Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-09-11

came TO the pOSL,VlZ. Il. McC0uUry s
b. M, " Betsy Nelson" III. Billings
b. IN. 8 Mag" Owners " esprit of
Jefferson" and Owners Reuben
Royal" Spirit of Jefferson y took
the first heat in one minute and three
quarters of second, and ''Betsy
Nelson y took the other two heats
and race in one minute and One-half
second. For the four-year old trot
two horses started, DIR. Goldsbo-
rough's b. M, 'sDora," and w. w.
Crump's br. s. Telegraph Tel
graph was distanced in the second
heat in 3:06.
The fun of the afternoon was the
mule races, the fast and slow contests
being decided. To-day and to-mor-
row will be the great days of the
Fair, Special trains will be run on
all the railroads, and an immense
crowd is expected. Several bands of
music will be in attendance, and the
balloon ascension and big running
race will be the attraction.
AN INTERVIEW WITH SHEARER.
There are many pleasant incidents
connected with the visit of Professor
Shearer to our Fair just at this time,
for he was the personal friend of the
lamented Donaldson, and began his
aeronautic career with him. Know
ing this fact, a representative of this
paper called upon the Professor at
his hotel to get his views about Dom
aldsons death.
Yes, sir, [ knew Wash. Donald
son well-better, perhaps, than any
man in our county he boarded with
me for several years." said Shearer,
when asked if he knew the lost bal
loonist.
What do you think of Donald
SON death 2" asked our representa-
tive.
I" Well, sir, no man can tell any,
thing about it, that is of value. I'm
til Grimwood's body was found, /
could not believe he was Dead" he
replied. He was the coolest
and sharpest man in the business,
and | thought it was not possible to
kill him in or from balloon" he
continued. But when Grimwood's
body was found, | knew as well as
though / had witnessed it, that Don
aldson was also gone"
Was he good aeronaut !? !" was
then asked.
g Yes. sir; the best practical bal
loonist in the country. There were
more scientific men than Donaldson,
but none that could do so much, and
such good active work" he replied.
WAS it true he was careless 2"
"No, Sir, he always had an air of
Indifference that people took for in
attention, but he was really very
careful, and never stepped into "a
basket that he did not know the con-
dition of every part of his bag. This
is shown by the number of successful
ascensions he had made and the
number of passengers he has carried
aloft without injury to himself or
any of his companions. Barnum can
never supply his place. He has had
several men considered good balloon
lists, but none could do Donaldson's
work, and l believe he is going to
abandon it," said Shearer.
"What do you think of the idea
that Donaldson threw Grimwood
out 7"
Such an idea is contemplate. :"
said the Professor with emphasis
'EWash Donaldson was not capable
of such an act. He had no fear of
death himself, and would have
fought for the life of his companion
with his last breath. He had the
noblest character l ever knew, and
had more nerve than any man | ever
saw. He was strictly temperate and
generous to a fault. Henever drank
a drop nor used tobacco in any form.
/ began the balloon business with
Wash, and got all my best ideas of
him. He lived with us at
Reading for years; was originally a
photographer, and finally got to
walking rope and doing sleight-of-
hand tricks. He was alw Jays good at
anything he tried to do, and had lots
of friends"
The Professor then went Oh with
an interesting account of his assoc
citation with the lost aropaut, and
closed by saying ~ es. sir, Wash is
dead, and there will never be anoth-
Ell man i'll the country that ear I'll!
his place"
XER( sSES OF rHERD DAY