Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-09-24
The Great Mud Carnival-Ten Thousand Women
FlOundering I'm the Mud and Rain-Great Display OF
CrfnolIne and Other UNIV hisperables.

The Great Mud Carnival-Ten Thousand Women
Floundering In the Mud and RainGreat Display of
Crinoline and Other Unvvhisperabies.
Never says the ST. Louis Democrat was there such
scene in the wide world that witnessed Friday
afternoon last on the Fair Ground Never were so
many white and black old and young, tall and small.
beautiful and badooking ladies in such terrible di
emma. The day opened propltiousy with clouded sky
that threatened no rain and cool beezes that were with
out any admXure of dust smoke. The city poured
forth her thousands, with all their country relations and
visitors and by one O'clock p. NJ, the Fair Ground
could not have contained less than twenty-five thousand
peOpe little shower that passed about eleven
O'Clock excited but small surprise, and did not interfere
in the least with the pleasures OF the day About two
O'Clock another drizze came on, which was chiefly in
strumenta in driving shelter the hundreds of groups
that taking their picnic dinners out among the
trees and on the green grass.
| The afternoon exhibitions inaugurated with
great spirit the of the ring being witnessed by
densely crowded amphtheatrp aiming not less than
from fifteen to twenty thousand persons. While the
contest between the roadsters still going another
drzze passed over, which succeeded by dash
ing thunder gust with heavy pour of rain. This
drenched all outsiders and flooded the promenade and
steps of the amphheatre with two or three inches OF
water The cloud broke away again and the sun peered
curousy out to note the effect of this shower upon
the scene. Evidently disappointed at the failure of his
thunder gust to scatter the crowds, he again withdrew
and called up out of the west very sombre of
|
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 O'Clock
the rush for OmbuSSeS and other vehicles began. The
mud excessive The water stood III puddles and
ponds all over the grounds and along the path ways
The most decided movement was first noticed at the
steps leading down from the promenade to the amphi
theatre which was all muddy and slippery The de-
scent had to be made and there other way for
ladies but to elevate such of their drapery they de-
sired to preserve from pollution, and make the rush.
Down they came sing ly and in troops. Hundreds of
and shameless boys and men stationed themselves
at the foot of the steps to increase the perpextes and
notifications of the ladies.
The rain was coming No time to be lost. Silk
dresses were precious and must be saved they
caught up and drawn around the waists. Handsome
pettcoats preserved in like manner. Hoops and
crinoline very nconvenent Skeleton skirts were
totally unmanageabe, and in hundreds of were left
to hang and sway and grin around the forms OF their
possessors to the horror of modest all the
ground Slippers entirely phed as the wear
ers plunged from the steps and sought the dry land
Boots and CATERS all splashed and sOed pants and
hose, we'll everything outside of the very cutice
itself of bifurcated emininy, all bedabbcd and be-
spattered with mud and sush.
The rain came steadily The crowds in heamphi-
theatre rapidly dispensing rushed headong to the
frances of the grounds and the omnibuses in wait
ing were besieged by thousands Of men, and chill
dren, who frantic in their efforts to gain seas
Couples and squads through the mud up the road
to anticipate seats in the returning vehicles Confusion
was at its heighth auhen the ram came Then ensued
such scene we hope never to witness again There
not omnibuses wagons for half of the people
The mud ankle deep, and the rain making it deeper
every minute. Women and children caught up by
frantic husbands and fathers and pitched into the doors
and windows of the carriages.
The horses crowded upon another-men cursed
and raved-Screams of terror arose from all
sdes-some were knocked down in the mud-others fell
sprawlng under foot-resses and bonnets scatter
ed round-many who afraid to mngle with the
crowd stood upon its verge without shelter Of any kind
the rain beating ptiessy upon their fnery streaming
down their bare shoulders and necks washing away their
rosy cheeks and dark eyebrows-wel, not equal
to the description. 1t was terrible sight 1t was
terrible suffering and modification with thousands who
were caught in the dilemma.
At dark last night there were hundreds yet remaining
on the ground. The omnibus horses were all worked
down, and drivers opposed to returning, that many
compelled either to remain on the grounds or walk
to the city.
On Wednesday night we learn there were at least two
hundred who thus left Last night there must have
been a thousand. Happy those, yesterday who had
carriages of their ownhappy those who left the ground
early-happy she who wore cheap bonnet or a cheap
dress, aounces, moderate hoops-happy thrice
happy, she with pretty ankle and dark stockings
miserable very miserable all, and every one else.