The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1858-09-21
Highly Exciting Scenes OH the ST.
Louis Fair GrOundS-Een Thousand
Women EiO0Mdc ring ina the Mud.

IL
Louis Fair GrOundS-Ten Thousand
Women FiOunderinK ina the Mud.
The st. Louis Democrat gives the following
graphic description of tragic. comedy that vas
enacted on the Fair grounds in that city on
Thursday afternoon, in which "ten thousand
women were the principal performers
The afternoon exhibition was inauguratcd
with great spirit, the scenes of the ring being
witnessed by densely crowded amphi,heatre,
containing not less than from fifteen 70 twenty
thousand persons. While the contest between
the roadsters was going on, another drizzle
passed over, which was soon succeeded by
dashrg thunder gust with heavy pour OF rain.
This drenched all outsiders, and flooded the
promenade and steps of the amphitheatre with
two or three inches Of water. The clouds
broke away again and the sun peered curiously
out as if to note the effects of the shower upon
the scene. Evidently disappointed at the fail
ure Of his thunder gust to scatter the crowds,
he again withdrew and called up out of the
west very sombre mass of vapors that stretch
ed almost from south to north, and came slowly
on with woful portent. 1t was evident that
long, steady rain was about to set in. The
crowd took alarm, and at about 3 o'clock the
rush for omnibuses and other vehicles began.
The mud was excessive. The water stood in
puddles and ponds all over the grounds and
along the pathways. The most decidedmoye-
ment was first noticed at the steps leading from
the promenade of the amphiteatre, which was
all mud. The descent was made, and there was
no other way for the ladies but to elevate such
of their drapery as they desired to preserve
from pollution, and make the rush. Down they
came, s.ngly and in troops. Hundreds of men
| and shameless boys stationed themselves at the
foot Of the steps, to inGease the perplexities
and notifications of the ladies. The rain was
~. -
precious and must be saved, so they were caught
up and drawn around the waists. Handsome
| pettcoats were preserved in like manner -
Hoops and crinoline were very inconvenient
| Skeleton skirts were totally unnanageable, and
| in hundreds of cases were left to hang and
sway and gric around the forms of their pos
SCISSORS, to the horror of modest men all over
| the ground. Slippers were entirely enguphed
as the wearers plunged from the steps and
| sought the dry land. Boots and CATERS we're
| all splashed and soiled, pants and hose, -,
| well, everything outside Of the very cuticle it,
self Of bilurcated ieminity, was all bedabbled
| and bespattered with mud and slush. The rain
came steadily on. The crowds in the amphi :
theatre rapidly dispensing, rushed headlong to
| the entrances of the grounds, and soon the
| omnibuses in waiting we're beseiged by thou
sands Of men, women and children who were
4 frantic in their efforts to get seats. Couples
and squads ran through the mud up the road
to anticipate seats in the returning vehicles
Confusion was at its hight when the rain came.
| Then ensued such scene never hope 10
| witness again. There were not omnbuses or
wagons for half the people. The mud was an
| kle deep, and the rain making it deeper every
minute. Women and children were caught up
| by frantic husbands and fathers and pitche
| into the doors and windows Of the carriages
| The horses crowded upon one anothcr-men
| cursed and rayed-screams of terror arose
| from the women on all sides-some we're knock
| down in the mud--others fell sprawling undt I
foot-dresses and bonnets were torn and scat
tered around-many who were afraid to mingle
| with the crowd, stood upon its verge without
shelter Of any kind, the rain beating pitlessly
upon their fnery, streaming down their bare
shoulders and nccks, washing away their rosy
cheeks and dark eye-brows-well, We are not
| equal to the description. 1t was terrible
sight. It was terrible suffering and morti-
| ficasion to thousands who were caught in the
dilemma.
AT dark last night there were hundreds ye.
remaining on the ground. The omnibus horse:
we're all worked down, and drivers opposed IL
returning, so that many were compelled either
| to remain on the grounds or walk to the city
On Wednesday night, we learn, there were Al
least two hundred who we're thus left. Las
| night there must have been q thousand. Hap
by those, yesterday, who had carriages Of theiI
own-happy those who left the ground early
happy she who wore a cheap bonnet or cheaI
dress, or no founces or moderate hoops-happy
thrice happy, she with pretty ankle and darl
stocking-miserable, very miserable, all, ant
every one else.