Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-09-17
State Fair Notes.


NEITHER Governor Proctor nor Lieutenant Gov
ernor Cotton were present during the fair W,
understand, however, that quite a number o.
gentlemen willing to become their successors il
Office were on the ground.
The Prospect Park grounds, upon which the
fair was held, were so admirably adapted to this
purpose, and easy of access both by cars and by
coaches, as to render them popular for future
meetings of this character.
On the last night of the fair Mr.. George Ham,
mond of Middebury whose contributions to the
various departments of the exhibition were very
numerous and attractive, lost from his pens on
the ground two eve lambs The lambs had labels
in the left ear, with Mr. Hammond's name on
them. Each lamb had little black dot on the
top of his lips about the size of dime Mr.
Hammond will literally reward any one who
will return the lambs, or notify him of their
whereabouts
THROUGH the kindness of the exhibitor, the fine
show of apples made at the state fair by L. H.
Spear, Esq, of Braintree, found their way to this
office after the fair over These specimens COM
prise some twenty varieties more of all seasons,
and among them was a single branch from a tree
OF the " Hubbardton Nonsuch " upon which we
found no less than one hundred and six large and
perfect apples. Mr.. Spear is an extensive orchard
list of long experience, and our readers can no
doubt secure from him their winter supplies of
fruit, reliable in kind and direct from the orchard
The exercises throughout the fair were EN-
livened by the excellent music OF the Montpelier
cornet band. They were always ready to play
and did 80 well as to receive the well-merted
encomiums not only of our home people, but of
all in attendance. With one or two possible ex-
ceptions there is no better band in the state and
their services should be in large requistion on all
public occasions in this section of the county
Mr.. Waterman, their leader, has demonstrated
his ability to make first-class band out of the
irst-class material he had. They deserve great
credit for the excellent music they provided, and
have succeeded in making fine reputation
throughout the state.
As WE have intimated elsewhere the display
made in Floral Hall was one of the finest ever
brought out at any of our state fairs. Indeed, so
attractive was it that the building was thronged
from morning to night, and any attempt on the
part of reporter to do justice to the articles on
exhibition was foiled from the fact that he could
not get near enough to examine them or even to
see in whose names they were entered. Again,
many of the articles exhibited by parties from
this immediate neighborhood were not for com
petition" and so failed to appear in the premium
list We regret as deeply as any one can that we
are unable to particularize the many things of
beauty which the Thrifty danes of Vermont and
their comely daughters produced for the admra-
ton of the crowds who viewed them. That they
fullv admiral yya avdanaad fror,
tinuous crowds present, and by the persistency
with which those inside remained there, to the
exclusion of Others who were kept s. out in the
cold for want of room to get in. series OF
unsuccessful efforts to obtain the points in this
department convinced the reporter that further
struggles would be useless, so he quietly retired
without the laurels he might under more favor
able circumstances have acquired
ONE Of the notable events OF the second day of
the fair was the running OF the Barnes Hose Com
pany, the champions of America The company,
for purse of 500 offered by the directors
OF the State Agricultural Society, undertook to
beat their Chicago time-sixty-two and one-half
seconds. The running was witnessed by vast
audience, the track for the greater part Of the
distance being lined with people on either side
The boys presented fine appearance. At the
signal they started off in right gallant style and
passed beneath the judges stand flying. Few of
the Spectators however, were prepared for the
very remarkable time which had been achieved
This was officially announced as Gty-t,oo and one
fourth seconds-by far the fastest time ever made
by hose company. The second heat was made
in sixty aud onefourth seconds, after an interval
of horse trotting The average of the two heats
was fifty-six and one-fourth-a most brilliant
and successful record. Afterwards the boys gave
an exhibition OF hurdle-racing, jumping, etc, in
all OF which they acquitted themselves well Just
before starting for home Colonel George A. Mer-
rill president Of the State Agricultural Society,
made neat little speech, congratuating the
members of Barnes Hose Company on having sur
passed their Chicago record and thanking them
for their attendance on the present occasion; to
which the boys responded by three cheers
The number Of accidents was surprisingly small
considering the immense crowd. The most dis
tressing was that which happened to James Wade
a brakeman on the Montpelier & Wells River
railroad. A train OF about twenty freight and
excursion ears was backed up to the park station
and had nearly reached there when the engineer
was signalled to stop. The air brake was put on
""N VI" ehbihO ihnehhtiy nloppeu Nade was
standing on the top Of the rear car OF the
train and about four feet from the end of 1t. The
slack OF so many cars was so great that he turned
complete somersault behind the car Both
legs were broken, although the wheels did not
run over them, rs was at first supposed lie was
taken back to the depot In town and from there
to Gilmans carriage shop, where he expressed an
earnest desire To be taken To the American House
whore he boarded, which was done. Medical aid
was at once summoned, though with little hope
Of being able to save his life. Owing to strong
constitution, however, he still lives, alternating
between life and death, and there are fair pros
poets OF his recovery. On Saturday evening he
rallied so that it was thought safe 70 amputate
one OF his!legs, which was done by DIR. Woodward
assisted by Drs. Kemp, Putnam and Chandler,
OF this place and DR. james OF Waterbury. Young
Wade has been in the employ Of the road for
over year and Il steady and industrious
man, well liked by his associates, who are hoping
almost against hope Tor his recovery The only
other accident of any note was on Wednesday
when horse took fright and ran. This caused
quite II panic, during which Mrs George Nye of
flaniield was thrown from her carriage. but for
tunatey NO serious injury resulted. -