The Press., 1884-10-23
LOCAL TOPICS cs-pENN,D AND sCIssoRED
STAFFORD FAIR NOTES.


 STAFFORD FAIR NOTES.
 It is common to hear visitors remark on the good appearance of the attendants at the Stafford fair. The certainty of good order, excellent management, freedom from drunkenness and rowdyism, incites the coming of the best class of people, Other societies are recognizing this factor of success in the Stafford fair, and initiate osr society to the extent of advertising not to permit pool selling, gambling or rum selling at their fairs, but the Stafford fair goes to the extent of carrying out it's dec- laration of principles, and the public rec ognizes the difference between mere prom ises and an honest effort at strict fulfill ment
 A few of the notable visitors at the late fair, omltting mention of the promi- nent citizens of Holland County, very few of whom were absent, are named: R. M. Reynolds, D. w. Ellis, s. F. Cushman of Monson, J. w. Weeks, Dr. Wm. Holbrook, James Loomis, Hon. c. l.. Gardner of Palmer, w. O. Jillson, Thomas Rams dell, Rev. s. R. Free, David Clark, O. H. K. Risley of Willimantic, J. H. Cranston, secretary and manager of Narragansett Trotting Park, Ethan Robinson, do Hamp- den Park Association, Lewis Coe, presi- dent Meriden Poultry Association, Gurdon Cady, president Windham County Agri- cultural Society, c. 0. Spellman, clerk of Springfield courts, Wm. B. Smith of Springfield, Major AR. Hall, New London, D. A. Maxham, secretary and executive manager Bethel Agricultural Society, Yer mont
 The premium list will be published in hn n1,o nc will be paid immediately after publication on calling on Treasurer Hicks. Now that the society seems prosperous, there is complaint as to the smallness of premiums paid in some classes in contrast with lib. eral expenditures for trotting horses, etc. Once more we must call attention to the fact that the trotting purses como rnAinly from the exhibitors, the entry fees in most cases covering the amount paid back. The same is true of the dog and foreign poultry exhibit. Additional to this, these attrac- tions draw the crowd, increasing also the attendance of farmers and their wives and sons and daughters, who in these two or three days get 2 glimpse of the great world that weeks of travel and much expendi- ture could not afford them. In the early days of the society it's income was small, and it had to appeal every year to exhibit ors to not draw their premiums from the treasury. When 1t resolved to dare risks and expend money it woke to new life. The reward to farmers 6 small for trouble of making exhibits. It should be increased as fast as possible, and will be, but at pres ent the society is making no money. It is storing wealth to be sure in its reputation for good square dealing with the public, and. in it's improved grounds. It is yet a young society, starting in a small way, but is giving back its earnings to the stockholding public in generous dividends of increased comfort of grounds, and build ings and dollar shows for % cents ad1ais- sion. The people of the surrounding towns, as well as those in the immediate vicinity of the fair, have borne their part of the work of making the fair successful by freely bringing in their contributions to the hall and ground exhibits, thereby showing an interest that even the small returns in premiums paid could not dim.
 In the mile walk one of the several con- petitors, 8 muscular negro, early fell be- hind. He was clearly unftted by his en- bonpont for such contest, and passed the iudge's stand at the half mile hopeless ly behind, but keeping on. Just at the turn friendly fellow 'sman and broth err profered him bottle. A pause, a face turned upward, and an inverted bot tie surmounting all, was the spectacle which the crowd greeted with shouts of laughter. The drinking over, the walker became runner, and breaking away like deer, he had passed all but two of those who held to the walk as the competitors came in. wv.