The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-09-28
was all they would give. Why, l know ten
counties that could name one after another
that will give each over that.
Maino State Horse Fair.


We love to look at fine horse, and always
hold ourselves in readiness to accept an invita-
ton which promises US the qualification Of this
liking. Accordingly. when we received the
circular from the managers Of the State Horse
Fair. and a complimentary ticket thereto, we
FELT Barkis-like. "riiiing." and so Tuesday
last found us on the noon train bound for Au-
gusta, and Wednesday morning bright and
early We were on the Fair Grounds. The
morning was beautiful, sunny and warm, and
good number Of people were present. altho'
the crowd were not expected until the next day.
The usual attaches Of the shows were ON the
Little6eld's Oriental Balm" was
there with an orator who alternately sung, dis
eoursed Of human nature, and dispensed the
Balm-the renowned Steam Poet was also pres
ent armed with an extra long lead pencil and
equipped with fresh supply Of rhymes, while
one deluded mental hard had the assurance to
offer pictures Of as A. D." for sale-ia Maine
and qtisr election. We passed all these yari-
Gus attractions and q number OF other places
where you were assured Of "gettiug your
moneys worth, 'and having invested Eve cents,
received our moneys worth in the shape Of q
seat on pine board under blazing sun, and
''no umbrella" But we looked around the
field at the horses and forgot the sun. Here
was your fast fancy trotter with neat clean
limbs and elegant looking head in . light airy
ii 4. AZ.
track were a lot Of c:lts with their mothers,
and handsome ones they were too. Then came
trot, best two in three, by the four year-olds,
In which the marc entered by Henry Norcross
Of Augusta, won IN two straight heatI. time
3,2i and 3,22. Afterwards In single heats Of q
mile by the four year old colts, Flying Mac"
entered by John Shaw, Of Augusta made the
best time Of the six entered, troting in $40
In order to fill up time, "Gen. Knox," owned
by 7. ). Lang "Mt. Vernon" owned BY Eli
sha Mills, and gray gelding, owned by Mr..
Johnson Of Hampdtn, trotted mile dash,
won by the grey in AT. Here a man appear
ed on the hill opposite the stand, and announc-
ed that he was not In the habit Of making q
stump speech. but he could give people a
good dinner, and advised an adjournment to
his tent which was pitched on the grounds
The advantage Of this was manifest, for when
the afternoon exercises were annouced, there
you were, and nothing extra charged for spend
Ing the day. We hopeth dinner was well pat
roniEed.
The first thing in the afternoon was a trot
for prize of 500 by the second class Of trot-
ting horses. Four entries were made, and the
horses divided in two classes. "John Pinkham"
and "Betsey Baker," tried il first, and "Bet-
sey" got the best Of il. winning in three
straight heats in 2,5i; 2,52; and 2,5s. Then
"Young Hecter." George Robinson's hand
some black, and "Garabaldi." Of Bangor trot-
ted and "IIecter" won the race easily in 2,i9,
2,45, and2,i6
Amer this came the pacing horses, and this
race made fun for the crowd. There were four
entries, made among them, LADY Jane, Gray"
owned by 5. L. stephens Of Unity, a small,
rough-lOoking gray, driven by a farmer who
didn't know the tricks Of Jockeys, and the Gus
TOMS Of the course, "Lady jane was elassed
with "George Washington" driven by Robin
son. and on the first scoring LADY Jane" pass
ell the stand somewhat ahead, but go ahead
I'm coming" said Geo. VS." driver, and
away sped "Lady Jane" round the track,
while "George" followed at his leisure, and
the "Lady's" driver thinking Il all right and
exultant at his apparent easy victory, was quite
surprised at being hauled up at the half mile,
with "stop"-and Eat CO." from the Mar
shall. Then the crowd laughed, and Geo. Rob
insou, q little elated at ELECTORS" success,
played off his horses PAGES before the country
man with much satisfaction. But now they get
the worl fairly, and the little gray pulls ahead
in her heavy sulky like good one. and in the
first half passes the stand ahead. and comes in
on the last half making the mile in 2,i2, and
dislGneiag "Georgc Washington" while the
laugh now is on the other side. and the steam
poet reads his verses about the "little gray"
till politely requested by Marshall Lang to re-
tire a little and let him do the talking. LADY
Jane" goes two heats afterwards in 2,45 and
2,53, and wins the $4,000.
Eight PAIR of matched horses now presented
themselves on the track, but did not make q
great display. There were handsome pair Of
browns. and a neat pair Of roans among them,
however. No time was taken. This closed
Wednesdays proceedings.
Thursday morning wore anything but q
promising aspect Gray clouds, mist-drsped
hills &c., all promised rain, and people were
everywhere comparing notes on the subject,
with the general conclusion that il was going to
rain, but still there was doubt, and almost
everybody took advantage Of this doubt, and
went to the Fair Grounds. A large number
were present, among whom we're many ladies.
The first thing ON the programme for the day
were the exhibition, and examination OF family
horses. Some rs or 20 were on exhibition, some
Of them fine looking horses, but most OF them
hardly up to the mark Of requirements In q
good family horse. whioh are generally UNDER
stood to be geutleness, strength and general
combination OF good qualities, rather than ell
egance or speed. They were driven round the
track once in line. and anerward BY fOurs.-
sos was the best time made.
In the meantime, the mist grew thicker and
umbrellas were one after another unfolded, as
now and then stray drop ofrain like fore
runner came pa,tering down. But still the
people wouldn't go. and evidently meant to see
the trot between Gen. Knox, the Pompilly.
and the Smith Horse Of Lewiston for the purse
ofsseo. when the horses were brought on
N NIL Ia. al