The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1879-08-30
THE COLORED FAIR.


A GRAND SUCCESS -SPDENDID DISPLAY
OF INDUSTRIAL PRoDUCTs-RACING OF
ALL DESCRIPTIONS AND A GENERAL
GOOD TINE.
The misgivings which many entertained
as to the success of this initial effort of
our race at display of industrial products
are now dispelled. Nothing wins like
success, is the old adage. Judged by
this standard, the colored fair wins. Five
hundred people came from Louisville, and
many from the various towns of Indiana.
The crowd Wednesday was not quite so
large as was expected, owing to the fact
that Indianapolis was holding herself back
for the great day, Thursday. And right
| royalty did she redeem herself Many of
our white fellow citizens of all ranks and
political persuasions turned out to enjoy
day of sport and sightseeing with their
colored neighbors. We have yet to hear
one regret the time spent. The display of
lace, needle, patch and numerous kinds of
fancy work by the ladies was ehe of the
principal attractions, and creditable alike
to their taste and skill. In the matter of
canned fruits, jellies, preserves, etc., the
exhibit was very good. In no department,
however, did your reporter take deeper
interest than in that of cookery. Here we
found nearly everything in that line that
could be exhibited, in excellent style; cakes
of such exquisite and tempting appear
ance that it required the appetite of q
chronic dyspeptic or the courage of the
ancient stole to pass them by unharmed.
The pacing and trotting races of Wednes
day afternoon attracted quite crowd, and
were very much enjoyed. The track was
in excellent condition, and the weather
fine.
Thursday was the great day. Among
the colored people business was entirely
suspended and nearly everybody repaired
to the Exposition Grounds. The ehibit
was greatly increased and the crowd was
absolutely immense. The great attraction
of the day was of course the races, of
which the $500 trotting race was the most
important. The entries for this contest
were Fred Douglass, John B., Nellie K,
Elsie Wood and Polly Wishard. The race
was one of the most exciting and interest
ing ever seen on our course. Jollity and
good feeling prevailed. There were FIVE
heats, John B. coming out ahead in three
heats; Fred Douglass being head to neck
with him on the last, having pressed him
closely in each, winning two heats. The
name of the latter won for him a good
deal of enthusiasm, and if he had passed
John B. on the last heat,-well, there
woul dhave been a scene. John B. time
was 2-30, Lilly b. won a running race.
Mrs. VIM. Brown took prize for graceful
riding, and George Hopkins and Miss
Sarah Douglass took the prize for "best
turnout lady and gent in buggy" There
was an immense crowd in the hall at
night. The dancing hall was brilliantly
lighted, and jolly crowd tripped the
| light fantastic till the we sma' hours.
The grounds were visited Friday, the last
day, by large number. Mean time the
| Judges were Dusy awarding prizes we go
to press too early to give the names of the
successful competitors. In our next issue
we will publish complete list of the en-
tries and premiums awarded, with partic-
ular mention of many of the more import
ant articles, with the names of the owners
Thus ended this successful enterprise,
which reflects great credit on Messrs.
Braxton, Hill, and their associates of the
board, as well as upon their race, and the
generous white friends who aided them.