The summer of 1930 was exceedingly hot. During the first and second weeks of August, the Sedalia Democrat reported temperatures of over 100 degrees with little hope for rain or cooler temperatures. The high temperatures and lack of rain plunged the Midwest into a severe drought. Many residents of the outlying areas surrounding Sedalia reported that their wells and cisterns had run dry, and the Sedalia Water Department offered them free water.
Other news involved politics and the military. Primary elections had been held to elect candidates for seventy seats in the Missouri House of Representatives. Campaigning had been “listless” and voter turnout was “extremely light.” President Herbert Hoover named Major General Douglas McArthur to be the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army in what the press called a “rapid rise” to the position.
Much of the local news concerned the upcoming Missouri State Fair which was to be held later in the month. One of the attractions was a “Society Auto Show” with prizes for the fanciest car and the best decorated car. Another attraction was a parade of one million dollars worth of livestock.
Fair Secretary W. D. Smith had designated certain days of the fair as special. Aug. 21 was special for two reasons. First, it was Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad Day, and a special invitation had been issued to M.K.&T. employees and their families. The Katy Band, director by W. M. Thomason, would provide entertainment to fairgoers.
Aug. 21 was also “Orphans Day.” Secretary Smith and M.K. & T. president C. Haile organized the day as a “Kiddies Party” for over two hundred orphans from orphanages in the city of St. Louis. The children would board a fourteen car special M.K. & T. train called the “Children’s State Fair Special” at 8 a.m. for the trip to Sedalia.
Many of the children had never ridden a train before and many had never been outside the city of St. Louis, so the ride to Sedalia would be special by itself. President Haile was particularly interested in making the event “the happiest day in the lives of these children.” Secretary Smith hoped the children would come to understand the “grandeur and greatness” of the state.
The train was equipped with seven passenger cars and seven Pullman cars. On the ride, the children would be treated to music, toys, healthy refreshments, and box lunches. The M.K. & T. was providing “every conceivable item requisite for a good time.” Smith and Haile were also providing entertainment for the many adults who would accompany the children. A doctor and nurse accompanied the children in case anyone needed medical care.
When the children arrived at the fair, they were to be divided into groups of ten. The groups, accompanied by adult chaperones and either a representative of the Missouri State Fair or the
M. K. & T. would lead them on a tour of the fairgrounds that would demonstrate the “many educational advantages” of the fair. At the end of the day after the visitors had walked around the fairgrounds, marveled at the exhibits, and enjoyed the carnival, the very tired children and adults were to board the train for the return to St. Louis.
