Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-09-11

Mechanical Fair, at Marilnsbusg, CON-
menced on Tuesday last, the 7th OF Sep
TENDER. A reporter of that town fur
nishes the proceedings of the first days
doings, for publication TO the Baltimore
Sun from which we clip as follows
The day dawned auspiciously for the
opening of the Berkely county agricul-
tural and mechanical fair, the atmos-
phere being cool and bracing. For
days past the various committees con-
nected with the society, under the direc-
ton of Col. Jno. @. A. Nadenbousch,
chief marshal, have been busy making
preparations upon the grounds, so as to
have a grand Inauguration of the exhi-
bition. In this work the ladies have
not been behind hand, but have lent
their aid in festooning and decorating
the various exhibition halls.
Floral Hall is the chief point of attrac-
ton. 1t is over 100 feet long and
about a third as wide. Here is to oe
of wealth of all that goes to make up
housekeeping-splendid suits of furni-
ture, kitchen cabinets, ornamental toy
gery Uncomfortable variety, tapestries,
embroideries, needlework, &c. In the
fruit department everything is profuse,
indicative of the heavy crop garnered
by the farmers of Berkeley county the
present season. Interspersed among
the tables are works of fine art, sculpt-
ures, pictures, arabasques and wicker
work, showing the taste and aptitude
| of the women OF Berkeley.
Among the number of horses, cattle,
sheep and swine are some very fine ami
mails. The number of these is not
large, and not near 50 full as at former
exhibitions, but this is more than made
up by the marked improvement in the
stock.
The agricultural and horticultural de-
partments are well represented, whilst
the mechanical stalls give good evidence
that we are not behind other communl-
ties in skilled labor.
Taking the exhibition as whole it
compares favorably with former exhibit
tons of this society, and is far superior
to most country fairs.
At 2 p. NJ. Prof. Shearer, of Read
ing, Pa, made a successful balloon as
cension from the fair grounds. The
monster balloon was inflated from the
city gasometer, and the weather being
propitious the professor made safe
and prosperous aerial voyage, the while
giving a trapeze performance in mid-air.
Prof. S. descended in safety about four
miles from the fair grounds. He will
make another excursion on Thursday.
Among the specialties on exhibition
are number of Indian trappings, DC,
contributed by the Hon. G. j. Faulkner,
president of the society, who has just
returned home from Red Cloud agency
and other far western points, where he
has been engaged as a member OF the
Indian commission in investigating
Indian affairs. Mr.. Faulkner also
placed upon exhibitation several speci-
mems of rich ores taken direct from the
Colorado mines. Among the beautiful
and useful articles of skilled workman
ship are number of stands, steps and
cases, the work of a brakeman on the
Baltimore and ohio railroad. These
artistic articles called forth many en-
comiumS.
TRIALS OF SPEED.
At 2 o'clock the trials of speed COM
menced with the trotting race for
county horses, mile heats, best three in
five, for which bay mare Dora and bay
horse Billy started The first heat was
won by Billy, time sos: secone heat
won by Dora, 3.O6; thi I'd heat and race
won by Dora, time 307.
The running race for county horses,
half mile heats, best three in five, was
won in three straight heats by bay
mare Miss Betsey, beating Tallyho and
Spirit of Jefferson. Time of heats, So,
SIS and So "a seconds.
The attendance to day was not so
large as anticipated, but the succeeding
dsys will no doubt bring out large
crowd, The Beakeley fairs have the
credit, aud it is deserved, of catering
both to the interest and amusement Of
the public
SECOND DAY WEDNESDAY,
Since early dawn people have been
pouring into the city in carriages, on
horseback and on foot. The fair grounds
present an animated appearance. We
notice the faces of many strangers here
to day. On the grand stand we met
with Col. John W. Stewart, Berkeley's
richest farmer, and Col. John Q. A. Ma
denbousch, another of our worthy and
enterprising citizens.
Col. Ward H. Lamon, Hon. Fl. Fl.
Blackburn and George w. Ramer Esq,
were the judges at the races, their de-
cisions in each race giving genera! sat
isfactiop.
TRIALS OF SPEED.
There were TOUR entries for the run
ming race, all county horses, halt mile
and repeat. The mare Dora was the
winner. A scrub race of mules aid
jacks then came off, which was the oc-
casion of much merriment. The jack
having made the slowest time by long
odds was declared the winner; For
the trotting race, mile heats, best two
in three, for horses four years and un-
der, the entries were brown stallion
Ocean Telegraph, and bay mare Dora.
Dora won easily, the brown stallion be-
ing distanced.
The attendance was larger today
than yesturday, but the exhibition has