Middletown transcript., 1878-10-12
Finishing up.

About 300 people, among whom were many
ladies, gathered at the Fair Ground, Saturday
morning, to witness the concluding heats Of
the unfinished 2.4O race, postponed from Fri
day evening on account of darkness. Prompt
ly at 9 80 A NJ, Mr.. Churchman tapped the
bell and the trotters were brought up. t will
be remembered by those who were present on
Friday that the first heat in this race was won
by Sherman Morgan; the second by May, the
pretty Christiana mare, and the third being
dead heat between the above, with Fanny
Fern 3d. This was the state of affairs wren
daylight fled and the race was postponed till
the morrow. Many persons who had come by
rail remained over night to witness the con-
Guiding chapter, while the. large number Of
carriages on the ground showed that many
persons had taken an early drive on this pleas
ant autumn morning for the same purpose,
The Dover bay had many friends among the
spectators, bat the little chestnut from Chris
tiana seemed TO be the general favorite with
the masses. Sherman Morgan had the pole
and considerable scoring was necessary before
a start could be made, and, when the word
''go' was finally given, the pole horse ap-
peared to have a decided advantage. He
stuck to his work well, May staying close by
him all the way round but losing ground sew
eral times by breaking At the last turn on
the home stretch she came up beautifully and
went under the wire at Sherman's sulky
wheel. In the 5th and last heat the Dover
horse again appeared to have the advantage
at the start, though it might be considered a
fair send off, but she was soon by his side
pushing ahead on the back stretch, where she
went off her feet, losing considerable ground,
which lost her the heat and probably the race;
only by neck, however, for when the wire
was reached the little chestnut was pressing
the Dover bay SO hard that he hardly seemed
foot in advance Sherman Morgan was de-
clared the winner of the heat and race May
Cd; Fanny Fern Sd. Time of the concluding
heats, 2.3s4, 2.374.
Thus ended, at II A. NJ, on Saturday, the
trials of speed and the Fifth Annual Fair of
the Peninsula Agricultural and Pathological
Association, the most successful Agricultural
Exhibition ever held on the Peninsula. Early
Saturday morning the work of packing up
and removal was commenced, and, by the
time the unfinished race was over; nearly
every exhibit was boxed ready for the dray,
or else already on its way to Middletown.
During the Fair, the music was furnished
by the Diamond State Cornet Band, our home
musical organization and an institution in
which we take great pride. Their efforts re-
ceived wide commendation from visitors, and
we heard the management frequently compli.
mented for this engagement of home organi-
cation instead Of ''hifalutin band from q
distant city. The good order and decorum
maintained on the ground during the entire
Fair was a source Of universal comment. In SC
large gathering Of people it is generally expec-
ted that an occasional little unpleasantness'
will occur, but this Fair was an exception, SC
far as our observations went. 1t was as quie
and as orderly a concourse of people as eve
assembled on the Peninsula for any purpose
The Managers have been complimented OF
all sides for the successful manner in whicl
this Fair was carried through but, thougl
the attendance was very large and thougl
everything was worked on the most economi
cat principal, there will be very small sur
plus after the premiums and current expense
Of the year are paid. In fact, though the at
tendance at our Fair was about as large a
that at the Dover Fair, and the expenses yer
much lighter, several thousand dollars vii
not remain after expenses and premiums ar
paid but, nevertheless, this Fair may be cor
sidered the most successful that has ever bee
, held at Middletown and the Board of Manager
will probably feel warranted in making man
improvements to the grounds and building
for the Annual Exhibition of 1879. Th
Judges were @. Chamberlaine, of Chester, Pa
R. T. Cochran, Of Middletown, and Georg
w. Morrison, of New Castle. In their dec
sions they gave great satisfaction to both hOrs
i, men and visitors.