The Press., 1890-10-16

Issued Every ThlPSday EYellng. STAFFORD SPRINGS FAIR. 1s7O-1s9O. 21st Exhibition. A succession of cloudy days, with inter- vals of rain, had begun to cause anxiety as to whether the Stafford Springs Agricul- tural Society was to be favored with good weather. Wednesday, the morning of the first day, began with clear sky in the early morning, but clouds soon overspread the sky again, and it was we'll along in the forenoon before assurance could be felt of passably pleasant day. At the best it was muddy, in the afternoon windy, and somewhat chilly. This set the first days attendance down to about two-thirds the ordinary figure, and of course kept away some cattle and other exhibits, but not enough to prevent fair successful above the average. Thursday was perfect day, and the usual immense attendance was drawn to the widely known Stafford fair" From north and south long strings of cars rolled in, these, with the vehicles pouring in from every direction. making every thoroughfare dense mass of peo- pie and conveyances. By D. m. there was between 5000 and 5000 people upon the grounds, as verified by count of tickets sold, and taken. All through the day this vast crowd found enough to busy itself with ill sight seeing. There were few mo- ments when the track was not occupied with some attraction in the intervals be- tween the closely contested races. Then there was the display in the halls, the won- derful pig weighing 1900 pounds as proved by the size of his picture, the horse whose l 1oe h fh<k of horse from Holy Land," the unfortunate man born with legs and toes like an ele- phant, and the museum of humbugs (that wasn't what they called it), where the criers outside lied to the people but cheated them so openly and unblushingly that everybody smiled and kept good natured over the fraud. There were lots of ways to spend money t advantage, and to worse than waste it. more, it is safe to say, than will be found at any fair hereafter held on these grounds, ''fakirs" having got positions for pursuits that savored of gambling, though proba- bly, within the law, under false pretenses. There were comic singers and all devices to draw crowds about vendors who had use for such as had money to part with. The officers of the society were unre- mitting in efforts to make the fair enjoya- ble. Not until the last item on the pro- gram was checked of, and the last of the we'll satisfied crowd had passed out through the gates did they relax effort, and retire with their we'll earned record of success, ending period of weeks of anxiety and responsibility.
 Prominent persons present were State Treasurer Henry of Rockville, Sheriff Bu- ell of Hebron, also five of his predecessors in office-Pease of Somers, Paulk and West of Rockville, Winter of Holland, and Corbin of Stafford Springs, Mayor Sullivan of Holyoke, County Commissioners Brown and Walker, Superior Court Clerk Dimock of Holland, Cyrus Winchell, A. F. Dickin. son and Brigham Payne of Rockville, Sheriff Pomeroy, Geo. E. Jilson and O. Fl. K. Risley of Willimantic, W. I. Bar. tholomew of Putnam, delegate of the state board of agriculture, and many others ol equal prominence.
 THE BALLOON ASCENSION.
 one of the most uncertain quantities" iu a list of attractions, as past experience has shown, was full success on both days The first day was windy, and there was z gloomy looking sky to sail toward. Never theless, the preparations were made, anG the inflated balloon, loosened, went up, but the wind rapidly bore it easterly, and the eronaut on that account let go when about
 
 being enabled to make the descent in full sight of the ground. The balloon was carried by the wind about three miles away, dropping beyond Village Hill, and was not found until about noon next day coming upon the grounds after the pros pect of second ascent had come to be considered as dubious. It took but short time to get ready, however, and fifteen minutes from the time of lighting the fire Prof Northrop was ready and in place awaiting the signal to let go. He made the ascent with his feet resting upon g rope swing hanging from wooden hooE which he held with his hands. This hooI hung from the parachute, which was at l tached to the balloon, and when ready to descend Prof. Northrop was provided witt device for cutting the rope attaching te the balloon. The second days ascent wal to much higher point, the balloon rising nearly straight upwards. The crowd cheer ed the rising voyager, and a few minutes later gave him hearty greeting, with hano shakes, and he was straightway put upor the books of the society for re-engagemen so long and so often as balloon ascension = were called for at the Stafford Springs fair
 IN HoRTIcU1TURA1 HALL
 the exhibit was a surprise indeed, going beyond nytnnS or IOrm0r years. In6ft was an abundance of apples-fne looking h fruit, and more peaches and pears thar I ever shown at fair when held so late il the season. It is noted that in years o scant fruit yield we have our best exhibits each person having good fruit appearing then to be less afraid of competition Among other exhibitors our former fellev townsman, Philander Holmes, came iron West Brookfeld, Mass, with tempting collection of apples, pears and grapes, als, having pyramid of fine dahlias in tn center of his exhibit, the only prominen floral display made.
 There were 214 varieties of apples, 30 o pears, and corresponding display o grapes, peaches, cranberries, &c.
 In kitchen products the show was good comprising, wheat. rye, brown and gra ham bread, biscuit, pickles, jellies, honey butter, raised, marble, citron, delicate sponge and fruit cake, doughnuts, cookies maple syrup, canned fruits and vegetables catsup, vinegar, etc.
 On parallel tables were the triumphs o out door farm work. A long stretch of ts ble held M. B. Fisk's display of over 20 varieties of potatoes entered for exhibition Next was collection of A. G. Rosebrook IS varieties. Tables, floors, and all avail able space was taken with vegetables of al kinds, and each seeming the best of thei