Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-10-03
ELECTROMAGNETIC Rim.

minister Agricultural Association was held
on Friday, Sept. 20. The day was one of
the finest of the season, and the people
turned out in largo numbers. The adjoin-
ing towns of Rock ingham, Putney and
Walpolo were well represented, and the
Putncy Brass Band furnished music for
the occasion. The exhibition was under
the immediate direction of Prof. l.. L.
Ward, president, with Il. T. Phelps as mar
shal and VIM. II. Kimball general super
intendent. For general report of tn e fair
we can do no better thaI to publish the fol-
lowing account by one who was present:
WESTMINSTER, VT, Sept. 9th, 1873.
Editor Of the H@nir. Dear Sir You
will, perhaps. he little surprised to hear
from me up here in Vermont, but had
heard of the town fairs of Westminster,
and concluded, as business had called me
this way, 10 stop over day or two, see the
town and witness the fair. AS the raining
clouds of the previous night had passed
away, the morning of the Goth of Septem-
Der opened bright and clear. 1 started for
an early ramble. Passing through II lane
leading west from the village through
maple grove, found myself near the resi-
dence of N. G. Pierce, ESQ, from which
place there is a most magnificent panorama
of the Connecticut valley, bringing into
view the windings of this beautiful river,
skirted on either side with its broad mead
ows, beyond which, both east aud west,
rise ranges of hills after hills, until they
seem to meet the blue sky. On the YER
mont side is situated the village of West
minister with its one broad, beautiful street
extending up and down the valley more
than two miles. AS this is one of the ear
lest settled towns in the State, it has an in
teresting history. But cannotlinger here,
as at 10 o'clock the 'Horribles' are TO APP
pear. BY quick walk l reached the street
just in time TO SEQ the Putney Brass Band
enter.the street at the south end, followed
by about fifty of the most hideous beings
imaginable. Who are they? what are
they? and from whence do they come? In
no pure and holy habitation can they re-
side. Earth, with all its sin and wick ed
ness, seems too good place for such look
ing creatures. Can it be an emigration
from the bottomless pitt But bark
hear the cry of the boys, "Thc 'Tipibob-
they march through the street, some on
gaunt horses, some in rough and uncouth
vehicles, many on foot, drawing in their
procession an ancient looking fire engine
which must have seen hard service if they
come from the last place named. Com
pletely under the control of their stalwart
leader they passed by the judges stand,
clearing the road of common mortals. One
of their number, mailing from Puget
Sound, harapgued the crowd in an I'M
known tongue, ending with unearthly
groans by the company. a horse and foot
race then took place, making the best time
on record. When the word of command
was given they returned to the place from
whence they came, closing the scene of the
reunion of the Tipibobroyals.' As soon
as our nerves were sufficiently quoted, we
| visited the grounds in the rear of the
church, where we found the stock on ex-
hibition. The most prominent were the
six years old Durham oxen of j. r. N orse,
weighing more than 1000 lbs, also Il pair OF
years old steers belonging 10 Geo. Kings
bury of Waipole, weighing over $500 lbs.
| w. Il. Kimbairs excellent herd of Alder
ney cattle, and two beautiful grade Dutch
calves owned by n. G. Pierce and b. p.
| Page. Among the brood mares with colt,
we find NEST worthy Of mention those ex-
| hibted by Luke Rice and L. l.. Stoddard.
| ii. w. Wilcox's pen of South Down sheep
and II. d. Farr's merinos were attractive.
! In front of the town hall were many speci-
mems of farming implements, and in the
lower hall the products of farm and gar
den, together with fancy articles. all worthy
OF particular mention. In the upper hail
the ladies Of the Congregational society
had prepared dinner for the multitude.
Feeling somewhat hungry 1 entered the
dining room where l was met by a very
polite young lady who procured me seat
at the table, although there did not appear
to lie vacant seat when 1 entered tie hall.
l understand the receipts of the ladies were
about one hundred and ten dollars. In the
afternoon there was grand display of car
riage, fancy matched, and trotting horses,
not often equalled at fairs of much larger
size. The closing item on the programme
was foot race, which was holly contested.
There were estimated TO be presen; be-
tween 1900 and 1000 people. l would ex-
press my thanks to the President, General
| Superintendent and Chief Marshal for
courtesies extended to me during the day,
believing that no one has seen the whole
minister town fair.
Yours truly,
JEHOD.