Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-09-18
THE FAIR AT PLACERvILLE.
Iraon TIE nrcoaD-usIos's SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.
P1AcERy1LLE. September II. 1850.

atAAStAy tNhARSiotS bO0ANo; eho -
well grown moon lighting the evenings
gloriously The large influx of visitors
and general hustle of increased business
give the thoroughfares an air of presum-
ably unusual animation, and quite city
like appearance while the gatherings
about the hotels and principal lettering
places indicate more than probable
scarcity of sleeping accommodation. In.
deed the approach of seasonable bed time
found the proprietor of the popular Carey
House, the principal hotel here, at his
wits ends foe place to stow away himself
and family, having just been driven from
the parlor floor by fresh arrival of Sacrs-
mentans. Under these circumstances 1t
was not without some conjunction that
YOUR correspondent, still later, took full
possession of comfortable room, reserved
by some providential Intervention. But be
was duly grateful, be assured.
THE PAVILION.
The first day, as first days generally are,
was one mostly of hustle and preparation,
and it was not until evening that the ex-
hibition halls began to assume the air of
taste and symmetrical arrangement they
have since presented. It is now conceded
that in this particular all former exhibit
tions have been excelled. A glance at the
long tables ranging around and through the
halls gives ample proof that notwithstand-
ing the prolonged rains, late frosts and
general backwardness of the spring, made
sad havoc with the earlier and choicest, as
well as most profitable varieties of fruit, the
orchards and vineyards of the FL Dorado
District make q most excellent showing in
the exhibition now in progress here and
when added to the drawbacks already
enumerated the ravages of the codlng
moth" upon the apples and pears,
are taken into account, its extent and
excellence are really remarkable. But
for these things, judging from the dispar-
agii comparisons made by the exhibitors
themselves with their display of last year,
and the still darker ones with what they
then had right to expect, the fruit ex-
hibit of this year would have been such as
even California has never yet presented.
The extent of the fruit interest of this Sec
ton makes such disaster a very serious
one, and its dampening effect has undoubt-
eddy had its influence upon every depart
ment of the fair, in largely reducing the
number of exhibitors as well as the enthu-
siasm of competition which give vitality to
such exhibitions. The pride of Ell Dorado
has for years been in her fruit, and it has
been suddenly and seriously disturbed.
Even with this depression, however, the
prosperity and progress OF the district are
manifest, as the door and gate receipts
thus far are somewhat in advance of those
| for the same days last year, and appear
ances indicate that this, the closing day,
will show still larger proportional in
crease, points which certainly speak in high
praise of the energy and efficiency of the
| Directors.
In this department c. II. McCune, ]. c.
Marsh, P. j. Isbel, /. s. Bamber, 7. o.
Hardie, Joseph Lyon, J. L. Weymouth and
J. o. Hardie of Placerville are the chief ex-
hibitors, entering from two to thirty speci-
mems of the various fruits. Kranp Bos
of Diamond Springs, and j. G. 0'Brien of
Granite Hill exhibit each some twenty
specimens of grapes, embracing all the
| standard and many very rare varieties.
The samples shown by Mr.. O'Brien could
hardly be excelled. Indeed the grape ex-
hibit, as whole, is little short of wonder
ful. In plums, nectarines and prunes,
also, the display is eminently rich.
The exhibit of garden products, not so
sensitive to the effects of an untoward
season, is proportionately larger, more
varied and more to the satisfaction of the
contributors themselves, and not subjected
to the disparaging comparisons with the
display of last year, which inevitably ac-
company their explanations in particular
izing their fruits.
In the matter of jellies, dried fruits,
preserves, etc, there is a well-varied dis
| play, in which the matrons of the farm
take lively interest and just pride.
In needle and ornamental fancy work,
bric-a-brac, etc., there are also many fine
contributions, with active rivalry in COM
petition. 1t will doubtless require some
nice discrimination in these matters to keep
| the judges clear of the censure OF some of
the fair ones in awarding the premiums.
| A notable feature of this class is the COM
petition for a premium offered for the best
calico dress of material not to costover l2l
cents per yard, to be on exhibition and
worn on the last evening by the maker.
Mrs. S. A. Evans, Minnie Bryan and
Mollie Reynolds are competitors for the
premium to ladies over Is, and Rosa Ryan
and Annie Reynolds for that to misses
under that age. Their contributions are
all exceedingly neat and tasteful, and are,
it is needless to say, undergoing the closest
scrutiny by the lady visitors, A widely
varied and highly creditable exhibit in
the art department is contributed by Miss
Aggie Blair, embracing some oil paintings
and sketches from nature needle and other
fancy work, all done during the current
year.
In the class embracing dairy and farm
products there is quite good exhibit,
there being many lady contributors in the
line of breads, biscuit, etc.
In the matter of mining products the ex-
hibition is exceedingly meager; but two of
the samples are of a particularly attractive
character. One, a case of specimens of
cement gravel, from the claims OF S. Zerger
& Co., few miles from town, shows mug
gets of various sizes Undecided just as
found, and in quantities that bewilder all
beholders. The other, box of specimens
OF sulphuret rock, heavy enough to be half
gold, and marked as assaying $40, 600 per
| ton these samples are from the '' Arctic !"
mine of Grizzly Flat, now owned by G. H.
| Watt, formerly of Sacramento.
Next to the gold nuggets just mentioned,
the exhibit that attracts the most atten-
ton, and is looked upon here as of the
most permanent importance to the county,
is that of Robert Chalmers, of the Coloma
Vineyard. This embraces twenty eight
samples of wines and cordials, including
all the standard, with some special varieties.
They are open for sample, and are pro-
nounced by judges to be of extra fine quail
ity. Kranp Bros. of Diamond Springs,
are also conspicuous exhibitors in this line.
and make a fine showing.
| AT THE GROUNDS.
In the horse entries are the thorough.
bred stallion, General jackson, and Swear
old mare, Belle Lodi, owned by George
G. Blanchard, of this place, President of
the Association roadster-Lodi-byJ ].
Krisley stallion-Ethan Allen-by J.
G. Brewster; stallion, Young Champion
| Norman Percheron), by N. S. Miller, of
Missouri Flat; graded stallion, Lew Fos-
ter, and stallion of all work, Ransome,
Jr., by l.. Williams, of Amador graded
mare, Mountain Maid, and roadster mare,
Lady Hawkins. by G. L. Tubbs mare OF
all work, Belle, by J. Bryan, of Mud
Springs: 2-year-old FLY, Mamie Norris,
by Norris Brothers, of Alameda.
In the horned. stock entries. graded
cow, by Thomas Frazer jersey bull
/ L I-,