Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-09-23
THE FAIR.
Th,ed nay $ Proceedings
FROM THE DAILY.

Yhsc0 DIy y ksrOcpeaeBgs
FROM THE DAILY.
The weather has seriously operated
against the success of the Fair this
year. Although there was no rain
yesterday, yet the heavy rain of the
night before deferred large numbers
from attending, supposing, as they
naturally would, that the grounds
wonld be too muddy and disagreed
BILE for pleasure or comfort. The
morning did not break as bright and
beautiful as could have been wished,
but before II O'Clock the heavy fog
and mist gave way to pleasant sun
shine, and throughout the day there
was alternate snatches of sunshine
and shadow. There was fair atten-
dance, and the programme was such
as could not fail to have pleased
all who were present and witnessed
it. Hon. A. E. Smedley, of Iowa,
Lecturer of tne National Grange de-
livered the annual address about two
O'Clock. He spoke for nearly an
hour, mainly upon agricultural top
les, and insisted upon the farmers
sustaining the grange organizations.
His speech WAS well-timed and well
received.
About three O'Clock the races were
called, and for the first race, half
mile heats, three horses faced the
starter. L. 3. and w. r. Davis S.
g."Dart," Owners s'Keno," and Mr..
Reiley's BIZ. m. "Mary." Dart won
the race easily, Mary second, Keno
third. The second race was for coun-
ty horses and was won by Mr.. Peters
S. c., "West Virginia. y To-day
there will be several races and bal
loon ascension, and other fine sport.
The entrance fee has been reduced to
Is cents for to-day, and if we have
good weather large crowd will be
in attendance.
THE BALLOON.
The events of the day outside the
regular routine of the exhibition
proper were interesting and attrac-
tive, the balloon ascension being, of
course, the great feature. 10 pre-
vent any disappointment, the air
ship had been taken to the gas
works early in the morning, and it's
imitation begun. About three z. NJ.
Prof. Shealer decided that the bal
loon was sufficiently inflated, and by
| the aid of number of men il WAS
towed over to the fair grounds, ald
anchored near the grand stand. The
crowd that had gathered on the
grounds, as well as the greater crowd
that covered the surrounding hills,
watched the great yellow bag with
interest as 1t swayed restlessly to and
fro in the fresh breeze, seemingly as
anxious as q fiery horse to start on
its aerial voyage. The Professor did
not keep the people waiting long land
throwing off his outer clothing, ap-
peared clad in flesh colored tights,
ready for the perilous trip. Fasten-
ing few bags of sand for ballast,
he mounted quickly the trapeze bar,
aud gave the word to ''let her CO."
Slowly and majestically the great
arostat arose, and a cry of Mingled
wonder and fear, and then of unmis-
taxable appreciation arose from the
crowd. The Professor gracefully
waved his adieu, with smiling fea-
lures, and showed the bold and fear
less man. For the first hundred or
two feet the balloon took no regular
direction, but swayed to and fro,
standing almost directly over the
Fair Ground. A little ballast was
let out, and up went the air ship to
a great height, when the Professor
gave few graceful gymnastic acts,
and climbed up and took his seat
upon the fragile bar. Gracefully the
air ship fioated up into the blue
ether, until, striking a current, it
moved off in southeasterly direc-
rection, and in few moments the
great bag seemed but q speck, and
then was lost to sight beyond the
clouds.