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O Come to the Fair

IN THE SPRING OF 1896 an invitation came to Colonia Juarez to participate in a national fair to be held in Coyoacan, Mexico, D.F., in May. It was addressed to A. F. MacDonald in care of the Board of Trade and, as such, included more than the one community in its invitation. For the Board of Trade, in operation since August, 1893, was organized for the purpose of opening up markets and of getting better prices for colony products, and was composed of representatives from all the wards in the stake. Joseph C. Bentley was business manager and, in the absence of A. F. MacDonald, was authorized to accept the invitation and take charge of the exhibit.

This invitation was a challenge. Leaders of the nation, it said, had been generous in colonization permits, had encouraged foreigners to help develop resources of the country, but thus far no successful colonizing had resulted. Could the Mormon colonies with exhibits in the fair help remove this stigma? If they could send exhibits, shipping charges would be paid by the government and a prominent place reserved for a display. The importance of accepting this invitation was seen at once. Not only would a creditable exhibition justify President Diaz in his generous permits but it would furnish a most favorable means of making contacts with key men of the nation and serve as excellent means of broadening the usefulness of the Board of Trade. The time of year was not propitious for a display of farm, orchard, or garden produce, but there were choice specimens of both preserved and dehydrated fruits in the cannery, flour and grains stored in the mill and private granaries, cheese and leather goods in dairies and shops, and needlework, quilts and rugs in the homes. Working through the Board of Trade to gain ward cooperation, a carload of choice specimens typical of ingenuity and thrift and indicative of the annual output was on the rails in time to overcome delays and be on the grounds and arranged in attractive booths before the fair opened.

A prominent location had been reserved for colony exhibits and with the help of Hyrum S. Harris and wife, temporary residents in Mexico City, a most attractive display was made. Sacks of white flour stacked on decorative counters, mounds of cheese, corn on the cob tacked on the wall in geometric designs, hides of animals tanned in colony vats, sides of leather made into harnesses, saddles, collars, traces and breechings, as well as a stack of brooms from the Colonia Diaz factory, covered the side of a long room and was Exhibit No. I. Pyramids of canned fruits attractively labeled and setting off a display of needlework consisting of quilts, rugs, gloves, samples of sewing etc., completely filled the other sides and was Exhibit No. II. Pictures of the best businesses, mills, and factories, of schools and public buildings, of blooded animals, of orchards, fields and homes, arranged in attractive groups along the end of the building made up Exhibit No. III. A small but attractive exhibit of fresh fruits, taken from caches in the home, and in a fine state of preservation, strategically displayed in the center of the room made up Exhibit No. IV. Around and among all the exhibits were potted plants lending color and distinction, while setting it all off were streamers of national colors, bows and bunting and a Mexican flag proclaiming loyalty to an adopted country.