The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-09-16

While the abominable weather which prevailed
during the fair prevented a respectable attend
ance of people, it drove the ladies and gentle
men who were there to seek shelter, which the,
found in Floral Hall. The hall was gracefully
decorated, under the management OF II. l.. Brush
ESQ.,, our well known florist, who took, as he de
served, many premium on his flowers, fruits
and honey. He had able conductors in the per
sons OF Mr.. Andrew Ross and Mr.. Chas. Snow
He did his work WE'LL and his efforts were
great addition to the attractions of Floral Hall
The display was highly commendable, aad thos,
who visited that central attraction Of the fair, Al
it was, and always should be, found enough tc
detain and amuse them and occupy their time
Coming in in the morning, they would find Il
evening before they wished TO get out. There
were fruits, flowers, vegetables, works Of art
paintings, drawings, statuary, embroidery, the
handiwork OF the milliner, the dress maker, the
seamstress, the photographer the crayon-sketch
err, the mechanic, in the way Of leather.work
fancy collar work-the best from Dayton-lt
samples of different varieties.
The penman from Davenport, Iowa, astoniShet
the people by writing before all lookers-On In
different styles Of penmanship good portraits d
persons in the crowd, besides his letters, written
with pen before every one, were an improve
ment upon the average Autograph and copper
plate, either of which requires weeks of stead,
labor and patient study, while the work of thi:
mans pen was done as rapidly as an experienced
readers eye can trace these letters
Mrs. Col. D. Williams, of Quincy, H., exhibit
ed fifty varieties of shell work. showing fruit:
and flowers of all sorts; also worsted work, seG
moss specimens Of all kinds, arranged in every
sort of fanciful design, representing birds, fruit:
and flowers, sc.
Miss Ella Thompson, while she said Ii wa,
none of our business had the finest exhibition
of fancy cakes, doughnuts silver cake and bread
made by her own dainty hands,
Mr.. VI. Woodruff, of Aurora, surprised The
lookers-on with seven portraits from life, made
to life-size, from his own hand; the portraits be
ing OF persons from youth to old age
Il. L. Thompson, of Ottawa, exhibited the bes
snow of grapes in the hall. He had the Con
cords, Hartfords, DIanas, Delawarcs, Isabelas
Catawb bias, &c.
Pooler * Jones, Of Serena, exhibited the bcs
patent wire JdEU ItINca ou WHICH lAtN Nbbh
blue ribbon.
Mrs. +. ". Meyers, OF Ottawa, surprised ever
one with specimens Of her handiwork in tn,
way of worsted bouquets, wax work photographs
flower works Of leaves, hair work, ImiIatin.
jewelry, various kinds Of pictures aud all sort
of ornaments; and, in short, as an artist in flow
er work, painting, crayons and fine wax work
she is eninently superior
After seeing J. Z Porter's monster plums anC
pears, which took first premiums We found Z
b. Griffith with bis case Of premium boets, anC
, our old friend Rcrd u, both Of Ottawa, with hi!
premium case OF boots; and it would puzzle III,
best of judges to tell which was which,"
Our old and greatly respected friend Amo'
Ebersol, exhibited magnificent collection o
fruits and flowers, al productions Of la Sale
county, and Of his Own farm aud gardens.
Haskell & Co, OF nOck.ord, filed one wing o.
the hall with a Sonder vi collection OF flowers