Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-09-12
TIL e FAIR
THE FIRST DAY
A uspicious opening.

Each year our growth and pros
perity is well noted, interest is ia
ken in our development, and the
progress we are making in enlight-
ened husbandry is marked and sat
isfactorily presented to the world
throu h the medium of our yearly
agricultural fairs. Yesterday
Tuesday was the opening day of
our third animal exhibition, and
not one of our people who visited
the fair grounds could but feel a
sense of supreme satisfaction at the
suspicious opening, for We do not
believe we can be accused Of parti
ality to our own, when we deelar
that Of all our neighbors who give
these yearly exhibitions, not one
ever has or will this season excel
either in extent or variety the dis
play yesterday opened to our peo-
pie and those who choose to visit
us.
In all the departments there was
good display, and in some
there was an abundance and to
spare. No county fair In this coun-
try ever presented finer display of
stock than was entered here for
competition, from single fat sheep
to a herd of fine Attorney cattle
and numbers of valuable thorough
bred horses of great speed aud val
ne. But in a look over the whole
ground and at all the items of in
teTest gathered by an inspection
oft none presented such attraction
as the Floral Hail." where the
fair and artistic hands of our la
dies had been at work. Going in
at the trent door scene Of beauty
is presented which is seldom seen.
All over the top and sides of the
building great chains of evergreens
had been caught up in tasteful fes
toons, and up from the centre of
the room shot pyramid of rare
exatics of beautiful growth and
fragrant bloom capped with
statue of cupid bearing up large
urn of creeping ivy or live forever.
All around it were beautiful hang
ing baskets and a good portion OF
the left hand side next to the wall
was occupied by rare flowers, and
on one end next to the front door a
beautiful aquarium filled with yell
low goldfish occupied your atten-
ton. Most of the right side of the
building is occupied by specimens
Of ladies' handiwOrk, the first table
being devoted to worsted work and
the rest to needle work, where
everything from baby's stocking
to the largest article of lady's un-
derwear, of the most tasteful design
and elaborate finish were artistic
ally displayed. US Uis to these
were the two tables devoted to
fruits, jellies, &C., the products of
the kitchen. and of these there was
ana elegant display Then there
were neat sets of furniture, or
gans, sewing machines and thou
sand and one Other articles of use
and ornament Applicable to almost
every want aud luxury known to
humanity. Not even our friends of
Frederick county, Md, who usu
ally have such good exhibitions in
this line have ever presented such
display as is there TO be seen. 1t
isactualiy beyond description You
must see it.
The weather for the opening day
broke beautiful. A little warm,
but then the heat was tempered by
good breeze and was scarcely I'M
comfortable. AT an early hour
our people began gathering in and
before ten O'clock, at least two
thousand people were upon the
ground. About that hour the u
5. Marine Band of Washington left
its quarters at the Shenandoah
House and marched through the
street, to the fair ground, present
ing ineappea rance. Shortly af-
er ten they took position upon
the stand and the fair was opened.
For two hours they discoursed de-
lightful music for the edification
ofthe crowd who rambled prom;s.
cuously through the spacious
grounds admiring the large dis
play and elegant arrangement, a
notable feature of the fair. Soon
after twelve all dispersed for din
ner After dinner the crowd gath
cred again for the races, which
were announced for two O'Clock,
and soon after that hour the horses
were called for the first race which
was for county horses that had