Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-11-18
THE WELDON FAIR.



Dear Journal Il spent all of yesterday
ct the Fair Grounds of "The Roanoke
and Tar River Agricultural Society,"" and
was as much surprised as pleased by the
extent of the exhibition, and the numbers
in attendance. Very few persons can form
o correct estimate of the number of per-
sons in public assemblages, but I think
that there were as many as five thousand
present on the grounds. Indeed the first
annual Fair of the Society has proved to
be q decided success.
doubt whether there are any more
convenient or better laid out grounds in
the State. The race track is excellent,
and the whole arrangement admirable
Much of all this is due to the superinten-
dance of Mr.. T. l.. Emry, an industrious
and energetic citizen. and not easily
daunted. It would be right hard, one
would think, to daunt man who waved
the flag of the 10Th N. @. in front of Por-
ter's batteries at Malvern Hill, with as
much sang froid as he would now serve
you up good dinner, and who, by the
way, was complimented therefor on the
field.
The best feature in the exhibition is
the number of fine horses Some fine cat
tie are also on hand, and very creditable
display of farming implements and agri-
cultural products. Some of the best far
mers in the State were present. In proof
Of this need only mention the names of
r. FL. Smith. President of the Society, N
M. Long, John J. Long, ST., W. r. Smi th.
Jesse Powell and John S. Dancy. All of
these gentle men are the very best speci-
mems OF whOle-sOuled, educated and sue
cessful agriculturalists.
The trottiDg race was won by Paxton's
Twist, best time 2:49, I believe. Is il not
astonishing that our Agricultural Socie-
ties will persist in awarding their pre-
miums to trottng races? We have no
trotters worthy of the name, and the re-
suit is. that we are always treated to
Fairs proves. Whereas, were the pre-
miums awarded to running horses we
would bring out the best racers in Vir-
ginia and North Carolina, and horses. too,
equal to any in the world. IF the purpose
OF racing is to keep up an improved breed
of horses, then our trotting matches are a
mere sham.
The address OF Professor Kerr was, in
ell respects, admirable. An able and prac-
tical speech, not Astounding, indeed, in
flowers OF rhetoric, but imparting great
deal of information, and worth more to
the former than dozen eloquent theoreti-
cal orations. I trust it will be published.
Floral Hall was, perhaps, the greatest
point of concourse. About P. NJ. ven
tured in that direction, and it would be
utterly impossible for me to do justice to
the scene there presented The handi-
work of the Hall is worthy of all praise.
but the charms of the exhibitors are indies
cribable. I was not the only bewitched
person. A gentleman, very fond of horse
racing, seeming wholly oblivious of one in
progress-a beauty by his side-in voice OF
sweetest cadence, asked: "Why, Mr.
are you not fond of racing o. 'tYes," he
Tenied hot snt IT,, garnet aaoe',I keep eyes off
lima can beat the world in pretty girls.
Let the Major come up and Judge for
himself. But I have seen Editors on
leave of absence before, grass widowers
pro tenn, and think the experiment should
not be too often repeated. The tourna-
ment comes off to-day, and yesterday
more than one were dazzled by as fine a
pair of eyes, mailing from down South, too,
as ever flashed beneath coronet.
OBSERVER.