Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-09-18
Washington County Fair.

The Fourth Annual Fair Of the Washington
County Agricultural Society opened yesterday
upon the Fair Grounds, in East Montpelier under
very favorable auspices, considering the inclem
ency Of the weather, and tho fact that It was the
opening day, which is generally not considered OF
great account, being devoted 10 making entries
classifying the various articles Of farm production
mechanical and domestic industry, presented for
exhibition, arrangement OF the several commit
tees, ETC., etc. The attendance was unusually
argc-in fact, everything considered, We do mol
remember of an occasion Of this kind which has
drawn out such crowd Of spectators who
brought nothing but themselves to exhibit. In
Floral Hall there seemed to be dearth Of the
handi-work of the matrons and Misses Of oui
county so suggestive Of home comforts and the
Agricultural Department failed to do credit to
the skill and industry of our farming community.
But this was owing TO no lack Of interest in an
exhibition which is presumed to be Of sufficient
importance to impose obligations upon all citizens
Of the county, but from the fact that, owing to
the inclemency Of the weather for the last few
days, the time given for teh delivery upon tho
ground Of the articles to be exhibited was ex-
tended one day. The exhibition of sheep, cattle,
swine and poultry was also unusually small,
owing to the same cause. For this reason, WI
have postponed n detailed account Of the articles
put upon exhibition, and the names Of the ex
hibitors, until our next issue.
About two O'Clock, the display Of gentlemen
driving horses, set down on the programme as q
preliminary to the regular troting contests, tool
place. The show was a creditabe one, and L
decide which Of the dozen horses that speeded uT
and down the track was worthy Of the premium
must have been no easy matter for the committee
Vermont is certainly losing nothing Of her OLD
renown as regards the superiority Of he horses
and Washington county can hold her own with
any other county in the State
At halfpast two, the judges rang the bell fol
the horses entered in the race for four-year olds
But two horses put in an appearance, A. o
Cummings chestnut stallion Dagger, - sired
by Young America, and Z H. Gilman's ba,
gelding " Tim" sired by " Reindeer" The frs
heat was closely contested, Dagger winning by q
head. In the second, Tim had the ill-luck 4
cast a shoe, and at the finish was far behind 81
much so as to have been shut out Of the race hat
there been distance flag. After this heat Dag
ger began to show signs of distress, and although
evidently out Of order was started for thirt
heat, which was won by Tim, with a length t.
spare. At the conclusion Of the heat Mr.. Cum
mings withdrew his horse, thus giving the rac'
10 Tim. The following is a summary
RACE ron 4-TEAR 0LDs, NILE HEATS, BEST , IN g.
f. II. Gilman, Montpelier, enters b. g. Tim.
A. o. Cummings, Montpelier, enters chs. Dag
ger.
Tim, 2
Dagger, | 2ds.
Time-3.0i5, 3 l65, 3.Oi.
Between the second and third heats of this las
race the 3-year ods we're called on. In this rae
also there were but two entries. E. H. Gilman
chesnut FLY Sunrise, and II. N. Gilmans blacl
stallion, Black Cloud, both sired by Reindeer
The first heat was won by Sunrise. The mex
two by Black Cloud All were interesting an
closely contested Mr. Gilman's colt is worth.
of special mention and is a remarkable horse 70
her age. She is but two years old, and has a ma
tural and easy trotting gait, while she does he
work honestly and with but little effort.
RACE ron 9-rEAR oLBs, NILE HEATS, BKsr IN 3.
II. n Gilman, Montpelier, enters blk. 5
Black Cloud.
f. II. Gilman, Montpelier, enters oh. f. Sun
rise.
Black Cloud,
Sunrise,
Time-3, iei, 3.e6, 3.25
Among the Improvements made in the ground
since last year, is noticeable as the most prom
nent, the new and commodious Floral Hall, and
affords the ladies and housewives Of the county
better opportunity for the display of their ingt
nuity and industry than they have before hac
The old hall has been made the agricultural de
partment Of the association. New accommodf
tons for ladies desiring to witness the raelA
have been provided in the construction Of elevate
rQws OF seats near the Judges stand
On the whole the Fair promises to be con
piete success, despite the grumblings Of " Ol
Probabilities" Much credit is due the Officer
Of the Society for their active and intelligent e
forts to make these annual meetings of intere
and profit to the people of the county.