The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-11-01
The Fair.
LARGE ATTENDANCE ON THURsDAY-Al
UNPRECEDENTED EXHIBITION.

There could not possibly have been more
unpropitious weather for the County Fair
than that of last week. 1t rained almost
continually. but notwithstanding, the at
tendance on Thursday was immense, and
the exhibition was unparalleled in the his
tory of County Fairs in Virginia.
We briefly described the prominent fea-
lures last week. They were SO many and
the displays SO handsome that it was i'm.
possible to refer to each as it deserved.
We cannot refrain, however, from COM
mending in the most unqualified manner
the efforts of the officers of the Assocla-
ton. The Augusta Fair has secured
treasure in its secretary. You mlgnt
search the Union over for the equal OF e.
Julian Platt and search in vain. His UNI
firing energy, fine abilities and the smooth
ness and satisfaction with which ne DIS
charged the onerous and harassing duties
of his position, stamp him as emphatlcaly
the right man in the right place. Presi-'
dent A. M. Bowman is also happy ana
capital selection, and Treasurer Carroll IS
A No. l. The result of their labors, and
especially of the labors of Mr.. Pratt, was
shown,in the exhibit made last week, an
exhibit numbering over 5000 entries, and
forming adisplay the like Of which israrely
seen at a State Fair.
! But for the continued inclement weather,
| the exhibition would have proved as grand
a financial success as the most sanguine
could wish. The crowd of Thursday was
estimated at fully 5000, and this would
have been kept up but for the rain.
/ And whilst we commend the general
management of the Fair, there was one
feature of it that met with the unqualified
condemnation of every right thinking
man. and which must never be repeated
| if the Fair is to continue. Such a
gang of thieves and ras seals was never as
sembled in Augusta as met at this Fair,
and unless at future exhibitions these
scoundrels are absolutely prohibited from
coming on the ground, or if found dealt
with summarily, it will be useless to try
to get the people to attend.
THE RACES.
On Thursday the rain that fell about
O'Clock rendered the track quite heavy,
but the races fixed for that day were run
and were quite exciting.
The first trotting race for apurse OF $l75
WAS wen by Daily's Ike Medium in three
straight heats, Jones Blue Cloud taking
second money and Hopes Edward H.,
third.
The $50 English Flat race was won by
Harris Odd Fellow.
The $500 running race was won by Jones
Matte c., first Retlseeker's Jake White
second, and Crawford s Reyeille, third.
The contest for horsemanship by boys
under twelve years Of age, was engaged in
by fourteen lads and resulted as follows
Hugh Sproul, LIST prize (suit of clothes),
Everett Coyner, End prize (suit of clothes),
Tommie Thornburg, Sd prize IA bridle),
and Houston Freed, 4th prize (pair OF
/ spurs).
1 The prizes for, Craftsmanship by Augusta
county Misses under IA years, was con-
tested for by six young ladies and were
awarded as follows to lillian G. Killian,
first prize; to Hattie Coyner, End prize );
to Meta Pratt, Sd prize, and to Mary East,
4th prize.
THE BABY SHOW.
The most exciting contest of the exhi-
bition was the competition for Treasurer
CAROLS handsome premium to the best
looking baby under two years. 1t was a
splendid $35 baby carriage of beautiful
work nanship and finish. Sixteen entries
were made. The Committee consisted OF
A. S. Mauzy. 7. G. Morton, and r. D. Blu
ford, of Bedford county. They were I'M
| able to decide which baby was entitled to
| the prize. There were so many and all SO
beautiful and each mother was SO well
satisfied that her baby ought to have it,
that the committee wished it had died in
infancy before having to encounter such a
task. Finally, after much inspection, four
of the babies were selected, as follows
Elsie Hamilton, daughter Of DIR. r. S.
Hamilton, Cecil Wright, daughter Of Robt.
G.. Wright, of Waynesboro. Katie Gilke-
son, daughter of DR.. Gllkeson, of Mint
Spring, and Archie STAGE, son of H. Z.
STAGE, of South River. The committee
were so undecided between the four that
the prize was decided by lot, Archie STAGE
getting it.
For the prize for children over and
under 5 the plush odor case given by
Berkeley & Co.. there were 10 entries.
| Again the judges had to sift out from
the lot as follows Kenton Hartman, son Of
A. G.. Hartman Mary Berkeley, daughter
of DR.. Carter Berkeley; Stel Hewitt, son
of G.. w. Hewitt Claude Perry and Sadie
Byers, daughter of Mrs. James Byers.
| Between these the judges decided in favor
of Kenton Hartman, and he was awarded
the prize. ~ rffsk8
THE RACES AND PREMIUMS.
The 81 900 running race came off Friday,
and Notwithstanding a heavy track proved
very exciting. Redsecker's Jake White,
from Maryland, won, taking 5000 jones'
Matte c., from Tennessee, second, $500,
and Flanders Letsie, from Tennessee,
third. 500. Time of winning horse, 1853.
A trotting race for purse Of $50 was won
by Gardex taking $35 Maggie B. second,
SIS. A fast racking race between county
gentlemen was won by w. 7. Bells Bess.
A contest of horsemanship by five ladies,
who rode with their escorts, resulted in
Miss Rose Cochran carrying off the first
prize, ahandsome saddle Miss Belle Whit
mer second, fine bride; and Miss l.. w.
Bell, third, a handsome riding whip.
A trial OF riding horses by ten gentle
men from the county resulted in the first
prize to Aleck Harman's Black, the second
to A. III. McCue.
The first race Saturday was the one-mile
hurdle race over three hurdles purse $75 !;
four entries. The race afforded great mer-
, riment, and was won by Servants Shoo-
Fly. Time, 2:20. Ned Burke's filly second.
The running race-one mile, catch weight,
purse $50, four entries-was won by Mat
tie G. first. Lewis Brooke second. Letsie
third.
The trotting race-half- heats, best
three in tive-was won by Blue Cloud Ed
ward second, Ike Medium third.