode the swings with Ben Nelson, who later became Governor of Nebraska. It was on those grounds that I got to show my first 4-H calf, and later watch my children and grandchildren have the same experience with their livestock. It was on those fair grounds that I enjoyed the shows, the rides, the rodeos, visiting with friends, working and judging. Other memories were made there. LeRoy Leibrandt met his wife Lois at the county fair. They raised their five children south of McCook and involved them in 4-H. He served 43 years on the fair board. Indeed, there are many memories for that family. As the stories and memories evolve, they can be added to this narrative. My grandfather, Don L. Thompson, served as the general superintendent of the fair in 1930 and was a board member until his death in 1935. My father, Don Thompson, served as the secretary of the fair following long time secretary, Elmer Kay. He began his service in 1935. One of his first assignments was superintendent of the 4-H division of the fair when 4-H became the official name of the girls’ and boys’ clubs. When my father became involved with the Nebraska State Fair, his brother, Dale Thompson, took his role on the County Fair Board in 1955. Dale later followed his brother’s footsteps and was also president of the Nebraska State Fair Board. It is with pleasure that I can present this short history, and the door is open for more additions and documentation. This history will be a review of historical documents found in the Red Willow County Historical Museum, family resources, and my personal reflections. The 1950’s were developed by reading McCook Daily Gazettes. Therefore, this history will be limited in scope, but will provide an overview through the years that the historical documents yield. Early Years The Red Willow County fairs began in the late 1800’s and were held in Indianola, Nebraska. The Red Willow County Agriculture Society managed the fairs. There was no documentation available at the Red Willow County Historical Society museum concerning the early years. 1902 A letter was sent to the Honorable Board of County Commissioners of Red Willow County by President J.W. Dutcher and Secretary Jernards Hillers. The letter stated: The undersigned President and Secretary of the Red Willow County Agricultural Society do hereby certify that the said society has been duly organized in said county for the improvement of Agriculture in this said county. That twenty of more persons strong, that a constitution and by-laws agreeable to the rules and regulations furnished by the State Board of Agriculture; that the proper and usual officers have been elected and approved, that, that they have raised and paid into the treasury of said society a sum including $50.00 and that said society had held a fair in said county every year for more than ten years, immediately prior to this date. That this certificate is made in compliance with the statute of this state noting to ‘aid’ to agricultural societies”. This was signed January 14, 1902, and if the fairs had been held 10 years prior, they would have started in 1892. 1903 A protest was filed by Wm. Plourd to the County Commissions on January 6, 1903. He protested that the Red Willow County Agricultural Society should not receive any money from the county Commissioners for the following reasons: 1. The society had not raised and paid into the treasury, by voluntary subscription or fees imposed upon its members the sum of $50.00 as required by Sec.23, Ch.2, Art.1, 1901 Statutes of Nebraska 2. No list of awards or abstract of the Treasurer’s account has been published as required by law 3. The president of the Society has not filed with the County Clerk the certificate as required by law 4. Said Society is not conducted for the purposes for which the name was organized, and it does not encourage the improvement of Agriculture in said county 5. At the last annual meeting the vote at such meeting was not confined to members of the society as provided by the constitution and by-laws, but all present were voted. On June 8, 1903, a letter was received by the Commissioners, signed by 18 members of the Agricultural Society. The letter stated: “Sirs, we the undersigned residents of Red Willow Co. who were present at the annual election of officers of the Red Willow County Agricultural Society, held at Indianola, Nebr., the first Saturday in December of last year, do wish to make the following statement regarding that election, and the protest filed by certain irresponsible parties, against your allowing the monies allowed by law, to aide and assist in holding a Co. Fair this year as in the past twenty years. (This statement would indicate that County Fairs were held in Indianola in 1882-1902). We hereby certify first that the aforementioned election was in every respect legal and regular, that there were 121 votes cast, that of that number the officers declared elected received from 85 to 37, none less that 35; that the motion to suspend the rules and allow all residents of the county who were present to vote was made by a member holding a membership ticket, and was seconded by a member holding a membership ticket, and that the president declared the motion carried after a standing vote. We also declare that the man who had filed the protest, and declare that the election was illegal, was himself a candidate, and solicited votes for himself, thereby declaring his belief that the election was legal provided that HE was elected, failing in that he now declares the election illegal. We furthermore state that after the mode of procedure, and of balloting was decided upon by the members present, and by the officers of the society, that he (your remonstrator) addressed the voters present as follows: ’I am a candidate for election as Secretary of this fair, and if elected, will do all in my power to advance the interest of the society, if not elected, I will do the other thing’. We state further state that the society has raised and paid into the treasury the sum of $100.00 as required by law, that the president of the society has filed with the clerk a certificate as required by law, that a list of the awards, and an abstract of the Treasurers report has been published by the Secretary as e by law; and that the society is for the purposes for which it was organized and that the build of the premiums offered are for the encouragement. We, therefore, in view of the facts set forth, do most respectfully petition and ask that the monies allowed by law to be appropriated and now granted to this society.” 1904 On August 31, 1904, the county filed this record concerning the fair. A letter was sent to the County Commissioners that stated: “Whereas, it has been reported that the Red Willow County Agricultural Society has abandoned its intention of holding its annual fair at the fair ground heretofore used, and have decided to hold the same within the city limits of the City of Indianola, in the nature of a street fair; AND Whereas, the undersigned believe it would be unjust to citizens of other parts of the county to hold the county fair within the city limits of the City of Indianola, and to draw money for that purpose from the County Treasury of the county; Therefore, we hereby request that you instruct the clerk and treasurer of said county not to deliver the warrant for the money allowed at your last meeting nor to pay the same until a hearing may be had before the Board of County Commissioners at your next meeting, which we understand will be September First.” It was signed by H.H. Berry, W.R. Humny, H.H. Forstch, J.E. Kelley, and C. W. Dow. (These names were difficult to read as they were written in pencil and may not be spelled correctly). There is no record of the hearing in these files. 1905 The squabble continues and a remonstrance was filed in May of 1906. (Although the handwriting says 1906, this more likely was filed in 1905). This remonstrance was signed by 85 persons. This protest stated: We the undersigned residents of Red Willow County protest against the Board of County Commissioner in making any appropriation for the year of 1905, for the following reasons: 1. That the Red Willow County Agricultural Society is not and has not been, for several years, run according to the laws governing Agricultural Societies in the state of Nebraska. 2. That the said Society has not paid into the treasury, by voluntary subscription of fees imposed upon its members the sum of fifty dollars as required by law. 3. That the officers elected at the December meeting were not elected legally according to the by-laws of that Society.