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

THE BALLOON ASCENSION.
MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE
PROF. SHEARER'S REPORT TO
THE SOCIETY.
From the Daily independently

From the Daily I,dependent.l
Yesterday morning broke bright
and beautiful. The early mist gave
way to warm sun, tempered to a
reasonable heat by a brisk breeze,
and flowers, grass and tree shook the
dew out of their tangled tresses, and
smiled at the beautiful prospect
The little park at the farther end of
the town sat in the midst of the
great brown hill, clad in it's brightest
robes, and seemed the prettiest spot
Of all, the bright panorama that
caught the eye. Upon a dozen or
more fag-staffs, mounted upon the
different buildings, the National en-
blem, from the size of dollar-note
to a twenty-foot streamer, floated
out grandly with the fresh and bra
cling wind. All over the grounds and
the roads leading thereto, everything
was life and animation. AT an early
hour the speedy racers were taking
their exercise upon the track, and
the stock in the pens lowed for their
morning meal and sighed for their
fresh, green pastures at home. The
ladies, (what would the Fair be
without them p were arranging the
things in Floral Hall " almost by
sun-up, and the great yellow bag that
was to carry Shearer heavenward at
later hour, was, at the same mo-
ment, being put in place at the Gas
Works to receive its ascending pow
Ell. Is it any wonder, then, that all
was life and animation, and every
one joyous and happyp 1t was the
beginning of the Fourth Annual Ex-
hibition Of our Agricultural Society,
and all this busy preparation was the
natural consequence. Every year
since it's organization, this Society
has made q brilliant success of it's
meetings. Fine exhibitions of stock
and the fruits of intelligent husband
ry, good racing, and excellent dis
plays of Floral decorations, and the
exquisite works of the ladies nimble
hands and cultivated tastes, have
been arranged and presented. Be-
ginning at that season of ''mist and
mellow fruitfulness, the most
charming of all the year, and mar
shaled and directed by officers who
labored with zeal and enthusiasm
in its behalf is there any wonder that
crowds have been attracted and
pleased, and that its reputation as
first-class exhibition hasgo far and
wide. Notwithstanding the hard
times and other influences due to our
own people, the result is such again
this year, we are happy to say that
the tongue of adverse criticism can
but be dumb when it looks over the
teeming departments. Despite the
drawbacks " the Fair is a success,
and the thousands that will come to
see, will be gratified that the display
in most the departments, exceeds
that of any previous year. The
united energy of the officers nobly
seconded by the ladies, are the ele-
ments that have contributed to the
result.
The scenes of yesterday, the open
ing day, will give some idea of the
extent and character of the exhibit
ton. Most all the morning was, of
course, spent in busy preparation,
but at high noon, the depart
ments were arranged, and all
was in readiness for the crowd.
A visit revealed the fact that the
stables were well filled with good IA
GERS and the pens yielded a fair display
of native stock. The agricultural inn
plement building was well filled with
all descriptions of machinery, and
many carriages and buggies were al
SO displayed. But ''Floral Hall, )"
where the taste of the ladies had full
scope and complete control, was one
mass Of beauty and utility. The
great building was festooned and
chequered from pit to dome, and the
great centre was filled with a circu-
lar pyramid of rare exotics, that sent
their fragrance the entire hall. To
the left of this floral picture was Il
magnificent offering of a miniature
flower garden in full bloom, watered
by an actual fountain, which sent its
jets of water over the entire surface,
keeping it fresh and green. In the
background was a bank of evergreens
upon which little cupid sat bearing
up a vase of flowers all in full bloom.
This piece was picture in itself and
cost hours of patient labor Mrs. c.
j. Faulkner, j., and her sister. Miss
Lizzie VIM, contributed it. On the
opposite side of the hall, covering its
entire extent, was the table devoted
to ladies needle and crotchet work
and we venture the prediction that
no county fair in America ever pre-
sented afiner display. The thousand
terttle wonders of women were spread
out in endless profusion, and around
the walls were enough pretty bed
quilts to cover half the county. The