San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-11-30
A GREAT FAIR DAY.
Yesterday Red Letter Day Among
the Sporting Men--Some
Very Fine Work on the
Race Track

Race Track.
After Thanksgiving dinner had
been disposed of yesterday, the
thoughts of our people turned ma
turally towards the fair grounds
Every train, as it came into the depot
brought its additional hundreds
Very few articles had been removed
from the exposition hall, nothing
from machinery building, and the Wis
itors were we'll rewarded for theil
presence. Very many more San An
tonians in proportion to the number
present, were observed upon the
grounds, than upon any previous day,
The wind was less cutting, and there
was a spirit of animation and good
feeling among the visitors, which
seemed to say that they were getting
their moneys worth.
Much interest conferred in the bal
loon ascension, which was a perfect
success. When fully inflated, and
the stay ropes were cut the large mass
shot swiftly into the air in vertical
direction, there being little wind to
interfere with its direct ascent. AS
it cleared from the surrounding
crowds and shot above the buildings,
the aeronaut was seen standing in
the ropes beneath the balloon, his
parachute Topped up ready for
use. When an ascent of
half mile had been reach
ed, the hold on the ropes was
loosened, the parachute was detached
and the drop was made, the huge
balloon rising more rapidly, being
freed from its weight. The descent for
the first hundred yards was very
rapid, then the parachute began to
decrease the downward motion, but
as this decreased quite an oscillating
movement was given the parachute
which swung the aerionaut from side
to side like the pendulum of a clock.
At no time, however, was there any
danger of the parachute turning over
and the landing was made in perfect
safety, not thirty feet from where the
ascent was begun, showing that there
was scarcely perceptible air current
at least for half a mile above the
earth's surface. In the higher strata
a northeast current was reached and
the balloon sailed very slowly over
the race track enclosure and, its sup
ply of hot air being exhausted, land
ed on the grounds of Riverside park,
a half mile or more from the place
of initiation and ascent. A more per-
feet exhibition could not have been
Witnessed. There was no hitch in
the business and it was well worth
double the price of admission to the
grounds to have witnessed it. ThOus-
ands who were disappointed in
not seeing the ascent attempt
ed on Sunday last would have
been present yesterday had they been
certain the ascent would have been
successfully accomplished.
IN EXPOSITION HALL.
The Mexican band proved draw
ing card as heretofore, and the Singer
exhibit was thronged all afternoon.
There is no discount on either of these
attractions and they draw like plas-
ter, to the end Of the chapter. During
the forenoon the United States Infan-
try band, in machinery hall, rendered
some excellent music which was high
ly appreciated as were also their Sc
lections at the grand stand during the
races. The awards made since last
report as given by the secretary's
book are:
J. p. DeVine, of San Antonio took
the following prizes:
Best buck, years and over, SO.
Best buck, year and over, $3.50.
Best buck kid, S..
Best eve kid, So.
h,,oH Of onv ORC 60
w. NJ. Landrum, of San Antonio:
Best eve, years and over, first
premium, $50.
Best eve, year and over, S..
Best eve, Of any age, SO.
Best display of wall paper (diplO-
MAJ E. G. Riley & Co., San Antonio.
Best display of saddles, brides,
single and double harness; best dis
play of saddler's tools; best display of
leather and best Texas made saddle,
Noyes & Langholz, San Antonio.
Best display of pianos diplomat L.
w. NorcrOss & Co., Galveston.
Best book binding and printing
diplomat Maverick Printing Co., San
Antonio.
Best display office devices and fur
niture, Mic Tengg, San Antonio; also
best display of blank book, paper and
stationery.
Best display stencil cuts, H. G. Mil
Ter, San Antonio.
Best display gents furnishing
goods and best display hats and caps,
Young d Arnold, San Antonio.
Best display boots and shoes, Texas
made, by retailer, Luchesse Bros, San