Fair Day

ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin

Fair Day

Market Day

Leopold Kadish ran a general store and introduced fair day, the Viehmarket,

Watertown on the second Tuesday of the month, as it remains today.

1855 Prior to Fair Day

01 11 Watertown Market

Our streets have now a very brisk business appearance owing to the large quantities of wheat, pork, beef, poultry, produce, and other commodities, that are being brought here from the surrounding country. An almost continuous and unbroken line of teams on every fair day may be seen slowly winding their way into our city, or more rapidly leaving it. These teams bring heavy loads of grain, or whatever else the owner has to dispose of, and go away with such articles as he may have a wish for. Our farmers are beginning to find it not necessary to go to Milwaukee, or any where else, either to sell their surplus on the best terms or to supply their own wants on the cheapest rates. WD

1860

06 21 Town Fairs

It would be a great advantage to the agricultural portion of the community if these exhibitions of farm products could be made more frequent and become more general. They recently held one in Jefferson at the farm of Lambert Ruth, some three miles east of the village, which according to the Jeffersonian was a complete success. Five hundred farmers and stock growers were present with their choicest animals, and some seventy or eighty sales and exchanges were made. They intend to have another exhibition of the same character on the 7th of August. The benefits arising from gatherings of this kind must be obvious to all and we hope to see other towns in the county follow the example set by Jefferson. It is one worthy of being imitated. WD

09 07 Cattle Show and Fair

We understand that several of our enterprising citizens have established a cattle show, to be held in this city every three months, commencing on the first Saturday in October next, for the benefit of farmers, drovers [person whose occupation is the driving of sheep or cattle, especially to and from market] and cattle dealers generally.

Such an institution has long been needed here and the wonder is that it has not been organized before. There is a large extent of country around Watertown that much of necessity find a market here, for all its surplus products, and our citizens should afford the farmer every facility and inducement in their power to come here and make this what it can easily be made to be, a great market place.

These cattle shows have been instituted in several of the surrounding towns, and so are as we have been informed in the matter, they have been attended with good results. They bring together a large number of farmers and cattle dealers, who buy, sell, and trade generally, in horses, cattle sheep, and other kinds of live stock.

The facilities of transportation from here to Milwaukee, Chicago, and to all points North and West of us, are such that when these fairs or market days become once established and known, as they should be, buyers from all these points can come together as they probably will, to make purchases and exchanges of stock and Watertown will become a place of resort with those in this vicinity who have any business of that kind they which to transact. We trust our friends will bear this matter in mind and remember that an exhibition of this kind will positively take place here the first Saturday in October. [precursor to Viehmarket or fair day event] WR

10 12 The Cattle and Horse Fair

The exposition of cattle and horses in this city last Saturday was more extensive than anyone had reason to expect it would be. We certainly did not think that the turnout would be so general, nor did we believe that the getters up of the affair had any idea of that kind themselves.

According to the account as kept by the gentlemen appointed for that purpose, the following figures show precisely the extent of the day's transactions . . .

This, under all the circumstances, we consider a grand achievement, and makes these Fairs permanent institutions of our city. There were many nice oxen and cows on exhibition, but the display of horses was not so fine. We believe everyone who was present and took part in the affair seemed to be satisfied of the feasibility and importance of the plan adopted. It is proposed to have another exhibition of the same kind on Wednesday, the 7th of November, to continue on the eighth, if it is deemed advisable by those present on the first day. We look for a still better show of stock then, and a greater number of purchasers than were here on Saturday. Everyone can see at a glance that on such an occasion as this people who want to buy anything in the line of cattle or horses can suit themselves better than in any other way, for there is a great variety and all kinds from which to select. The arrangement is an admirable one for all parties interested in a benefit to the city at large. We hope it will continue to meet with the encouragement it deserves at the hands of the public. WR

11 02 A Second Cattle and Horse Fair

It will be borne in mind, we trust, that the second fair for the sale of cattle, horses and stock of all kinds, comes off in the city next Wednesday. We hope there will be a good turnout and that the exhibition will be a fine one. Persons wishing to purchase a good yoke of cattle, horse, or any kind of stock will do well to be on hand. WR

11 16 Cattle and Horse Fair

The second livestock exhibition and sale in the city came off on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, according to previous notice. It was not as well attended as the preceding one, though the attendance was quite large and exhibition in all respects as fine as could have been expected under the circumstances. We do not think the selection of time was a very good one, being as it was the day after the election, when people, as a general thing, are too much absorbed in other matters to attend anything in the way of fairs. Mr. Martin Hoph, who kept an account of the sales, reports the following as the results of the days transactions.

