Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1891-10-01
SOUTH ACW0RTH FAIR.
WHAT A TIMES REPORTER SAW THAT
WAS INTERESTING.


Unite and Get up Successful Fair
Horses, Cattle and Sheep of Superior
Quality and in Good Numbers-Indica-
tons of Fine Farming Region.
drive up the Cold River valley is
one to be thoroughly enjoyed, and last
Friday was perfect day for the
thorough pleasure of such trip. At
$50 the start was made, and the ID miles
of the distance were covered before the
hot sun made riding uncomfortable.
The road to South Acworth follows the
river closely, and is shut in by hills on
either side, so that no specially interest
ing scenic points are noticeable. A farm
house nesting here and there among the
slopes, and then one perched on hill
overlooking the valley for miles, and
others close besides the roadway are
pleasing reliefs to the monotony of driv-
ing over road almost completely en-
powered in pines.
Alstead village was reached at 7.30
and presented pleasing picture in the
light of the morning sun. The village is
remarkable, perhaps, for the general
and for the uniformity of the dwellings
of the people. Few fences are noticed
along the street fronts, and the lawns
and yards are carefully trimmed and
watched. There was evidence of bust
ness activities of a substantial character,
even at that early hour, and the impress
sion of Alstead was pleasing.
Leaving that town for the six or seven
mile drive to South Acworth, one still
closely follows the windings of the river,
which now becomes more shallow and
brook like. just above the village is a
mill and above the mill gorge having
all the characteristics Of the great
canons, excepting in size. Good roads
conduce to quick travel and by o'clock
South Acworth village is reached.
The village is typical of the New Eng
land country. 1t lies alongside, on both
sides, in fact, of Cold River, and below
it is an immense gorge, near which once
stood a mill, the blackened ruins tells all
too clearly of the manner of it's destruc-
ton. There are two churches, one large
school house, the prime factors of New
England village life, number of stores
and plenty of homelike, pleasantly stu
ated dwellings. The main part of the
village is on the northerly side of the
river, and across are few scattered
houses connected with big farms.
s'Across the stream" is the direction to
find George r. Cummings homestead
1t proves to be one of those large square
houses, built generously for large fam
lily, facing toward the pleasant direc-
tons, and shaded by trees which have
seen generations grow up and disappear.
Mr.. Cummings is very busy, but hearty
invitation RI a1irht rpoHQc ono fool of
home, and warm welcome from the
busy housewife, Mrs. Cummings, dispels
all feelings of intrusion. The fittings of
the house betray the well-to-do New
Hampshire farmer and convince one that
farming pays after all if the manage
ment is what it should be. Connected
with the house are great barns, and it
must be remembered that poor soil and
poor farming can be accommodated with
small barns.
But it is the fair which is the allah
sorbing object of interest to-day. From
every direction are coming teams loaded
with merry lads and lasses, bent on a
day of enjoyment, and the elderly peo-
pie come, too, for the same laudable pur-
pose. Each one has something to show,
from colt with a pedigree tracing far
back of Ethan Allen to the outlined table
scarf of the young girl. Each one is
interested and enthusiastic to have the
first fair success.
Years ago big fairs used to be held at
the center of the town, Acworth, proper.
It was almost like visiting one of those
by-gone exhibitions to hear one of the
older people describe it in terms of en-
thusiasm. But that was the halcyon time
of cid and it is left for people of the
present to deal with the fair in South
Acworth.
About two weeks before the date of
the fair Cold River and Warren Pond
oranges determined upon such an exhi-
bition. There had been some previous
talk of it but nothing was definitely de-
cided until that time. The members OF
both oranges went to work with will
and the result of their labors was the
excellent exhibition of September %
Few, even among the most enthusiastic
of the members, expected to see such
a show. Outsiders expected little OF
nothing, but all were happily disappoint.
ed. Competition was limited to mem
Der of the oranges, but outsiders were
allowed to show stock and receive hon.
orable mention. Awards were made but
no cash premiums paid, so the expenses
of the fair were low. No admission fet
was charged, everyone going and coming
as they pleased. The exhibits were
somewhat scattered; the horses at Mr.
Cummings house, the cattle and sheer
across the river in shady place, ant
the fruit. vegetables and domestic arti
cles in Union hall, over j. B. Richard
sons store, quarter of mile or NOR
away. Notwithstanding this, everybody
was satisfied and enjoyed the day to the
utmost. The Washington brass bant
furnished music and some members Of
the oranges made speeches, which thu
reporter didn't hear because he wa
looking at the cattle. They were called
good, however, by those who did hear
and that is the main thing for both speak
er and listener. How many attended
That is hard to say. The crowd was s,
scattered that one could hardly deter
mine. A conservative estimate that da,
placed the number at rising of $500
Figures since then sent to this offic
place it at 1900. 1t is probable that on
is too high and the other too low, but
is not unlikely that more than 1000 pee
pie attended South Acworth fair. Al
the surrounding towns emptied bodil
L., Al