Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-10-05
The rIiddIe1own Fair.
1T OPENS YEsrERDAY-A LARGE ATTENDANCE
REPORTS OF THE TRoTTING-GooD PROS
PECTs FOR TO-DAY.


REPORTS OF THE TRoTTING-GooD PROS
PECTs FOR TO-DAY
Correspondence of the Commercial.
M1DDLETowN, DEL, Oct. 4.-The Fair
opened to-day The threatening clouds of
the morning occasioned considerable un-
easiness to the managers, but their fears
were fortunately not realized, for the day
was as fine one for the occasion as could
have been wished, the clouds making away
about noon, in good time for the races,
which were to take place at one o'clock.
The people from the surrounding country
began to pour into the grounds at an early
hour, and by noon fully two thousand were
present, a much larger attendance than was
anticipated at so early an hour on the first
day.
TIE EXHIBITS,
for some reason, were rot by any means
arranged, and nearly the entire day was
consumed in this work, and it is not possi-
bic at this time to give more than general
description of them. The women's depart
ment, as usual, was first in order. aud their
large and tasteful pavilion was bountifully
and even elegantly decorated with products
of the dairy and kitchen. Specimens of fine
needle-work and other feminine products
were profusely spread about the ample ta-
bles of the building, and there are also 9TH
er exhibits of general utility. At the door
are fine set of double harness and display
of parlor and bed room stoves, all from Mid
dletown. The pavilion during the day was
the center of attraction. At the rear of
the building is the Agricultural Hall of the
Fair. Here might be seen a variety
without much attempt at classification
rTb ba,. a11anfalq ond italian
hounds, terriers, fan-tail pigeons, and ban.
tam and leghorn chickens, in profusion (;
big pumpkins and egg plants, beets, and
all products of first-claes Peninsula farm.
From the rather crude state in which things
generally were displayed and arranged,
not much could be ascertained as to the full
extent of this department, but it is quite
large, and will tomorrow be in creditable
order. The carriages and general farming
implements upon the grounds were we'll
arranged and displayed, and attracted a
good deal of attention.
THE STOCK
at the Far is of good quality, and though
there is much to be added. it is a little bet
ter than last year. The cattle and sheep
are the features of this department When
the displays are all in and arranged, will
give some interesting details. The appear
ance of the ground is splendid, and good
order is everywhere noticeable. A large
police force. comprising some Wilmington
officers, is on the ground and does efficient
duty.
Governor Cochran was early on the
ground, and Hon b. 7. Biggss flowing locks
were occasionally seen among the crowd.
THE RACES
were, as usual, the principle attraction, and
the event of the afternoon was looked for
ward TO with great interest. The Judges
very wisely determined to begin earlier than
usual, and by noon the addition to the crowd
WAS very noticeable.
Although the recent heavy rain had done
great injury to the track, it had been care
fully repaired and was in excellent condi.
ton. The grand stand was we'll filed, and
hundreds hung about the fences and around
the carriages, and were pleasantly enter
tanned during the afternoon.
The judges, Messrs. G. c. Churchman,
CT Chester, Pa, Geo.W. Morrison, New CAS-
tie, Del and Geo. Spencer, Kent county, Nd,
called the first race at one o'clock. 1t was
open to all colts four years or under and
the purse was 800, $50. 1st, $50. 2nd, $40
3rd. The entries were as follows
j. Wesley Moore, Cambridge, Md, b. M,
Mary Wilson,
R. J. Morrison, Christiana, Del, s. m., ,
May.
F. Mcconnell, Puncoteague, Va. s. M, 4,
Sadie Bell
Geo. Beck, Broad Neck, Nd, 8. M, Star
light Bess.
May was withdrawn before the first heat.
Sadie Bell was the favorite throughout A
good start was obtained. Mary Wilson to
the pole. Sadie Bell took the lead, Star
light Bess second, and the same positions
were retained throughout the race, Sadie
Bell winning the heat easily in 800
Second Hedt.-Sadie Bell again took the
lead, with Starlight Bess second, but a bad
break at the three-quarter pole gave Mary
Wilson the lead of her, but at the home
stretch by some fine trotting Bess pushed
up alongside Sadie Bell and pretty little
race occurred, but the Puncoteaguer was too
much for the Kent Co. mare, and won the
heat and race in 8 OIL ~ Bass second money,
and Mary Wilson third.
Owing to the large number of entries,
eighteen in number, the second race, $50
horses; $3.50 purse $50 to 1st, $50 to sec
ond, 800 to third, was ''split," the follow
ing horses trotting in the first half
J. Lowery, Milford, Del, b. m. Polly
Ann.
J.W. Kehlkopf, Phila., b. G. Hallett
Geo. W. Fitzwater, Jr., Phila., b. G. Don.
W. @. Fountain, Dover, b. m. Fancy.
Dickinson Bro, Wilmington, b. G.
Frank.
E. H Thomas, Odessa, Del, b. g. Odes-
sa.
F. B. Ellington, Woodstown, N. j., b. m.
Sleepy Kate.
ElFirst Heat Kate took the pole. Polly
Ann and Fancy got off together, but Polly
soon fell behind, and Odessa came up finely,
passing Fancy close at the quarter pole, and
at the half leading, with the other horses
pretty well punched, but lost it at the q
pole, Frank taking second place behind
Fancy, who at the home stretch, with the