The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-10-22
THE ABBEVILLE FAIR.
A GRAND SUCCESS.

llO l4lll AAAktecs <'AA Va sN -
Abbeville Agricultural Society
opened on Wednesday and closed
on Friday of the past week, and
we but echo the universal senti-
ment, when we say that it perhaps
surpassed all Of its predecessors in
the, number, excellence and variety
of the articles upon exhibition,
and was fully equal to any Of them
in the number Of visitors in attend
ance. 1t was indeed a grand sue
cess; and this speaks volumes for
the efficiency OF the managers and
the liberality and public spirit OF
our people. That for five success
sive years our annual Fairs have
called forth unabated and ever
increasing interest, and that too
under circumstances of very great
depression; and that the funds Of
the Society have justified the distri-
button of liberal premiums to ex-
hibitors, and at the same time the
purchase of suitable grounds and
the erection of commodious build
ings, reflect the highest credit upon
all concerned. We are gratitied to
state that the financial condition Of
the Society is very cheering, and
that the receipts of the present
Fair will enable the Directors to
extend the work of improvement,
and make such needed additions as
will contribute equally to the COM
fort of exhibitors and spectators.
The pioneer Society in the up-coun-
try, its success has led to the inau-
guration Of kindred enterprises in
the adjoining counties; but in the
exhibition of fine stock, and in all
the departments Of agricultural and
domestic industry, we may chal-
lengecompetition ithany of them,
and in some of these, with the
State Fair itself. Let the work OF
generous rivalry 50 On, and it will
do much to aid the progress Of ma
terial Development here. upon
which our future prosperity 50
much depends.
THURSDAY.
Thursday was the great day of
the Fair, and the thronging crowds
which came by extra train from
Ninety-Six, Greenwood, Cokesbury
and Hodges, and on horseback and
in carriages from the remote Sec
tions of the Savannah, testified to
the general interest which had
been awakened in behalf of the
annual entertainment. Let us
join the moving throng and, for a
brief space Of time, survey the
chief points Of interest in the en-
hibition. Arriving at the Fair
Grounds which are situated about a
half mile below the village, and
which form an enclosure Of several
acres admirably adapted for the
purpose, we obtain tickets at the
Secretary's office, and entering the
Western gateway proceed first to
the main building, devoted to the
exhibition of agricultural products
and the various fabrics Of mechan-
ical art and agricultural skill.
There was quite an excellent dis
play of field crops, both in quality
and variety; fine corn, wheat and
oats, mammoth potatoes, tq:nips,
pumpkins and tomatoes; hay of
the sweetest fragrance, cotton of
the silkiest texture; onions, rice
peas, barley, and other articles
which stimulate the zeal and re-
ward the labors of the skilllul
.agrlcpitprlst and horticuIturist.
Here may be seen q curiosity in
the shape of some seed of the tea
plant, contributed by Col. j. Z.
Calhoun who has cultivated it with
success tor many years; and here
are some fine cotton sta ks loaded
with open bolls of the Aeecy staple
which now Whitens our fields. A
train of ears very engeniously mod
.cled out of wood by Watt Richey,
a colored man, will arrest attention,
and also a wooden chain and watch,
the skillful hanliwork of our young
friend Mr.. +. c. Austin, together
with a number of other fabrics in
wood, tin and iron, which bear tes-
:timopy to the : inventive genius of
our couatrymen.
UP STAIRS.