The Somerset reporter., 1886-07-07
NoRRIDcEWocK CELEBRATES
our national Holiday In a Worthy
Manner


LARGE CROWDS IL ATTENDANCE
For some time, throughout different
portions of the county, the great cele-
bration to take place AT Norridgewock ON
Tie 9TH inst, has been the theme of cor
YerSation by old and young Nearly every
body in this portion Of the state had long
been making preparation to visit this
pleasant little village and join with them
IN drinking lemonade, firing torpedoes
and in other ways helping to observe the
Nations greatest holiday The morning
opened rather dismal and cloudy. but WAS
announced to the citizens by ringing of
bells and firing Of eannons and as the
sun crcpt higher the clouds gradually
burned away and the day gave promise
OF being fine one. In every direction
teams were fast pouring into town, Willie
the Somerset II X. brought crowds from
No. Anson and Oakland by special trains
and II was estimated that there were
some four thousand people present DUR
ing the exercises
The fun began soon after nine O'Clock
when the fantasies made their appear
ance, parading the principal streets. I'm
mediately after this came an Grafton ably
delivered by Rev. j. A. Jones, of the
congregational society The remainder
of the forenoon was consumed by tub
and boat races and other sports.
An accident occurring in the forenoon
caused gloom to pass over the vast as
semblage for time. 4 horse became
unmanageable, and with the forward
wheels of the wagon attached ran twice
through the crowded streets before he
was captured, co liding with several
teams. and, we hear severely iniuring
two small boys
The centre of attraction for the day
was the races ut Eimwood Park. for
which $500 in purses were offered They
were all trotted according to programme
with the exception of the Pacing race,
which did not ILL., over three thousand
people passed through the gate to wit
horsemen present we noticed the genial
Horace Nelson of Sunnysidr stock farm
Watcrville, Amos Gerald of Fairfield,
BENZ Hilton No. Anson, Samuel Pompi-
ly, of Auburn, Geo, Robinson of Angus
tn and Capt Yates, of Vassalboro. while
Skowhegan lovers of fine horsefiesh were
present in large numbers.
The management were extremely for
tunate in the selection of its Judge. hav-
ing secured Samuel Pompilly Geo Rob
inson and VIM. J. Haynes, the first
named acting as starter
In all the classes there was good
field of starters. In the three minute class
the first trot demonstrated that the win
ncr, Fred owned by Fred Tilton, had
altogether too much speed for the others
and was to be an easy winner. He took
the lead from the start in each heat, keep
ing it easily, jogging under the wire
at its close.
The 2.45 class, although won in three
successive heats was rather more cNcit-
ing, and on the whole was pleasing
race to the multitude.
In the first heat of this race the sui
keys of Kate and JuNta collidcd ON the
back stretch, throwing both drivers The
driver of JuNta was fortunate in retain
ing control of his horse, while Kate broke
away aud made over the rail in Il wild
manner among some of the teams in the
enclosures after time she was driven by
the excited crowd on to the track again.
she was secured. II was almost miracu-
louS that She should surN i've the escapade
without serious injury to herself, but
thus far nothing has presented itself
The sulky was total wreck After rub
bing down and securing another sulky
she was started in the next heat
The 2.3G horses were not called until
the finish of the three minute class, but
was the best race of the day, the horses
making the fastest heat ever made over
this track. At the close of the first heat
in this race, Maud X. Cunard colt of
roam color years old, owned by Ira S.
Rogers. and one of the contestants .vas
sold to Albert Nye. of Fairfield for sl25o
and was withdrawn 1t was evident to
the crowd that had she remained in the
race she c"uia nave oeeh an easy winner
of first money.
The bicycle race had five starters and
was won by X. L Pattcn, in two success
Sivc heats with Archie Houston. second
both Of MI ,l,co AND II ca,,., 80
po'i' VI t,'s P'n.t, anu II sawyer, ol
Madison. third. Distance IL mile; time
l.3l and ~ respectively,
me lo"t race l. mile called hvc start
erS 10 t,'e "ne amu was won py Horace
farrand, nrSt; Nlllet Rogers, second; l..
l. Jones third Time . 20