254 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



blown down, plunging both the fair grounds and many parts of the city 

 in darkness. Thousands who had remained on the fair grounds for the 

 night shows were drenched to the skin and spent several uncomfortable 

 hours before they could get back to the city. In some places there were 

 near panics, but the guards were hurriedly called out, and with their 

 efforts serious trouble was averted. A large tent in which the overflow 

 from the horse barns was sheltered was partially blown down, and prompt 

 work was necessary to control the valuable horses and get them safely 

 into the live stock pavilion, where they were kept during the remainder 

 of the night. A number of employes of the entertainment shows were 

 seriously injured by falling tent poles, and the doctors and nurses on 

 the grounds were kept busy for several hours. The street car service 

 to the city was put out of commission for several hours, and thousands 

 of people were compelled to remain at the fair grounds until near mid- 

 night. Early Tuesday morning the damage on the grounds was fully 

 repaired and everything again ready for business. The storm, however, 

 with threatening weather again Tuesday, will undoubtedly cut short the 

 attendance this year. No matter how dry the season, if there is any 

 moisture at all in the air, the state fair may be depended upon to jar 

 it loose. 



Being the first of the larger fairs, Iowa has always been fortunate in 

 her live stock exhibit. All of the western show herds meet here for a 

 preliminary try-out, and then separate, some going to Nebraska and some 

 to Minnesota, to come together again later in the season. The stock 

 show this year has probably never been surpassed, and as stated by our 

 live stock experts was of distinctly international character. Both the 

 cattle and horse shows were wonderful exhibitions of the art and skill of 

 the breeder and feeder. Barn accommodations were quickly found to be 

 inadequate, and it was necessary to house many of the valuable animals 

 in large tents erected for the purpose. A very gratifying feature of the 

 live stock exhibit is the large number of Iowa breeders who are showing 

 herds fully able to compete with the best that have been brought in from 

 other states. There can be no better evidence of the healthfulness of the 

 live stock industry than is afforded by the show this year. While the 

 report of the stock show can not be made complete in this issue, the 

 results in most of the classes will be found in our report, and our readers 

 are directed to it for details. 



Somebody back in Washington has interfered with one of our real 

 exhibits. For some years it has been the custom of many of our con- 

 gressmen, state officers and members of the legislature to foregather at 

 the fair, shake hands with the dear people, and lay plans for their 

 political futures. It has really been quite an occasion. But some mean 

 fellow back at Washington has spoiled It this year — in part, at least. 

 Congress is enforcing the rule to "dock" members $20 per day for absence 

 from their seats without a better reason than the desire to visit the folks 



