The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-11-21

the adoption of the only securities, which can
protect against them.
The State Agricultural Fair.
We had the pleasure of attending the First
Annual Fair of the State Agricultural Society,
in Columbia, during the past week. and did
intend to give minute account of all that we
saw and heard. Having deferred, however,
the preparation of our article to the present
moment our compostor admonishes us to be
brief. AS necessity knows no law, we must
yield to circumstances.
Not finding it convenient to devote more
than one day to the occasion, we selected
Friday, the last day of the Fair, when the pri-
yes were to DO distributed. BY so doing we
missed the thorough inspection of the various
articles exhibited, with the examining Commit
tees, as we'll as a rich treat in the anniversary
address Of Gen. Jamison of Orangeburg.
Wednesday was the great day. and on Thurs
day when We reached the City, the crowd had
abatcd considerably. The jam, however was yet
too great to be pleasant With great difficulty,
we succeeded, in getting room intended for
single gentlemen, but which, by the force of
circumstances, was made to accommodate three
slept in ono bed. 1t required some skill to OBJ
tain vacant chair, at table or the frcsde.
The number of strangers in Columbia during
the week we have heard variously estimated,
but suppose at the lowest calculation, they
reached 5000.
Wishing to make the most Of our time,
we, on the evening of our arrival, took
one of the various omnibusses which were
continually plying between the hotels and the
Fair grounds These are located in the North
western part of the City. The buildings, be-
sides the Secretary's Office, consists of three
handsome wooden structures, situated in on
enclosed area of about eleven acres. That on
the left of the entrance was appropriated to
various kinds of machinery, turned by small
engine, also on exhibition +; the building on the
right was filled with the various products of
agriculture, horticulture, the vintage, dairy,
&c. The chief attraction was the central edi-
fee, which in its ample Hall and spacious gal
leries, presented a very choice collection, in
the departments of the useful and ornamental.
The arrangements here and elsewhere gave ev
idence of the taste and skill of the able and
active Secretary, Col "A. G.. Summer. Near
the entrance stood bronze cast of Gen. Nc
Duffie and beyond bust of the great Calhoun !;
whilst ut con venient intervals, were displayed
with proper regard to effect. the various pro-
ducts of the loom, the needle and the pencil
Here were to be seen rich carpets quilts, and
every kind of embroidery; crotchet and needle
work delicate wax Flowers, rivaling nature
in all save their fragrance craydon sketches g.;
T. L.
The area in front of the buildings was cover
ed with mechanical and agricultural impl-
ments, and the finest carriages and buggies
and among them all was beehive with its
busy multitude, fit type of that industry, whose
triumphs, this Exhibition was intended to foster,
as well as commemorate.
In the rear on each side, extended long row
of stalls, filled with the finest cattle, horses,
sheep and swine; the Devon Brahim and Dur
ham breeds of cows; fine blooded racers; i'm
ported jacks DC. Two fine elks lent an inter.
est to this feature of the Exhibition; whilst
near by was a complete managerie of fowls
Shanehais and Cochin China Hong Kong
geese DC.
On Friday the premiums were awarded
Abbeville furnished many successful conpetit
ors, as will appear from the following list OF
those te whom prizes were awarded: C. W
Sprowl; Allen Vance; Cen. j. Gillam, Mrs
R. G. Gillian; James Cresswell Mrs. jaime,
CressweIl, Mrs. Henderson; Mrs J. G. Reed
Mrs. C. NJ Wilson Mrs. J. H. Baskin. A Silver
Medal was awarded to Mrs. Mary Hunter, q
life member.
A. P. Calhoun the able President was re-
elected; and Col J. F. Mashall appointed te
deliver the next Anniversary Address.
We have heard but one opinion expressed
with regard to the success, Of this the first Fail
of the Society. The display Of articles sne
the interest manifested, were truly gratifying
and exceeded the expectation of all. Future
experience will suggest improvements: an6
particularly in the prize lists, which it seem
to be the general impression may be 30 amend
ed, as better to foster, and develop the spirit o
general improvements in the various depart
ments of agricultural industry.
81 -
/ lFoR THE INDEPENDENT PRESS.
Southern Commercial Convention.
In compliance with request received
from the "Comrnittee Of Correspondence
and Invitation" of the Southern CONNER
cial Convention, hereby appoint the fol
lowing delegates to attend said Convention