Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-10-19
AUGUSTA COUNTY FAIR.
General Remarks.

The second annual exhibition of the Angus
ia County Fair was held on Tuesday, Wednes-
day, and Thursday of last week, the 18th, l3th
and l4th instant. 1t was, in all respects, ana
in all its various departments grand success
The quantity, quality, and number OF articles
exhibited-the sports, amusements and pleas
ant entertainments supplied vast number
of genteeliy-dressed, fne-looking and well-be-
haved visitors who thronged the grounds,
formed combination which made this one OF
the most attractive and successful Fairs which
has ever been held in this State. The general
estimate of the number of persons present on
the several days was as follows: First day,
5000; second day, 10000; third day. 5000.
A more beautiful and imposing spectacle
than that presented by the natural amphlthea-
tire, thirty feet in height and four hundred
yards in length, closely packed with seated VS.
itors, and the foot walk and carriage-way,
which run above, perfectly thronged with per-
SONS passing to and fro. cannot well be con-
cieved Though such great numbers were III
attendance, such was their admirable behavior
that there was not the least disorder, and moth
ing occurred, of an unpleasant character, to
mar in the slightest degree the pleasure OF the
occasion. This was due in part to the erhcen
police arrangements and the manner IN when
the policemen conducted themselves. but chiefly
to the good breeding and gent1emany behavior
which SO conspicuousy characterize our peo-
pie. As on this occasion, there was no dsor-
der or misbehavior of any kind on the Fair
Grounds last year. As we remarked on the
Fair Grounds to distinguished official, ma
tive of another State, who seemed to be forcl-
bly, struck with the fine appearance and gentle
manly bearing of the persons present, I'VE
think that our best stock is the stock of our
people-that our stock of horses, cattle. sheep
and swine may be excelled, but that the stock
of our people is, par excellence, A No. Ia
first premium article.
We were pleased to see the refreshment ia
bles Of The various religious denominations, and
the booths Of our enterprising confectionsrs SO
well patronlZed. -
The Executive Committee, Directors, Mar
shals, and other officials with their assistants,
deserve great credit for the efficient service
rendered by them. To Col. Baldwin, Presi-
dent, and to VIM. A. Pratt, Superintendent,
are due the credit for the valuable improve
ments made upon the Grounds. Before the
next Fair other desirable improvements, both
useful and ornamental, will be made.
Want of space prevents us from publishing
as we would like to do, the names Of the per
sons who exhibited articles which deserve
special mention. The ladies deserve specia
credit for the articles exhibited by them. We
give as full an account of the proceedings o.
the Fair as our limited space will allow. We
publish, also, full official list Of the premium:
awarded, for which we are indebted to the &C
commodating spirit of Maj Jed Hotchkiss
the energetic and efficient Secretary and Treas
urer.
FIRST DAY.
After the Chief Marshal and his assistant
had met In Gatherem Hall and had organized
the Committees of award in the several depart
ments, there was music by the band Of ths
D. D. and Blind Institution led by Prof Turn
er, and grand procession on the track of al
animals entered for exhibition led or ridden il
the order prescribed by the Chief Marshal -
After which, there was music in the Rotunda
and trotting, racking and pacing upon thu
track
Col Frank. G. Ruffia, who had accepted thu
invitation to deliver an address on this day was
unavoidaby detained in New York, and, con
sequently, failed 10 fill the appointment. Col
Baldwin, the President of the Augusta County
Fair, with characteristic determination, resolv
ed
mot to give it up So Mr. Brown"
and, at the appointed time, called upon som,
OF the gentlemen present, whom he knew the
vast auditory would be pleased to hear, to de
liver short crtenpore addresses. In respons,
to invitations thus unexpectedly given, Col
Thos. j. Randolph, of AlbemarIe Hon VIM
Mines Of Page county, Congressman elect fol
this District, aud Hon. A. f. Ii Stuart d.
hvered sensible, practical and appropriate al
dresses, to which the audience paid marked at
tention. and with which they seemed much de-
lighted.
Not having taken any notes, We publish briei
abstracts of these addresses as furnished by the
correspondent Of the DtsDatch:
Colonel Randolph gave some very interesting
and amusing "reminiscences of Staunton in the
days when the courthouse and princifal hote
were simply log cabins, when there was No
clergyman west Of Staunton. and the bridal
parties had all to come here, and when "West
Aaeusta" extended to the Mississippi IT.
'a . a risid sketch ofthe material DEVELOPMENT
the country since then. He gave history
OF the rapid progress in the invention Of agri-
cultural implements since the days when the
Scotch servant complained of the wheat-fan
that it raised the wind by human deuice, in
stead OF trusting the Lord to raise it, and fast
ing and praying to induce Him to do 500 He
spoke OF the progress of agricultural science,
and closed with some practical advice on man
ures, urging that every farmer should, in the
main, make his own manure
Colonel Baldwin introduced Hon. William
Mines as being entitled to our respect. not c0ly
as our congressman elect, bat as a hieh-foned
gentleman, who has invested LARGELY in onr iron
interests, and is earnestly striving 70 nromota
our material interests. MfI Mines is a rather
fine-ooking man Of thirty five or fortv. of franl
manners, and very pleasant speaker. Heer-
pressed his pleasure at this fine exhibition and
IN listening to the speech Of Colonel Randolnh
lie had seen stock here to-day which could not
be exceled anywhere North This Valley was
great agricultural region; but cur chief wealth
is beneath the surface. No section on earth
excels this IL the quantity or quality of its min
erals From here to Front Royal there is iron
ore enough to employ one hundred furnaces fya
hundred years. But these mineral resources
must be developed. He argued that the great
want Is transportation, that we might get coal
to work up our ore, and be able to send off onr
iron. We are now sending our pig-iron across