Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-09-28
Exciting Scene at = Great st. Louis Fair Tel
Thousand " omen Floundering IN the Iud.

The 81. Louis Dc5nocrat gives a graphic ac-
count of the effect of a sudden aud violent storm
of rain upon a crowd of twenty thousand peo-
pie, about ten thousand of whom were women.
" with all their bravery on last Thursday af-
ternoon, at the fair grounds near that city
The crowd took alarm, and at about o'clock
the rush for omuIbuses and other vehicles be-
gan Tie mud was excessive. The water stood
in puddles aud pools ali over the grounds along
the pathways. Tie most decided movement
was first noticed at the steps leading from & c
promenade of the ampbitleatrc. which was all
mud. The descent vaS made, and here was no
other way for the ladies but TO elevate srch Of
their drapery as they desired to preserve from
pollution, and make the Tush. Down they came.
singly aud in troops. Hundreds of men and
shameless boys stationed themselves at the foot
Of the steps, 10 increase the pcrPleXlties and
notifications of the ladies' The rain was
coming. No time to be lost. Silk dresses We're
precious aud must be saved, 50 they were caught
up and dlaWu around their waists. Handsome
pettIcOats were preserved in ike manner
Hoops and crlnollue were very iuconvenieut.-
Skeleton skirts We're totally UumanagcaJle, and
in hundreds Of cases were lett to hang and sway
and grin around the forms Of their poSscssors, 70
the horror of modest men all over the ground.
Slippers were entirely engulphcd, rs the wear
ers plunged from the steps and sought the dry
land. Boots and CATERS We're all splashed and
,uIled, pants and hose, -, well. everything
fetninIty, all bedaubed and despatched
with mud and slUsh Tie rain came steadily
on. The crowds in the ampGItheatre rapidly
dispensing. rushed huadlong 10 the entrance Of
the grounds, and soon the omnibuseS in waiting
were besieCed by thousands of men. women aud
children. who We're frantic il their efforts TO
gain. seats. Couples and squads ran through the
mud up the road 10 anticipate seats in the re-
turning vehicles. Confusion was at its height
when the rain came. Then eusued such scene
as we never hope to witness again. There were
not omnIbuses or wagons for half the people
The mud was ankle deep, and the rain making
it deeper every minute. Wonen and children
were caught up by frantic husbands and fathers
and pitched into the doors and windows of the
carriages. The horses crowded upon one an
other-men cursed and raved-screams OF terror
arose from the women on all sides-some were
knocked down in the mud-others fell sprawl
ing under foot-dresses and bonuets were torn
and scattered around-uanv who were afraid
TO mingle with the crowd. stood upon lis verge
without shelter of any kind, he rain beating
PIT. .essly upon their fnery, streaming down
their bare shoulders and neckS. washing away
their rosy cheeks and dark eye-brows-well, we
are not equal to the description. Ii was terri
ble sight Il was a terrible suffering and NOR
tificaiion to thousands who were caught III the
dilemma.
At dark last night there we're hundreds vet
remaining on the ground. The omnibus horses
were all worked down, and drivers opposed TO
returning, 50 that many were compelled either
10 remain the grounds or walk 10 the city
On "Wednesday night, We learn, there We're At
least two hundred who were th'fs left. Last
night there must have been thousand. Hap
pv those. Yesterday. who had carriages Of their
own-happy those who left the ground early
happv she who wore cheap bonnet or a cheap
arasss or no founces or moderate hoops-happv,
thrice happy, she with pretty an kle and dark
ockings-Tuiserab}e very miserable, all and
every one else.