The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-09-30
Highly Exciting Scenes on the ST
Louis Fair Grounds.

H'lsF ~
The st. Louis Democrat gives the follow.
ing graphic description Of tragico-comedy
that was enacted on the fair grounds in that
city on Thursday afternoon Of last week, in
which "ten thousand women" were the
principal performers :
"The afternoon exhibition was inaugural
ed with great spirit. the scenes Of the ring
being witnessed by a densely crowded am
phitheatre, containing not less than from
fifteen to twenty thoutahd persons. While
the contest between the roadsters was going
on, another drizzle passed over, which was
soon succeeded by dushing thunder.gust
with heavy pour Of rain. This drenched
all outsiders, and dooded tie promenade,
and steps OF the amphitRaasrs with two or
three inches of water. The cloHds broke
away again, and the sun peeped curiously
out as il to note the effect of the scene.
Evidently disappointed at the failure Sfhis
thunder-gust, to scatter the crowds, he again
WNuuICW anu Oollou W Vub VI luO "Cot
very sombre mass of vapors that stretched
almost from south 10 north, ,,ond came slow.
ly on with woeful portent. 1t was evident
that long, steudy rain was about to set in.
The crowd took alarm, and OF about three
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 decided movement was first no.
ticed at the steps leading from the prone.
hade of the amphitheatre, which were all
mud. The descent was made, and there
was no other way for the ladies but to ele-
vate stcH Bf their drupery os they desired to
preserve from pollution, and make the rush.
Down they came, s!hgls and in troops
Hundreds of men and shameless boys sta
toned themselves at the feot of the steps,
to increase the perple&ities and thortiica.
tions OF the ladies. The rain was coming
No time to be lost. Silk dresses were pre-.
cioas and riust BE saved; soithey were then
caught up and drawn around the waists,
Handsome petticoats were preserved in like
manner. Hoops and crinoline were very
inconvenient. Skeleton skirts were totally
uumanageable, and in hundreds of eases
left to hang and sway and grin around the
forms of their pdssessors, to the horror o.
modest men all over the ground. Slippers
were entirely engulphed, as the wearers
plunged from the steps and sought for dry
land. l. Boots. and CATERS were all splashet
and soied, pants and hose--well, every.
thing outside of the very cuticle itself Of bi
furcated feminity, was all bedabbled and be
spattered with mud and slush. The rair
came steadily on. The crowds in the am.
phitheatre, rapidly dispensing. rushed head
long to the entrances of the grounds, ant
soon the omnibuses in waiting were besieg
ed By thousands IF MEM wotheh ahd chill
dren, who were frantic in their efforts ia
gain seats: Couples and squads ran through
the mud tip the road to anticipate seats in
the retufiiing vehicles: Confusion was a
Ito height whett the rain came. Then en-
sued such scene as we never hope to wit
ness again. There were not omnibuses o.
wagons fot half the people. The NUT
was ankle deep, and the rain making it deep
er every minute. Women and children
were caught up by frantic husbands and fa:
Tiers and pitched into the doors and windows
of the carriages. The horses crowded upor
one another-men cursed and raved-cries
of terror arose from the women on all side
=-s6tfie we're knocked dowh In the mdd-
others fell sprawling under foot-dressel
and bonhets were torn and scattered al
uround-many who were afraid to minglt
with the crowd stood Upon its verge with;
out shelter of any kind, the rain beating pit
tilessIy upon their fnery, streaming down
their bare shoulders and necks, washlhs
away their rosy cheeks and dark eyebrows
well, we are not equal to the description
1t was terrible sight. 1t was terrible
suffering and modification to thousand whit
were caught in the dilemma.
eat dark last night there were hundred
yet remaining on the ground. The omni
bus horses were all worked down, and dri
vers opposed to returning, SO that many
were compelled either to remain on the fol
grounds or walk to the city.
son Wednesday night, we learn, Their
were at least two hundred who were thu
left. Last night thete must have been
thousand. Happy those, yesterday, VIII
had carriages Of their owni-haPpy thos
who left the ground early--happy she VIII
wore cheap bonnet or cheap dress. o
no founces or moderate hoops--happy
thrice happy, she with a pretty ankle an
dark stock ihgs-- miserable; very miserable
all and every one eIse."