The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-16
The State Fair.

Agricultural Society and Champlain Valley
Association for 1885, held at Howard Park,
Burlington, last week, was one of the most
successful in the history of the associations
and probably drew more people from all
parts of the state, and from other states,
than any previous agricultural exhibition in
Vermont.
TUESDAY-FIRST DAY.
The day dawned pleasantly, and, until
the latter part of the afternoon, the skies
smiled in the most suspicious manner. The
generally pleasant weather was taken
advantage of by a large number the attend
ance being variously estimated at from two
thousand to thirty-tive hundred. Only one
race was trotted-the three-minute stallion
race. j. II. Williams " Gilroy " of South
Burlington took the first money, the best
time being two minutes and forty-four sec
onds.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. DAY.
The exhibition received serious setback
the second day from wet weather, the rain
which began Tuesday night continuing at
frequet intervals during the entire day and
the atmosphere being so raw as to render
winter wraps a necessity. 1t was evident
early in the morning that nothing could be
done in the way of carrying out the days
programme, and but few people, compare
lively, visited the grounds.
THURsDAY-THIRD DAY.
Thursday was the great day of the fair
Everything conspired to make it a notable
success. The cloudless skies, after the long
rain; the pure, cool, bracing atmosphere;
the perfectly arranged exhibits; the long
list of deferred races; the address by so
notable man and so fine speaker as Hon.
George b. Loring-all these attractions,
added to the fact that the third day of the
fair is always considered the most desirable.
drew forth an immense attendance of peo-
pie. The ticket-sellers and gate-keepers
We're kept on the jump, and it is said that
never before were so many tickets sold at a
state fair in a single day. Fully fifteen thou
sand people were on the grounds at half
past three o'clock in the afternoon and at
no time during the principal hours of the
day were there less than eight or ten thou
sand inside the gates. The exercises of the
day were carried out to the complete salts
faction of everybody-even those who had
pinned their faith to dubious horse-tesh.
The programme of the morning included the
usual stock inspection and the address by
Hon. George b. Loring The speaker was
introduced by Senator Edmunds. DR.. Lor-
ing's address was an exceedingly interest
| ing, eloquent and able effort, and was
listened to by large audience. His theme
covered the ground of greatest interest to
his hearers-the growth and resources OF
| Vermont together with general review OF
the increase of American industries and the
position of agriculture in America. The
races We're among the finest ever trotted on
! the Howard Park, and called forth un
limited enthusiasm. The track was in fine
condition The races trotted were the two
thirty and three-minute classes in alternate
heats. In the two-thirty race, for purse Of
$3.50, a field of six horses was presented
1t was won in three straight heats by
Clara NJ" owned by T. w. Utton o
Morrisville. Time-2;3ll, 2:30 and $50
splendid field of eight horses was pre-
| Sented for the three-minute race, for purs,
!
second, fourth and fifth being won by
william g." owned by w. G.. Baldwin
Jr., of Ticonderoga, n. Y. Time-231b
2:37l and 2;364.
FRIDAY-LAsT DAY.
The attendance was also very large OF
Friday, the number being estimated a
about eight thousand. The weather wa
perfect. Great interest was shown in tn,
races, and the grand stand was filed through
out the afternoon with enthusiastic specta
tors AT nine A. NJ. the premiums We're de
clared from the grand stand and at haf-pas
ten there was a grand cavalcade on the tract
of premium and other stock on exhibition
The first race, called at ten A. M, was tina
of the two-thirty-five class, for $500, with
field of six horses. 1t was won by 4. w
Uttons " General George A. Ballard " il
three straight heats. Time-2:30, 233 an'
2:3la The race in the four-years-old elias
and under for $780, was walk-away TO
Engineer" who took three straight heat
in magnificent style, coming under tn
, wire far in the lead of the other two
His action was fine and excited muc
admiration, and his owner, Mr.. III. S. Tow
of Montpelier, received many congratula
tons. Time-2:43, 2:4l and 2:i0 The after
, noon races were called at two o'clock. 4
, splendid field of eight horses presente
, themselves in the two-forty-fve class, for
! purse of 5000. Three straight heats weI
taken by " William g." in 2364, 2;364 an
purse of $500, was the closest and mo.
2;3il, respectively. The open-to-all race, fc
I evenly matched of any race ever trotted o
, the grounds. " Tattler," owned by j. Utto
of Morrisville, won the first, second an
, fourth heats. Time-22Sl, 900 and 2;31.
THE EXHIBITS.
Y The disposition Of the exhibits this yes
= was convenient and attractive. The displa