The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-09-29
rHE DISTRICT FAIR--FOur


have been very successful one. The pro,
ceedings yesterday were more interesting
than at any previous day.
The programme opened with the exhibi,
tion of horses in class No. 3. For the pre-
MUM for the best trotting stallion over four
years old, there were two entries, but the
time being limited to one mile in four mins
utes, which they failed to accomplish, they
were both ruled out. For the premium for
the best trotting mare or gelding, there
were six contestants. After due examina~
ton, the judges awarded the premium to
a horse from Spencer county, enter>
ed by Mr.. f. II. DeGarmo. Then
came the buggy horses, of which there were
nine entries, comprising several very stylish
turn-outs The first premium was awarded
to J. H. Morgans brown mare Ellen
Douglas. Next came the exhibition of po
nies under the saddle. There were five po-
nies entered, and these were kept parading
round the ring for some time before the
premium was declared. One of the riders,
quite a small boy, won great applause from
the crowd for the ease with which he re-
tanned his seat and the grace with which
he managed his nimble little animal. The
judges, disagreeing as to the merits of the
ponies, called in a third person to decide
for them, who gave the premium to one
owned by Mr.. II. D. Alis, at which
one of the judges was so dissatisfied
that he took a piece of red ribbon, the
sign of the first premium, and affxing
another of the ponies, owned by Doctor
Kennedy, Thus protesting against the award
which had been made In this we think
the judge was right, for in our humble
opinion the animal which received the pre-
MUM was one of the most inferior of the
number, whilst the one in whose favor the
protest was made was very fair specimen
of a pony. For the Citizens premium of
$25 for the best pair Of draught horses,
there were two entries. They were both
very heavy, serviceable looking teams, and
were exhibited in the wagon. The pre-
MUM was awarded to the span exhibited
by John Simpson, of Evansville. There
were six entries for the $25 Citizens pre-
MUM for the best buggy horse, and the dis
play embraced none but very fine animals.
The premium was awarded to Russell Be-
ments young mare Fanny Kellogg. This
closed the fOrenoon's exhibitions.
After dinner came the trial of Female
Four ladies, Mrs. Mitchell,
of Gibson county, Miss Eliza Knowles, Mrs.
c. McJohnston, and Miss Eliza Montgomery
contended for the premiums. When they
first appeared in the ring, Mrs. Mitchell was
upon very powerful and high
spirited black horse, which she managed
with consummate skill; Miss Knowles
mounted a fast, but not very fiery dun;
Mrs. McJ ohnstOn, a rough going white horse;
and Miss Montgomery upon little brown
one of Indifferent speed. The latter two
were soon taken out and their places sup
piled with better and afterwards the fair
equestrennes were made to change horses
saddles, sc, in such a way as to allow no
one any undue advantage over the other.
They all rode creditably, two of them, at
least excellenuy. Miss Montgomery appear
ed timid and i'll atease upon the saddle, lack
ing the boldness and freedom of the Others,
which is the beauty of all equestrianshp.
Mrs McJohnstOn, though undoubtedly
good horse woman, leans back too much in
the saddle, which not only gives her less
graceful appearance, but causes her to sit
less firmly in her seat. Miss Knowles
manages her horse with ease and freedom,
and maintains her seat with quiet digni-
ty and firmness which is truly graceful, yet
she lacks the courage and daring of Mrs.
Mitchell, who is perhaps equally as good,
though not SO graceful rider. The judges,
in declaring the premiums, awarded the
first to Mrs. McJohnston and the second to
Mrs. Mitchell. With all due Difference to
the opinions Of the judges, we must beg
leave to differ from them as to the propriety
of the award. Mrs. Mitchell ought certain
ly to have received the first premium, and
Miss Knowles was, we think, entitled to the
second. This is only our opinion, to which
we have a right; Others may take it for
what it is worth.-REP.
Scarcely had the ladies completed their
exercises in horsewomanship, when the ring
was filled with a cavalcade which it is be-
yond our power of description to give an
idea of. " Fantastic indeed were the
costumes of the riders and the caparisons
of the horses. Americans, Indians, Afri-
cans, Chinese, Turks, Arabs-all were rep
resented, and With them the costumes OF
the days of chivalry, mingled together in
endless confusion. 1t was as if all the
costumes of the world, and some from out
side, had been thrown together in one heap,
and each member of this gallant company
had made his own hap-hazard selection