There were sold, 25 milk cows, 84 head of working and beef cattle, and 13 horses. Total amount of sales, $3309. We call this a pretty good day's business. There can be no doubt as to the practicality of the plan adopted for bringing buyer and seller together, and the benefits arising from it. We look upon these exhibitions as just the thing for dealers in stock and trust they have become permanent institutions in our city. WR

11 30 Livestock Fair

We understand there will be another exhibition and sale of horses, cattle and livestock generally, in the city, on the 12th next month. Farmers and others interested will do well to bear this in mind. WR

1861

02 28 The seventh live stock fair for the sale and exhibition of horses and cattle will be held in this city Tuesday, the 12th of March next. This is now regarded as one of the established institutions of Watertown. If the weather proves favorable a good opportunity will be offered to sellers of stock, as a large number of purchasers are expected to be here on that occasion. WD

03 14 The live stock fair, last Thursday, was well attended. We do not think there has been a larger collection at any previous exhibition. We are informed that the transactions of the day amounted to more than three thousand dollars. The streets were crowded with cattle and everything had a business appearance. We think it really worth while to make better arrangements for accommodating those who visit these fairs and bring their stock here for sale. That they bring considerable trade to the city there can be no doubt, and those who are thus benefited can afford to contribute something to make their enterprise a permanent one. WD

03 28 The next regular live stock fair will be held in this city next Tuesday, the 2nd of April. It will be an election day but that need not interfere. Vote first, then attend the fair, sell your stock, and return home and learn the news. All can be done very easy. WD

03 28 A trotting course — Some of our owners and dealers of splendid horses propose to add to the attractions of the live stock fair that is now regularly held here, a race course for the purpose of trying the speed of their nags and testing their qualities. We learn that appropriate ground for this purpose can be very easily procured and two hundred dollars have been pledged to grade a road of suitable length. Let the thing be carried out. It will have a tendency to draw together more buyers and a sight now and then of a famous, fancy, or swift-footed traveler won’t hurt any body. We are in favor of the race course.. WD

04 04 The regular live stock fair will take place in this city next Tuesday, the 9th – we made a mistake in stating the day last week. The SECOND TUESDAY of each month has been agreed on as the time for holding these exhibitions for the display and sale of horses and cattle. Let all come who want to buy, sell, or see a large collection of fine stock. WD

04 11 The live stock fair last Tuesday was well attended, considering the roads and weather. There was a large amount of stock on the ground and most of it of a superior quality. The next exhibition will take place on the 14th of May when we hope there will be fairer skies and better going. WD

05 02 City Fair - The next Live Stock Fair will be held in this city on Tuesday the 14th inst. The success which has attended these exhibitions has been decided and encouraging. Those who have cattle or horses for sale will be sure to find buyers here on the appointed day. A better opportunity for disposing of good stock cannot be found. WD

09 05 Live Stock Fair - The next Fair for the exhibition and sale of live stock will be held in this city on Thursday, the 10th. The hurrying season of harvest being about over, farmers will have more time to attend to other things. Those who wish to sell or buy horses and cattle should be present. Dealers from abroad may be expected to make purchases. The buyer and seller can meet on these occasions, the one supplying what the other wants, and make their transactions on the spot. Such opportunities are advantageous to both parties, and if rightly managed, may be the means of saving much time and trouble. We hope we shall see a large attendance and find display of all kinds of livestock. Let us have a lively market day. WD

12 12 The Live Stock Fair last Tuesday, notwithstanding the muddy going, was well attended. The representation of all kinds of live stock was large and buying and selling went on very briskly. These fairs have proved a decided success and are of sufficient importance and advantage to our city to induce those interested to take some steps towards providing better accommodations for those who attend them from a distance. The expense of fitting up some convenient place for this purpose would not be very great and the means might very easily be raised by a little effort. Several hundred head of cattle and horses ranged along the streets, and men tramping about all day in the mud, when the weather happens to be unfavorable, is not a very pleasant spectacle, though it may give an appearance of business and activity not unpleasant to witness occasionally. WD

1862

03 13 Live Stock Fair. The Live Stock Fair held in this city last Tuesday was very numerously attended. We are not sure but there were more horses and cattle on the ground than have ever been exhibited on a similar occasion. Considerable portions of Main, Third and Fourth streets were lined with oxen, cows and colts. Another noticeable feature of this display was the remarkably fine condition of most of the stock for this season of the year. Nearly every animal had a full, healthy, well-fed, well-kept appearance, that showed its owner properly appreciated the value of his property. As near as we can learn, however, the trading was not very extensive. Holders demanded higher prices than buyers were inclined to give. Dealers looked upon the chances of speculation as a little dubious, and were inclined to be cautious. There is evidently an upward tendency in the price of live stock, but how long it will continue is very uncertain. WD

1870

11 16 THE CATTLE FAIR - -The cattle fair, adjourned from Tuesday of last week, on account of the election, was held on Saturday last, and was the most numerously attended fair of the year. The display of cattle was large, and more than the usual number of horses was offered for sale. Buyers of horse-flesh, however, were scarce, and there was very little demand. About 250 head of horned cattle were sold, all in good condition, and we understand brought good prices. WR

1902

03 14 A large crowd attended the cattle fair on Tuesday. A large number of horses were offered for sale, buts few buyers were found. Prices ranged from $75 to $150. Young pigs were offered in large numbers, prices being from $3 to $3.50. WG

1950s

1950s, one of series of 11 images, WHS_005_069-079,

Fair held in N Second St and Memorial Park area

1961

03 12 Sales people, including farm folk who bring their produce to the monthly street fair in Watertown, formerly known as the “cattle fair” or “viehmarkt,” were on notice today that if they wish to sell anything at the fair they must have it packaged according to state weights and measures regulations and any products that are sold by weight must be weighed on scales that do not violate state statutes. The “notice” came in the wake of yesterday's arrests at the fair in which three scales were seized as illegal and in which one packaged article was also seized because the packaging did not list the weight of the article.

2008

YouTube video clip: “If It's Tuesday It Must Be Watertown”

Slide Show