"The woman's department was this year under the direction of Mrs. John B. Catron, and formed the most interesting and tasteful display at the fair. A part was devoted to collections of Indian curios and relics, and this department was always crowded with visitors. Lee Moorehouse of Pendleton has on exhibition many of his photographs of Indians and scenes on the Umatilla Reservation, pictures which even now are of interest, and which fifty years hence, when the development of the country has crowded the redskins further to the wall, will be of great historical value.
"More than ever before have the people of this valley appreciated the value of fruit fairs and industrial expositions. Here the farmers and those interested in the various lines of agriculture and horticulture have an opportunity to see the results of each others' labors and profit by their experience. They are encouraged by the success of others, and obtain suggestions which are invaluable in their work. They learn in what direction the efforts of their neighbors are being exerted, and keep in touch with the development of the various agricultural pursuits.
"The Belgian hare exhibit, prepared by S. C. Wingard and E. A. Coull, was a feature not before seen at these fairs. This exhibition, with its hundreds of dollars' worth of valuable imported specimens of Belgian hares and fancy stock, was perhaps the most valuable at the fair, and of the greatest interest because of its novelty. Belgian hare culture is yet in its infancy, and the gentle long-eared creature was the center of attraction for those who wished to know more of these animals which are monopolizing so much attention among breeders of pet stock.
"The railroads doing business in Walla Walla took a most active interest in the fair. Two pretty and unique booths were erected and they proved among the attractive features of the event.
"The Northern Pacific and Washington & Columbia River railways took the cue of the Boxers and a pretty pagoda was designed. The structure was erected near the band pavilion and was provided with seats and accommodations for the ladies and children. The pagoda was built of native woods and finished with moss brought from Tacoma for the purpose. The work was artistically done. At night a number of colored electric lights gave a finishing touch to the scene. The design was largely the idea of Manager McCabe and Passenger Agent Calderhead, of the Washington & Columbia River Railway.
"The booth of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company was located near the main entrance and it was neatly planned. A commodious square booth was finished and trimmed with grains and fruits taken from the company's experimental farm near the city. The ceiling was made of a variety of handsomely colored wools in the unwoven state, blended together with artistic effect. The walls of the booth were hung with pictures, and chairs and reading offered rest and entertainment to all. The booth was in charge of General Agent Burns and C. F. Van De Water."
The officers of the association for 1900 were as follows: W. A. Ritz, president; C. F. Van De Water, secretary; O. R. Ballou, superintendent; Mrs. J. B. Catron, superintendent of the woman's department.
VARIED ASPECTS OF THE FAIR
The Fair assumed different aspects in different years, sometimes taking on as the predominant interest the exhibition of fruit and vegetables, and at other times stock and machinery. At still other times the "horse race" was the dominant feature.
In 1903 a new organization was effected known as the Walla Walla Race Track Association. At a meeting of a number of the leading men of the city and county, of which Judge T. H. Brents was chairman, the following were elected trustees of the association: W. S. Offner, Joseph McCabe, R. B. Caswell, James Kidwell, Wm. Hogoboom, John McFeeley, Chris Ennis, W. G. Preston and Frank Singleton. Under the auspices of the association the first of a new series of fairs was held in the autumn of 1903 at the present location upon the land known as the "Henderson" tract, purchased by the association. The name of the association became changed to the Walla Walla County Fair Association. In 1906 the pavilion still used was erected. In 1907 the dominant interest was the "Harvest Festival," the chief features of which were carried out within the city. This will be remembered as quite a gorgeous pageant. J. J. Kauffman was duly crowned as King Rex, and Hattie Stine became queen of the carnival as Queen Harriet. Both coronations were signalized by spectacular parades and general hilarity which made that celebration the most memorable of the series. In 1908, August 8th, a greet disaster occurred at the Race Track, the destruction by fire of the barns, together with several valuable horses, entailing severe loss both to the association and to several individuals, especially Wm. Hogoboom. In the same year the street railway line was extended from the city to the grounds. As indicating the personnel of the association of that period, it will be valuable to present here the names of the officers and trustees: T. H. Brents, president; Grant Copeland, vice president; R. E. Guichard, secretary; trustees, E. Tausick, M. Toner, W. A. Ritz, Sam Drumheller, Mordo McDonald, J. H. Morrow, J. G. Kidwell, Frank Singleton, Wm. Hogoboom, C. L. Whitney, B. F. Simpson, Ben C. Holt, J. P. Kent, J. Smith, and Wm. Kirkman. Throughout the period to the present the association has been an incorporated organization, with the stock distributed widely among the farmers and business men of the community. Judge Brents continued as president until 1914, when bodily infirmity forbade further continuance, and his lamented death soon followed. Robert Johnson became secretary in 1907 and in 1909 W. A. Ritz became manager, being chosen president in 1914 upon retirement of Judge Brents. Messrs. Ritz and Johnson became so closely identified from that time on as to be associated with every feature of the history of the Fair. The woman's department was conducted with equal efficiency during the same period by Mesdames J. B. Catron, W. A. Ritz, and W. D. Lyman.