Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-10-06
Augusta County Fair.

Augusta CouuGy & GAL
Our Fair may now be regarded as E fact ac-
complished-an established Institution.
The Fair Grounds, which have been bought
and paid for contain over twenty acres OF lana
living within three quarters Of a mile OF the
Court House from which they are reached by
road of singular beauty following the course
of Lewis Creek and passing in full view OF
the beautiful grounds of the Institution for
the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind. The shape
of the grounds is so admirably suited to the
purposes of the Fair as to make US wonder why
they have not always been so used, and yet 1t
would be difficult to find anywhere pretter
landscape than is presented by the little Valley
nesting among the surrounding hills.
It would be unreasonable to expect the lit
ting up of such an establishment to be COM
plete in all its parts in time for the first Fair
but we are assured that under the energetic
and efficient direction of Mr.. VIM. A. Pratt,
such progress has already been made as to rem
der it certain that the beautiful trotting course
will be ready and that sufficient buildings will
be provided for the comfortable accommodation
of Exhibitors and Visitors To develope fully
the great beauty of the place and to tit it
thoroughly and permanently as Fair Ground,
Park and Pleasure Grounds is work which
requires time and taste and money
We are gratifed to learn that already over
Fifteen Thousand Dollars have been raised by
subscription among our people for this excel
lent purpose, and we doubt not that Augusta
county will be found both able and willing to
provide whatever sum may be found necessary
for work which seems to have taken strong
hold upon popular favor.
The first Fair takes place on the eth, 18th
and 29th of this month, and from all parts of
the county we hear notes Of busy preparation.
The Premium lists and Programme which have
been published present an attractive Bill Of
Fare, and we have no doubt that the entertain
ment will fully equal the public expectation.
We have reason to expect fine displays of
Implements and Machinery from Richmond
and Baltimore, and a number of herds of fine
Stock have been promised from different parts
of the State. IF our Oaon county people aoaH
only determine to bring to the Fair the best they
hare aud at all erents to bring something, we
will have an exhibition worth seeing.
We are glad to see that the Directors of the
Fair are disposed to regard money premiums
as of subordinate importance and value. We
only wish they would abolish them altogether
and let the people compete for the qualification
of success, and the reputation due to merit.
The address Of Commodore Maury is great
feature in the programme He has more rep
utation as man of Science, the world over,
than any man in America, and he is now devo-
ting his great talents to the industrial and ma
terial development of Virginia A talk from
him will be worth hearing
We hope to see at the Fair the greatest turn
out of the people Of Augusta county that has
ever been known. If the men and women and
children of Old Augusta meet together in
mass it will be a sight which of itself will at
tract thousands from abroad, who wish to see
the sturdy yeomanry, who in war or in peace
are earnest in purpose, and steady in action.
AS the time for the Presidential election draws
near, the excitement in the North and West in
creases, and the contest deepens Meetings are
now being held all over those sections of the
country, and speeches made by the prominent
politicians On both Sides The Conservatives
are full of hope and confidence
The Revolution in Spain appears to have been
successful. The Capital, most of the principal
cities, and large portion of the country, are
in the hands OF the revolutionists The Queen
has retired or fled into France. A provisional
government has been formed, and we wait to
see what will be the next movement.
RoCKBRIDGE FAIR.-The Lexington Gazette
and Banner of last week contained the schedule
OF pre- miums to be awarded at the annual fair
of the Rockbridge Agricultural and Mechanical
Society, to be held in Lexington on Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday, the 4th, 5th and 9th of
November
Hon. Geo. W. Summers died on the 10Th
ult., at his residence near Charleston, Kanawha
county, West Virginia. He filed positions of
prominence and dignity in the State of Virginia
before her division, and was regarded as one of
our greatest men.
Hon. John P. Hale, Minister at Madrid,
telegraphs the State Department, confirming
the flight of the Queen from Spanish territory,
and the organization of a provisional govern
ment by the insurgent Chiefs
The Greenbrier Ladepcndent says that there
are upwards of five hundred laborers now at
work on the line of the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad between Covington and White Sulphur
Springs. The good work goes bravely on
Gen. Hancock has been confined to his bed
in Carondolet, Mo-, for three weeks on account
Of the re-opening ola wound received at Gettys-
burg.