The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-10-30
Baldwin Augusta Fair.
THE cLosINaspAYs-PREM1uMs &t


THE CLosINGfDAYs-PREM &C.
On Thursday the weather, which for two
days had been enough to make Old Proba-
bilities himself stand aghast, cleared away
into the balmiest and most perfect of Octo-
Der days. The skies were radiant and the
atmosphere tempered to thas degree OF
perfection when every Inspiration is like
draught Of champagne. So everything
combined to make this the great day OF the
exhibition. The throng began TO gather
carly, and by noon must have numbered over
three thousand citizens. Some placed the
estimate az high as five or even six thousand.
We do not attempt an accurate estimate,
but at any rate. there was a big crowd, and a
representation of every separate type OF the
genus homo. The rotunGa. floor and gal
lery, overlooked with eager sight seers; the
various eating and drinking booths were
thronged; the grand stand close packed, and
a wide and compact circle lined the margin
OF the lake.
THE RACES, &C.
The English hurdle race was the opening
attraction of the race ground. At the hour
for which it was announced the entire crowd
pressed toward the race course for sight.
The riders were Messrs. Davenport, Hunt
Moore, Archer Harris, 0. W. Wilkinson, W.
H. Holmes and o. E. Money. Six hurdles
ge,placea Atintervals along the track, and
the riders had to clear these distractions and
make the mile circuit in EOS.
Mr.. Money, on his beautiful horse Fleet,
won thefrst prize, and Mr.. Moore. on "Sans
soncl,,.,,Ihe, second. Hurdle races and the
English of riding are Father novelty
to our people, and this Part of the pro-
gramme afforded intense amusement and
enjoyment.
The contest for the ladies' prize for ex-
cellence in horsemansllip was the next
feature Of the day; eight contestants en-
tered fer the prize, which was an elegant
saddle. They were required to ride three
times round the ring in different PAGES and
degrees of time, racing being absolutely for
hidden. It was a beautiful exhibition OF
grace and skill, showing that though our
ladies' are not in general given to Amazon
ian sports, they can, upon occasion, compete
with the best trained and most daring OF
equestrians From the length of their con-
sultation; we took it for granted that the
Judges, like ourselves, were slightly dazzled
by the grace and beauty Of riders and steeds
combined. They finally, however. agreed
that the first prize should be awarded to
Miss Anna Davis, OF Augusta; the second, a
handsome bride, to Miss Alice Reid, OF
Staunton, and the third, a whip, to Miss
Annie Hendren, of Selma. Augusta county.
AL excellent awards where it was evidently
so difficult to discriminate. The successful
contestants were greeted with deafening
cheers and eager congratulations as they
rode by tie judges stand, and though, OF
course. all could not be best, not one of
them need be ashamed to enter upon another
contest for similar honors-
There was more amateur riding during the
afternoon, and splendid trott:ng match be-
tween "Ringgold,' "Mattie BIZ and LADY
H. OF Schoolcraft's stables, and Bastine,
the property Mr.. Moore. Tue purse Of 500
was won by Lady Fl, she making the best
three in five; the second by Ringgold, and
the third by Bastine. Time, 2.40; 2.39,
and 2.36.
This terminated the sports of the day, and
the crowd began to disperse, each one ap-
parently satisfied that Augusta was doing
her duty as the most enterprising and am
bilious county OF the State. Judging from
tie expression OF celestial satisfaction that
the faces Of many sovereigns wore, the sup
ply Of Bumgardner, Clemmer and triple x,
must have been both abundant and fine.
That these sovereigns are competent judges
OF the same none dare deny.
Friday, the closing day of the fair, the
weather turned cold and stormy, so that the
attendance was comparatively small.
The rotunda began to wear rather dis
mantled look, as many Of the exhibits were
removed or packed up; the stock were being
transferred, and everything on the transit.
The principal racing event was that for the
those English horses that had been beaten in
the fiat races, viz o. Wiklnson's ''Kan-
garo;" A. Davenport's "Nellie Gray" W.
Holmes "Lemma;" R. H. Belts ''Lottie
Lee;'' j. A. Harris ''Highhyer," and E.
Moneys sEmu.'' The race was an exciting
one, and was won by 'iI.emma," with "Lot.
tie Lee" second and ''Kangaro" third.
The last race was for county horses, the
prize being handsome cup. The entries
were w. B. Crawford's Scratch" Blake
more's sorrel horse, and j. A. Bumgardner's
"Blue Slipper Won by Scratch" with
the sorrel horse second.
Taken altogether, the twelfth annual ez-
hibition of the Baldwin Augusta Fair was
the most creditable, elegantly managed, and
successful that has ever yet been held. The
Directors certainly did their duty well, and
Communications were as numerous and COM
plimentary as deserved. We have only one
criticism to make, and that is that they made
a serious mistake in allowing the barroom
to be placed under the grand stand. If a
barroom is allowed on The grounds, it should
be removed as far as possible from contact
with those places where the ladies resort.
There were several exhibitions, result
ing from the too free use Of whiskey,
which were not only discreditable but dis
graceful, and we feel certain that the Dr.
rectors will not again permit them.
Among the exhibits which deserve
special mention, and which we failed to
notice last week, were those of Messrs.
Wayt & Bro, and Berkeley & Co., both OF
which firms had fine displays OF paints, &c.
Messrs. Owen s. Buckley made an elegant ex-
hibit Of slate; Buckley G. Lynn some fine
minerals; G. W. .Poindexter, OF Charlottes-
vile, handsome case of 'sCarbolic Mouth
Elixir;' j. A. Hounihan light wagon; j. NJ.
Hardy had on the ground an elegant piece
of workmanship, in hunters spring wagon
with mess box arranged fora seat, and there
were many other special displays.
Among the most attractive features OF the
exhibition was the presence of the Stone
wall Band and local military.