The first Gratz Fair was fondly remembered for an Indian “exhibition” in which two native chiefs were drugged by the town doctor before their performance and “rewarded” with “fire water” (alcohol) afterward.
Upon the death of Dr. Isaiah S. Schminky, February 19, 1900, the grounds on which the fair was held reverted to his estate, and there was some question as to whether the Fair would be continued. A reminiscence appeared in the Lykens Register of May 24, 1900, which recalled two past events involving Indians in an effort to stir up support to keep the fair in Gratz.
The Gratz Fair (written for the Register).
The time being suspension of Gratz Fair is evoking expressions of regret. The successful expedients the management resorted to is so well illustrated in a personal letter from a friend connected with the venture from its inception, that our reporter substituted it for his own intended efforts, believing that our readers will appreciate the recollections.
The Gratz Fair was founded by the late Ed. Miller, who for some time took a great interest in the Fair and held the office of President of which he was very proud. The first special feature of the Fair was the grand exhibition of the two Indian Chiefs, Oscaren and Washka, who certainly made a great hit and proved themselves better and more expert riders than the original Indian. The Indians were removed to Lykens previous to the fair by the Hon. Moses Young, who, by the way had considerable trouble with them, such as eating raw beef off the floor, etc. On arrival at Gratz, the Judge handed the warriors over to the care of the late Dr. I. S. Schminky, who subdued them with opiates and other remedies. Their exhibition of riding the Indian ponies excelled anything ever seen on the race track. It was indeed wonderful to see them mount and dismount when the animals were in full gallop. The speech on the band stand was a masterpiece of Indian eloquence, and was interpreted by the Judge to the delight and fear of the audience, the tomahawks being flourished in the air with great rapidity and skill. In fact it was a good performance throughout. The Indians without the war paint were congratulated by their friends; the warriors indulged freely in fire water and this ended one of the best exhibitions ever given in Gratz.
After several years Ed. Miller was succeeded by Dr. A. G. Stanley, who, although he did not run the whole Fair, stood manfully for years at his post in helping keep up the Fair. We remember one good exhibition gotten up by him. It was the Deadwood coach affair. The coach was attacked by Indians on its arrival at the fair grounds, the cowboys arriving in good time to save the occupants of the coach. Prominent in the party was ‘Squire Hain, who appeared much relieved on the arrival of the cowboys. One Indian was shot dead in front of the grandstand but after the departure of the cowboys, they came to life and made a speech before the people assemble.
The fair was held in 1900, but only after it was reorganized.
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News article from Newspapers.com.
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[Indians]