The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-02
RALEIGH LIGHT INFANTRY,
WINNERS OF THE $1,000 PRIZE FOR
OTHER THAN VIRGINIA
COMPANIES.
THE FOUR OTHER PRIZES
Won by Companies IL. a, and g. oi
Richmond. and the Norfoik
City Guard.
RACES TO-DAY; FIREWORKS TONIGHT.
Location OF the LATTER Changed TO
Broad street Between Ninth
and Tenth, &C., &c.

crowd,
Yesterdays Fair takes the first premium
on each. "The October sun" was all
right. and the sound Of bugle and tap OF
drum reused the population at an early
hour. and the promise was OF perfectly
glorious day, but the wind soon rose and
raiscd-the dust. But the people were
here. They had weighted down the in
coming railroad trains and packed the
steamboats, and overflown the hotels and
boarding-houses, and were here TO see and
be seen, and the annoyances CT the day
they resolved TO bear with what heroism
they could muster.
THE PEOPLE.
The assembling of the military on Broad
street, their pretty parade about town, and
their embarkation on the cars OF the
Fredericksburg railroad for the Fair
Grounds. caused such an outpouring oil
the population as has not been seen here
since the Inauguration OF the Jackson sta
tue, If, indeed. that memorable occasion was
equal to it. On Broad from First street to
Ninth street, between the hours Of 10 and
II, there was great, great rush. 1t took
only about two minutes for train to bill.
As for the wagons, omnibuseS, and hacks,
ladies and gentlemen met them away up
Broad street, filled their seats, and turned
them back to the grounds.
The transportation facilities were better
than ever before, but they were insufficient.
The folks had waited in town to see the
military, and after that all OF them wanted
TO 20 out to the grounds at the same time.
That they c0uldn'D do. Many had to wait.
The full delivery Of the people at the Fair
was not accomplished till O'Clock. In
the mean time thousands had walked out.
THE CROWD on THE GROUNDS.
The largest number Of visitors in attend
ance upon any Fair here was when Presi-
dent Hayes and his Cabinet were present
i'm 1871, The estimate of that crowd,
based upon receipts at the gate. was 10000.
That was pretty good for city OF 10000
whiteS-our colored people do not patron
ize fairs very largely-but Mr.. George W.
MAYO. secretary Of the Society. stated,
and he expressed the general opinion and
also the candid judgment II the best in
formed. that yesterdays attendance was
considerably the larger OF the two.
For some time after the arrival Of the
military the thick OF the crowd was about
them. il seemed; but even then the
LililtS lNNliIOn WIS llANhtis luN slut-
shows were full, machinery-field was thick
ly dotted, and about the horses, cows,
sheep, hogs, poultry, &C., there were long
lines Of spectators who had seen the mill
tary in the city and were utilizing their
time on the grounds before the multitude
should in part break away from the soldiers
and flood every department Of the exhibi-
tion-as they afterwards did.
Al. Ill, rluN l.
and push. and the clouds Of dust and
raw wind, sightseeing was pursued at q
serious disadvantage.
STRANGERS AND H0NE-FOLKs.
As only about half the companies were
entered for the competitive drill, great
many OF the soldier. boys were given liberty
10 20 where they listed. Their bright uni.
forms and cheerful faces were to be seen in
all parts OF the grounds. Ii is to be hoped
they enjoyed themselves. If the universal
desire in that direction availed they did.
Yet there was a feeling OF regret that in
the whirl Of the canvass and pressure OF
the crowd upon us we had not been able
10 take better care OF the visitors. They
acted so handsomely in recognition OF the
fact that we had the will il we had not
done the deed that all hearts were drawn
to them. They saw us at disadvantage,
nevertheless.
City people formed the great majority Of
the crowd. Never before has Richmond
patronized the Fair so well. At some eX-
hibitiOns our country cousins have been
more numerous than towns people, but
Yesterday they were unusually far outnum-
bered by US.
LADIES.
Many Of the young ladies appeared upon
the grounds in their best clothes. The
damage thereto from dust was great. Very
likely S25, 900 would not cover the wreck
age to millinery and dry goods. But La
the dear creatures had come to see and to bC
seen. and in the latter category very ma
turally wished to be seen to advantage.
There were lots of pretty girls about
and the soldier beauX had the inside track
in their affections the day long.
| One OF the results of the days doings
was that i'm many instances mothers were
separated from their children, and great
was their anxiety. Provost Marshal Big
ger had equipped himself for this "certain
contingency" and when the losses were
reported to him he started out q sable
statesman, with name and description OF
| the child and an auctioneer's bell in one
hand, and in the other stick upon which
was raised a sign painted IN large letters
"Lost Child The bell-ringing, sign
board, and description generally brought
up the missing one. Five were so re-
covered.
OUR FAIRS TOO LATE.
The Fair was success so far as weather
permitted but raw, windy, dusty day,
so far from being an exception, is the gen.
eral rule. We let the cream OF the OctO-
Der days pass before we have our Fair.
Then we wonder how the weather can be
so stupid as not to remember that we want
sunshine and no breezes; all the time it is
our own stupidity in not having the Fair
earlier-tbat is, il we want the JOYOUS, still
days Of October. True, the lst OF Noyem-
Der is chosen because OF Il very praise
worthy wish not 10 interfere with other
fairs in the State and to secure articles for
our Far that have been at these but the
managers may well weigh in their minds
that advantage compared with the likely
advantage Of having splendid weather.
Another thing, our Fair comes too close
upon the November elections. But for
that many who are now absent would be
here; many who are here would have less
TO concern them; many who are now here
would not so decidedly feel that that they
are neglecting patriotic duties. The Fair
certainly breaks in most proyokingly upon
Richmond's election work.
II the date can well be altered it should
be done. Let those who have charge con-
slider
Yesterdays WORK.
The amount Of money taken in at the
gates yesterday was very large. II makes
the Far q financial success. When the
drilling and racing were over there was O
great rush for home. Whew! what dust
there was on the Broad-street road!
Next Fair we really must try 10 have the