The Press., 1888-10-25
Issued Every Thursday Evening.
TEE STAFFORD SPRINGS FAIR.

will of the public and proved its intention of keeping it's present high rank among agricultural socities of the state. It had hard luck in several respects beside the bad weather. President Dennis from ths beginning of the fair was nearly incapaci tated for duty by illness and early on the last day was obliged to give up and gc home. The sup't of grounds, Mir. Ander. son, was disabled by an accident on the evening before the fair, throwing upon the other officers heavy duties of which he alone understood the details and concern. ing which hard preliminary work already done by him was thus nearly lost. The managers had made the mistake, for fl evidently was mistake, of going back from the expert judge system to the old plan of local committees. which, as usual. was found to mean chiefly men found near. est at hand at the moment needed to take the place of committees who were, as usual, not to be found, or if found unwilling to act, thus drawing heavily upon the time of officers who already were overtaxed by legitimate duties.
 The officers of the society did nobly. Beginning work upon the getting up of the fair at time when such work should have been already nearly accomplished, they perfected arrangements for what, with good weather, would have been one of the most successful fairs ever held in Stafford, and with all drawbacks of weather and ac- cdent have scored a success.
 The balloon and parachute exhibition by Prof. Hogan on Thursday attracted more interest than on Wednesday, because of it's perfect success and wonderfully com- plete fulfillment of promise on its first es- say. The strong wind made it impossible to infate the balloon until about sunset, and daylight was being dimmed by twi- light when finally the great air ship shot upward, with the professor clingIng to the bar. When apparently above one-half mile above the earth the professor was seen to drop like shot, falling a long distance be- fore the parachute opened and began check ing his downward speed. The course of the balloon had been to the southeast, in- clining more to the east than on the first day. His landing was plainly seen from the grounds. the great white parachute helping to trace him. It was a wonderful sight, and hundreds held their breaths as they saw him take the fearful leap into space. .H
 Prof. Hogan's experiences in the second ascent, as he relates them, are thrilling. He had hastily made preparations when the wind snbsided sufficiently to make it possible to fill his balloon, and had as hastily departed on his journey as soon as ready, as the hundreds of spectators noted. Ris- ing about 1, 600 feet he noted under him what appeared to be an open lot, as seen in the dim light, and he dropped. For nearly 2000 feet he fell like log. He had neglected to dry the ropes of his pal achute and they clung together as if glued. Ii seemed to him as if it was to be his last descent. His head was growing dizzy and his hands were weakening in their grip but making last effort he shook the ropes violently when the parachute opened "with a pop, and his descent gradually slack. ened. But the "open space" toward which he fell proved to be Q marsh upon which the water was damned back, and his land ing brought him nearly mp to his neck in water and mud, rounding out his chapter of unpleasant experlences. Prof. Hogan's exhibits were very satisfactory to the crowd who, besides their pleasure with the beau. tiful spectacle he gave them, respect him as fearless air sailor, and one who means to do all that he promises to do. The same crowd would be glad to see him here again next fall.
 THE SPEED CLAssEs.
 Summary of 2.45 class, purse $150, di. vided:
 Y
 seRiSs, fSsssss I:s s$Ss
 JoSRson SSfss hsGtfSTG so %ndSs3 g sqpTrs Title dif F M Reach, New York b m, Josie M dis
 Time-2 asK, 2.s71S, 2.sS11, 9.sek.
 Summary of 2.3O class, purse $25O. dISsggs dRagg sgriEGgasld, dEg g. Harry Laird' sturtevSnt, HSrdwick, b E. Leroy, q9f<si
 asSs SSGstGR, 4,oI1oRS RIaRRSuTy S ch gs. & Nutyood Jr l Green. w q m Rel ann A Ar W D Hill, Hoyoke b m, Beaty, dis
 Time-2.sl, 9.s21l, 3.sO, blank, a.sO, SsOk.
 Running race, mile heats, best two in three, purse $1OO.
 A H. Barrey, North Swansea oh 2, Dave, I%s $%iih: SsS:s[FSySllsy' s: r. Ben wOoey,
 Summary of 2.5O class, purse $l5O, di vided:
 c c Miller Hartford g g, Squirrel. 141I as'IsHn, Sloan, Harttord H.;1s 6lE m Lady Rex
 Time-2.3sh, 2.4Oa<, 2.4s.
 Summary of 2.3s class, purse $2OO, di vided.
 FM Meach, New York, b m, Pioretta, 9ll H Alix, Pawtqcket, 2, Iddspepdent, 3 :
 Time-2.ssX, 2.s71' 2.sssl, 3sS. =.
 Running race, mile heats, best two ir tnr06, purse 81UU, QlVlQ0u. J Gleason Windsor. V Dick Turpin, Dor Providence, ,ch g,GaveJackson, None, Glastonbury, b g, Brother Dick. di c Smith, Cherry Valley, N Y, g. BenWooley, d
 Time-1.52k, 1.56k. s's.r -,s r.,
 Open to all class, purse $500, divided. D Avery, Springfield, m, Mollie Harris, II T Reynolds, Hartford, c z, D AT, 29 o Roberts, Holyoke, b g, Wm e, SS Tom Judson, Lowell. b 2, Olaf, Time-284N, 281H, 2.ss.
 THE POULTRY SHOW.
 As in several past years the poultry ex hibit was great feature of the show. Ex hibitors came from all parts of New Eng land, and it is matter of pride that agains such competitors so many high prizes re main in Stafford. There were in all 26s entries in the poultry class, and some o the finest fowls in New England were to bt seen there. The premiums were awarded upon the judgment of one of the bes known poultry fanciers in New EngianC ] or New York-Geo. s. Pratt of Bridgeport and the additional value thereby attached to the award by successful competitors f a strong argument in favor of expert judges in all classes. Awards
 F. H. Andrews, South Woodstock,
 lst-Pen white Cochin chicks.
 2d [" " fowls.
 2d {" s. s. Hamburg chicks } 1st-Pen whitehead Black Spanish.