Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-09-28
!. THE FARMERS FEsTIVl.i
Ohio State Fair

pleasant day TO the thousands who came TO
the city, we would not have thought strange
Of their appearance, no matter how disagree
bic il proved after they arrived here but the
matter for astonishment is that thousands OF
people should start for the Fair in the rain, or
Tin the face" of such a dismal prospect as
yesterday morning offered 1t is estimated
that about 5000 people visited the Grounds
Yesterday, and Judging from close inspec-
ton Of faces, large number Of them were
strangers in the city
The phillips" "Beckel House, Frank
liz" Montgomery" "Swaynie, and great
host of smaller institutions have been crowd
ed since the first day Of the Fair; and in addi-
ton they have rented all the lodging rooms
they could possibly find in their vieinities.
All these houses have been taxed to the ut
most of human endurance to feed the people
who are thronging their tables at all hours OF
the day and evening. And up TO this time,
the only complaint we have heard about eat
ing and other accommodations inside or out
side the Fair Grounds, from sober people,
who have intelligence enough to distinguish a
storm from a calm is a secondhand censure
Of the Dining Hall upon the Fair Grounds
1t seems that some irritable gentleman (and
company to match) expected to get as good
accommodation there at o'clock in the day
as they would have expected to find in the
best regulated restaurant in the city.
They were not--as it was impossible for
them to be-seated, at the snap of fingers to
a smoking hot repast composed of the choice
tt-bits of larder that had just been drawed
upon for the wants Of two thousand people.
The manager at Dining Hail. Tom Mumford,
is at the head of his profession, and the gem
eral award is that he has managed the thing
most surprisingly we'll As this is a notice
unpaid for by cash or grub, and therefore not
to he estimated as are the columns of pufs in
"some papers by the cash begged for their
insertion, we want the proper motive credited
Ito it, From Mr. Dinner who has charge of
the refreshment department, through the list
of gentlemen who have taken sub-contracts
under him, we have heard very general com
mendation. On the score of legitimate ac-
commodations then, in the city and out upon
the Grounds we have heard no complaint
coming from reputable people.
Floral Hall was, as usual, crowded with APP
preciative people Since we were there the
tables on either side we're filed with cut flow
ers, which adds greatly to the attraction; in
deed puts finish on the place. Mr. Thomas,
the Superintendent, deserves great credit, as
we'll as his assistants, for the nice arrange
ments in that Hall The "Regimentals,' who
occupv a stand equi-distant from Fine Art
and Floral Halls, had about them, and listen
! ing TO their charming music, hundreds of peo-
pie. No mater what the attractions at other
points, the crowd kept steadily about their
stand
The success of the State Fair in Dayton,
then, may be set down, on the evidence Of
thousands of intelligent men, as the greatest
yet reached in the history OF State FAIRS IN
Ohio. We repeat that there were at least
$4,000 people on the ialr dro9nds yesterday,
and there were S3,5OO IN cash taken IN on
sale Of tickets.
Items on the "ro"h"'
As usual, we went in the gate at the base Of
the Hill, where crowds of people were enter
ing, and where we saw already on the brow Of
the hill vast crowd. "Did you ever see the
like! !" who'd tho't it, such weather |" and
like exclamations of surprise greeted us on all
sides. In every direction the crowd extended
over the grounds in groups, and the groups
we're so close together that they we're scarcely
separated. Fine Art Hall was not only filed
but was surrounded by multitude, waiting
no get in. The exhibition inside must have
Uiyen satisfaction for it was with difficulty the
1eople could be moved around the circle to
make,Foom for others to see; we know of sew
eral persons who made the circuit of the Hal
three or four times. The light did not strike
every side of the Hall favorably, but notwith
standing this pretty favorable sight was had
of the pictures iavorably situated DR.. Geig
ers chandeliers, which were on exhibition
shed a food of excellent light on the subject
In the neiehborhood of the cattle ring WI
saw a fellow in search of 'the gals" He was