The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-06-07
SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 1879.
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
MhIl nonalay a. Me.tmln.,er.

Whit Monday al Westminster
Owing to other attractions in several patts
Of the county, the crowd in attendance At Tho
Fair Grounds on Monday last was not very
large, not over five or six hundred persons
being present. The amusements did not take
place, as announced. For this the commit.
tee were not responsible, as, owing to misun.
derstandings, those who were expected to
participate in the several contests did not en-.
ter however, part OF the programme was
carried out, and others ports were improyised
for the entertainment OF the spectators. Tho
Grays Band, of this city, was early on the
ground and delighted the assembinge with
choice music previous to and during the davis
exercises.
The iirst contest was two hours walking
match, heel'aud.toe, with three starters
Benlamin Gist, Robert Palmer and Robert
Gist. The first mile was made in ten min.
utes, Benjamin Gist ahead, the others not far
behind and close together. BENJAMIN Gisl
came in on the second mile some distarce in
advance Of the others 10 niue minutes and
forty eight seconds. He kept widening the
distance between himself aud the others up 10
the close Of the first hour. when the score
stood Benz. Gist 81 miles, Palmer miles,
Robt. Gist 8 miles. After this time there
was no contest, the three walking around The
track together until the last mile, when the
two Gists walked away from Palmer. When
the contest closed the score stood-Bemiamin
Gist, 10 miles; Robert Gist, % miles; Palmer.
" miles, less 100 yards. The Gis,s are fas.
ter walkers than Palmer, but the latter has
equal staying qualities. In the outset of the
contest Palmer did not stick to square walk.
and rather than force him beyond walk Rob.
crt Gist did not exert himself, until the last
mile, when he succeeded ia gaining 100 yards
ON Palmer. Benz. Gist took first prize of
SO, Robert Gisi second prize Of So, and Pal.
mcr the third Of So.
The next contest was half a mile dash.
two hest ip three, for calored people, prizes
the same as in the walking match. In this
there were three entries John W. Smith,
Edward Charlton and Adam Lowry. Smith
and Lowry are light complexioued, and
Charlton is very black. The first was known
AS the Little Sorrel, the second as the Big
Sorrel, and the third as Blnck.and all. Black.
They appeared in fancy dress, Charlton draw
ing the pole, Smith second aud Lowry third.
They got OIL well together, Lowry a little
ia the rear, and for the FIRST eighth OF a mile il
was nip aud tuck between tlio liule Sorrel
and Black and all Black. The latter then
shot ahead little, but on the home stretch
the Little Sorrel closed the gap aud came un.
der the wire in canter in 2;22, Blnck aud,
all.Black second and the Big Sorre third.
The second heat was o repetition Of the first,
the Little Sorrel making the half mile in
2:2G. lie got the first prize, Black and all.
Black the second and the Big Sorrel the
third
The Westminster Fire Department, headed
by drum corps, then came marching up the
track. A halt was called opposite the grand
stand, when Captain Herr put the company
through the drill The speed and dexteri,y
with which the men executed all the orders
excited the admiration Of the spectators.
Ladders, picks, buckets and exlinguisbers
were handled with skill The Department
presented a fine appearance, in their neat
uniform, and are a muscular and good look.
ing set Of men.
A half mile naming race was next upon the
programme, with three entries, as follows:
John Williams sorrc horse, James Bowers
dark bay horse, and s. q. b. Barnes dark
bay mare. These horses had not been in
training, aud the speed made was a surprise
10 all. For the first quarter Of a mile the
race between the sorrel and dark bay horses
was quite exciting. Both seemed to let down
\ little then, yet the sorrel came under the
wire IN 81 seconds, with the bay horse second
and the hay mare third.
The creased pole climbing did not come of.
The pole was erected, but no one except tho
boys seemed inclined to try il. The boys,
hOwcver, worked faithfully at it, aa'ording
much amusement to the croYA. They busted
their clothes and the pole, aud after many
trials one succeeded in climbing up about ten
feet.