The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-09-24
MIrHhIIE VISuI|
1890 ElE',,, Then All !
.LargGstaldBGstFai air
Ever Held on the Grounds.
10000 in Attendance
What They Saw and Heard


country within the jurisdiction" of the Portage
County Fair, Notwithstanding the clouds and
showers of Tuesday. The recurrence of this
yearly exhibition is more eagerly anticipated
each season by the people, who appreciate its
social and educational features, and when
Wednesday morning dawned in the perfection
of Autumnal beauty. the barometer of human
hopes and fears registered the highest notch
of hope, which became gratifying certainty
as day succeeded day. The thousands who have
witnessed each years triumph over its prede-
cessor have every reason to renew their con-
gratulations over the outcome of 1891, for cer-
tainly three days of exhibition were never at
tended with more favorable conditions or better
results A large attendance and larger ex-
hibit attested the increased exertion of the
management and the hearty cooperation of the
people. More membership tickets were sold
Tuesday than at any preceding first day of the
FAR, and the number of people on the grounds
Thursday and Friday exceeded the best records
OF former years, good judges estimating the at.
tendance at fully 10,500.
Although Tuesday dawned in the gloom of
clouds and rain, exhibitors were not deferred
from making their entries. and a rushing bust.
ness was done at the Secretary's Office the en-.
tire day. while load after load of wares, pro-
duce and exhibits of all descriptions were
deposited and arranged in their respective de-
partments. The pens of the clerks were busy
all of that and the succeeding day until the
names OF 25S exhibitors and 1884 exhibits were
entered in the books. This guaranteed one of
the best Fairs ever held as far as exhibits were
concerned. and it only rem aimed for the elements
TO be propitious to make it reach the climax of
a successful exposition. And Wednesday. Thurs.
day and Friday were September trinity, SEEM
ingly prepared for this particular occasion
With the exception of "wee sprinkle" ;" Fri
day afternoon. three more delightful days never
graced the Autumn season. and their matin
dawns sped thousands of pilgrims toward this
Mecca Of yearly visitation. until vast assem-
blage spread itself over the grounds 10 enjoy
the varied pleasures of one of the best Fairs in
Northern Ohio. 1t was veritabie county pic
mic, a general reunion of the people who ex-
changed the measured tread of labor's paths for
the freedom of the holiday hours.
The grounds were plentifully bestudded with
the tents and booths of " trader Arabs" whose
voices. sounded in phosphoric brilliancy the
virtues of their wares. For every human i'll
there was a panacea. The arts that polish life,
the inventions that accommodate, and the man
ufactures that enrich it were all to be seen and
possessed at these stands for paltry considera-
tions, vary ing from the nimble nickel to the
jingling dime. "Fsir ground cigars were
burned in plentiful numbers, and if the smok-
er's god was not satisfied with the smoke of his
burnt offerings. cabbage leaves and pulverized
snlpes probably nauseated him into a celes-
| tial dyspepsia. The strength testers hero was
| there again more numerous than ever and
| struck the hardest flows of his life on the
machine. made for utilizing waste muscle in the
| interests of the fakir. The Merry go round ,
| resumed its circuitous routine at the same loca
tion of one year ago. and gleefully whirled
harvest of wealth to its owners and the society
the latter receiving 20 per cent of the gros.
| revenues. From tent near by emanated sound;
| indicative of an attempt to whiteWash tn,
Devil into respectable saint against his will
| That day child might understand
The Dell had business on his hands,"
| How the combat terminated, we refer oul
readers to the curious mortals, who. with ,
nickel passport, entered the presence of "ACri
can culture" Some enterprising genius shoult
| collect the notes of these cosmopolitan concerts
| and breathe them into q music box. An eight
wonder of the world would add much to thu
fakir department of any Fair, although the ont
of last weeks showing was well filed. 1t car
i be truthfully said that nothing was omitted BY
| these art connoisseurs' - to add to the genera
hubbub of moving crowd and noisy hustle O.
machinery But enough of the willy fakirs.
FLORAL HALL.
| was we'll worthy the English versiono of Mira
bile visu." heard in audible exclamat tions OF
expressed by the silent language Of the eye ant
countenance. A constant throng of visitor.
| slowly wended their way through the building
adorned with the choicest specimens of art anG
filed with products of the farm and garden
Each booth and department invited attention
to its beautiful display. and expert indeed wa;
| the critic who could in such hurried survey cor
rectly distinguish or define the superior point
of one over the other. Itwas a collection before
| which one needed hours where minutes were
| given to adequately appreciate its excellence
and not once or twice. but many times did vIsi-
| tors pass in review of the fine exhibits Nature
and Art contributed their choicest production
in more than mortal rivalry, and tardy tn,
pulse and sluggish the mind that would no
quicken its action at the mere vision of so en-
chanting sight. The interior of the building
was a living poem of the field and studio, be
decked with the embellishments of a varied
handiwork. In the center, surrounded by al
artistic miscellany, were the booths. which
skillful hands and trained eyes had converted
i
its.
| &c. PARK,
the popular jeweler and optician, arranged il
costly rows a magnificent display of gentle
mems and ladies' fine gold watches, and al
elaborate ex libit of American movements
Onyx clocks. the latest designs in solid jewelry
solid and plated silverware. fine carving set
in triple silver plate. and the largest and fines
display of diamonds ever seen in Portag
county. The glittering gems flashed and spar
kled in costly splendor, a brilliant advertise
ment of this well known Louse, which is con
stantly stocked with the best goods in tn
| country. Mr.. Park also had very excellen
| exhibit of the Wheeler s. Wilson sewing ma
chimes. which were operated by Robert n
Shearer. of Cleveland. Manager of the company
who demonstrated the splendid qualities of tn
Wheeler & Wilson in every grade of work
fhe first premium was awarded for the bes
display of work done on the grounds and TO
simplicity of machine and attachments. Th
sights to be seen in '' Parks Palace" detaine
many visitor in prolonged admiration unit
admonished by the pushing crowd that time o
well as the time pieces before him was pre-
cious and he must move along. Before his re
gret could be framed into words, the fine dis
play of
n. CONVERSE & SON
appeared before him and he was borne, as
were, from one compartment of royal splendo
into another. This enterprising house greete
the public with handsome display of Dres
Goods and Trimmings. Plush Wraps and Jack
cts. Furs and Rugs. Their resources, as index
ed by the display made. are a recommendatio
that cannot fail to direct the people of Portag
county to N. Converse g. Son when in quest G
fine fabrics and dry goods.
Borne along by the irresistible crowd, th
, visitor takes farewell look at the beautifu
display and next iuds himself admiring tn
praiseworthy exhibit of
THE E. r. W AIT JEwELRY Co.,
in charge of L. j. Goddard. Here. too. the ey
is entertained with the bright scintillations c
the interblended diamond rays. radiating in a.
the glory of the precious gem. Fine watche:
silverware and optical goods complete the ric
| collection, and many are the compliment
heard.
j. 8. SMITH & Son.
1t is not difficult to conjecture the leadin
features of the display made by this large an