Mt. Carmel Fair, June 1880

MANY

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 4/24/2005 at 20:32:56

I translated the following article from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published on 4 June 1880. Any information in brackets or notes at the end is my own explanation. It reads as follows:

At the Mt. Carmel Fair

Despite the wind and dust, which disturbed the enjoyment of the fair on both days so that one could practically not open his eyes, the fair was still a complete success and yielded a profit of $1100. All those participating did the utmost. The Reverend Father was busy organizing things everywhere, and it was a wonder that he lasted so long. The Concordia [Drama Club], made up of strong-voiced members of the community, performed their best in executing the various theater pieces, and one could see that the young men were keenly interested in the well-being of their community. Non-residents were present from all points of the compass, and they were amazed at the work done by the Mt. Carmelers. But indeed, it was intended to benefit the construction of a new church, and so everyone was united in their effort and worked with energy and love. Women and men, girls and boys, everyone tried to do their best at this fair. In order not to wrong anyone, we must mention that our reporter was too pessimistic and too sharply criticized the members of the Concordia when he said that the performance in the “Lützowern” was not good. It is obvious that one cannot expect first-class actors, and as we hear it, this was exactly the one piece that was exceedingly pleasing. We publish the complete report of the fair committee as follows:

The following are the winnings and winners of the main prizes:

1st Prize, $25 in gold, Jacob Stengel.
2nd Prze, choice from two cows, Georg Casper.
3rd Prize, one cabinet organ, Mrs. Clara Drees.
4th Prize, one cow, Johan Mangerich, Blackhawk County.
5th Prize, one young cow, Johan Derner.
6th Prize, a silver watch, Jos. Finger.
7th Prize, two pigs, J. W. Hatton.
8th Prize, a man’s suit, Jos. Rettenmaier.
9th Prize, $10 in gold, Peter Berger.
10th Prize, copy of “Life of Christ,” Anton Ehrig.
11th Prize, one wash machine, Wm. Molle.
12th Prize, two chromolithographs, Lizzie Kölker.
13th Prize, 10 yards carpet, Christ and Kate Meyer.
14th Prize, a wheelbarrow, Louis Meis.
15th Prize, choice from two gold rings, Jacob Erz.
16th Prize, a clock, J. M. Drees.
17th Prize, a white bed cover, H. Haferland.
18th Prize, a red table cloth, Ignatz Waldmann.
19th Prize, one pig, Anton Kokinge.
20th Prize, a set of glasses and tray, Lizzie Baumhover.
21st Prize, $5 in gold, Kentner & Gilley.
22nd Prize, a gold ring, J. A. [no last name].
23rd Prize, a pig, Johan Losbruch.
24th Prize, a fine quilt, Conrad Meis.
25th Prize, $2.50 in gold, F. A. Zähringer.
26th Prize, two pictures, Elizabeth Heim.
27th Prize, a meerschaum pipe, Mary Meis.
28th Prize, a bed cover, J. Anding.
29th Prize, a quilt, John Offerfelder.
30th Prize, a woman’s petticoat, Jakob Berger, Waterloo.
31st Prize, men’s jacket, J. P. Wichmann.
32nd Prize, a dozen napkins, B. Hilsing.
33rd Prize, a ton of coal, J. Lindner.
34th Prize, a red tablecloth, F. Ludwig.
35th Prize, one quilt, Hermann Drees.
36th Prize, one work box, Heinrich Kunkel.
37th Prize, a woman’s hat, Jakob Graheck.
38th Prize, a boy’s suit, Val. Kries.
39th Prize, one quilt, Th. Hombach.
40th Prize, a gray washcloth, F. F. Kuen.

In the small raffle:
A child’s dress, John Vernimont.
A second child’s dress, Siborne [no last name given].
25 Herchenbach’s Stories, Margarethe Frische.

To our great satisfaction, our fair was a success, and we give our deepest thanks to all who participated. However, Mr. J. M. Drees deserves special mention for distinguishing himself through his kind assistance and great exertions for the good of our community. Mr. Lynch also deserves mention for doing a service to Mt. Carmel by his valuable gift, which brought $80.

The profits amount to $1100.

--The Committee.