The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-09-01
RAIN SADLY INTERPRETERS
Wi,h the Successful Closing
of the Deserving
EIGHTH ANNUAL STATE FAIR.
How the Day was Put m-what tho
Rain Cost the hssocinrion-roint-
crs Gaincd-Thc Fine Tx
hibIt Of ohio County.

hibIt of ohin County.
The Fair Of 1888 came to a close yes
terday, and dreary, dismal closing it
was. Instead OF being brilliant winding
M Of successful bigventure it was u de-
pressing ending OF an enterprise that
only needed one more day Of pleasant
weather to have been an unqualified
success.
The Weather Bureau predicted local
storms for this section OF the country on
Thursday, but fortunately they were de-
layed few hours. Had it rained Thurs
day morning, and thereby kept away the
enormous crowd that poured in from
every direction, the Association would
have been left in very bad shape tinan-
cially. AS 1t Is, the expenses and re-
CENTS this year are about stand-OH,
and the Associations managers have
but little to show for their hard work
aside from the unani nous verdict that
what they did was as well done as II was
possible to do it.
The probabilities are that had yester-
day been a pleasant day the attendance
would have been almost equal to that OF
Thursday, and the money that This sec
ond large turnout would have brought
in would nearly all have been so much
clear money. Nine thousand people
would, il is estimated, have been about
the size OF the crowd had the day been
pleasant. These people would have
been worth $1,000 to the Association.
Those who did hraYe the disagreeable
weather and come reported that along
all the different lines OF railway there
were hundreds who had made their
preparations to attend the Fair, but who
were kept away by the rain.
It commenced to rain before day.
break and continued almost constantly
till after 9 o'clock in the afternoon,
when it ceased and the skies cleared up
partially, but II was then too late to go
ahead with the days programme. Early
in the morning it was not thought that
the rain would amount to much, but II
increased in volume instead OF dimin-
ishing and by 10 o'clock everything was
soaked. After that hour 1t poured down
at times, transforming the track into a
circle OF deep, sticky yellow mud, on
which it uag yell nigh impossible for
imam or beast to stand. IN ffcoFdance
with rule No. o OF the conditions gov
ernipg the races, the speed events OF the
day were declared of.
Notwithstanding the rain, there were
three or four hundred people, many Of
them from out OF the city, passed in and
took in what there was as best they
could. There were many more who
came into the city intending to visit the
Fair, but who stayed on this side OF the
river on account Of the rain, and visited
the stores. The band was on the ground
and divided its time between the beer
hall and the horticultural department,
giving concerts at both places. The ex-
6ibiis in the main, machinery, floral
and horticultural halls and the poultry
deOartment could be inspected with
but little Inconvenience, but there
were few who had the nerve ~ wade
through the mud and see the live stock.
Shortly after 3 o'clock the live stock
commenced leaving and there was a
general tearing down and packing up.
4 large lot OF cattle and horses left the
city last night on special trains for
Washington, Pa, 10 be exhibited at tho
fair 10 be held there next week. More
stock will 20 up there today, including
unite string OF race horses. To-day
will see the grounds stripped Of every
thing but the debris,
The splendid and efficient manage
mcut, headed by Secretary George Hook,
Ed. MenieI, director OF the racing track,
Superinlendents Al. Franzheim and
William Exley and others, who do the
executive work, haye had bad luck be:
fore and will not allow themselves to be
entirely cast down by yesterdays storm:
They will take short rest aud then will
commence getting the machinery in con,
dition for next year. They are all hard
workers and are popular with all with
whom they come in contact ip the dis
charge OF their Fair duties. They are
the right men in the right place and
deserving OF all encouragement.
Some things have been learned tins
wear that have cost something, but the
experience has been worth about what
they cost. For instance, next year in
stead OF paying cut big money for a
"faken entertainment like Peirce 4 Burn
hams running horse combination, this
money will likely be added to the race
purses. PIERCE 4 Burnham did not carry
out their programme rs advertised, md
really the only feature that was worth
seeing was the double team race to skele-
ton wagons with ladies for drivers.
The Stato exhibit by counties was
more in the nature Of an experiment
this year than anything else, Enough
OF showing was made, however, to de-
monstrate that by cit year a very fine
showing can be made easily. Mononga-
lin led in the number and variety OF her
resources this year. The most striking
county exhibit, however, was that OF
fruits and cereals, from this, Ohio coun-
ty. collected and arranged by Mr.. James
Dixon, of Liberty district, assisted by
Mr.. 3. +. McAIeChen, OF this city. Mr..
Dixon was Justly proud OF the beautiful
array Of fruits, many OF which came
from his own place. Mr.. Dixon vas
also proud Of the fact that his handsome
span OF Messenger blooded roadsters
took the first premium over the team OF
n prominent business man here.
Every one appeared to be well pleased
with the treatment received this year,
and larger show in every way Is prom
ised for next year. The management
endeavored to the best Of its ability to
protect its patrons from the Sharper"
element, but some of it slipped in in
spite OF everything; as fast rs it was dis
covered, however, it was fired.
A NOVEL CITY SIGHT.
-. IT,,,,, . - fall, H..