Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-09-17
TEN THOUSAND WOMEN FOUNDER
ING IN the Md AND RAIN.
From the st. Louis Democrat. Sent 1ot

r. Il
ING IN THE Mud AND RAIN! Il
From the 81. Louis Democrat, Sept 10th Z
Never was there such scene in the wide
world as that Witnessed yesterday afternoon ON
ne Fair Ground. Never was there SO many
wnte and black, old and young, tall and small,
beautiful and bsd-looking ladies in such hoi
ribis dilemma. The day opened propitiously,
with clouded sky that threatened no rain, and
cool breeEs which were without any admixturs
Of dust or smoke The city poured forth her
thousands, With all their country relations and
visitors, and by one o'clock p. m, the Fair
6rounds could not have contained less than
f.osssy=fUe thousand peoyls. A little shower
that passed over about III o'clock excited but
small surprise, and did not interfere In the
least with the pleasures of the day. About 2
O'Clock another drizzle came on, which wus
chiefly instrumental in driving TO shelter the
hundreds Of groups that were taking their
picnic dinners out among the trees and on the
green grass. r..... ...tHs ] =
The afternoon exhibitions were inaugurated
with great spirit, the scenes Of the ring being
witnessed bya densely crowned amphitheAtre,
containing not less than from fifteen to twenty
thousand persons. While the contest between
the roadsters was still going on another drzxle
passed over, which was soon succeeded by a
dashing thunder gust with heavy pour of rain
This drenched all outsiders, and flooded the
promenade and steps of the amphitheatre with
away again, and the sun Peered curiously out,
as II to note the effect Of his shower upon the
scene Evidently disappointed at the failure
OF has thunder gust to scatter the crowds he
again withdrew and called up out of the west
n very sombre mass of vapors that stretched
almost from south to north, and came slowly on
with wofui portent, - .q
1t was evident that a long, steady rain was
about TO set in. The crowd took alarm and at
about three o'clock the rush for omnibuses and
other vehicles began. The mud was excessive.
The water stood in puddlss and ponds all over
tie grounds and along the pathways. The
mos. decided movement was first noticed at the
steps le Sding down from the promenade Of the
amphithsau ue, which was all muddy and slip
perry.
The descent had to be made, and there was
no other way for tn ladies but to elevate such
of their drapery as hey desired to preserve
from pollution, and m axe the rush Down
they came, singly and in troops. Hundreds Of
mean and shameless boys and men stationed
themselves at the foot Of the steps to increase
the perplexities and mortifcati, N OF the ladies'
ne rush was coming. No time 10 De lost
blk dresses were precious and must be saved,
so they were caught up and drawn a round the
waists. Handsome petticoats were preserved
In Ike manner. Hoops and crinoline were
very inconvenient Skeleton skirts were TO-
tally unmsnageable, and in hundreds of cases
were left to hang and sway and grin around
the forms OF their possessors, to the horror Of
modest men all over the ground. Slippers
were entirely ingulfed as the wearers plunged
from the steps and sought the dry land. Boots
and CATERS were all splashed and seiIed, pants
and hose =, well, everything outside Of the
cuticle itself Of biforcated femiuinity, was all
bedabbled and bespattered with mud and
slash.
The rain came steadily on The crowds in
tne amPhitheater rapidly dispensing, rushed
leadlOQO ha ant IS 81. nd
soon the omnibuses in waiting were besie,,ed by
thousands Of men, women and children, who
were frantic In their efforts to gain seats C'ou-
pies and squads ran through the mud up tho
road to anticipate seats in the returning yehi-
ciss. Confusion was at its height ,chen the
ram came. Then ensued such a scene as we
hope never to witness again There were not
omniouses or wagons for half of the people
The mud was ankle deep, and the rain making
at deeper every minute. Women and children
were caught up BY frantic husbands and faith
ers and pitched into the doors and windows of
the carriages.
The horses crowded upon one another-men
cursed and rayed-sereams of terror arose from
the women on all sides-some were knocked
down In the mud, others fell sprawiing under
foot-dresses and bennets were torn and scat
tered around-many who were afraid to min
gis with the crowd, stood upon its verge with
out shelter of any kind, the rain beating piti-
lessly upon their fnery, streaming upon their
bare shoulders and necks, washing away their
rosy checks and dark eyebrows-well, we are
not equal to the description. 1t was terrible
sight. 1t was terrible suffering and mortifi-
cation to thousands who were caught in the
dilemma.
At dark last night there were hundreds vet
remaining on the ground. The omnibus horses
were all worked down, and drivers opposed to
returning, so that many were compelled either
to remain on the grounds or walk to the city
On wednesday night, We learn, there were
at least two hundred who were thus left. Last
night there must have been thousand. Happy
those, yesterday, who had carriages Of their
oan-happy those who left the ground early
happy she who wore q cheap bonnet or a cheap
dress, or no founces, or moderate hoops-hap-
Py, thrice happy, she with pretty ankle and
dark kstockings--miserable very miserable, all,
and every one also