The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-09-26
THE STATE FAIR.
Some Good Racing Witnessed Yes
terday.
Successful Bicycling in the Eve
ming.
A Portland Boy One of the Win
ners.
Three Year old Nelson's Record.
rSpecial TO the Press !

Three Year Old Nelson's Record.
Especial to the Press.1
LEWISTON, Sept. 25.-Today the weather
is perfect. 1t is not uncomfortably cold as
it has been on the previous days of the fair,
and the sun is shining in a cloudless sky.
The number of visitors arriving on the early
trains is not as large as yesterday, but there
will probably be a great crowd here this eve
ming to witness the deferred bicycle races.
The track is rapidly drying and, with the ex-
ception of the outer edge, is now in good con-
dition. This morning there are from three
to four thousand people upon the grounds
The space inclosed by the track presents an
animated appearance. The ground reserved
for the pulling matches is surrounded by a
dense crowd, and as many as a hundred car
riages of various descriptions are standing
inside the track while as many more occupy
positions ON the outside With the exeep-
tion of an occasional mud hole the carriage
roads in the grounds are dry and hard.
At the annual meeting of the society, held
at the alderInen's room in the city building,
last evening, the old board of officers was
reelected with the exception of George E.
Bracket of Belfast elected trustee in place
of N. S. Allen.
round of the side shows reveals various
monstrosities and curiositieS. In the first
tent the medium weight marine puts on the
gloves with all comers much to the amuse-
ment of that portion of the crowd who are
contented to be spectators only. The tent
behind the flaming red signs contains a per-
foot low If Oft ,aIu of
monkeys and "a human faced chicken with the
rather suspicious sign: "The more you look
at it the more natural it seems" The 'Turk-
ish Lady who charms snakes occupies a
kind of throne made of dry goods boxes COW
cred with carpeting. Beside the Turkish
lady who, bears most remarkable likeness
to the Caucasian race and speaks purer En-
glish than is quite current among the natives
of Turkey, the throne supports an aged and
rather dirty show case containing three very
sleepy looking snakes. Music is furnished
by the orchestra of the company, consisting
of two small boys, one of whom beats the
base drum and the other clashes the Gym
bols. Ordinarily everything runs smooth
enough, but the boy with the base drum has
a way of flying at his comrade and making
terrible thrusts with his drum stick, which
must prove uncomfortable for the manipu-
lator of the cymbols. This morning a per-
formance was given to an audience of about
twenty persons, mostly men, two of whom
were drinking in turns from quart bottle of
something stronger than water and molasses
The performance consisted of voluble de-
scrlptlon of the features of the show given
by young man with a dark complexion.
One of the snakes was then removed from
the dirty show case and given to the Ameri-
can Turkish lady, who handled it for few
minutes while the dark young man explain
ed how easily the snake could crush the
young lady to death. The performance was
still in progress when we moved along to the
next tent. A man with a wonderful marine
monster in a tank four feet long by two feet
and half in breadth, finds 1t necessary to
take his pay after the crowds have satisfied
their curiosity by taking look on trust.
Everything which is in any way allied to the
sea serpent is coming to be looked on with
suspicion by sharp. Yankees
Capt Knowlton has here part of his
Peaks Island menagerie and is giving the
best show on the grounds.
taking the pictures of group of pugilists as
we passed his tent The young men were in
fighting costumes and position with streaks
of red paint daubed on their clothing, pre-
sumably to represent blood
These are few of the outside attractions
of the fair and their managers are making
a good thing out of them judging by the
crowds in attendance.
THE CAvALCADE.
AT II o'clock prompt the grand cavalcade
of prize animals started around the track.
The State College Band go pieces lead the
procession followed by the Coburn Cadets
Next came Major Hendershot, with Mr..
Fagin, his ffer. Next was the Auburn
Band az pieces following, which was
barge containing His Excellency Gov. Robie
and the trustees and officers of the fair. Fol-
lowing the barge were the premium stall
lions. Noticeable among these was Gen. Til
toms beautiful animal 'Kaiser," said to be
one of the finest bred horses in the State.
Heading the long line of cattle which fol-
lowed was the fine team of G. H. Clough of
Manchester. This consisted of eight yolk of
oxed hitched to large road wagon on the
top of which was seated Mr.. Clough. Mr..
Clough's oxen have taken prize after prize
at the State fairs for many years past. At
each corner of the wagon was huge broom.
Out of curiosity your reporter asked Mr..
Claugh for the weight of each yoke in the
team. 1t is thus $780, 1920, 1850, 1850, 4565,
1850, 4415, 4015.
Bringing up the rear was large array of
bulls, steers, etc., each with the significant
premium ribbon attached to its horns.
Large crowds of people watched and ap-
plauded the procession as it passed around
the track.
The Races.
At half past one today the grand stand
was rapidly filling and great crowd was
seeking the most desirable positions by the
track from which to view the races. The
outer side of the track was still soft with
mud, but the positions near the pole were
dry and in good condition for the trotting.
Perkins band was on the platform in front
of the grand stand and enliyened the scene
with some good music. The fine weather of
the morning continued and the spectators
have comfortable time of it. When the
| races began there were over 5000 people in
the grand stand, and $4,000 on the grounds.
FIRST RACE.
| The first race was for horses in the 2.36
class and there were eight horses to start as
| follows: Walter G. Morrill's G. m. Surprise;
Edwin Perkins bro. M. Nellie R., James
Keegan's blk. m. Gilbreth Maid; G. Fl. Mel
sons b. m Jersey Lily; E. j. Voses blk. s.
Black Rock; Fl. M. Beams b, sg McLain; w.
Fl. Snell's b. IN. Birdie S. "A. E. Russells b.
&. Star Gazer.
| First Hedt-The horses were started after
few minutes lost in scoring, Gilbreth Maid
taking the lead. The black mare steadily
increased the distance between herself and
the rest of the field during the first half mile,
and passed beneath the wire safe distance
in advance of her competitors. On the sec
ond half, however, the field crept up on their
leader, the black mare winning with Jersey
Lily not far behind her. Time, 23O4 McLain
was the third horse to cross the line, with
| Surprise fourth
Second Hedt-The field was sent away af-
ter four attempts to score. Gilbreth Maid
with the pole easily took the lead and led the
field by couple of lengths when the half
was finished, the remaining horses being
well punched: On the second half the field
strung out, Gilbreth Maid retaining a safe
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