The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-11-03

The Annual Fa!r cf tho Virginia State
| Agricultural Society, 10 wnlch We have
| all looked forward with so much plea
sure and anxiety, opened yesterday morn
| Ing, and we are glad to say with candor that
| the success thus far exceeds our most san
guine anticiptions. The various depart
ments were nearly all creditable, and some
| We're even fuller than they used to lic at the
| ante 6eiiun fairs. But We will not here 20
into details, it behooving us first to follow the
crowd which early in the morning filled the
streets.
ON THE WAY TO THE FAIR.
OF the various modes OF getting to the
grounds, the Fredericksburg Railroad cX-
cllrSion trains were decidedly the most
popular. A large number of fiat cars were
neatly and substantially fitted up with
| benches for the accommodation Of the pub
lie generally, while a passenger coach was
provided Tor the ladies. The first train,
consisting of half dozen carSs was crowded
to oyer1lowing, and every one thereafter
bore almost az large freight. But while
| the majority preferred this way of reaching
| tie grounds, other routes were not unfrc-
quented. Omnibuses, hacks, carts, was
CONS, and carriages, lined the roads, and
those might be numbered by hundreds who
travelled on "Shanks's mares" But the
walk was rather long and dusty, and few
who went returned atoOt. #
THE GROUNDS.
The entrance for vehicles is on Broad
Street road, and at this gate neat portcrs
lodge, of tasteful architecture, has been
erected. Pedestrians, for tie most part,
enter by the gate opening On the railroad,
and here throughout the day there was Il
! busy sccne as the trains from The city un-
/ InI hnir hn frni iIr1f a %
pouring through the gates swclled the
throng inside.
The scene was indeed all cnlvening one !;
and one who is familiar with the history OF
| Richmond since the last Fair cannot fail to
| be struck with the contrast it bears with
the scenes which marked the spot when the
grounds were known under the dread appel
lation Of Camp Lee. The sword is literally
turned into the pruning-hook and the re-
cruit into an exhibitor of manufacturing
| implements, or an usher of live stock de-
scribing the peculiar merits Of a Chester
pig. a ncrino sheep, OF Il Durham bull.
Thank God that such is so; and that instead
of furnishing Our readers with lists of killed
and wounded, we can give them the proofs
of the industry and thrift Of our people.
THE FAIR OPENED.
At noon the sound Of the bugle called to-
|
Executive Committee and officers Of the
Horticultural and Pathological Society at
the office of the President, whence they
proceeded to the southern front of the pa
Wilton. Here u large crowd of ladies and
gentlemen had gathered, and the Richmond
Brass Band was discoursing lively airs.
After an appropriate prayer by Rev. J. L..
NJ. Curry, D. D., Colonel w. T. Sutherlin,
the President, delivered the following
... ADDRESS OF WELCOME:
"Fellow-citizens, me TO congratulate
you on the evidences of the vitality and spirit of
our people as witnessed On this most highly intc-
resting occasion. ....
'Thc extent and variety Of improved breeds of
stock. the large collection of useful machinery and
agricultural implements, together with the attrac-
tive exhibition of household and domestic manu-
factures and the immense number OF specimens
OF valuable minerals and agricultural produc-
tions, cannot fall TO command the admiration OF
visitors from other sections, and to impress them
State, and also to inspire all the sons Of Virginia,
whether native or adopted, with fresh hopes for
the future growth and prosperity Of this glorious
- commend to your careful examination every
article here on exhibition In the hope that you
may be able to find much that Will lessen your
labor and increase your profits.
at Is now nine years since the Virginia state
Agricultural Society held Fair and Cattle Show,
and may we not reasonably hope that the revival
of this time -honorcd Society, with It's beneficial
and social influences and advantages, will be the
L
interest Of State and develop the way by which
many u rich storehouse Of minerals will be opened
me no mo SI but It IS not
lion 1T the successful efforts of the Executive Com
mittee, us presented In the exhibition before you,
and to give you cordial greeting.
- gives INC pleasure to extend to each and al
eome Su and I to those % Of our feilowcitizens who
come from other States ! would extend u thrice
hearty welcome. We need more population and
t,,t,
the vast resources Of our State, and hope that
one OF the results OF this exhibition will be to
aIT. To To iadss would not onIv extend most
cordial welcome, but would most heartily thank
you for gracing this occasion with your presence,
as nothing can prosper that does not commanding
approving smiles OF woman
TRIALS OF SPEED.
After the address, the crowd made rush
for the seats erected near the Judges stand,
which afforded the best view OF the trials Of
speed announced to take place at 2 O'Clock.
About 5000 persons were here assembled,
and the number of ladies in the throng was
unusually large. Two trials We're TO take
place-one for trotters, the other for PAGERS.
For the trotting trial the premium was
S2O0-the first horse to receive Sl00, the
second $50, and the third $40. For the trot
there were but two entries-D. 7. Haryey,s
black horse Z" FlyaWay" and j. u. PaXsons s
bay geIding "Twist."
For the "pace" there were two entries.
j. L. Carriers bay mare "Fanny Baker"
and William Walls's chestnut, ,ge!dlng Ked
Bird" Both trials being mile heats, they
were: to be made alternately, the trot to
start the sport.
FIRST TRIAL TRoT.
After tbe usual prelimmarles, the trum-
pet sounded, and the trotters came TO the
score for the word, Paxson having the in
side. Two false starts were made, when
the horses came up well together and, re.
cciving the word, went off like chained
bullets. paxson drew to the front on turn.
ing the first curve, Harvey well up ana