In the September 10, 1925, edition of the Elk City News-Democrat, the Beckham County Fair was the big news. A new parking lot had been created to accommodate the expected crowds. In addition to the fair exhibits, a variety of entertainment was on the schedule. Bands, animal acts, and acrobats were just a few of the enticements for the fair goer. In addition, The Elk City Press published “Instructions for Entering the Pig-Automobile Race at the Beckham County Fair.” The article stated, “Each entryman must have a stripped down Ford car, preferably old model, one pig crate and one pig not more than six months old and not less than three months old….Pigs should be well trained, congenial disposition and easy to handle. It is preferred that pig[s] with B Flat voice be used.” Apparently the winner of the race would receive a cash prize. The pigs’ role in this race was not clear.
Many local businesses were planning to have booths at the fair, and their ads in the newspaper advertised fair specials and invited people to come by the booths and rest while attending the fair. The Story Theatre was showing the silent movie Cornered starring Marie Prevost. It was a Warner Brothers film and billed as “the greatest crook story ever screened.” The theatre ad went on to say, “We will open every day during the fair at 10 A.M. and close at 2 P.M., opening again at 5 P.M.” For a full day of entertainment, people could see a movie and attend the fair. The Sayre Journal advertised train excursions to and from the Beckham County Fair. The ticket price was ninety cents for a round trip. The train was scheduled to leave at 11:51 p.m. and 12:35 p.m. daily.
In addition to fair news, The Elk City News-Democrat featured the article “School Opened Monday With Record Enrollment.” On that first day of school, 1,028 students showed up for classes. The article went on to state, “The first grade is quite large, and there will undoubtedly have to be an age limit put in effect owing to the large number that have asked admittance to this grade.” Apparently, a child could be younger than six years old to enroll in first grade.
Many of the ads in The Elk City News-Democrat listed prices for popular items. Baum’s Variety Store advertised ladies hats for $2.48, $2.98, and $3.98. Today, the hat prices would range from $45 to $73. United Grocery Company advertised a 48-pound sack of flour for $2.35 ($43.38), and a bushel of apples was $1.85 ($34.15). People in 1925 must have bought groceries in bulk.
The Elk City Press featured agricultural news. The article “Fine Rain Breaks Drougth Large Cotton Crop Assured” declared, “The heavens broke loose, and we got what we have wanted for many moons.” The article stated that the broomcorn and feed crops suffered from the drought and that the tight-land cotton would not be good but the irrigated cotton would produce a bale per acre. Local gins had already ginned 300 bales.
The Beckham County Democrat of Erick had chapters from the serialized novel King Tommy by George A. Birmingham and listed the following new books at the Erick Library: The Keeper of the Bees by Gene Stratton Porter, A Son of His Father by Harold Bell Wright, and Nature’s Garden by Blanchan. The library also asked patrons, teachers, and pastors for book suggestions.In addition, The Beckham Democrat reported that a Mr. Kinnie delivered the first bale of cotton to Planters Gin and received $128 for the ginned cotton plus “premiums” from merchants.
The Sayre Journal reported that the board of county commissioners approved the construction of nine new bridges in Beckham County and the repair of a bridge across the North Fork of Red River near Texola. Also, the newspaper featured an article advocating for terracing farm land to prevent loss of top soil.
The Beckham County Fair in Elk City was not the only fair in the county. The Carter Express states that September 10-12 were the dates for the Carter Free Fair. Big crowds were expected with all Carter residents and many from the surrounding area attending.
One hundred years later, county and town fairs are still enjoyed by many residents. School and agricultural news is still in the headlines. Rural Oklahoma maintains treasured traditions.