Main Street markets have history here

Congratulations to the organizations that are responsible for the "Main Street Farmers Market." The idea dates back well over a century. Although our downtown doesn't have the variety of businesses it once had, just seeing the crowds downtown once again makes the project worthwhile.

(Continued from last week)

"This show opened Tuesday night and drew a large crowd and is well worth the price of admission. Lambrigger's Zoo is just off the square on Monroe and on South West Street we found 'The Outlaws.' Now everything here was all right until they began shooting in our direction and we adjourned to the bandstand where the O'Neils can be seen in their great act. The acrobats and tumblers who are man and wife are also found at three o'clock near the opera house. While at the bandstand the local musicians favored us with a few fine marches and melodies. Of course they were playing for our special benefit.

"An attraction which seemed to catch the eye of local merchants and many visitors is the Conway ranges which are on exhibition in front of the William Bollenbacher hardware store, 117 West Main Street. These stoves are manufactured by the company that is moving to Bellevue and will be manufactured here.

"On Kilbourne Street in the Wood block is the Floral Hall. There is a fine display of artwork in the hall and large numbers are visiting the exhibit all hours of the day. The hall is open during the evening and is located in the rooms formerly occupied by the furniture store of Mason and Co., 110 Kilbourne Street.

"The poultry display which is on Kilbourne Street is large and attractive.

"George Strecker, the implement dealer, is drawing the farmers his way by the operation of a homemade automobile. The machine is capable of remaining within the speed ordinance of the city while you are in the vicinity of the above gentleman's store, he will show you the Great Western Manure Spreader which he has in operation.

"Colonel Fred, the educated horse which arrived Tuesday will show this evening in the tent on Main Street near North West Street. The north side of Main Street from North West to Sandusky Street is lined with cane racks and the bark of the tenders is the principle music of that neighborhood.

"One disappointment of the street fair so far has been the failure of the apparatus used by Lisette the French girl in her leap of the gap. The apparatus was shipped from Huntsville, Ala., one week ago and was lost on the road. Lisette has been in Bellevue for several days and if the apparatus arrives she will make her leap, as scheduled today and Friday. No one feels the disappointment of the above mishap more keenly than the street fair committee or Lisette herself. The leap, if made will be pulled off near the library on East Main Street.

"The balloon ascension which was made Tuesday and Wednesday by Dorothy DeVonda were the most successful and attractive made in this city for years.

"The ascension which takes place on Hamilton Street will be repeated this afternoon and will be the feature of the fair every afternoon.

"Saturday night was carnival night and it signalized the close of the street fair. The weather was all that could have been desired and a monster crowd was on the streets.

"The O'Neils gave an interesting evening performance and Mille. Lisette leaped the gap about nine o'clock before an immense throng.

"The Bellevue Band was out and discoursed excellent music throughout the evening. It was surprising the number of people on the street and still more surprising where they all came from and how quickly they gathered. The sidewalks were jammed in the business part of town and the mayor's warning in regard to throwing confetti on the walks was disregarded. Confetti by the bushel was thrown and some did not stop at that, but used flour, talcum powder, breakfast food and milkweed. Some of the young folks were masked and everybody seemed bent on having a good time and judging from their conduct, they succeeded. The crowd was a good-natured one but a few fights and brawls were reported."

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Bellevue Historian Bill Oddo writes a weekly column for The Bellevue Gazette.