Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-10-22
THE AUGUSTA COUNTY FAIR.

THE AUGUSTA COUNTY FAIR.
The fifth annual exhibition of the "Augusta
County Fair was held at the Fair Grounds,
near this place. on Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday of last week, the 10Th 10th and 18th in
slant.
The ground had been thoroughly fitted up un-
der the supervision and direction of the Superin.
tendent w. A. Pratt. A number Of new cattle
stalls had been erected, the track newly ballast
ed and repaired ny new improvements
made = The very unfavorable
wealth B Fair caused the at
tendance - I'M on the first day, but
on the second and {hird the good people of Au-
gusta turned out en- masse, and the roads to the
mounds were constantly filled with vehicles OF
III descriptions public and private, carrying the
crowd to and from the City and the grounds.
The occurrence of so many local fairs through
out the State, during the same week, prevented
many people of the adjoining counties from at
tending our Fair, as they have done heretofore,
and thus the people of Augusta have been
thrown, almost entirely, upon their own resour-
ces for the success of their exhibition. And
though the expectations of some Ger sangulne
persons have been disappointed, yet taking the
above fact into consideration, we cannot but re-
gard the Fair this year as success. 1t was fine
exhibition of home industry and home manufac-
lures. The quality and number Of cattle on ex-
hibtion show that the people of the Valley are
turning their attention to the improvement OF
their stock. There we're specimens of thorough
bred horses, sheep, hogs and cattle. on exhibl-
tion many of them recently imported at very
great cost to the owners.
Mr. Easton, of Gordonsville, exhibited the
best buck 1.-TWO years old) and three ewes (Lei-
cestershire) also best pair lambs, four months
old. A pen of southdowns southdown dam,
two years old, weighing nearly five hundred
pounds, and was awarded the premium at the
Richmond State Fair last year.
Mr.. Julian Pratt exhibited thoroughbred
Jersey bull, two years old and purchased at a
cost of $500. Splendid specimens of Durhams
and Short horns were exhibited by A. M. Bow
man, w. 81. Peyton, j. S. Hawpe, j. Myers and
Roller & Frank.
The number of horses entered was quite large,
mostly draft horses. The thoroughbred stallion
Engineer" exhibited by Robert Cochran, was
awarded the first premium. r. P. Mccormick
was awarded the first premium for the best sad
die horse The trotting did not attract much at
ton. There were too few entries to create much
interest.
The blowing match on Wednesday attracted
large aud interested crowd. It was contested
by VIM. Fl. Peyton and F. NJ. Bell, and won
by the former.
The agricultural implement department was
we'll represented in the way of mowers, reapers,
plows, harrows, wheat drills, and many new and
valuable improvements and inventions in me-
chanical labor.
In the mechanical department q splendid va
riety of manufactures was exhibited by the
Staunton Iron Works. Burke s. Co.. The Bug
gies made by j. M. Hardy of Staunton, the
Turbine Wheel made by F. G. & W. S. Keller
of Augusta. and Portable Saw-mill by Eyler
Cooper s. Co. of Staunton, were excellent work
manship and attracted much attention.
Mrs. r. FL. Hawkins and Messrs W. Il. Pey-
ton, Thomas Reese, Willie Glenn, j. r. Cline
bell and Edward Frazier, contributed some fine
specimens of fowls to the poultry department.
In the Domestic department. many articles Of
interest were exhibited, including domestic
wares, blankets, counterpanes, embroidery, &c.
The oil paintings exhibited deserved the atten-
ton they received. Some very fine Buckskin
and Otter-skin gloves and gauntlets were exhib-
tied by j. A. Logan. The wax-works exhibited
by Miss j. e. Conrad, were skiilfully exc
cuted and displayed much taste. Our attention
was especially attracted to unique rug, exhib
tied by Mrs. Jacob r. Harnsbarger.
We observed many specimens of excellent
needle work, but do not remember the names of
the exhibitors.
A noticeable article in the agricultural depart
ment was the Fruit and Sweet Potato Dryer.
exhibited by G. 81. Picker of Fredericksburg.
This machine is very simple and valuable in
vention to fruit dryers.
The exhibition of wines and liquors was very
good. Burke & Bradley were awarded the pre-
MUM tor the best apple brandy, and also premi-
UNI for the largest collection of liquors. Jas.
Bumgardner & Sons received the first premium
on whiskey and also special premium on very
prime article of apple brandy.
The Hurdle Race and Tournament were the
chief objects of interest on the third day There
were eight entries in the hurdle race it was an
exciting one, and was won by Capt Jno. Optics
horse, ridden by Master Willie Gray, of Harri-
sonburg
After the Hurdle race the Tournament came off
and was witnessed by quite large crowd. About
O. clock the Knights assembled at the Entrance
Gate and enrolled themselves as follows:
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